ACADEMIC SENATE MINUTES

PRESENT: Messrs. Butler, Booth, G. Brown, Burke, Cameron, Collins, DiChiera, Gibson, Haden, Heubel, Hammerle, Hough, Johnson, Lowy, Malm, G. Matthews, Mobley, O'Dowd, Stoutenburg, Moeller, Swanson, Tipler, Tomboulian, Vann, Varner

ABSENT: Messrs. Brace, M. Brown, Hildum, Dutton, Beardslee, Harding, Hetenyi, Lyons, Marz, Sargent, Simmons, Stubblefield, Torch, Williamson

GUESTS: Messrs. Atkinson, Crowder, Doherty, Kent, Linsalata, Lyons, Pino, Seibert, Velinsky, and Mrs. Hirschfeld

Chancellor Varner called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m.

Chancellor Varner reported that the Board of Trustees approved the Senate's new governance document at their March meeting.

Mr. O'Dowd discussed the North Central Accreditation Association's report on their last visit to Oakland University.

Chancellor Varner discussed the need for new parking lots for the fall of 1967. He has asked that a special ad hoc committee be established to deal with this matter. The committee would include three staff people, three faculty, three students, and three hourly payroll employees. Mr. Burke asked if the minutes of the Senate meetings could be made available to students.The discussion indicated a general concern that the minutes might be misunderstood or taken out of context if the individuals reading them did not have the benefit of the discussion that went with the action. It was suggested to have the minutes published in the Oakland Observer, but it appeared that this would not be a satisfactory solution either.

Chancellor Varner explained the action taken making Contuse an independent, non University publication.

Mr. Vann asked whether there would be a tuition increase this fall.  Mr. Varner explained that the Board of Trustees plans to do nothing until the appropriation is known.  Then a decision would be needed based on the available resources to operate the University.

Action was delayed on the minutes of the February 9, Senate meeting.

It was agreed that the minutes provided for the Senate and Faculty meeting of February 28, would stand as written.

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Lowy re-introduced his February 9 motion, seconded by Mr. Hetenyi, regarding the new "P - Progress" grade.

Mr. Tomboulian moved to amend the motion by adding a third paragraph.

All grades of "P" must have the prior approval of the Committee on Instruction before they can be given.

Seconded by Mr. Burke. Approved.

Mr. Lowy's motion, with the amendment, was then approved.

P-Progress
The grade of "P" is a temporary grade that may be given only in a course that could not be completed in one semester.  Such courses are primarily research in nature.  It is given only for work that is satisfactory in every respect except that completion necessitates going beyond one semester.

"P" grades must be removed within two calendar years from the date of assignment.  If not removed within the time limit the "P" will be changed to an "N".

All grades of "P" must have the prior approval of the Committee on Instruction before they can be given.

Mr. Burke reintroduced his February 9, motion, seconded by Mr. O'Dowd, re:Speech 301:

A second semester of Speech is authorized, effective September 1967, to be called Speech 301 (4 credits), in the theory and practice of oral communication, designed for students who have had some experience in this area and wish to increase their competence.  Prerequisite:  Speech 201, or consent of instructor.

Motion approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Matthews moved the recommendation of the Long-Range Planning Committee to establish a General Studies program at Oakland University:

The Academic Senate supports the establishment of a program in General Studies at Oakland University.  This unit, ultimately to become a School of General Studies, will have the authority to develop appropriate practices, standards, requirements, and policies so that the growing number of adults in this area have available to them opportunities for liberal learning of high quality. This authority will include power to appoint a dean or director, design a curriculum, offer certificates and degrees, hire faculty, and enroll students. In supporting the establishment of a program in General Studies, the Academic Senate recognizes the differences in maturity, objectives, and needs between the adult and the adolescent.  Simultaneously, the Senate notes its expectation that curricula leading to baccalaureates and certificates in General Studies will require the demonstration of levels of competence and understanding equal to or greater than those levels required by existing curricula in existing units of the University. To assist in developing an appropriate style and level for General Studies, the Senate herewith requests its Steering Committee to form an ad hoc Committee on General Studies, advisory to the Director of General Studies.This committee will serve until such time as the Senate approves a formal plan of operation for General Studies.

