Oakland University Senate
March 6, 1969
MINUTES
PRESENT: Miss Attwood, Messrs. Appleton, Atkinson, Black, Cherno, Clarke, Davis, Dutton, Galloway, Gerulaitis, Gibson, Hammerle, Harding, Hetenyi, Hildum, Hoopes, Iodice, Johnson, Kleckner, Linsalata, Lowy, Matthews, McKay, Mittra, O'Dowd, Pino, Pitts, Righter, Simmons, Susskind, Schwab, Tomboulian, Torch, Vann, Varner, Williamson, Witt, Mrs. White.
ABSENT: Messrs. Briod, Butler, Cafone, Fernald, Hahn, Kent, Lyons, Stoutenburg, Swanson, Yennior
GUESTS: Approximately 14 guests were present.
Chancellor Varner called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m.
Chancellor Varner opened the floor for discussion of any topic of interest to the assembled group. Mr. Black asked why the list of commencement speakers had never been acted upon. Chancellor Varner responded by stating that it is simply too late to ask a prominent person to speak at a commencement to be held April 19.
Mr. O'Dowd stated that the Steering Committee is not too excited about having any speaker because of the difficulty of pleasing all interested groups. Mr. Vann wondered if it had ever been considered not having a speaker at the commencement exercises but rather having the honorary degree recipient address a convocation of graduates. Mr. Cherno asked if it had ever been considered that we not award honorary degrees.
* Mr. Johnson moved to accept the minutes of February 13, 1969. Seconded by Mr. lodice. Mr. Atkinson moved to amend the minutes by deleting the word "faculty" in the sixth line of paragraph four. Minutes were approved as amended.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Iodice presented a progress report on the recommendations from the Faculty Affairs Committee that were adopted at the January 16 meeting.
The University Senate requests the Chancellor to reiterate the University Policy concerning compensation to faculty members who become ill and incapacitated.
There has been no progress on this request.
That University policy on sick leave and disability for administrative-professional personnel be revised to conform to the policy for faculty.
Mr. Iodice has no report to make on this revision at this time.
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.
Mr. lodice stated that work is going forward in this area. Currently being considered is a short probation period similar to that found in jobs covered by Civil Service.
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. Mr. lodice has no report to make on this request at this time. That the Personnel Office be directed to investigate all possibilities for professional liability insurance and Senate by March 1, 1969.
Mr. Iodice stated that this kind of insurance does exist and that the Personnel Office is working on their report but that the deadline of March 1 has had to be extended.
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. Iodice reported that a committee has been formed to investigate this deadline and that they are meeting, but they could not meet the March 1 deadline. It is planned that they will get this information together and present it to the Senate as soon as possible.
*THE TENURED FACULTY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY BE OFFERED THE OPTION OF A ONE-SEMESTER RESEARCH SABBATICAL LEAVE AT l THREE YEARS- THE RATE OF COMPENSATION WOULD BE ONE-QUARTER OF THE SALARY OF THE TEN-MONTH CONTRACT.
The following wording which was called an amendment by Mr. Johnson in the agenda was ruled by the chair to be a substitute motion.
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,
A vote was taken on adopting the substitute motion. It did not carry. The original motion was then adopted.
* THE UNIVERSITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TIAA-CREF ANNUITY AND PENSION PLAN SHALL BE INCREASED TO 15 PERCENT IN INCREMENTS OF ONE PERCENT EACH YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS. THE MANDATORY CONTRIBUTION OF THE PARTICIPATING MEMBERS SHALL BE DECREASED BY ONE PERCENT EACH YEAR DURING THE SAME PERIOD. OPTIONS TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE FOR THOSE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE, MANDATORY PARTICIPATION AT AGE 35, AND THE OTHER CURRENT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS SHALL BE RETAINED.
Motion adopted.
Mr. Tomboulian moved the recommendations from the Graduate Study Committee.
The following amendment to the Constitution of the University Senate received its first reading on February 13, 1969, and is eligible for final vote:
(Mr. O'Dowd quoted Article IX of the Constitution of Oakland University concerning amendments. "Amendments to the Constitution shall be proposed by the University Senate and shall, after distribution to the members of the organized faculties, be ratified by a majority of returned valid ballots in a mail referendum.)
