Michigan State University Oakland Academic Senate Meeting
October 27, 1960
Minutes
PRESENT: Messrs: Amann, Appleton, Beardslee, Burke, Caulkins, Cherno, Mrs. June Collins, Walter Collins, Galloway, Hammerle, Hetenyi, Holmes, Mrs. Kovach, George Matthews, Mrs. Mildred Matthews, McKay, Miss North, Obear, O'Dowd, Pope. Mrs. Popluiko, Mrs. Rothschild, Rhode, Samuel Shapiro, Shishkoff, Simmons, Stoutenburg, Susskind, Tafoya, Taulbee, Tomboulian, Mrs. Urla, Varner, Wilder
ABSENT: Messrs: Alexander, Clarke, Eklund, Fitzsimmons, Fromm, Gherity, Hoopes, Kluback, Pearson, Schwab, Mrs. Gloria Shapiro, Straka, Swanson, Mrs. White, Wisner, Miss Stevenson
Meeting called to order by Mr. Varner at 12:41 P.M.
Mr. Shapiro moved and it was seconded by Mr. Appleton that the minutes of the last meeting (October 14) be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Mr. Varner felt that perhaps there should be some clarification regarding the Computer Committee. This particular Committee was established to give him some counsel on this subject. Mr. Taulbee was asked to serve as Chairman and make any recommendations that will be forthcoming after a study as to what we should do about purchasing or leasing data processing equipment.
Mr. Taulbee asked everyone to think of the possible applications in which data processing equipment might prove useful, and to forward this thinking to the Committee in writing. Mr. Swanson and Beardslee are also members of this Committee.
In calling the meeting for this date, Mr. Varner did not realize that the English faculty would be in East Lansing and felt it unfair to move into the agenda left over from the last meeting. He felt that item 2, however, should be the main interest today and that others be deferred until the next meeting of the Senate.
Mr. Varner said he felt that perhaps there was some discouragement about the budget but thought that it was really too early for this concern. However, it is known the Legislature will not make judgment on quality but on the basis of experience and a formula. If we can continue on a $96.3 per capita this year, we will have achieved a small miracle. Mr. Varner stated he is confident that our program will be a good program and if the budget is cut, we will simply cut back on enrollment in order to maintain the quality which we have established. We are in business for a long time and it may not be possible to have all we want in the first or second year. The budget that we present to the Legislature can be defended with complete honesty and integrity. When this is all over, we will be better off than we think.
Mr. Varner again discussed the trimester system and said he expected it will become the pattern of higher education within the next two decades.
Discussion:
Some of the advantages are: (a) Utilizes scarce faculty more effectively; (b) Increases faculty employment and, in turn, pay; (c) Uses the physical plant to a greater extent and reduces the cost of our investment per capita; and (d) Gives the student a year advantage if they move into graduate work or a profession.
The proposal submitted to the Board of Trustees was worked out on a two-year block of time. A faculty member would teach five of six terms which would give him one free term of fifteen weeks, and a four-week vacation, or a total of nineteen weeks in one block of time each two years. Mr. Vamer pointed out that the proposed 25% per year increase in salary posed the greatest problem. President Hannah is perfectly willing for us to try the trimester program if we wish to, and feels there is some value to experimenting, but he would favor a four-quarter system as followed at East Lansing. The Board of Trustees is in favor of increasing faculty salaries but the problem that the President faces is how to maintain morale on the East Lansing campus if we do this here at MSUO. Pay for the fifth term would be at the rate of 3% a week for instruction which amounts to 45% increase in pay for this added work.
In answer to Mr. Hetenyi's question regarding to what extent we should progress in our planning, Mr. Varner stated that we should move ahead now on the assumption that it will go through.
Mr. Amann stated he was in favor of the plan but wondered if there would be difficulty in arranging the term off with other faculty members. Further, expressed the view that those faculty members with families would have to stay here if their time off came while their own children were in school. Mr. McKay pointed out that in the spring term, we would not have the same enrollment as in the fall and winter terms and therefore, the faculty needs would be reduced. Mr. Varner felt that there would be little difficulty on this point.
Mr. Wilder stated he was in favor only if we have the fortitude to avoid the trailer sections for those who elect not to attend the third term. Mr. Varner said trailer sections should be offered for those who failed a course or for other reasons beyond their control, however, we will not offer all courses all the time. We must set up so that students will move ahead.
Mr. Hetenyi reported that in discussing this with all of his classes (sophomores), he discovered that students were in overwhelming favor of it. In fact, he said about 85% were very enthusiastic about it.
Mr. Varner believes students will react very warmly towards it if sold to them properly and this may take some positive selling on the part of the faculty. Most students are really not gainfully employed and many spend their summers loafing around and wishing to get on with their education.
