Oakland University Senate

29 APRIL 1960

MINUTES

PRESENT: Mr. Alexander, Mr. Amann, Mr. Burke, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Cusack, Mr. Danielson, Mrs. Desparmet, Mr. Eklund, Mr. Fitzsimmons, Mr. Gherity, Mr. Hammerle, Mr. Hoopes, Mrs. Kovach, Mr. Matthews, Mr. McKay, Miss North, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Pope, Mrs. Popluiko, Mr. Rhode, Mr. Schwab, Mr. Stoutenburg, Hr. Straka, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Tafoya, Mr. Taulbee, Mr. Tomboulian, Mr. Varner, Mr. Wilder
ABSENT: Mr. Kluback, Mrs. White

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Varner at 3:00 p.m.

Mr. Fitzsimmons made a motion that the minutes of the March l8th meeting be accepted as written. Seconded by Mr. Hoopes. Approved.

Mr. Hoopes made a motion to amend the January 26, 1960, minutes as follows:

"Dean Hoopes and others pointed out that Hofstra and Dartmouth had in fact been visited by Mr. Matthews and Mr. McKay, that the over-arching academic situation at these schools was radically different from ours, that while we appreciated and respected the study and work of the original MSU curriculum committees we must necessarily arrive at our own conclusions. What is traditional is not ipso facto bad. And while a three-course program might give a certain kind of freedom to professors, it might strangle a considerable number of students by making it impossible for scientists and engineers to study foreign languages, for teacher education candidates to secure wider liberal arts experience beyond the professional units required for certification."

Seconded by Mr. McKay. Approved.

Mr. Fitzsimmons requested that Mr. Kluback and Mrs. White be permitted to vote by proxy. Mr. Alexander moved that this permission be granted. Seconded by Mr. Pearson. Mr. Fitzsimmons was designated to cast these votes. Approved.

Mr. Hoopes reported the progress of the Reisman, Beardslee and O'Dowd study of Montieth College and MSUO. Then he asked that classes be dismissed on two afternoons, to be determined, to allow the study to be completed. Mr. Hoopes was asked by several members of the group if another time other than class time could be used. Mr. Hoopes said he would ask Miss Kaye, Coordinator at Wayne State, and report back to the group.

Mr. Varner reported on the last Board of Trustees' meeting at East Lansing. The budget is still $879,720.00. The money for the remodeling of the third floor, for the elevator and for the beginning of the Engineering Science building is separate. Final passage of appropriation is expected at the Sine Die Session. Four promotions were made: Messrs. Schwab. Burke, Matthews and Straka. New appointments include: Messrs. Cherno, Susskind and Hofmann.

Mr. Hammerle moved that the proposed degree requirements as presented in the memo of April 26, 1960, to the members of the Academic Senate by the Educational Policy Committee be accepted. Seconded by Mr. Tomboulian.

Discussion:

1. Mr. Wilder discussed changing the wording in paragraph one re number of credits to wording the requirement in terms of X number of year courses instead of credits. No action at this time.

2. Mr. Wilder moved that item 6 under The University Courses are as follows: be amended to read after the words Foreign Languages, "No exemptions possible in this area. A student qualified to enter a second or third year course be required as any other student to take two years of a foreign language." Seconded by Mr. Tafoya. Mr. Hoopes said this idea also involves advance placement and rightfully should not be discussed as a separate subject. Voting today is on the curriculum concept as a whole. Individual items can be discussed and modified later. Mr. Wilder withdrew his amendment.

3. Mrs. Collins moved to amend the last sentence in paragraph two by inserting after the words ''Committee on Instruction" and before "to ensure', "and to include members of the departments concerned". Seconded by Mr. Gherity. After a brief discussion Mrs. Collins withdrew her motion and Mr. Gherity his second to insert in the same place "in consultation with the departments concerned". Seconded by  Mr. Fitzsimmons. Approved.

4. Mr. Wilder moved to amend item 3 under The University Courses are as follows; to read after the sentence (---- science and mathematics.) "a one year course presenting representative concepts in Science and Mathematics or a one year course in Science and Mathematics followed by the Sr. Colloquium devoted to the historical and philosophical examination of the sciences. Seconded by Mr. Gherity. Disapproved.

5. Mr. Taulbee moved that item 3 under The University Courses are as follows: be returned to the Educational Policy Committee for further study. Seconded by Mrs. Popluiko. Disapproved.

6. Mr. Amann moved to amend item 6 under The University Courses are as follows; to spell out the competence in a language course rather than referring to credit. He asked that "take only 12 credits----- reading course" be replaced with "pass a reading examination". Seconded by Mr. Straka. Disapproved.

7. Mr. Alexander moved to amend item 5 in the first paragraph to be divided into items five and six. Five to read, ''Passing a departmental comprehensive examination" and six to read, "Passing of a University comprehensive examination related to University courses, successful completion of which is necessary to advance to  junior standing". Seconded by Mr. Fitzsimmons. Disapproved.

8. Mr. Alexander moved to amend item 5 in the first paragraph to read, "As a requirement of graduation, a student must pass a departmental comprehensive examination, details of which are to be worked out later." Seconded by Mr. Burke. After a short discussion Mr. Burke withdrew his second because he had interpreted the motion to mean that no decision would be made at this time. Mr. Gherity  then seconded it. Mr. Alexander withdrew his notion with the understanding that students will be told that there may be comprehensive examinations.

9. Mr. McKay moved that action be postponed on item 5 first paragraph and that the Senate vote only on the rest of the Proposed Degree Requirements. Mr. Matthews seconded the motion. Approved.

10. Mr. Hammerle moved that item 5 first paragraph be amended to read, "Comprehensive examination may be required, details of which are to be worked out later. Seconded by Mr. McKay. Mr. Fitzsimmons made a substitute motion that the question of whether one or two examinations be required be returned to the Educational Policy Committee for further study. Seconded by Mr. Pearson.

Voting � yes, 15, no 12. Approved.

Meeting adjourned 5:37 p.m.