Oakland University Senate

January 16, 1969

MINUTES
 

PRESENT: Miss Attwood, Messrs. Atkinson, Black, Briod, Butler, Cherno, Clarke, Davis, Dutton, Galloway, Gerulaitis, Gibson, Hanmerle, Hetenyi, Hoopes, Iodice, Johnson, Kleckner, Linsalata, Lowy, Lyons, Matthews, McKay, O'Dowd, Pino, Pitts, Righter, Schwab, Stoutenburg, Susskind, Swanson, Tomboulian, Vann, Varner, Williamson, Witt, Yennior, Mrs. White.
ABSENT: S. Appleton, Burdick, Cafone, Fernald, Hahn, Harding, Hough, Kent, Simmons, Torch.
GUESTS: Approximately 60 guests were present.

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

Chancellor Varner introduced special guest, Mr. Ernest Mazey, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Chancellor Varner reported that Mr. Don Stevens was re-elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mr. Frank Merriman was elected to the new position of Vice-Chairman.

Chancellor Varner read Michigan Senate Resolution #8 creating a special committee to study student activities and disorders on the University campus. Chancellor Varner reported on the question of dormitory hours for women students and open houses at MSU and their possible effect at Oakland University.

When four Senators stated they they had not received the minutes of the December 5, 1968 Senate meeting, the chair recommended delaying their acceptance until the February meeting.

Chancellor Varner read the Senate policy regarding the participation of non-members of the Senate in Senate meetings as background for the procedure to be followed at this meeting. Mr. Linsalata questioned whether the Senate authorized this session as an open meeting but later withdrew his question after a brief discussion of the Senate policy. Mr. Black moved that non-members of the Senate be invited to enter into the discussion if recognized by any member of the Senate. No second. Following additional discussion, Mr. Hammerle moved we invite the chair to exercise his right to recognize non-Senators today.

Seconded by Mr. Vann. Adopted.

Chancellor Varner stated that "the adopted Hammerle motion will serve as the guideline for this meeting."

OLD BUSINESS

Mr. Iodice restated the motions he made on December 5, 1968 for the Faculty Affairs Committee which were duely seconded.

The wording as amended by Mr. G. P. Johnson:

a. THAT FACULTY HOLDING THE RANK OF ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, OR PROFESSOR BE OFFERED THE OPTION OF A ONE-SEMESTER RESEARCH SABBATICAL LEAVE AT THE END OF THREE YEARS. THE RATE OF COMPENSATION WOULD BE ONE-QUARTER OF THE SALARY OF THE TEN- MONTH CONTRACT.

b. THE UNIVERSITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TIAA-CREF ANNUITY AND PENSION PLAN SHALL BE INCREASED TO FIFTEEN PERCENT, IN INCREMENTS OF ONE PERCENT EACH YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS. THE MANDATORY CONTRIBUTION OF THE PARTICIPATING FACULTY MEMBERS SHALL BE DECREASED BY ONE PERCENT EACH YEAR DURING THE SAME PERIOD. OPTIONS TO INCREASE THE FACULTY MEMBER'S PERCENTAGE, MANDATORY PARTICIPATION AT AGE 35, AND OTHER CURRENT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS SHALL BE RETAINED.

c. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE REQUESTS THE CHANCELLOR TO REITERATE THE UNIVERSITY POLICY CONCERNING COMPENSATION TO FACULTY MEMBERS WHO BECOME ILL AND INCAPACITATED, AND FURTHER REQUESTS THAT THIS POLICY BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE FRINGE BENEFITS AND PREQUISITES OF THE FACULTY.

d. (1) THAT UNIVERSITY POLICY ON SICK LEAVE AND DISABILITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL BE REVISED TO CONFORM TO THE POLICY FOR FACULTY.

(2) THAT THE UNIVERSITY PLAN A UNIFORM POLICY ON DURATION OF CONTRACT, AND ON RENEWAL AND PERMANENT APPOINTMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL, COMPARABLE TO THE EVALUATORY PROCEDURES USED FOR GRANTING RENEWAL AND TENURE TO THE FACULTY.

e. (1) THAT THE UNIVERSITY ATTORNEY BE DIRECTED TO REQUEST AN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN CONCERNING FACULTY LIABILITY, AND THE FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN TO DEFEND PROFESSORS PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES AS AGENTS OF THE STATE.

