Oakland University Senate
April 2, 1970
MINUTES
PRESENT: Akers, Beardman, Burdick. H. , Burke, Butler, Cherno, Coon, Cramer, Davis, DeMent, Gerulaitis, L.V., Gibson, Haskell, Hetenyi, Heubel, Hildum, lodice, Johnson, P.J., Kent, Kleckner, Mascitelli, Matthews, McKay, Obear, O'Dowd, Rue, Stern, Stoutenburg, Susskind, Tipler, Torch, Torgoff, Witt; Johnson, Philip.
ABSENT: Appleton, J.R., Barthel, Briod, Dovaras, Dutton, Fernald, Good, Harding, Letvin, Miss Mattis, Messrs. Righter, Seeber, Simmons, Springfield, Swanson.
Many guests attended.
Chancellor O'Dowd called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. The Chancellor reported the status of our Independence Bill, suggesting that it could be reported out of Committee next week. He indicated that there should be little trouble in the House, but he was not as optimistic regarding the Senate's action.
Chancellor O'Dowd stated that in anticipation of the University's independence on July 1, 1970, all members of the University Community were invited to send names of their candidates for the new Board of Trustees to Governor Milliken or to the Chancellor for transmission to the Governor's office.
Chancellor O'Dowd indicated that several groups on campus were requesting action on a number of projects. The Chancellor listed a few of the projects with an estimated cost figure:
Equal pay for equal work plan $10,000
University gynecologist 40,000
Open the balance of the Health Center 50,000
A Day Care Center 10,000 - $100,000
Admissions policy changes 200,000
Environmental improvement program 25,000
Educational reform 40,000
He further pointed out that salary adjustments for this year will cost the University approximately $550,000.
Chancellor O'Dowd asked Mr. Patrick Johnson to continue to serve as Parliamentarian for the University Senate. Mr. Johnson accepted.
* Mr. Stern moved the approval of the March 21 minutes. Seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis.
Mr. Cherno noted that the word "skill" in his motion on page 5, last paragraph, should be deleted. The motion should read as follows: "Mr. Cherno moved to delete the comma and the word "preferably" in item a of paragraph 1." The minutes with the amendment were then adopted.
Old Business
*Mr. Matthews reintroduced the recommendation of the Steering Committee that authorization be requested from the Board of Trustees to establish a Department of Linguistics previously seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis. The motion was approved.
"THAT THE CHANCELLOR BE REQUESTED TO SEEK AUTHORIZATION FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO ESTABLISH AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY A DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS."
Mr. Hildum reintroduced the recommendation of the Steering Committee regarding Freshman Exploratory Courses. Mr. Hildum suggested that the wording in Section D be changed to read as follows: "Students who surpass the 'excellent' criterion may, but need not, waive UC 01, or substitute UC 02 for it. This number shall not exceed 10 percent of the class." This was agreed to by the Senate. Mr. Burke's amendment to delete the second sentence of Item A 2 d, "This number shall not exceed 10 percent of the class, previously seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis was adopted." '
Mr. Cherno's amendment to delete the comma and the word "preferably" from line 4 of Item A 2 a (the course description of UC 01) previously seconded by Mr. Matthews was adopted.
Mr. DeMent moved to amend Item A 2 g by adding a new sentence after the word credits" in the second sentence. "Only 8 of these credits may be applied toward graduation." Seconded by Mr. Burdick. Not adopted.
Following additional discussion, the motion with amendment was then approved,
"a. FRESHMAN EXPLORATORY COURSES SHALL BE RECLASSIFIED INTO THREE GROUPS AS FOLLOWS:
UC 01 - THE EXISTING FORM OF EXPLORATORY WITH A LIMIT OF 18 STUDENTS AND A STRONG EMPHASIS ON WRITING SKILL THROUGH FREQUENT SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENTS.
UC 02 - A SECOND-TERM EXPLORATORY, WITH THE WRITING IN THE FORM OF LONGER LESS FREQUENT ASSIGNMENTS, AND AN ENROLLMENT OF 25.
UC 03 - AN 8-CREDIT EXPLORATORY, WITH A PROPORTIONAL NUMBER OF CLASS HOURS BUILT AROUND A TOPIC CHOSEN IN THE SAME WAY OTHER EXPLORATORY TOPICS ARE CHOSEN, BUT WITH AN INTENSIVE CONCENTRATION ON WRITING AND READING SKILLS: OPEN ONLY TO CERTAIN STUDENTS, AS EXPLAINED BELOW: LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS. AND STAFFED BY A FACULTY MEMBER AND A STUDENT ASSISTANT.