AMENDMENT I
GRADUATE COUNCIL
i. A GRADUATE COUNCIL SHALL BE CONSTITUTED WITH POWERS TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY SENATE FOR THE INSTITUTION OR TERMINATION OF ALL GRADUATE PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION, AND TO THE PROVOST, AND THROUGH HIM TO THE CHANCELLOR, WITH REGARD TO GENERAL AND SPECIFIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL. THE COUNCIL SHALL ADVISE THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDY ON ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES PERTAINING TO THE OPERATION OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS.
ii. THE COUNCIL SHALL CONSIST OF THE DEANS OF THE ORGANIZED FACULTIES SPONSORING GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: A FACULTY MEMBER SELECTED BY EACH DEPARTMENT AUTHORIZED TO OFFER A GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM (OR BY EACH COMMITTEE SERVING IN LIEU OF A DEPARTMENT FOR THE SPONSORSHIP OF A DEGREE PROGRAM); A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY; AND THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDY WHO SHALL SERVE AS CHAIRMAN. IF THE ORGANIZED FACULTY SPONSORING GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS DOES NOT HAVE DEPARTMENTS, THEN IT SHALL BE REPRESENTED BY AT LEAST ONE FACULTY MEMBER SELECTED BY THAT ORGANIZED FACULTY.
iii. A SIX-MEMBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BY-LAWS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF FIVE MEMBERS ELECTED BY AND FROM THE COUNCIL AND THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDY WHO SHALL BE EX OFFICIO AND NON-VOTING. THE CHAIRMAN SHALL BE ELECTED BY THE COUNCIL.
This motion was originally seconded by Mr. Righter. Motion adopted.
Mr. Lowy moved the following recommendations of the Academic Policy Committee:
* a. THE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE ACTIVATED ON JULY 1. 1969, WITH THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT THE DEGREE "BACHELOR OF SCIENCE."
b. THE CURRICULUM OF THE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT IS APPROVED FOR IMPLEMENTATION ON JULY 1, 1969, AND FOR INCLUSION IN THE 1969-70 EDITION OF THE UNIVERSITY CATALOG.
Mr. Seeber presented considerable background information that lead to the development of this program.
This motion was originally seconded by Mr. Hetenyi. Motion adopted.
NEW BUSINESS
* Mr. O'Dowd moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that
A LIST OF SIX NAMES BE RECOMMENDED BY THE SENATE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREES.
This motion was made to have immediate effect at this meeting.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Hoopes. Motion adopted.
Mr. Black moved to substitute a name for one included in the list referred to above. The motion was not seconded.
Mr. O'Dowd reported that the Senate of Oakland University has been invited to designate one faculty member to join a twelve-man Search and Selection Committee for the nomination of a successor to John Hannah, who will resign soon as president of Michigan State University.
* Mr. Cherno moved to receive nominations from the floor at this meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis. Motion adopted.
Mr. Cherno placed into nomination the name of Robert Hoopes.
Mr. Hoopes declined the nomination
Mr. Matthews placed into nomination the name of James McKay.
Mr. McKay declined the nomination.
Mr. Righter placed into nomination the name of Philip Johnson.
Mr. Pitts moved to close the nominations. Seconded by Mr. Harding. This motion was not voted upon.
Mr. Pitts asked that his motion to close nominations be withdrawn. With the consent of the second the motion was withdrawn.
Mr. Appleton suggested that an issue of this importance should be settled by referendum. Mr. Hetenyi suggested that we establish a gentleman's agreement that no person whose name has been placed into nomination be allowed to withdraw his name for a period of 24 hours.
* Mr. Hetenyi moved that we make nominations today and that the Steering Committee establish a deadline as to when candidates whose names have been placed into nomination will be permitted to decline the nomination and that the Steering Committee establish an equitable election procedure.
Seconded by Mr. Matthews.
Mr. Appleton moved to instruct the Steering Committee to begin with the list of names placed in nomination at this meeting and that the Steering Committee nominate additional names as necessary so that they consider no less than three or more than five and that they establish some procedure whereby students will be allowed to vote.
Seconded by Mr. Linsalata.
Mr. Black called for a quorum count. The chair ruled that 24 senators would constitute a quorum. There were 29 senators present at the count.
Mr. Appleton's motion was not adopted. Mr. Hetenyi's motion was then adopted.
* Mr. Linsalata moved that the name receiving the second largest number of votes be designated as an alternate. Seconded by Mr. Iodice. Mr. O'Dowd stated that this motion would require a vote of the Michigan State University faculty.
The motion was allowed to stand and then adopted.
The chair opened the floor for nominations. The names previously nominated were considered to remain in nomination as per the intent of the Hetenyi motion.
Mr. McKay placed into nomination the name of Charles Akers.
Mr. Cherno moved that we nominate no more than five names.
Seconded by Mr. Pitts. Motion not adopted.
Mr. Harding placed into nomination the name of Reuben Torch. Mr. O'Dowd challenged this nomination on the grounds that the word faculty in the invitation to be represented has been defined as no administrative position above department chairman and that Mr. Torch holds the title of Associate Dean. Mr. Harding withdrew the nomination.
Mr. Linsalata placed into nomination the name of Donald Hildum.
Mr. Pitts placed into nomination the name of William Hammerle.
* Mr. Righter moved to close the nominations.
Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi. Motion adopted.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. by common consent.
Submitted by:
Thomas H. Atkinson for
H. N. Stoutenburg, Jr.
Secretary
University Senate
* Motions and amendments adopted at this meeting.