(2) THAT THE PERSONNEL OFFICE BE DIRECTED TO INVESTIGATE ALL POSSIBILITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE AND THAT THE PERSONNEL OFFICE SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE UNIVERSITY SENATE BY MARCH 1, 1969.

f. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE REQUESTS THAT THE BUSINESS OFFICE OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY CONTINUE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF HEALTH, ACCIDENT AND LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMS; THAT IT APPRISE THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE COSTS AND COVERAGE OF VARIOUS POLICIES; AND, THAT IT SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATION FOR A TOTAL POLICY COVERING HEALTH, ACCIDENT, AND LIFE INSURANCE TO THE FACULTY AND STAFF NO LATER THAN MARCH 1, 1969.

* Mr. McKay moved to table items a and b for further discussion. Seconded by Mr. G, P. Johnson. Adopted.

* After discussion on item c, Mr. Iodice moved to amend the motion by placing a period after the word "incapacitated" and deleting the balance of the sentence.

 Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi. Adopted.

Items d, e and f were adopted.

Parts of the total motion adopted with amendments are as follows:

* c. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE REQUESTS THE CHANCELLOR TO REITERATE THE UNIVERSITY POLICY CONCERNING COMPENSATION TO FACULTY MEMBERS WHO BECOME ILL AND INCAPACITATED.

* d. (1) THAT UNIVERSITY POLICY ON SICK LEAVE AND DISABILITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL BE REVISED TO CONFORM TO THE POLICY FOR FACULTY.

(2) THAT THE UNIVERSITY PLAN A UNIFORM POLICY ON DURATION OF CONTRACT, AND ON RENEWAL AND PERMANENT APPOINTMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL, COMPARABLE TO THE EVALUATORY PROCEDURES USED FOR GRANTING RENEWAL AND TENURE TO THE FACULTY.

* e. (1) THAT THE UNIVERSITY ATTORNEY BE DIRECTED TO REQUEST AN OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN CONCERNING FACULTY LIABILITY, AND THE FINANCIAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN TO DEFEND PROFESSORS PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES AS AGENTS OF THE STATE.

(2) THAT THE PERSONNEL OFFICE BE DIRECTED TO INVESTIGATE ALL POSSIBILITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE AND THAT THE PERSONNEL OFFICE SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE UNIVERSITY SENATE BY MARCH 1, 1969.

* f. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE REQUESTS THAT THE BUSINESS OFFICE OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY CONTINUE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF HEALTH, ACCIDENT AND LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMS; THAT IT APPRISE THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE COSTS AND COVERAGE OF VARIOUS POLICIES; AND, THAT IT SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATION FOR A TOTAL POLICY COVERING HEALTH, ACCIDENT, AND LIFE INSURANCE TO THE FACULTY AND STAFF NO LATER THAN MARCH 1, 1969.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. McKay moved the recommendation of the Academic Standing and Honors Committee that

* THE THREE MOTIONS PRESENTED BELOW BE APPROVED FOR FINAL VOTE AT THIS MEETING.

Seconded by Mr. Black. Adopted.

Mr. McKay moved the recommendation of the Academic Standing and Honors Committee that

* THE FACULTY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY NOMINATE THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS NAMED IN THE LIST TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE AS OF JANUARY 16, 1969. (See attached list),

Seconded by Mr. Williamson.

Mr. Black moved to amend the motion by adding the name of Mr. Lee Elbinger to those nominated for a bachelor's degree. Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis.

After a very lengthy discussion involving many Senators, Mr. Black's amendment was not adopted.

The original motion was then adopted.

Mr. McKay moved the recommendation of the Academic Standing and Honors Committee that

* THE FACULTY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY NOMINATE THE GRADUATE STUDENTS NAMED IN THE LIST TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE AS OF JANUARY 16, 1969. (See attached list)

Seconded by Mr. Righter. Adopted.

Mr. McKay moved the recommendation of the Academic Standing and Honors Committee that

* UNIVERSITY HONORS BE AWARDED TO THE GRADUATING STUDENTS NAMED IN THE LIST TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING. (See attached list.)

Seconded by Mr. Pitts. Adopted

Miss Marlene Ellis, chairman of the Commission on Student Life (now also an ad hoc committee of the University Senate) distributed the master agenda of the Commission and presented a review of its activities. (See Master Agenda attached)

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

a The report of the ad hoc Committee on Student Rights, chaired by Mr. Simmons, was accepted by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee was pleased that the  ad hoc, committee recommended that adoption of the "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students" be deferred until the university had time to ponder the many implications of the Statement's justified but broad pronouncements. The Steering Committee commended the Simmons Committee for its rigorous and judicious analysis of the many complex issues raised in the Statement, and for emphasizing the need to examine and adopt specific policies related to a host of student rights and responsibilities.