b. EACH ENTERING STUDENT IS NORMALLY EXPECTED TO TAKE 8 CREDITS IN EXPLORATORIES, EITHER A UC 01 AND A UC 02, OR A UC 03. FOR UC 01 and UC 02, THE LETTER-DESIGNATION DISTRIBUTION CATEGORIES ARE RETAINED, AND A STUDENT IS ASKED TO CHOOSE HIS COURSES FROM DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
c. ALL ENTERING FRESHMEN TAKE WRITING AND READING TESTS DURING THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE ORIENTATION SESSION. (FOR THE PRESENT, WE CONTINUE TO ACCEPT TRANSFER CREDITS FOR EXPLORATORIES, FOLLOWING ESTABLISHED STANDARDS.) ON THE TESTS, TWO CRITERION LEVELS WILL BE DETERMINED: EXCELLENT AND SATISFACTORY. (ON THESE CRITERIA, SEE COMMENTARY IN THE MARCH 12 SENATE AGENDA.)
d. STUDENTS WHO SURPASS THE "EXCELLENT" CRITERION MAY, BUT NEED NOT, WAIVE UC 01, OR SUBSTITUTE A UC 02 FOR IT.
e. STUDENTS WHO FALL BELOW THE "SATISFACTORY" CRITERION MAY, BUT NEED NOT, SATISFY THEIR EXPLORATORY REQUIREMENT WITH A UC 03 COURSE. THEY WILL BE INFORMED OF THEIR TEST RESULTS AND URGED, THOUGH NOT REQUIRED, TO USE THE UC 03 OPTION.
f. THE UC 03 INSTRUCTORS AND ASSISTANTS WILL FORM A GROUP TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ABOUT PROBLEMS AND SPECIFIC TEACHING TECHNIQUES.
g. STUDENTS IN UC 03 WHO DO NOT REACH THE SATISFACTORY CRITERION DURING THE FIRST TERM WILL, IF THEY CHOOSE TO TAKE A SECOND UC. 03 (AND ASSUMING REASONABLE EFFORT ON THEIR PART), RECEIVE AN INCOMPLETE. AT THE END OF THE SECOND UC 03, THEIR EARNED GRADE IS APPLIED TO BOTH TERMS--I.E., ALL 16 CREDITS. A STUDENT BELOW SATISFACTORY WHO DOES NOT TAKE MORE EXPLORATORY WORK RECEIVES AN APPROPRIATE NUMERICAL GRADE FOR HIS 8 CREDITS."
New Business
* Mr. Obear moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that the following be considered a procedural, motion and eligible for vote today.
"THAT THE CHANCELLOR CONSULT WITH MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT BODY IN THE MANNER OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE PROVOST BY MEANS THAT SEEM APPROPRIATE TO HIM."
Seconded by Mr. Burke. Adopted.
* Mr. Obear moved the recommendation of the Steering Committee that the following be considered a procedural motion and eligible for final vote today.
"THAT THE ELECTION OF STUDENT SENATORS FOR THE 1970-71 ACADEMIC YEAR BE DEFERRED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1970."
Seconded by Mr. Stern. Adopted.
Mr. Stern moved that "the Steering Committee act as rapidly as possible to construct a vehicle for student government reform." Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi. The Chancellor then referred this matter to the Steering Committee.
Mr. Hildum moved the recommendation of the Academic Policy Committee, April 2 Agenda items 3 a and b
(a) "That all grades below 1.0 be replaced by N.
(b) That the following grades be eliminated: 3.6-3.9, 4.1-4.3: With these changes, the grading system would be as follows: N, 1.0-3.5 (in steps of 0.1), 4.0. (I and P are unchanged.)" Seconded by Mr. Cherno.
Final action on these motions will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Beardman moved to amend the motion "that 3.6-3.9 be kept as a part of the grading system." Seconded by Mr. Gibson.
Final action on this amendment will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Davis moved the recommendations of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform (April 2 Agenda item 4 a and b).
"a. That the University Senate endorse the principles concerning standard and independent concentrations described in sections I A, B, and C, pages 4 and 5 of the final report of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform, and refer them to the colleges and schools for consideration and speedy implementation.
b. That the University Senate modify the degree requirement for the B.A. and B.S. degrees so that a student may graduate without a Departmental major. This legislation shall become effective in each school or college upon the implementation by that school or college of the standard and independent concentration legislation described above."
Seconded by Mr. Obear.
Final action on this motion will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Gerulaitis moved "that a vote be taken today on items a and b. Seconded by Mr. Stern.
After some discussion, the motion was withdrawn with the approval of the seconder.
Mr. Davis moved the recommendation of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform (April 2 Agenda item 5 a, b, c, and d.).
"a. Grade 0.0 shall be abolished. Any student who registers for a course, and remains in it past the date upon which the final credit count is made, but who for any reason does not receive credit for the course, shall receive an N grade.
b. Each course shall be designated in the course schedule by the instructor, or by the department in the case of multi-sectioned courses, as available only on an ungraded "satisfactory-no credit basis (S-N), or available on an optional graded or ungraded basis.
Prior to the final drop deadline, each student shall indicate to the instructor of an optionally graded course whether or not he wishes to receive a grade.
