The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Three key takeaways from February’s Faculty Senate meeting

Three key takeaways from February’s Faculty Senate meeting - The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

FILE PHOTO: Faculty Senate Vice President Joseph Simpson calls for faculty members to vote on March 6, 2020 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. The deadline for students on campus to choose the credit/no credit option for spring 2020 classes is May 5. Photo by Maegan Mendoza

Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Faculty Senate addressed university development and faculty representation on Feb. 4.

Here are three notable topics that were in discussion:

  • Ongoing plans for University Health facility

University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said plans to construct a University Health facility on the Southside are likely to conclude this Spring. 

As reported previously, the University Health System is set to acquire 68 acres “at the intersection of South Zarzamora Street and Jaguar Parkway,” near the university’s west exit.

Matson said this collaborative project between Texas A&M-San Antonio, Texas A&M Health Science Center, and University Health will begin a conversation about a possible long-term partnership and “what A&M-San Antonio’s health research agenda looks like.”

  • Textbooks from university bookstore may soon be cheaper

Ursula Vaughan, e-book program specialist in the College of Business, conducted a survey last semester that revealed most students purchase their course materials from sources outside of the university bookstore.

Vaughan attributes this to the university bookstore not always carrying the cheapest textbooks.

“It’s not up to [the bookstore] to contact publishers and find the best price,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan said there is an opportunity to save students money and plans to assist faculty directly in creating an ISBN database and working directly with textbook publishers to get students the best deal on textbooks.

There is no word yet on when students will potentially see prices drop.

  • The role of AAUP versus Faculty Senate

Almost half of the meeting’s runtime was dedicated to a debate over the role of A&M-San Antonio’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

The AAUP is described as a “nonprofit membership association of faculty and other academic professionals.”

Dr. Megan Wise de Valdez, associate professor of biology, expressed frustration on behalf of multiple non-AAUP faculty members who felt the chapter was misrepresenting the majority of faculty members in the chapter’s recent comments to the media. 

The university’s AAUP chapter, comprising roughly 30 members, has recently been outspoken on social media and has made several comments to media outlets, including the Mesquite. 

Many of these comments have been critical of the university’s actions, such as reopening amid surging COVID-19 cases and putting faculty members’ health at risk. 

Scott Gage, associate professor of English and director of A&M-San Antonio’s AAUP chapter, argued that many AAUP members feel their voices aren’t being heard and do not have “adequate advocacy” even among the Faculty Senate.

Gage also said though he has never claimed to represent the faculty body, he has previously agreed to give comments to media outlets after “having reached out to (the) university and not being able to get a comment.”

President Matson replied to this with a written comment stating, “the university responds to all media and FOIA requests… to suggest otherwise is a misstatement.” 

The Mesquite has notably reported on multiple instances of university officials declining or redirecting requests for comment to the Office of Marketing and Communications.

About the Author

Gabrielle Tellez
Managing Editor
Gabrielle Tellez is a communications junior at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and Social Media Editor at the Mesquite, minoring in English studies and specializing in digital marketing. When she isn't writing witty captions for social media, Tellez flexes her creative muscles by creating digital art using the latest design software. Certified in marketing strategies and local tourism, Tellez hopes to pursue her passions without straying too far from her beloved home of San Antonio.

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