Oakland University Senate

November 15, 1967

Agenda

PRESENT: Mr. Atkinson, Miss Attwood, Messrs. Burdick, Burke, Butler, Cafone, Cherno, Davis, Dutton, Galloway, Gerulaitis, Gibson, Hahn, Hammerle, Hetenyi, Hoopes, Hough, lodice, Johnson, Miss Juth, Messrs. Kent, Linsalata, Lowy, Lyons, Matthews, McKay, Norris, O'Dowd, Pino, Richter, Righter, Shank, Stoutenburg, Susskind, Swanson, Tomboulian, Williamson, Varner.
ABSENT: Messrs. S. Appleton, Fernald, Harding, Howes, Kleckner, Langer, Torch, Mrs. White.
GUESTS: Mr. Troy Crowder

Chancellor Varner called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.

Mr. Cherno asked the Chancellor the present status of the Commission on Student Life. It was reported that the Commission is currently stalled because the faculty membership has not been identified. However, the Commission has met as recently as November 14, but all action is limited to procedural matters. Substantive matters must wait until the membership has its full compliment of people.

Mr. Cherno asked for a report on the progress of the Calendar Committee. Mr. O'Dowd said the Committee has met many times and it is hoped that there will be a report in the next two or three weeks. The Committee is still gathering facts.

Mr. Johnson asked if the open hearing on the budget, last week could be given again for the faculty and staff in the Science Building, because they did not receive information about the original hearing until after it was over. It was agreed by the Chancellor that he would make a similar presentation on Monday, November 21, at 3 p.m., in Room 235 of the Science Building.

The Chancellor extended a welcome to Senators Carol Juth, Cynthia Attwood, and Frank Richter.

Mr. Righter moved to accept the minutes of October 10. Seconded by Mr. O'Dowd. Mr. McKay moved to amend the minutes to record the appointments by the Chancellor of Mr. Sheldon Appleton as Parliamentarian, and Mr. Stoutenburg as Secretary of the Senate for this Academic year. Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi, Adopted.

The minutes with the amendment were adopted.

Mr. McKay asked the Secretary to enlarge upon the various topics discussed in the Senate meetings particularly for the benefit of those who receive the minutes but are unable to attend.

Mr. Burke asked who received the Senate Minutes. Mr. Stoutenburg stated that the following groups received copies of the Minutes: All members of the Senate, all faculty and administrative staff not members of the Senate, the Oakland Observer, and twelve copies to the Dean of Students to be put on the bulletin boards for the student body.

Chancellor Varner read Article V, Section VIII of the Constitution of Oakland University so that everyone present understood the voting procedure:

"For the conduct of Ordinary business, a majority of the Senators shall constitute a quorum of which quorum a majority shall suffice. 

All Substantive motions, together with relevant committee recommendations and reports, shall be circulated to all Senators and to all members of the faculty and staff before a motion receives its first reading in the Senate. Each substantive motion shall receive readings on two separate meeting days of the Senate; amendments may be moved during both readings, but final votes maybe taken only during the second reading. By a vote of three-fourths of the Senators present and voting, the Senate may proceed directly from the first reading to the second reading and take final action on the motion. Upon the demand of one-fourth of the Senators, one hearing open to the faculty and staff shall be held before the second reading of any substantive motion."

Chancellor Varner reported on the progress of the plagiarism hearing involving Mr. Mascitelli and one of his students. Following the hearing of the Academic Standing Committee on October 25, the student asked for a rehearing and announced he had retained an attorney to assist him. The new hearing was set for November 4. The student's counsel then asked for a delay of the new hearing which was granted. Mr. Mascitelli has also retained an attorney. The new hearing is scheduled for November 21, at 4 p.m., in the Meadow Brook Room. Senators are invited to attend if they choose to do so.

Chancellor Varner appointed Mr. Burke to be the parliamentarian for this Senate meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. O'Dowd moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that the "Constitutions of the organized faculties (College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education) will be voted on in their entirety by the Senate without Amendment from the floor. Seconded by Mr. Johnson.

Chancellor Varner asked whether this motion was substantive or procedural. Mr. O'Dowd stated the Steering Committee felt that this was a procedural motion. Mr. Burke, the parliamentarian, also indicated that this motion was procedural.

The motion was then adopted.

Mr. O'Dowd moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that "The Constitution of the College of Arts and Sciences is accepted by the University Senate." Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi.

Mr. McKay asked if the Constitution for the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education are in agreement on substantive matters. Mr. Matthews said it was up to the Senate to decide what significant differences, if any, should exist. Mr. Hetenyi explained that there are differences only because the School of Education does not have undergraduate students. Otherwise, there is basic agreement. Mr. Cherno asked why Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Education were not either all colleges or all schools. Also, he indicated his concern about the confusion that might arise between the College of Arts and Sciences, Charter College, and New College. Mr. Hoopes commented forcefully that he was against changing the name of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Hetenyi moved that rules be suspended in order that a vote could be taken today on parts A 1 b and A 1 c of this agenda. Seconded by Mr. Galloway. Adopted.

Mr.  Richter asked for clarification of Article III, Paragraph i. Item 3 in the Constitution of the College of Arts and Sciences regarding the percentage of student membership in the Assembly. He indicated that the wording left a doubt as to the exact percentage of student representation. It appeared that it could range from 1 percent to 10 percent. Mr. Matthews assured Mr. Richter that it was the intent of the designers of the Constitution that the Assembly was to include 10 percent student representation.

