Legislation for 2020-2021

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Legislation for 2020-2021

LEGISLATION COMPLETED, WITHDRAWN, OR CLOSED in 2020-2021

Proposal to Create a School of Information Chapter In The Undergraduate Catalog, 2020-2022 For Proposed New Bachelor Of Arts And A Bachelor Of Science Degree Programs In Informatics (D 17253-17260)

​Distributed through the Faculty Council website on September 23, 2019, and classified as general legislation. On October 14; 2019, the Faculty Council unanimously approved the legislation. It was transmitted to Executive Vice President and Provost Maurie McInnis on October 16, 2019.  On October 29, 2019, Provost McInnis approved the legislation and was transmitted to UT System on January 29, 2020, for consideration at the May Board of Regents meeting. On May 30, 2020, UT System transmitted its recommendation for approval to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. On October 23, 2020, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board granted final approval with one minor change.

Proposal to Change the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Degree Program in the College of Natural Sciences Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2020-2022 (D 17404-17409)

Distributed through the faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on October 28, 2019, and classified as being of general interest to more than one college or school. On November 8, 2019, the Faculty Council approved the legislation on a no-protest basis. Because the changes included the creation of an integrated degree program in dietetics, on November 11, 2019, the legislation was transmitted to the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies for consideration by the Graduate Assembly. On October 14, 2020, Graduate Assembly endorsed the proposal, which was subsequently approved by Mark J.T. Smith (Dean and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs) on October 20, 2020. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Dan Jaffe granted final approval on November 9, 2020.

Proposed Student Bereavement Policy (D 18282-18284) 

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on June 5, 2020. The resolution was presented to the Faculty Council for discussion at its meeting on June 15, 2020, and was approved by majority vote  at its meeting on July 13, 2020. On July 14, 2020, it was transmitted to Interim Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe with a request that he transmit his recommendation for approval or disapproval to Interim President Jay C. Hartzell On July 28, 2020, Interim Vice President and Provost Jaffe  transmitted the legislation to Interim President Jay Hartzell recommending approval and that it be forwarded to the University Policy Office for consideration through the policy development process. Final approval resides with the President with notification to UT System’s Office of the Vice Chancellor and Deputy General Counsel. On November 18, 2020, President Hartzell granted final approval.

Resolution to Endorse Petition Entitled “Demand UT Take Action to Protect Black Students” (D 18292-18295)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on June 12, 2020. On June 15, 2020, the Faculty Council endorsed the resolution by majority vote. It was transmitted to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Daniel T. Jaffe on June 16, 2020, with a request that the University Administration make significant progress on all items in the petition by August 10, 2020, so that the reforms are in place before the vast majority of students arrive on campus for the fall 2020 semester. Interim Provost Jaffe was asked to provide his recommendations for approval or disapproval to Interim President Jay Hartzell. On June 25, 2020, Interim Provost Jaffe indicated that "While I am not in a position to endorse these petitions, they provide important and valuable information and context for the upcoming listening sessions that ]Interim President Hartzell has scheduled in the coming weeks." President Hartzell responded February 9, 2021 with a list of initiatives “aimed at supporting our talented and diverse community.”

Resolution to Endorse Petition Entitled “Have UT Austin Acknowledge Its Racist History and Vow to Make Reparations” (D 18296-18299)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on June 12, 2020. On June 15, 2020, the Faculty Council endorsed the resolution by majority vote. It was transmitted to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Daniel T. Jaffe on June 16, 2020, with a request that the University Administration make significant progress on all items in the petition in the 2020-21 academic year. It believes that several items can be completed in the 2020-21 academic year, including the renaming of Robert Lee Moore Hall. Interim Provost Jaffe was asked to provide his recommendations for approval or disapproval to Interim President Jay Hartzell. On June 25, 2020, Interim Provost Jaffe indicated that "While I am not in a position to endorse these petitions, they provide important and valuable information and context for the upcoming listening sessions that ]Interim President Hartzell has scheduled in the coming weeks." President Hartzell responded February 9, 2021 with a list of initiatives “aimed at supporting our talented and diverse community.”

Proposal to Modify the Rules of Procedure for Quorums in the Handbook of Operating Procedures “2-1110 Faculty Council” (D 18322-18325)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on July 23, 2020. The legislation was classified as being of minor interest. On July 31, 2020, the Faculty Council approved the legislation on a no-protest basis. On August 3, 2020, it was transmitted to Interim Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe with a request that he transmit his recommendation for approval or disapproval to Interim President Jay C. Hartzell. On August 4, 2020, Interim Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe transmitted the legislation to Interim President Jay Hartzell recommending approval.  Final approval resides with the President. On November 18, 2020, President Hartzell granted final approval.

