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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The following message is sent on behalf of Dr. Tammi Vacha-Haase, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Dear Colleagues in the Division of Academic Affairs,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share updates and important next steps regarding the transition to our new Faculty Advisory Council, in light of state
 legislation and system-policy changes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">As many of you will recall, in the spring the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 37 (“SB 37”), which—among other things—addresses the governance structure for faculty
 bodies at public institutions of higher education. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Key elements of SB 37 relevant to our work:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Establishes that any faculty council or senate at an institution may be “advisory only” and may not exercise final
 decision-making authority. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Requires that the governing board of the institution adopt a policy for selection of the faculty council’s members
 that ensures adequate representation of each college or school and limits the number of members.
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Sets an effective date for the changes of September 1, 2025.
<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In response to SB 37, the A&M System has been both supportive and proactive. Last July, Dr. Yasemin Atinc, then Faculty Senate President, and I began developing ETAMU’s
 new Faculty Advisory Council policy. We built upon the SB 37 framework, our university’s strategic plan and core values, and the recommendations from the System Office. After several rounds of thoughtful revision—and valuable feedback from former Faculty Senators—we
 finalized a policy that reflects who we are and what we aspire to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This week, we received the final approvals from the System for the
<a href="https://inside.tamuc.edu/aboutus/policiesproceduresstandardsstatements/rulesProcedures/12faculty/12.04.99.R1.pdf">
Faculty Advisory Council (12.04.99.R1</a>); below are a few key features of the new structure:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Faculty Advisory Council will consist of 25 members.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Officers of the Council will be the Presiding Officer, the Associate Presiding Officer, and the Secretary, all appointed
 by the University President.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The President will appoint a total of seven members, one representing each college.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The remaining 18 members will be elected by faculty at the college level.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The college dean’s office is responsible for annually facilitating faculty nomination and conducting the voting process.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Deans will begin coordinating college-level elections in the coming weeks. I hope those of you invited to serve will say yes—we have important work ahead. Your participation
 will ensure that ETAMU continues on its upward trajectory—one that honors our past while boldly advancing into the future. It is an exciting time to be at our institution, and this Faculty Advisory Council will play a key role in continuing our upward trajectory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I want to express my sincere gratitude to all who have served on the Faculty Senate over the past many years. Your dedication and service have been instrumental in advancing
 our university’s mission and strengthening our shared governance culture. Our success reflects our belief that faculty voices are valuable and important in helping to continue to shape the future of our institution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This will continue with this new Advisory Council. Our commitment to shared discussion remains strong: we are better together and, now more than ever, we will rely on your
 expertise and partnership. Together, we will continue to foster an environment where collaboration, respect, and innovation thrive.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I fully believe our strength lies in working together. Thank you for all you do to make this university an extraordinary place to learn, teach, and serve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">With appreciation and commitment,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">tvh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">_____________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Tammi Vacha-Haase, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">East Texas A&M University
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Commerce, TX  75428<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><a href="https://www.tamuc.edu/"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="250" height="34" style="width:2.6083in;height:.35in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.gif@01DC48C4.72BB9C40" alt="TAMUC logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
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