Mr. O'Dowd's original motion was adopted.

Mr. O'Dowd moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that "The Constitution of the School of Education is accepted by the University Senate.' Seconded by Mr. Righter.

Mr. Hoopes asked why the School of Education was not called the College of Education. Mr. Hetenyi answered that this had been discussed but that no one felt strongly about changing the name, and it was decided by the members of the School of Education to leave it as it is.

Mr. McKay asked if the Senate could amend the Constitutions of the organized faculties. Mr. O'Dowd stated that the Senate can test specific use of the powers of the Constitutions and that the Senate has the right of review. Mr. Hetenyi interpreted the Constitution of Oakland University as providing the Senate the opportunity to judge the Constitutions of the faculties as they agree or disagree with the Constitution of Oakland University.

Mr. McKay asked if the Constitution for the School of Education permitted that School to set up its own undergraduate program. Mr. Hetenyi said, "no."

Mr. O'Dowd's original motion was then adopted.

Mr. O'Dowd moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that:

(a) "The Senate authorizes the establishment of the ten standing committees listed on the attached pages."

(b) "The Senate approves the charges and membership specifications of the Standing Committee as written in the attached document."

Seconded by Mr. Shank.

The discussion that followed questioned whether the two parts of this motion were both procedural.

Mr. Hetenyi moved a substitute motion that the Senate vote on Part (a) as procedural, and Part (b) as substantive and that the two parts be handled as separate items. Seconded by Mr. O'Dowd. Adopted.

Part (a) of Mr. O'Dowd's motion was adopted.

Mr. O'Dowd moved again the recommendation of the Steering Committee that "The Senate approves the charges and memberships specifications of the Standing Committees as written in the attached document." Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi.

Mr. Williamson pointed out that the former Student Affairs Committee of the Senate has been replaced by the Commission on Student Life.

Miss Juth asked how the two students on the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee were to be appointed. Mr. O'Dowd indicated that the Steering Committee was leaving the selection of these students to the Committee chairman. Mr. Davis indicated he felt this procedure was incorrect and stated he preferred not to do it. Mr. Lyons stated that he believed that leaving the selection to the chairman of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee was not appropriate and asked that this responsibility be returned to the Steering Committee to determine the selection of the two student members.

Mr. Davis moved the instruction that the nominations to the membership of the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee be returned to the Steering Committee, and that the Steering Committee be charged with determining a method by which the two student representatives would be selected. Seconded by Mr. Lyons.

Mr. Richter suggested that the three Senators from the student body and the seven students on the Commission for Student Life draw up a list of nominees from which student members on Senate committees could be selected.

Mr. Davis's motion was adopted.

Mr. Davis then asked if the change in the name of the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee was a mistake or if there was a reason for the name change. He indicated that the intercollegiate part of the new title restricted the Committee's concern for athletics just to intercollegiate activities and it was his opinion the committee should deal with all athletics. Chancellor Varner asked Mr. O'Dowd to have the Steering Committee review the charges and name of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee.

Final action on Mr. O'Dowd's motion to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. O'Dowd moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that "The Senate appoints the nominees listed in the attached sheet to the Standing Committees of the Senate," with the following deletions: Mr. Tucker to be removed from the Admissions and Financial Aids Committee and all nominees from the library committee. Seconded by Mr. Righter.

Mr. Hoopes moved to amend the membership of the Graduate Study Committee to six members. Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi,

Mr. Lowy asked why this committee should have six members. Mr. Hoopes stated he felt that the librarian should be represented on this committee.

Final action on Mr. O'Dowd's motion and Mr. Hoopes' motion to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Mr. O'Dowd reported the following activities of the Steering Committee:

(a) The Steering Committee recommends that the meetings of the Senate be closed to visitors until a decision is made by the membership to express its wishes on this important issue.

(b) The Steering Committee has appointed an ad hoc committee to study the University calendar. The charge to the committee is two-fold.

1. To give immediate attention to the organization and duration of the instructional programs during the period from April through August, 19�8, in. light of indications of student attendance during this period and limitations in the University budget.

2. To study and make recommendations concerning the University calendar for future years, taking into account both existing experience with the trimester at Oakland and the sentiments of students and faculty. In this area, also, there are important economic constraints which should be considered in the formation of a calendar pattern for the future.

The membership of the committee includes Messrs. Atkinson, Beardslee, Hetenyi, Seeber, Susskind, Tomboulian, and P. Johnson, Chairman.

It was agreed that the Steering Committee's recommendation regarding closed meetings of the Senate for the time being would be observed.

Chancellor Varner stated that he had invited Mr. Crowder to attend the Senate meeting and felt that it would be to everyone's advantage if the Director of Development, Alumni and Community Engagement was able to attend these meetings because of his reporting and communication functions.

Mr. Hoopes said that the Steering Committee could review the Graduate Study Committee's membership at the same time they deal with the Library Committee  membership.

Mr. McKay asked whether the new committees were now empowered to set or whether last year's committees were the only legal committees. It was agreed that the old committees were to continue in power until the Senate approved the new committees.

Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

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