[COSEAfaculty] Can of Worms

Thu Jul 4 12:31:42 CDT 2013

I agree completely with the suggestion already made by several people that the department heads should be given the authority to adjust the loads best fit the situation and needs of the individual departments consistent with the general guideline of the university.

Bao-An Li
Physics and Astronomy

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 4, 2013, at 8:19 AM, "Robert L Williams" <Bob.Williams at tamuc.edu> wrote:

> All:
> 
> As we celebrate Independence Day (or recover from it, tomorrow) let us consider the rationale behind the suggested revisions in the faculty workload.  I believe the intent was to empower faculty and departments to reward faculty for teaching overloads, give flexibility to department heads in making assignments, and create some validation of "all that we do."  However, thal ALL varies from college and department as well as with faculty members within the departments. 
> 
> I say that just like the myLeo issue, we should just stick to what currently exists as procedures, give department heads authority to "adjust" loads as needed as long as the load is reasonable and fair, and get on with our very important work (however, you define it).
> 
> I plan to continue to teach at or around 12 hours per semester, but know that in order for students to graduate/complete a thesis/etc., I may teach more for a semester or two.  That choice has always been mine to make, and I want to continue to have that choice.
> 
> Happy July 4th!  Be safe!
> 
> Bob
> 
> Robert L. "Bob" Williams, PhD
> Associate Professor and Teacher Educator
> Coordinator-Agricultural & Family Education
> Department of Agricultural Sciences
> Texas A&M University-Commerce
> P.O. Box 3011
> Commerce, TX  75429
> 903.886.5350 office
> 903.886.5990 fax
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coseafaculty-bounces at tamuc.edu on behalf of Pamela Webster
> Sent: Wed 7/3/2013 6:28 PM
> To: coseafaculty at tamuc.edu
> Cc: Linda Openshaw
> Subject: [COSEAfaculty] FW:  Workload Procedure
> 
> Hello, everyone.
> 
> 
> 
> Please see the comments below from Dr. Dorsett and comment as you see
> fit.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Pamela.
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Pamela S. Webster
> 
> Assistant Professor, Professional Track,
> 
> Director of the Math Skills Center, and
> 
> Coordinator of the Developmental Math Program
> 
> Texas A&M University - Commerce
> 
> Office Phone:  903-886-5950
> 
> Fax:  903-886-5945
> 
> Binnion Hall 315
> 
> 
> 
> --It's not what you take with you, but what you leave behind, that
> describes the quality of your life.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: Charles Dorsett
> Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 5:04 PM
> To: Pamela Webster; Linda.Openshaw at tamu.edu
> Subject: RE: [COSEAfaculty] Workload Procedure
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Pam;
> 
> I am sorry, but the attached proposed workload procedure for the CoSEA
> is disappointing.
> 
> In paragraph 2 section 2.1, what does "normally" mean?
> 
> In Math we teach four hour classes. For teaching two four hour classes
> under this policy, the teacher will receive insufficient credit for a
> reduced load forever and, at the same time, receive no other
> consideration for teaching the extra hours. There are those in Math that
> have taught 13 or 14 hours semester after semester with the repeated
> promise of a reduce workload in the future. The proposed procedure will
> make those many promises made faculty members by administrators of this
> University totally false promises further destroying trust at this
> University. Under this procedure the normal load for those faculty
> members with the expertise and training required to teach the four hour
> classes will remain at 13 or 14 hours.
> 
> 
> 
> Supervising an Honor's Thesis or a Master's Thesis or a Master's
> Research Project or a Doctoral Dissertation is a "MAJOR" commitment for
> a faculty member. In Math serving as a supervisor for an honor's student
> or a graduate student is an addition to the "normal" teaching load of 12
> to 14 hours. With the "small" master's program in Math, nobody will
> receive a reduced load as a result of their supervision of honor's
> students and graduate students. Within Math, the faculty has repeatedly
> rolled-up their sleeves and done everything possible to make the
> undergraduate and graduate programs the best it can be with hopes and
> promises that things would improve in the future. The faculty members of
> the CoSEA deserve a workload policy that will support, promote, and
> reward them for their many "Extra-Ordinary" contributions to the College
> and our students. The proposed procedure will ensure that not happen.
> 
> 
> 
> Charles Dorsett
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: coseafaculty-bounces at tamuc.edu
> [mailto:coseafaculty-bounces at tamuc.edu] On Behalf Of Pamela Webster
> Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 12:56 PM
> To: coseafaculty at tamuc.edu
> Subject: [COSEAfaculty] Workload Procedure
> 
> 
> 
> Hi, everyone.
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Cooper and I believe we have fulfilled the charge given to us of
> writing the CoSEA Workload Procedure.  Please find attached the DRAFT of
> the procedure, along with a sample NTT faculty evaluation form.  If you
> feel the draft needs revision, please let us know as quickly as
> possible.    We will make as many appropriate revisions by our deadline
> of THIS FRIDAY, July 5th.
> 
> 
> 
> Also, just as a note:  If you are NTT faculty and you would like to
> request a different workload, the deadline for THIS YEAR ONLY will be
> extended (to be determined).  The July 1st date will begin next year
> once the workload procedure is in place. 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks so much,
> 
> Pamela.
> 
> 
> 
> Dr. Pamela S. Webster
> 
> Assistant Professor, Professional Track,
> 
> Director of the Math Skills Center, and
> 
> Coordinator of the Developmental Math Program
> 
> Texas A&M University - Commerce
> 
> Office Phone:  903-886-5950
> 
> Fax:  903-886-5945
> 
> Binnion Hall 315
> 
> 
> 
> --It's not what you take with you, but what you leave behind, that
> describes the quality of your life.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> COSEAfaculty mailing list
> COSEAfaculty at tamuc.edu
> http://mailman.tamuc.edu/mailman/listinfo/coseafaculty
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