At the end of the term, the instructor shall report either a grade, or "satisfactory" (S) or "no credit" (N), as instructed earlier by the student. The instructor shall determine the standard required for an ungraded student to receive credit. The sole criterion shall be that the quality of the work be acceptable to the instructor for credit toward graduation. In no case, however, shall the standard be higher than that required for a graded student to obtain a grade of 2.0.
c. The term report shall be a complete record for the student, his or her adviser, and the accounting offices of all work for which the student was registered after the add deadline. It shall be an internal document.
The transcript shall be a record of the student's academic work which he or she presents for credit toward graduation. It shall not show courses for which the student was registered but did not obtain credit. The transcript shall be available for external use at the request of the student.
d. For a student who presents 5 or more ungraded courses for credit, the requirement of 2.0 grade point average for graduation may be waived by the Senate upon recommendation of the Academic Standing and Honors Committee.
Seconded by Mr. Obear.
Final action on this motion will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Burke moved to amend the first paragraph in item b above by adding at the end of the sentence, "or on a traditionally graded basis." Seconded by Mr. Cherno.
Final action on the amendment will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Gorvine was recognized by the Chair and permitted to distribute a statement signed by 11 members of the History Department regarding an optional S-N grading system.
Mr. Akers moved to amend the motion by substituting the Gorvine paper;
"As members of the History Department, we urge the Oakland University Senate to introduce an optional S-N grading system.
We applaud the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform to abolish the grade 0.0 and to substitute the grade N, a grade which shall not appear on the student's official transcript. However, we differ with the commission in holding that the grade of S should be awarded only under the following conditions:
1. No more than one-quarter of the student's total credits toward the degree shall be in courses graded S.
2. Each department shall have the option of limiting the number of S credits its majors may apply toward fulfilling the major requirement.
3. A student electing to be graded on an S-N basis shall so declare at registration, and his instructor shall be so informed by the registrar. A student initially registered for S credit may elect to receive numerical grading at any time up to the drop deadline, but a student registering initially for numerically graded credit may not later elect to be graded on an S-N basis.
4. Condition 1 shall be waived in the case of courses in which the instructor elects to grade all students on an S-N basis."
Seconded by Mr. Iodice.
Final action on this amendment will be taken at a subsequent meeting. Mr. Hildum moved to substitute for the last paragraph in Item b of the motion the following statement:
"Standard for an S grade shall be that required of a student for a 2.0."
Seconded by Mr. Cherno.
Final action on this amendment will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Davis moved the recommendation of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform (April 2 Agenda item 6 a and b)
a. Each student shall take not less than 25% (8 courses or 32 credits) of his college work in academic areas outside of the concentration. These eight courses shall include two Freshman Exploratories, one Senior Colloquium or four credits in University Forum, and five courses outside the concentration chosen in consultation with the student's adviser.
As a guideline for the determination of appropriate areas for general education courses, each student's concentration shall be assigned by the Committee on Instruction to one of of the categories listed below.
(1) Science�Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering.
(2) Social Science--Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology.
(3) English, Foreign Language, Classics, Linguistics.
(4) History, Philosophy.
(5) Fine Arts: Art, Music.
(6) Area Studies, and new interdisciplinary programs such as Environmental Studies.
Each student must then take at least five courses chosen from categories other than the one to which his concentration is assigned. When a student applies for inclusion on the graduation list, he shall present to the registrar a form on which he clearly indicates the courses taken as part of his concentration and those taken as general education.
b. The system of letter designation of Freshman Exploratories and Senior Colloquia by categories shall be discontinued. A student may elect any two Exploratories and any Senior Colloquium orany four credits in University Forum to fulfill this requirement,"
Seconded by Mr. Obear.
Final action on this motion will be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. David moved the recommendation of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform (April 2 Agenda item 7 a, b, and c.)
"a. The add deadline be changed to the end of the 3rd week.
b. The Senate request the Board of Trustees to extend the deadline for dropping a course with half refund to the eighth week.
c. The final deadline for dropping a course should be changed to the eighth week, effective upon approval by the Board of Trustees of Item 4b above."
Seconded by Mr. Obear.
Final action on this motion to be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Davis moved the recommendation of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform (April 2 Agenda item 8.)
"Independent study or group independent study shall be offered for credit to any regularly enrolled on-campus student or group of students who are able to obtain a faculty member's consent to offer such a course."
Seconded by Mr. Obear.
Final action on this motion to be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Mr. Davis moved the recommendation of the ad hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Reform (April 2 Agenda item 9.)
"That the Senate endorse the principles concerning prerequisites described in Section IV A, Page 8 of the Commission report, and refer them to the Committees on Instruction of the Colleges and Schools for consideration and implementation."
Seconded by Mr. Obear.
Final action on this motion to be taken at a subsequent meeting.
Chancellor O'Dowd recessed this meeting at 7:10 p.m. until Tuesday, April 7 at 3 p.m.
Submitted by
H. N. Stoutenburg, Jr.
Secretary
University Senate
* Motions and amendments adopted at this meeting.