Michigan State University Academic Senate Meeting

January 23, 1961

Minutes

PRESENT: Messrs; Amann, Appleton, Beardslee, Burke, Mrs. Caulkins, Cherno, Clarke, Mrs. June Collins, Walter Collins, Fitzsimmons, Galloway, Hammerle, Hetenyi, Holmes, Mrs. Kovach, George Matthews, Miss Audrey North, Obear, O'Dowd, Pearson, Pope, Rhode, Mrs. Rothschild, Schwab, Mrs. Gloria Shapiro, Samuel Shapiro, Shishkoff, Simmons, Miss Stevenson, Stoutenburg, Straka, Susskind, Swanson, Tafoya, Taulbee, Tomboulian, Mrs. Urla, Vamer, Mrs. White, Wilder
ABSENT: Messrs: Eklund, Fromm, Gherity, Hoopes, Kluback, Lepley, Mrs. Mildred Matthews, McKay, Mrs. Popluiko, Wisner

Meeting called to order by Mr. Vamer. Minutes of the November 28 meeting were approved.

Education Policy Committee Proposal - Mr. Chemo moved that the following recommendations of the EPC be adopted: Seconded by Mr. Galloway.

1. After the end of the second week of classes, no addition of courses or change of sections can be made. Changes made before the end of the second week are not to be recorded on the student's transcript.

2. Courses can be dropped at any time up to the end of the fourth week in the quarter system or the end of the sixth week in the trimester system. The only grade recorded by the Registrar for a course dropped during this period is a "W" grade. Permission of both the instructor and the academic adviser is required to drop a course; denial of permission is to be subject to review by the Dean of the Faculty.

3. No changes of any type would be permitted after midterm. The only grades given by an instructor after the midterm would be "A", "B". "C". "D". "P". or "I".

4. If a student withdraws from school after midterm, the Registrar would assign a grade of "W" or "F" after consultation with the instructor.

5. These changes are to be instituted at the beginning of the first term following adoption by the Academic Senate.

Mr. Stoutenburg moved and it was seconded by Mr. Amann that the "W" grade be changed to an "N" grade. Amendment approved.

Mr. Tafoya moved and it was seconded by Mr. Susskind to amend paragraph one (1) to read "After the end of the second week of classes, no addition of courses or change of sections initiated by the studentcan be made." Amendment approved.

Motion approved.

Group Insurance Plan - Mr. Swanson reviewed the new group insurance policy which has been approved by the Board of Trustees. He pointed out that everyone now has $10,000 worth of group insurance for which they pay $3.00 a month. With the action of the Board faculty holding academic rank identified as professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, and those classified as administrative personnel will have an option of adding another $10,000 by paying an additional $3.50 a month. Coverage would then be $20,000 until the age of 45, whereupon it drops to $15,000 until the age of 65 and then decreases to $2,000. This plan provides insurance when you need it most but has no cash value. Application blanks will be distributed in the near future.

Medical Plan - Mr. Pearson asked if there was a major medical plan available. Mr. Varner stated that this was now under study and if East Lansing has it, we will have it also. This will probably be at least a month or so, if anything is done.

Mr. Pearson then inquired about the availability of the CUNA health insurance plan. Mr. Swanson answered that it is available through the Employees' Credit Union. With the CUNA, the individual pays the deductible portion of their medical expense and the insurance company pays the next $5,000. This is less expensive than the Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Details can be obtained in the Business Office.

Board Action - Mr. Vamer discussed two or three actions of the Board of Trustees last week. He announced the approval by the Board of the appointment of Mr. Kenneth Roose as Director of Business and Economics. Mr. Varner announced that Mr. Lepley was Acting Dean of Students but Mr. Alexander is available for counseling and follow-up work. Mr. Varner asked Mr. Hammerle to brief the group regarding Mr. Ralph Mobley's background, who is a new appointment in the physics department.

The Board also approved the loan from the Federal Housing Agency for $600,000 to build dormitories and $500,000 to expand the Student Center. Final approval from the legislatures is needed before construction can start. Mr. Harold Fitzgerald has given us $45,000 to make possible the furnishing of the dormitories. Furnishing the Student Center is not yet resolved. Construction should begin no later than April 1. We are going out for bids in ten days as the plans are already drawn for the dormitories.

Budget - The budget request for this year is $1,420,000 but the Governor recommended only $1,157,000. It appears the Governor took a per capita figure of approximately $964 and multiplied by 1,200. This, in affect, will limit our enrollment for next year to 1,200 students. In turn, we must realign our own sights in terms of admissions. This will permit us to be more selective but it does not eliminate our budget problems. First of all, we must cut down on the number of faculty additions. We requested 26 new faculty positions but it is now apparent that we are talking about only 15.

It is more serious in the area of the new buildings. There will be no appreciable difference in the amount for housekeeping costs. Problems in making our budget work in the physical plant will be greater than in the academic areas.

Administrative Organization - With the expansion of the faculty to whatever it is going to be, we will need some kind of administrative organization which is more formal than the one we now have. There is an advantage in establishing a position "Dean of the College" to supervise not only the academic life, but the non-academic life. There is no real division between the academic and non-academic. There is some thought being given to including the Continuing Education program, as it ought to be recognized and identified as an integral part. It has been suggested that our present informal divisions of Humanities, Social Science, and Science and Engineering might be more logical having a Director or Dean of Humanities, Social Science, and Science and Engineering. Mr. Vamer stated that he would be happy to have any views on this point between now and the middle of February. Mr. Pearson asked what is the current status about departmental chairman. Mr. Varner felt if we could avoid designation of departmental chairman, it would be a gain for the University. Mr. Varner said he would welcome comments on this also.

Distinguished Professorship - Mr. Varner stated we are moving toward the establishment of three distinguished professorships in the institution. This is not firmed up yet but we do have the authority to go after a distinguished person in each of three divisions (Humanities, Social Science, and Engineering Science).

Meeting adjourned. There will be a meeting next month - to be announced at a later date.