Oakland University Senate
February 5, 1970
MINUTES
PRESENT: Messrs. Akers, J. Appleton, Barthel, Beardman, Briod, Burke, Cherno, Coon, Cramer, Davis, DeMent, Dutton, Gerulaitis, Gibson, Haskell, Heubel, Hildum, lodice, P.J. Johnson, Kleckner, Mascitelli, Matthews, McKay, Obear, O'Dowd, Righter, Rue, Simmons, Stern, Stoutenburg, Sturner, Susskind, Swanson, Tipler, Witt.
ABSENT: Messrs. Burdick, Butler, Dovaras, Fernald, Good, Harding, Hetenyi, Kent, Letvin, Miss Mattis, Messrs. Springfield, Seeber, Torch, Torgoff.
Several guests were present.
Chancellor O'Dowd called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.
Chancellor O'Dowd reported on the Governor's budget message which included $1,688,143 of new money for Oakland University. He stated that additional information will be distributed as it is received.
The Chancellor described briefly the hearing with the House Committee of Colleges and Universities held on campus February 2, 1970, regarding our request for independence. Representative Petitpren, Chairman of the House Committee, indicated that either the Montgomery or the Bishop resolution should be reported out in a week to ten days . The Chancellor said that it would appear that the House will support independence for Oakland University, but there is some question about the amount of support in the Senate. The Board of Trustees committee (Messrs. O'Dowd, Carr, Breslin. Merriman, and Stevens) plan to meet prior to the February 19 Board meeting to discuss Oakland's independence. It is possible that final Board action may be delayed until March.
Chancellor O'Dowd said the meeting with the State Board of Education regarding our proposed Ph.D. programs is hard to assess but the matter will continue to be pursued with the State Board.
Attention was drawn to paragraph B 2a and b of the agenda stating that the Chancellor will recommend to the Board of Trustees at its February 19 meeting the names of Mr. Obear as Acting Provost and Mr. Sturner as Acting Vice Provost.
Mr. Hildum moved the approval of the January 13, 1970 minutes of the Senate. Seconded by Mr. Heubel.
Mr. Barthel asked that the handout he distributed at the January 13 meeting addressed "To The Senate and the Board of Trustees:" be made an official part of the minutes but did not feel it was necessary to recopy the handout and redistribute in the February 5 minutes.
(The secretary has incorporated the handout as an official part of the January 13 minutes as requested).
Mr. Heubel pointed out that when the substitute resolution for agenda item B 2d was retyped on page 9 of the minutes, the word corrections were not made in the final copy. The secretary was asked to make the changes. (A new page 9 was prepared and distributed February 12 to be substituted for the incorrect copy in the January 13 minutes.)
Mr. Hildum asked that the word "approved" be changed to "moved" in his motion on page 11 of the minutes.
Mr. Davis asked that the word "express" in paragraph 5 on page 4 be changed to read "expresses."
The January 13 minutes were than approved with the appropriate corrections and additions.
Mr. Hildum moved the approval of the January 21 minutes of the Senate.
Seconded by Mr. Righter. Approved.
Old Business
Mr. Hildum reintroduced the recommendation of the Academic Policy Committee which was originally moved on December 4, 1969, by Mr. Obear and seconded by Mr. Sturner regarding the establishment of a new course UC 04 University Forum (2 credits).
Mr. Stern moved to send item b of the motion back to the Academic Policy Committee until the Senate acts on the Blue Ribbon Committee on Education Reform report. Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis.
Mr. Obear reported that the Steering Committee, as a result of the letter from the People for the People Committee, established a Blue Ribbon Committee on Education Reform and appointed to the Blue Ribbon Committee the following staff members to meet with the student committee members: Messrs. Cooper, Davis, Gibson, Hildum, Marz, and Matthews. The Committee has been asked to make a report to the University community by March 10.
Mr. Stern said he did not wish to speak for the students, but because no student spokesman was present he felt the Senate should know of the students concerns regarding the Academic Policy Committee's motion: (a) afraid that the course will be too large; (b) wants seminar format, offended by demand of lecture method; (c) wants more constructive approaches to solution of racism and environmental problems; and (d) perceived as another requirement. Mr. McKay suggested that perhaps a self-study approach would be a better way of handling this course. Mr. Davis suggested passing item a of the motion and delaying final vote on item b. Mr. Hildum indicated his concern for delaying curriculum matters in voluntary courses and thought a detailed explanation to students would clarify the intent of this legislation. Mr. Barthel registered his concern for the use of grades other than S and U in this course
Following further discussion, the question was called and Mr. Stern's motion was not adopted.
