University of North Texas

As the Faculty Senate meets for the first time for the 2013-14 academic year, it’s keeping the same leaders and meeting format for a second year.

The senate will meet Sept. 11, with last year’s officers — Mark Vosvick, associate professor of psychology, chairman; Francisco Guzman, associate professor of marketing, vice chairman; and Pam Harrell, associate professor of teacher education and administration, secretary — continuing in the same roles.

The senate also will continue last year’s format in which the monthly meetings begin with a discussion among senators about current issues. This way, Provost Warren Burggren, who usually attends the meetings, and other representatives from the administration can listen. Burggren and the administrators then can respond to the senators’ discussion.  

This year, the senate plans to discuss such issues as parking, merit pay and lack of communication between some administrators and faculty members in decision making.

“Our goals for 2013-2014 will mostly be focused on promoting shared governance, keep representing all faculty concerns and keeping faculty informed through the presidential transition,” Guzman said.

Senators also sought more communication from their constituents by asking for their input before the meetings. Each meeting also spotlighted a member of the Faculty Senate.

The senate meetings are open to the campus community and are held from 2 to 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month in Wooten Hall, Room 322. The senate usually does not meet in January, July and August.

• Learn more about the Faculty Senate, find monthly meeting agendas.

Faculty members are welcome to volunteer to serve on a senate committee that addresses issues they’re concerned about.

• Find a list of committees.

Above, from left, Vosvick, Harrell and Guzman. (Photo by Jonathan Reynolds.)