Following in the footsteps of Dr. R.N. Singh, Dr. John H. Smith of the history department, has been selected as the faculty senate president-elect for the 2008-2009 terms, after six years with the University.
“I knew as a faculty senator that it was a possibility, not a likely hood when I first started in the Senate about four years ago,” Smith said.
Smith’s goals as president-elect are to learn the job of the faculty senate president and work closely with Singh to be better prepared for his future position.
“The job entails running the faculty senate, executive committee meetings, and occasionally meeting with the provost and the president of the University to keep them apprised of what we’re doing in the senate,” Smith said.
According to Smith, his duties are similar to that of a vice president’s, tending to some of the things that Dr. Singh cannot during his last year as president. For instance, Smith will also be attending different conferences, including one Austin for faculty senate presidents.
“Everybody there has a delegation, Texas colleges and universities who talk about what they’re doing, and what they hope to accomplish in the coming year, and so I’ll do that for A & M-Commerce. If there’s something he can’t do then I do it, but otherwise I spend my time watching him,” Smith said.
As far as the challenges that face him in this position and as faculty senate president next year, Smith feels it might be a little daunting, but he will make sure he’s aptly prepared by next fall.
“It was by universal acclimation that I was elected, I didn’t have an opponent, and I ran unopposed. I will take office in the fall of 09′ as I understand it, that’s when I officially assume rank,” Smith said.