President Maria Hernandez Ferrier opened the Feb. 10 President’s Leadership Council meeting by informing members that the Texas A&M System Board of Regents approved two new buildings for A&M-San Antonio — Central Academic Building and Patriot’s Casa, a stand-alone building dedicated to serving the University’s military student community.
A Feb. 15 media release issued by University Communications stated the academic building plan calls for 170,750 gross square feet.
Ferrier attended the Feb. 9 board meeting at A&M-Corpus Christi with Provost Brent Snow; Chuck Rodriguez, vice president for strategic initiatives and development; and Kenneth Mitts, vice president for finance and administration.
Snow said that even though the vote must be approved by the coordinating board, “It’s pretty much a done deal.”
The board also approved two new bachelor’s programs in Spanish and community health.
“Now the next step is the vote goes to the coordinating board for final approval,” Ferrier said.
Snow also said the board approved the tenure and promotion guidelines and procedures, which were developed and recommended by a committee of faculty members spring 2011.
Reports were provided by six departments — academic affairs, student affairs, institutional advancement, finance and administration, university communications and safety and security.
Academic Affairs
• Dr. Bill Bush, head of the School of Arts and Sciences and assistant professor of history, said there will be a speaker coming to HIST 4361, African-American History, the first class of its kind to be offered at this University. The event is in celebration of Black History Month and is open to students and employees.
Laura Thompson, national chair of Sistas in Business, will speak from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in Room 353 of Main Campus Building. Thompson will discuss a documentary she produced drawn from the oral history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A discussion will follow a viewing of the documentary.
• Dr. Lopez, head of the School of Education and Kinesiology, also provided a report at the meeting, but was unavailable for follow-up interview after requests were sent via phone and an email.
• Dr. Tracy Hurley, head of the School of Business, was not at the meeting. No report was given.
• The University’s application for accreditation is in the process to being submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The goal for submission completion is early March. The accreditation process, university officials say, will take two years.
• Dr. Megan Wise de Valdez, president-elect of Faculty Senate and biology professor, said the senate had their first meeting of the spring term Feb. 2 and is going through the proper processes to make decisions. She added that faculty will “feel like they have a place to have their voice heard.” Read about the senate meeting.
Student Affairs
Grams said enrollment has been “really good” in two years and that her department is targeting higher enrollment through a recruiting effort. “We’re focusing on groups that haven’t heard from us before,” she said, like Café College. She said they also will continue working with the community colleges to connect with high school students.
She reported that student activities are also ongoing, adding that Club Rush at both campuses was successful as students welcomed the student appreciation effort of free hot dogs. Read about Club Rush.
There are a number of student groups and new applications for new organizations, which Grams said Jolene DesRoches, counseling disabilities services coordinator, is working to approve.
Grams also noted University employees can volunteer to work for Free Application For Student Aid or FAFSA Day 8 a.m. Feb. 25 in conjunction with Café College to increase understanding of financial aid processes.
Dr. Joann Gonzalez, program coordinator and recruitment specialist, added that volunteers are also needed at Destination Graduation April 21, an event where trained volunteers help students with financial aid.
Gonzalez said she is not the point of contact, but is meeting with a volunteer committee Feb. 24. She said this event is part of Mayor Julian Castro’s initiative and is in need of 300 volunteers. Gonzalez encouraged staff or student organizations to volunteer and wear A&M-San Antonio shirts.
Breaux said, “We’re taking senior cadets to high schools to teach them about leadership excellence and show them videos about medal of honors.”
• Anthony Alcoser, assistant director of development, announced the upcoming foundation golf tournament March 5. He said there are 10 golf teams signed up. Eighteen are needed.
The tournament is one of two events hosted by the foundation to raise money for scholarships.
“Even if you don’t participate, you can go to dinner,” he said, adding that there will be an auction including sports memorabilia and signed jerseys.
He also said the department is working with Toyota to create a four-year scholarship that will pay for four high school graduates to enter one of the Alamo Colleges and transfer to A&M-San Antonio.
Finance and Administration
The draft requires one additional review. He said the plans for the buildings will accommodate more academic programs, but said the School of Business and kinesiology program will have to stay at Brooks City-Base Campus.
• A space management committee will ensure the University is utilizing the space properly and determine use for vacant areas.
• Rick Trefzer, assistant vice president for finance and administration, said meetings have taken place with SunGuard, as part of the implementation of the University’s own Banner system. SunGuard representatives will give a presentation at the next Executive Cabinet meeting. Then, the department will decide to sign a three-year agreement. Read related story.
He said it should be an easy transition, and the end goal for Banner’s implementation is fall 2014. He added that the implementation is a $1.4 million investment that includes degree works and a data warehouse.
• Annual evaluation are due by March 31. For questions contact Veronica Orozco, manager of workforce planning at 210.782.2052 or email veronica.orozco@tamusa.tamus.edu.
University Communications, Marilu Reyna
Reyna also announced the University’s plan to participate in Fiesta medals and parades. She said there will be an A&M-San Antonio float in the day and night parade. The department is working on the process to sell Fiesta medals, and said they are working with student groups to have them ready to sell in March.
She also said the University has a booth at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Recruiters, advisers and volunteers for the booth have access to ground passes and parking passes.
The University has a jaguar mascot worn by student workers who attend pep rallies at elementary schools. The mascot also traveled to Texas State’s birthday party. The costume is rented and the department is looking to purchase one, based on increased need for publicity.
Reyna said in the future, she estimated three students would be selected per semester to serve as Jaguar mascot. Student volunteers will receive training.
University Communications is contacting vendors to establish a University app.
The website’s new content management system is now underway. The new system will allow a designated person in each department to maintain the department’s Web page. Reyna said the designated personnel have been chosen and attended content management training sessions.
Safety and Security
The next PLC meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 24 in Room 204/207 of Main Campus.