Resolution from the Faculty Council Executive Committee Regarding the Conferral of Degrees (D 18510) 

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on August 27, 2020. On September 9, 2020, the Faculty Council endorsed the resolution on a no-protest basis. No further action is required.

Proposed Land Acknowledgment to be Adopted by The University of Texas at Austin (D 18514-18518)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on September 14, 2020. The Secretary classified the proposal as general interest. On September 21, 2020, the Faculty Council unanimously approved the legislation. On September 22, 2020, it was transmitted to Interim Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe with a request that he transmit his recommendation for approval or disapproval to Interim President Jay C. Hartzell. On September 28, 2020, Interim Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe transmitted the legislation to President Jay Hartzell recommending approval. Final approval resides with the President. On February 2, 2021, President Jay Hartzell approved the legislation. 

FCEC Resolution for Extending the Deadline for Q-Drop and Opt-In Pass-Fail Option for Fall 2020 (D 18575-18576)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on November 20, 2020 and classified as an emergency resolution. The Faculty Council endorsed the resolution at its meeting on November 23, 2020, which was transmitted to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Dan Jaffe. On November 25, 2020, Interim Provost Jaffe transmitted his recommendations for modifying the FCEC’s proposal to President Jay Hartzell. On November 25, 2020, President Hartzell approved Interim Provost Jaffe’s recommendations and a message was sent to all students and faculty informing them of the extended deadline for Q-Drops and P/F Flexibility.

Educational Policy Committee Resolution on Changes to the Current Course Instructor Survey System and Questions (D 18562-18567) 

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on November 2, 2020. The resolution was unanimously endorsed by the Faculty Council at its meeting on November 16, 2020. On November 17, 2020, the resolution was transmitted to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Dan Jaffe with a request to provide input to President Jay Hartzell on the possible implementation of the committee’s recommendations. On January 27, 2021, Provost Jaffe sent input to President Hartzell on implementation.

Technology-Enhanced Education Oversight Committee Resolution on Principles Regarding UT Austin’s Technology-Enhanced Education: Critical Needs and Solutions (D 18665-18667)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on February 3, 2021. The resolution was passed by majority vote by the Faculty Council on March 8, 2021, and transmitted to Interim Provost Dan Jaffe for his information on March 10, 2021. No further action is required.

Revisions to the Handbook of Operating Procedures 2-1060-PM Standing Committees of the General Faculty—Institutional Policy or Governance Committees (D 18672-18677)        

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ for no-protest review on March 1, 2021. The resolution, pertaining to the C-4 Educational Policy Committee and the C-10 Recruitment and Retention Committee, passed by no protest on March 15, 2021. On March 16, 2021, the resolution was transmitted to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Daniel Jaffe. Provost Jaffe recommended approval to the President on March 22, 2021, who gave final approval on April 19, 2021.

University of Texas Libraries Committee Resolution on Open Access and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D 18678-18679) 

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on March 15, 2021. The Faculty Council endorsed the resolution by majority vote on March 22, 2021. The resolution was transmitted to Interim Provost Dan Jaffe for his information on March 23, 2021. No further action is required.

Report of the Committee to Nominate Faculty Council Members for Appointment to the University of Texas at Austin Police Oversight Committee (D 18689)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on March 17, 2021. The Council approved the panel by no-protest on March 31, 20210, and it was transmitted to President Jay Hartzell on April 1, 2021. On August 16, 2021, the President appointed Jennifer Laurin (Professor, Law) for a three year term beginning September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2024.

Report of the Committee to Nominate Faculty Members for Appointment to the University Co-op Board of Directors (D 18690)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on March 17, 2021. The Council approved the panel by no-protest on March 31, 20210, and it was transmitted to President Jay Hartzell on April 1, 2021. On April 7, President Hartzell appointed Professor Lorenzo Sadun (Mathematics) to a four-year term beginning September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2025.

Election of Voting Faculty Members to the Undergraduate Studies Advisory Committee (D 18695)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on March 23, 2021. Starting March 23 through March 29, 2021, voting members of the Faculty Council cast their votes via Qualtrics to elect two voting members of the General Faculty to serve on the Undergraduate Studies Advisory Committee for three-year terms. Madhavi Mallapragada (Associate Professor, Radio-Television-Film), representing the College of Communication, and Dixie Stanforth (Professor of Instruction, Kinesiology and Health Education), representing the College of Education, were elected for service beginning September 1, 2021. On April 1, 2021, Dean Brent Iverson was notified of the election results via email.