The Steering Committee referred the report of the Simmons Committee to the Commission on Student Life for further discussion and hopefully the development and implementation of the appropriate policies. The Steering Committee was mindful of the related interests and justifications of other committees of the Senate to the concerns of this report and thus requested that the Commission on Student Life consult with these committees in resolving the many issues raised by the report.

A copy of the report submitted by the Simmons Committee is attached, as is the document it reviewed and analyzed (the "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students" prepared by representatives of five education organizations in 1967 and thereafter endorsed by many groups including the American Association of University Professors).

b The following information has been forwarded to the Steering Committee by Mr. Kleckner, chairman of the Senate Elections Committee:

1. Professor Melvin Cherno has been elected as an at-large member of the University Tenure and Appointment Policy Committee. His three-year term will terminate on December 31, 1971.

2. Professor Edward Bantel has been elected by the School of Education to serve on the University Tenure and Appointment Policy Committee. Professor Bantel's three-year term will terminate on December 31, 1971.

The completed membership of the Tenure and Appointment Policy Committee is:

REPRESENTATIVES of the ORGANIZED FACULTIES ------------Date the term of  office expires
Hammerle --Engineering ---------------------------------------------------December 31, 1969
Hoopes -- Arts and Sciences ----------------------------------------------December 31, 1970
Bantel --Education ---------------------------------------------------------December 31, 1971
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Johnson --Mathematics ----------------------------------------------------December 31, 1969
Harding --Biology ---------------------------------------------------------December 31, 1970
Cherno --History ----------------------------------------------------------December 31, 1971
DEANS OF ORGANIZED FACULTIES
Matthews
Hetenyi
Gibson
PROVOST (non-voting)
0'Dowd

c. Mr. Kleckner, chairman of the Senate Elections Committee, has expressed the concern of the committee over the lack of nomination procedures for Senate elections. In a letter to Mr. Sturner, dated December 19, 1968, Mr. Kleckner noted:

Having conducted two elections for the Tenure Committee now, the Elections Committee views with some concern the present method for conducting them. The number of eligible candidates was 59 this year, and this number will grow rapidly in the future. While the winner held a clear plurality of votes, he fell far short of a majority (<10%) . This situation will worsen with time, and the possibility of a handful of people, acting in collusion, determining the election outcome will become very real. It seems that some type of nominating procedure which will produce a slate of, say, five candidates for the election would be desirable, and the Elections Committee plans to discuss this matter and make recommendations to the Steering Committee.

d. The Steering Committee has organized an ad hoc Committee on the Responsibilities and Concerns of the University Senate. Nominees for the committee are: Messrs. Hildum (chairman), Bertocci, Black, Chandler, Davis, and lodice; and Mrs. Tripp.

The formation of the committee is an outgrowth of a resolution passed by the Senate on November 3, 1968: "That the Steering Committee appoint an ad hoc committee to study the question of the University boycotting California grapes and to recommend a permanent solution." The committee has been asked to consider the specific issue of the University purchase or boycott of California grapes but to do so in the wider context of whether such issues are appropriate to the concerns and responsibilities of the University Senate. Thus the ad_ hoc committee, in addition to its investigation of the issue of California grapes, will investigate the wisdom, the propriety and the legality of including in the purview of the University Senate social and political issues not directly related to the operation of the academic processes of the university.

e. The framers of the present University Senate apparently intended that the organized assemblies periodically communicate news of their deliberations and decisions to the Steering Committee (i.e., similar to the communiques of the Assembly of Arts and Sciences and the Assembly of the School of Engineering, notes below) . There appears to be some confusion on the point since such communiques either do not arrive at all or appear only sporadically. It was suggested that the expectations of the trainers should be reaffirmed and the jurisdiction and authority of the Senate relative to the organized faculties clarified. Both points were discussed by the Steering Committee. It was agreed that these issues ought to be discussed with the deans and the respective assemblies.

f. The following communique was received from George Matthews, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences:

At its meeting of November 20, 1968, the Assembly of the College of Arts and Sciences passed the following Resolution which I forwarded to you for the information of the University Senate:

