Oakland University Senate
November 11, 1969
MINUTES
PRESENT: Messrs. Akers, J. Appleton, Barthel, Burdick, Cherno, Cramer, Davis, Gerulaitis, Gibson, Haskell, Hetenyi, Heubel, Hildum, Iodice, Johnson, Kleckner, Mascitelli, Matthews, Miss Mattis, Messrs. McKay, Righter, Rue, Seeber, Simmons, Springfield, Stern, Stoutenburg, Sturner, Susskind, Tipler, Torch, Torgoff, Witt.
ABSENT: Messrs. Beardman, Briod, Butler, Coon, DeMent, Dovaras, Dutton, Fernald, Good, Harding, Hoopes, Kent, Letvin, Obear, Swans on, Varner.
GUESTS: Mrs. Betty Hansen, Mr. James Oates.
Mr. Sturner called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m.
Mr. Sturner suggested a procedure for handling the three motions tabled November 6, 1969 which comprised the agenda for this meeting.
1. Move to leave tabled or take from the table the November 6 tabled motions, have the motion seconded and vote.
2. If the motion is to take from the table the November 6 motions and if this motion passes, then a motion for the Senate to become a Committee of the Whole would be appropriate, have the motion seconded and vote.
3. At this point the next 30 to 45 minutes would be used for a general discussion of the three motions.
4. Following the discussion each motion would be taken up in order for possible amendments. It was agreed that proposed amendments be consistent with the meaning and intent of the original wording of the specific resolution affected.
5. The next step would be to allow each Senator to vote "yes" or "no" on each motion and then eliminate the motion with the lowest number of "yes" votes.
6. The final step would be to vote for one of the two remaining motions. This motion upheld would be reported out of the Committee of the Whole for re- confirmation by the Senate.
Mr. Iodice explained his concern for the fact that not enough time had been allowed to acquaint the University Community with the motions and for the Community to have had an opportunity to make their feelings known to the members of the Senate. Mr. Iodice quoted Article V Subsection viii.
Mr. Iodice moved "that an open hearing be held prior to the second reading of the motions." After some discussion, Mr. Iodice withdrew his motion with the understanding that Mr. James Oates and Mrs. Betty Hansen would be permitted to express the feelings of the bi-weekly payroll staff and the clerical-technical staff.
The Chair introduced Mr. Oates and Mrs. Hansen and invited each to participate in the meeting.
Mr. Oates, after a few introductory remarks, stated that 97 out of 100 of the bi-weekly payroll staff polled on the three motions recommended that a fourth alternative be made available to the University Community as follows: "Local 1418 Oakland University Employees ASFCME propose that the University Community through the Senate take the stand in support of the present administration in reaching a just and honorable solution to the Vietnam problem."
Mrs. Hansen indicated that she had been able to reach only a very small number of the clerical-technical staff due to the lack of time, but those polled (15) took a position similar to the bi-weekly staff asking for a fourth option which supported the present administration,
* After some procedural discussions, it was moved by Mr. Barthel that the alternative proposed by Mr. Oates be made item "d" on the agenda.
Seconded by Mr. Cherno. Adopted.
* Mr. Rue moved that,
"THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, THROUGH THE SENATE, TAKE THE STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION IN REACHING A JUST AND HONORABLE SOLUTION TO THE VIETNAM PROBLEM."
Seconded by Mr. lodice. Adopted.
* Mr. Tipler moved, "to waive the first reading of the preceding motion and make it available for vote today." Seconded by Mr. Cherno. Adopted.
* Mr. Barthel moved "to take from the table the three motions of the November 6, Senate meeting." Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis. Adopted.
a. "The University Senate of Oakland University, recognizing the immorality of the war in Vietnam, calls for a cessation of classed on November 14 in order for the students and faculty to demonstrate against the war.
b. The University Senate of Oakland University recognizes that many citizens from all over the United States intend to express their opposition to United States policy in Vietnam in a variety of ways on November 14 and 15. The University Senate further recognizes their constitutional right to petition their government for a redress of grievances in all legal ways. The University Senate therefore recommends that all members of the faculty of Oakland University recognize the special nature of these dates either by (1) cancelling classes after full consultation with class members, or (2) excusing students who desire to be absent from class in order to participate in activities related to such a petition.
c. Recognizing that a major purpose of a university is to promote freedom of inquiry; and that political advocacy by the University must almost invariably defeat such a purpose: We resolve that this University, through its Senate, should not advocate a stand on any political issue, other than on one which concerns the rights of its faculty and students to freedom of inquiry on any subject."
* Mr. Davis moved "to have the Senate become a Committee of the Whole in order for the four motions to be discussed." Seconded by Mr. Seeber. Adopted.
After considerable discussion about the pros and cons of the motions, the body moved to the procedure of considering the amending of the motions.
* Mr. Cherno moved to amend motion "a" by deleting the word "immorality" and substituting the word "inhumanity." Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis. Adopted.
* Mr. Barthel moved to amend motion "a" by deleting the word "for" after the words "in order" and substituting the word "that" and to delete the word "to" after the words "and faculty" and substitute the word "may." Seconded by Mr. Susskind. Adopted.
* Mr. Matthews moved to amend paragraph 1 of motion "b" by adding the words "or support of" following the words "opposition to" in the first sentence.
Seconded by Mr. Hildum.
A question was asked whether Mr. Matthews' amendment was consistent with the meaning of the motion as originally written. After a brief discussion the Chair ruled that the amendment was not consistent with the original intent of the motion and therefore the motion to amend was out of order.
Mr. Hetenyi challenged the Chair's ruling on Mr. Matthews' amendment. A vote was taken and the challenge was upheld 14 to 11.
Mr. Matthews' amendment was then adopted.
* Mr. Matthews moved to amend paragraph 2 of motion "b" by adding the words "and staff supervisors" after the words "members of the faculty," by deleting the following phrase "(1) cancelling classes after full consultation with class members," or by changing "(2)" to "(1)" by changing the period after the words "to such a position" to a comma, and by adding a new phrase "or (2) excusing employees from jobs in order to participate in activities related to such a petition."
Seconded by Mr.Hildum. Adopted.
* Mr. Torch moved to amend paragraph 1 of motion "b" by deleting the words "for a redress of grievances" after the words "their government" and substituting the words "in support of their position."
Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi. Adopted.
* Mr. Hetenyi moved to amend motion "c" by adding the following sentence to the motion "At the same time the Senate recognizes the right of individual members of the University Community to take a stand on the issues of the day and urges them to exercise this right as the duty of all responsible citizens."
Seconded by Mr. Seeber. Adopted.
* Mr. Torch moved to amend motion "c" by deleting the words "its faculty and students" and substituting the words "members of the University Community."
Seconded by Mr. Cherno. Adopted.
* At this point Mr. Hetenyi noted that the body no longer had a quorum of its members present and moved that "the Senate be reconvened." Seconded by Mr. Stoutenburg. Adopted.
Mr. Hetenyi moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Iodice.
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Submitted by
H. N. Stoutenburg, Jr.
Secretary
University Senate
* Motions and amendments adopted at this meeting.