Schedule for Meetings of the Faculty Council in 2021-2022 (D 18707)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ for a no-protest review on April 14, 2021. The Faculty Council approved the schedule by no-protest on April 28, 2021, and it was transmitted to President Jay Hartzell for his information on April 29, 2021.

Degrees Awarded in 2020-21 (D 18708)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on April 14, 2021. In a departure from the practice followed through 1997-98, the classified lists of degrees awarded in 2020-21 will be omitted from the bound volumes of the Documents of the General Faculty. Copies of the lists will be available from the Office of the Registrar.

Update to the Core Curriculum Course Lists for the General Information  2021-2022 Catalog (D 18557-18561)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on October 30, 2020, on a no-protest basis. The secretary has classified this proposal as general legislation. On November 13, 2020, the Faculty Council approved the changes on a no-protest basis, and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Dan Jaffe was notified of the approval on November 17, 2020. Submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board April 30, 2021 and approved May 19, 2021.

Report of the Committee to Nominate Faculty Members for Appointment to the Intercollegiate Athletics Council (D 18688) Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on March 17, 2021. The Council approved the panel by no-protest on March 31, 20210, and it was transmitted to President Jay Hartzell on April 1, 2021. The President will make the final appointments. On August 5, 2021, President Hartzell appointed Ethan Burris (Professor, Management) and Tasha Philpot (Professor, Government) for four-year terms beginning September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2025.

Proposed Deletion of the Science and Technology Management Major in the Bachelor of Business Administration in the School of Business Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18711-18713)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by the Faculty Council by no-protest review on May 4, 2021 and sent to Interim Provost Dan Jaffe on May 5, 2021. Approved by the Provost May 12, 2021.

Proposed Deletion of the Biology Option in the Bachelor of Science in Biology in the College of Natural Sciences Chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18714-18715)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by the Faculty Council by no-protest review on May 4, 2021 and sent to Interim Provost Dan Jaffe on May 5, 2021. Approved by the Provost May 12, 2021.

Proposed Deletion of the Biochemistry Option in the Bachelor of Science and Arts in the College of Natural Sciences Chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18716-18717)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by the Faculty Council by no-protest review on May 4, 2021 and sent to Interim Provost Dan Jaffe on May 5, 2021. Approved by the Provost May 12, 2021.

Faculty Welfare Committee Resolution on Faculty and Staff Paid Medical Leave (D 18162-18163)

Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/ on March 30, 2020. The resolution was presented to the Faculty Council at its meeting on April 13, 2020. It was approved by majority vote. On April 14, 2020, the resolution was transmitted to Executive Vice President and Provost Maurie McInnis for her information. On May 22, 2020, the Provost’s office transmitted the resolution to Associate Vice President for Human Resources Adrienne Howarth-Moore for consideration given federal and state laws.

Proposal to Add Honors Program in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18753-18760). Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by a no-protest vote June 14, 2021 and sent to Interim Provost Jaffe for his approval June 16, 2021. Provost Jaffe provided final approval on July 12, 2021.

Proposal to Change the Name of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18748-18752). Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by a no-protest vote June 14, 2021 and sent to Interim Provost Jaffe for his approval June 16, 2021. Provost Jaffe approved the legislation on July 12, 2021. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the legislation on July 26, 2021.

Proposal to Change the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18743-18747). Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by a no-protest vote June 14, 2021 and sent to Interim Provost Jaffe for his approval June 16, 2021. Provost Jaffe approved the legislation on July 12, 2021. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board granted final approval on August 2, 2021.

Proposal to Create a Business Analytics Major in the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Program in the School of Business Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2022-2024 (D 18709-18710). Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu/. Approved by the Faculty Council at the May 3, 2021 meeting and sent to Interim Provost Dan Jaffe on May 5, 2021. The Provost approved the proposal May 12, 2021 and by UT System on July 31, 2021. Final approval received from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board August 16, 2021.

Resolution on COVID-19 Guidelines for Fall 2021 (D 18790). Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on August 8, 2021 and approved via online vote August 9, 2021. Transmitted to Executive Vice President and Provost Sharon Wood for her information August 9, 2021

Annual Report of the Faculty Council for 2020-2021 (D 18845-18865). Distributed through the Faculty Council website https://facultycouncil.utexas.edu on August 26, 2021