Mr. Amann asked if any thought had been given to revamping the academic programs. Mr. Varner said that there had been, but only informally. Mr. Burke pointed out the possibility that if a whole area elected not to participate, this could notably cripple the program. Mr. Varner thought that it was not likely that a total faculty would be gone at one time. Mr. Burke questioned whether we would be at a disadvantage in hiring Scientists. Mr. Hammerle answered it would be difficult, but felt that when we get them here, we could no doubt change their minds. Mr. O'Dowd stated that he felt it would be difficult in the field of Psychology because of the tradition of summer research and writing. Mrs. Collins asked if it would be impossible to obtain a leave of absence and was informed that each case would be viewed separately.
Mr. Tomboulian pointed out the problem that we would be in serious trouble in the junior year if we do not offer junior courses in the summer. Mr. Varner stated that this would not affect present students as we will graduate the present sophomores and present freshmen at once.
Mr. Hetenyi asked how the trimester would affect Sabbaticals. Mr. Vamer answered that the present Sabbatical policy would not be affected.
Mr. Taulbee asked if there was a possibility for increased scholarships because of lack of employment opportunities outside and Mr. Varner explained that the scholarship program would have to be stepped up. He hopes some of our wealthy friends would be persuaded to establish a student loan fund for this program. Also, that the Department of Health, Education and Welfare might be willing to go along with us on an experimental basis. He suspected we will have a lot of loan money available for this purpose.
Mr. Varner will present the trimester proposal to the Council of Deans in East Lansing in the near future so that they will know what we are doing and as an investment of good will. Unless we withdraw the proposal, Mr. Varner expects the Board of Trustees to approve the trimester program. at their November meeting.
Mr. Hammerle moved and it was seconded by Mr. Tomboulian that ''all instructors will give mid-term grades of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory, failing) to all first-quarter freshmen. These grades will not become part of the student's permanent record."
Discussion:
Mr. Stoutenburg pointed out that the U grade means F.
Mr. Tafoya asked if only unsatisfactory work could be reported and forget the other grade (This is done at Stanford). Mr. Stoutenburg stated he felt that it would be psychologically good for all students to see their total grade pattern and not just the negative side. Mr. Tafoya said that a student could assume he is doing satisfactory work if he receives no notification.
Mr. Susskind inquired whether this was only for the benefit of the students or will it assist in determining the size of future classes. Mr. Varner explained that last year, we found students had two, three, or four F's at the end of the term and it was the first time anyone had any idea they had these marks. Mid-term grades are primarily for the use of the Academic Advisor and the student.
Mr. Tafoya felt this information would be more useful if the instructor would make some kind of constructive comment on the grade card when it is turned in to the Registrar's office. This information then could be passed on to the Academic Advisor. After a certain amount of time, they should be filed away and if a student is having difficulty, these can be referred to in order to determine if the same student is also having difficulty in other subjects.
Mr. Appleton moved and it was seconded by Mr. Hetenyi that the motion be amended to read "that all faculty members shall report for all first-term freshmen mid-term grades who are failing or in serious danger of failing."
Discussion:
Mr. Tafoya asked if this was to be without any observation as to why the student was failing? Mr. Appleton said that if an Advisor saw that several courses were failed by one student, then they could call in the student. Mr. Stoutenburg pointed out that the grade card has printed on it several reasons which can be marked off if they fit the situation.
Mr. Cherno asked if this material is to be sent home to the parents. Mr. Stoutenburg pointed out that this would be difficult under the system being discussed. The Registrar's office will prepare instructions and a form for reporting the unsatisfactory grades.
Mr. McKay asked on what date these grades would be needed. Several instructors expressed the necessity for giving an examination before a grade could be recorded. It was decided that November 7 is the earliest possible date even though this only leaves 3 1/2 weeks before the first examination. It was also pointed out that the later we do this, the less value it is to the student.
The motion as moved by Mr. Hammerle and amended by Mr. Appleton was passed.
Mr. Varner raised the question as to when would be the best time to meet since all the business could not be carried on in one hour and 15 minutes. Mr. Amann asked if it would be feasible to continue on a two-meetings basis. It was agreed that we will proceed to meet twice a month but definite dates were not established.
Mr. Tafoya asked that wastebaskets be provided in the classrooms; particularly, the large lecture hall. Mr. Hammerle pointed out that forms for ordering such equipment were available from Mrs. Thomas and it was requested that everyone be provided with such forms. Mr. Rhode inquired about the status of the elevator and Mr. Varner informed the Group that it was presently on a test basis. The elevator will be key-operated and all faculty and staff members will have keys issued to them shortly.
Mr. Tomboulian recommended that a statement concerning our probationary policy be distributed as soon as possible. Mr. Varner appointed Mr. Pope to see that this is published in the student newspaper.
Mr. Amann raised the question of students taking a course twice after failing it. Mr. Varner said this was a matter which very well could be reviewed by this body if the present rule is found to be unsatisfactory.
The Group was asked to observe the parking signs and show effective leadership in this matter.
Meeting adjourned at 2:00 P.M.