* The Academic Policy Committee's motion was then adopted.
"a. UC 04 UNIVERSITY FORUM (2 CREDITS)
A STUDY OF A SUBJECT OF TOPICAL IMPORTANCE AND INTEREST CONCENTRATING ON A DIFFERENT THEME EACH TERM. VISITING EXPERTS, FILMS, AND CURRENT VIEWS WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO THE COURSE, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO SERVE A LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE LECTURE FORMAT. OPEN TO ANY STUDENT WHO HAS COMPLETED 28 OR MORE CREDITS. MAY BE REPEATED ONCE FOR A TOTAL OF 4 CREDITS.
b. A STUDENT WITH 4 CREDITS IN THE UNIVERSITY FORUM MAY ELECT NOT TO TAKE THE SENIOR COLLOQUIUM. IF HE ELECTS TO TAKE BOTH THE FORUM AND THE COLLOQUIUM THE FORUM CREDITS MAY BE TREATED AS ELECTIVE CREDITS."
Mr. Hildum reintroduced the recommendation of the Academic Policy Committee which was originally moved on January 13, 1970 by Mr. Hildum and seconded by Mr. Sturner regarding a requirement in Symbolic Systems to replace the present university requirement in foreign language.
a. "That the Senate approve a university requirement in Symbolic Systems to replace the present university requirement in foreign language. The new requirement in Symbolic systems would read as follows:
All students are expected to gain some familiarity with the structure and use of a system of symbols other than the English language. This requirement may be satisfied by earning 8 credits in any of the following ways:
1. Two courses in any one foreign language.
2. Two 4-credit courses in computer programming.
3. Any 8-credit combination of courses in linguistics, mathematics, symbolic logic, or philosophy of language.
The courses specified by this requirement may be used simultaneously to fill any other University or departmental requirement for which they are appropriate.
b. The Symbolic Systems requirement shall not have a separate heading in the catalog but shall be included in the list of University distribution requirements.
c. The various colleges are asked to make appropriate changes in their respective catalog sections to accommodate this new requirement.
d. The application of the Symbolic Systems requirement shall begin with the graduation in December 1970.
This delay is necessary in order to allow departments wishing to require of their graduates more, or more specific courses in this area to enact the necessary major requirements."
Mr. Hildum moved to amend the original motion as follows:
In Section a, paragraph 2, line 4 - insert after the word "ways": "(or by demonstrating equivalent proficiency by examination or in terms of advanced placement)".
In Section a, item 1 - delete the present wording and substitute the following wording: "Completion of a second semester foreign language course at the college level."
In Section a, third paragraph - insert a new first sentence: "Specific courses satisfying this requirement shall be designated by the Senate in consultation with the relevant departments." The second sentence would then read, "These courses may be used simultaneously to fill any other university or departmental requirement for which they are appropriate."
In Item a 3 - delete the word "any" and substitute the word "an".
In Section d after the word "graduates," substitute the word "additional" for the word "more".
Insert two new sections as follows:
"e. Departments, Colleges, and Schools within the University may stipulate any of these options as a requirement for a specific major or program.
f. Departments, Colleges, or Schools within the University may require additional courses beyond this minimum university distribution requirement in any of these options for a specific major or program."
Seconded by Mr. Stern.
The amendments were accepted by the Senate without the formal action of a vote.
Mr. Simmons moved to amend the motion that "mathematics be removed from its place in the current distribution requirements (art, music mathematics and science) and that this requirement include only fine arts and sciences as the options." Seconded by Mr. Iodice.
Following considerable discussion, Mr. Simmons's amendment was not adopted.
Mr. Burke indicated the Philosophy Department would probably screen students wanting to enroll in courses in symbolic logic or philosophy of language who were unknown to the department.
Mr. Akers stated that after reviewing this motion and looking at its ramifications, he wondered why the University did not abolish the foreign language requirement to meet the concerns of the various groups and then proceed to strengthen foreign language courses for their own value.
After further discussion, Mr. Cramer called the question which was seconded by Mr. Tipler. Approved.
