Trustees approve 3% salary increase; must next authorize faculty Senate

Tejano Tribune Staff Report

At a special EPCC Board of Trustees meeting, Aug. 6, EPCC Faculty Senate President Albert Burnham announced that Trustees authorized a 3% salary increase for all EPCC employees including faculty.  The announcement came through a campuswide email from Burnham Aug. 7.

Burnham also reported on a Texas State senate bill having direct impact on college governing issues.

“Regarding the EPCC Faculty Senate and Senate Bill 37 (SB 37),” Burnham’s email stated, “according to SB 37 all faculty senates in Texas public colleges and universities will cease to exist in their present form on September 1, 2025.  New senates must be approved by the governing board of each college and university.”

“ For EPCC that is the Board of Trustees.  New senates that are approved must be in compliance with SB 37.  At the Wednesday, Aug. 7,  meeting, the Trustees passed a resolution “authorizing the continuation and ratification of the faculty senate,” according to Burnham’s email.

“Apparently, this proposed new EPCC policy will need a second reading which will, hopefully, occur at the regular Board meeting near the end of August.” Burnham said.  “Certain details must still be worked out before a new set of faculty senate bylaws can be written and approved.  I encourage everyone to attend the August meeting of the Faculty Association on August 21, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m.in the ASC Board Room.” Burnham’s email concluded.

“Vice President Steve Smith will be attending to give any updates he has and will answer any questions the faculty might have,” Burnham said in his email.