For example, the Faculty Senate worked on a grievance policy for several years, but never discussed how problems could be resolved before they reached the point where they entered the grievance process. She noted that when faculty have gone to the administration with problems, those problems have been about how faculty could do their jobs better. Although faculty respond affirmatively to administrative requests, when administrators are not responsive in turn there is nothing faculty can do. When problems begin to occur, people need to discuss them and see what can be done about the situation. Time needs to be spent solving problems.
More thought needs to be put into how problems can be prevented.
Dr. Harris said she was dismayed that the situation had to become very severe in the Division of Mathematics and Statistics before something was done. There are severe problems elsewhere affecting the University that are not being addressed. She said that UTSA's Problem Solving Office can assist in a mediation process and has people in the community who are willing to act as mediators. Dr. Harris recommended that the Faculty Senate should make problem solving an agenda item so that UTSA can get into a better prevention mode. Dr. Schneider asked Dr. Bailey why the situation was publicized by being placed on the Web Page in such a way that it received general circulation Dr. Bailey replied that the documents were released in their entirety to prevent selective dissemination by individuals who would obtain the documents by means of the Texas Open Records Act.