During the present period of increasing concern for and reactions against student activities on college and university campuses, the Assembly of the College of Arts and Sciences strongly desires to reaffirm its confidence in the students of Oakland University as responsive and responsible members of the university community. It holds the conviction that whatever vehicles the students may elect to express their concerns, they will express them in a manner consistent with the democratic and humanitarian principles on which this university is based. Since some universities have reacted against student pressures by creating repressive policies, we wish to assert our belief that an attitude which lays undue stress on crises and extraordinary behavior is likely itself to contribute to the emergence of such behavior and would only serve to undermine the principles of the university community.

g. The Steering Committee has been informed by Mr. Matthews, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, that the faculty of the College in a meeting of its Assembly on December 12, 1968, approved departmental honors for the following January, 1969, nominees for graduation:

Elementary Education 
Sue Ann Fisher 
Marilyn Joyce Flick 
Raye Eugene Klopfenstein, Jr. 
Phyllis Weber Playl 
Mary Spence Williams 
Patricia J. Ziegler

English
Nancy A. Jones
Teresa Lerchen
Carol Ann Saur
Mildred A. Steere
Doris M. Zerby

Mathematics 
J. Richard Alldredge 
Barbara Jean Schiffer

Physics
Thomas Nelson Roy

Biology
Julianna Texley

h. The Faculty Assembly of the School of Engineering in its meeting on December 9, 1968, approved the following students for departmental honors in Engineering:

Cilibraise, Gerald
Gatchell, Susanne M.
Pike, Kerry W.

i. The Steering Committee issued the following memorandum to the faculty and administrative staff on December 17, 1968: The Steering Committee of the University Senate met on Tuesday morning, December 17, to discuss the implications of the incident in which a student chose to disrobe while making a presentation on the poetry of W. B. Yeats.

The Steering Committee has advised the Dean of Students that this instance of alleged misconduct by a student falls within the jurisdiction of the Student Conduct Committee. The Steering Committee urges the Student Conduct Committee to review all aspects of the event and arrive at a judgment consistent with the standards of due process as soon as possible.

i At the invitation of Chancellor Varner, the members of the Steering Committee attended a meeting with the Oakland County legislators on December 30, 1968, in which the Chancellor reviewed the incident in which a student disrobed while presenting an interpretation of the poetry of W. B. Yeats.

k The School of Performing Arts has requested that it assume the responsibility for sponsoring and listing courses offered by the Meadow Brook Summer School of Music. Until now, such courses carried the Arts and Sciences designation of MUS, when sponsored by the School of Performing Arts the courses will be labeled with the designation MBM. This change will eliminate the ambiguity of listing music courses that are not sponsored by the Department of Music. It should be noted that the old Senate authorized the original use of the MUS designation for courses offered by Meadow Brook Summer School of Music, and that the proposed change is consistent with the powers of the colleges and the schools.

The matter has been discussed with Mr. Kent, Associate Dean of the School of Performing Arts; Mr. DiChiera, Chairman of the Department of Music; Mr. Matthews, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Mr. Brieger, Chairman of the Committee on Instruction of the Assembly of the College of Arts and Sciences. All have agreed to the suggested change.

1 Professors H. Burdick and Hough, both University Senators, will be on sabbatical leave during the winter semester of 1969 Since both are members of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Assembly of that college has been asked to designate replacements for the unexpired terms.

m In the listing of "Members of Committees, University Senate, Academic Year 1968-69," the terms of office on the tenure and Appointment Policy Committee should read: Johnson, G.7., two-year term; Harding, three-year term. On the original list the terms of office were incorrectly reversed.

n The name of Mr. Schillace inadvertently was not included on the Athletics Committee in the recent listing of committee memberships. Mr. Schillace has been a member of that committee since the fall of 1967.

Mr. O'Dowd announced that Mr. Hildum will replace Mr. Burdick and Mr. Mittra will replace Mr. Hough on the Senate while these men are on sabbatical.

Copies of the October 7, 1968 memorandum to Provost O'Dowd for the Steering Committee of the Oakland University Senate from the Ad Hoc Committee on Student Rights and a document entitled "Academic Freedom of Students" dated January 16, 1969 was distributed with the agenda for this meeting.

* Mr. Hetenyi moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Tomboulian.

Approved.

Submitted by
H. N. Stoutenburg, Jr.
Secretary
University Senate

* Motions and amendments adopted at this meeting.