This proposal is of such great importance that the Steering Committee has scheduled an open hearing to air the issue.  The hearing will be held on March 28, at 4:00 p.m., in Room 235 of the Science and Engineering Building. In addition, the lengthy working papers that served as bases for discussion in the committee will be circulated to all department chairmen in the next few days.  The shortage of copies of some of the materials recommended making them available to faculty and staff at various central locations. Copies will be available in the Provost's office and at the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Seconded by Mr. Lowy. Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. Burke moved the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee to make the following insertion in the catalog under "Requirements for Bachelors Degree" as a footnote to item 1.

*A student may count no more than 4 one-credit courses toward the bachelor's degree except in his major field and co-requisite courses.

Seconded by Mr. O'Dowd. Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. Burke moved the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee to establish a Concentration in Pre-medical Studies under the "Interdepartmental Programs and Courses" section of the catalog.

Students intending to pursue careers in the medical or dental professions are expected to complete the Concentration in Premedical Studies.  The concentration consists of a series of courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics intended to satisfy the minimum requirements for admission to the various medical and dental schools in Michigan and elsewhere. In general, the concentration is completed with the following courses:

Biology            3 semester courses, including laboratories
Chemistry        4 semester courses, including laboratories
Mathematics    2 semester courses
Physics            2 semester courses, including laboratories

The Pre-medical Studies Concentration does not constitute a major.  Students must select a major from among those offered by the University.  Where necessary, University Course requirements or requirements for a particular major may be modified to accommodate the Pre-medical Studies Concentration.  Each student in the Concentration will be assigned a pre-medical adviser who will assist the student in planning his academic program for as long as the student is enrolled in the Concentration.

Seconded by Mr. Heubel.  Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. Burke moved the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee that the following sentence be added at the end of the first paragraph in the catalog under "Major Standing and Requirements for Majors."

A student who has completed 72 or more credits and does not have major standing is not eligible to continue as an enrolled student except by special action of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Seconded by Mr. Malm.  Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. Burke moved the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee to establish a program  for Independent Study Off-Campus.

1)    Any undergraduate student in good standing will be eligible to participate in the program after the completion of two semesters in residence.
2)    A written proposal describing a course of activity will be prepared by a student applicant prior to beginning the program.
3)    This proposal and the off-campus work it describes must receive the support and involvement of at least three members of the faculty, and the approval of the Dean of the relevant college.
4)     All arrangements for off-campus work must be completed and filed by the end of the pre-registration period in the semester preceding the semester of off-campus study.
5)     It is expected that part of the preparatory work will include the designation of course equivalents totaling at least eight credits for the independent study to be accomplished.  This is to be effected by negotiation with the supporting faculty members.
6)     Whenever credit is sought toward the completion of a major, the department, through its chairman, must agree to the value of the independent work.
7)     The Dean of Students Office will require a release from parents, absolving the University of responsibility for the well-being of students while they are participating in off-campus independent study.
8)     The initial approval of a program for a student will be for one semester with the provision that the student may request an extension of the program for additional semesters.
9)    The student must be registered at Oakland and pay the required fees during the period of independent study.

Seconded by Mr. O'Dowd.  Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. Johnson moved the recommendation of the Committee on Graduate Studies to revoke item H of the enabling legislation on graduate programs, dated April 22, 1965:

Graduate-Undergraduate Courses Taken as a Graduate Student:  In general, M.A. and M.S. candidates may be allowed no more than 12, M.A.T. students no more than 20, graduate credits for joint graduate-undergraduate courses.

Seconded by Mr. Mobley.  Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. Johnson moved the recommendation of the Committee on Graduate Studies to change the numbering of courses offered by departments.

University courses and courses numbered 100-299 are introductory or intermediate undergraduate courses. Courses numbered 300-499 are advanced courses primarily for undergraduates.  Courses numbered 500 and above are primarily for graduate students.

Seconded by Mr. Mobley.  Final action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

HNS:je