* The original motion with amendments was then voted upon and adopted.
"a. THAT THE SENATE APPROVE A UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENT IN SYMBOLIC SYSTEMS TO REPLACE THE PRESENT UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENT IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE. THE NEW REQUIREMENT IN SYMBOLIC SYSTEMS WOULD READ AS FOLLOWS:
ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO GAIN SOME FAMILIARITY WITH THE STRUCTURE AND USE OF A SYSTEM OF SYMBOLS OTHER THAN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SATISFIED BY EARNING 8 CREDITS IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS ( OR BY DEMONSTRATING EQUIVALENT PROFICIENCY BY EXAMINATION OR IN TERMS OF ADVANCED PLACEMENT):
1. COMPLETION OF A SECOND-SEMESTER FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL.
2. TWO 4-CREDIT COURSES IN COMPUTER PROGRAMMING.
3. AN 8-CREDIT COMBINATION OF COURSES IN LINGUISTICS MATHEMATICS, SYMBOLIC LOGIC, OR PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE.
SPECIFIC COURSES SATISFYING THIS REQUIREMENT SHALL BE DESIGNATED BY THE SENATE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS. THESE COURSES MAY BE USED SIMULTANEOUSLY TO FULFILL ANY OTHER UNIVERSITY OR DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENT FOR WHICH THEY ARE APPROPRIATE.
b. THE SYMBOLIC SYSTEMS REQUIREMENT SHALL NOT HAVE A SEPARATE HEADING IN THE CATALOG BUT SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF UNIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS.
c. THE VARIOUS COLLEGES ARE ASKED TO MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CATALOG SECTIONS TO ACCOMMODATE THIS NEW REQUIREMENT.
d. THE APPLICATION OF THE SYMBOLIC SYSTEMS REQUIREMENT SHALL BEGIN WITH THE' GRADUATION IN DECEMBER 1970. THIS DELAY IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ALLOW DEPARTMENTS WISHING TO REQUIRE OF THEIR GRADUATES ADDITIONAL, OR MORE SPECIFIC COURSES IN THIS AREA TO ENACT THE NECESSARY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS.
e. DEPARTMENTS, COLLEGES, AND SCHOOLS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY MAY STIPULATE ANY OF THESE OPTIONS AS A REQUIREMENT FOR A SPECIFIC MAJOR OR PROGRAM.
f. DEPARTMENTS, COLLEGES, OR SCHOOLS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL COURSES BEYOND THIS MINIMUM UNIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENT IN ANY OF THESE OPTIONS FOR A SPECIFIC MAJOR OR PROGRAM."
New Business
* Mr. Hildum moved the recommendation of the Academic Policy Committee that
"a. THAT IN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS, THE TERM 'NON-WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS' BE CHANGED TO 'AREA STUDIES'.
b. THAT A COURSE 'UC 068: INTRODUCTION TO LATIN AMERICA' BE ADDED TO THE AREA STUDIES OPTIONS."
Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis.
* Mr. McKay moved that "THE ABOVE MOTION BE APPROVED FOR FINAL VOTE AT THIS MEETING." Seconded by Mr. Davis. Adopted.
The original motion was adopted.
Mr. DeMent indicated his concern about the procedure used to appoint the membership of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Education Reform and asked if the committee membership should not have been approved by the Senate. Mr. Obear answered by referring to Article V, Section x. Item 4 which states that the Steering Committee has the authority to "create such ad hoc committees as it judges necessary to study matters outside the province of any Standing Committee;" Mr. Obear said the Steering Committee viewed the Blue Ribbon Committee as an ad hoc committee.
Mr. Obear was asked to reproduce and send out to members of the Senate a copy of the letter addressed to the "Chancellor and the Faculty Senate" from the People for the People Committee.
Mr. Gibson suggested that the Chancellor and the Acting Provost attend the first meeting of the Blue Ribbon Committee in order to clearly define the charges of this committee.
Mr. Cherno asked that notification regarding dates, times, and places of the Blue Ribbon Committee meetings be announced to the University community so interested people may attend these meetings.
Mr. Susskind moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Simmons.
Meeting adjourned at 6 p.m.
Submitted by
H, N. Stoutenburg, Jr.
Secretary
University Senate
* Motions and amendments adopted at this meeting