Oakland University Senate

May 7, 1970

MINUTES

PRESENT: Messrs: Akers, J. Appleton, Barthel, Beardman, Burdick, Butler, Davis, DeMent, Button, Haskell, Hetenyi, Heubel, Hildum, Iodice, Phil Johnson, P.J. Johnson, Kent, Kleckner, Mascitelli, Matthews, McKay, Obear, O'Dowd, Simmons, Stoutenburg, Susskind, Swanson, Tipler, Torch, Torgoff, Witt.
ABSENT: Messrs. Briod, Burke, Cherno, Coon, Cramer, Dovaras, Fernald, Gerulaitis, Gibson, Good, Harding, Letvin, Righter, Rue, Seeber, Springfield, Stern, and Miss Mattis.
GUESTS: Several guests present.

Chancellor O'Dowd called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.

The Chancellor announced the memorial service for the Kent State students to be held in the Oakland Center at 10 a.m., May 8. All members of the University community were invited to attend.

The Chancellor reviewed his memo of May 7 announcing the suspension of classes on Friday, May 8,

Mr. Alan Wagman read the student petition and commented on its purpose. The wording of the petition is as follows:

"We, as members of the Oakland community, urge that the university be officially closed on Friday, May 8* in recognition of our distress at President Nixon's decision to invade Cambodia and at the use of violence to suppress dissent on college campuses, resulting in the murder of four Kent State students."

"*Hourly employees shall receive pay for a day's work, not to be taken off of sick days or vacation time, and workers shall be given the day off."

Mr. James Graham, supporting Mr. Wagman's petition, reviewed his concerns regarding Chancellor O'Dowd's memo, feeling that it did not recognize the real purpose for closing the University on May 8.

Mr. James Oates, a member of the hourly-rated employees, read the following statement indicating a position of many in this group.

"After contacting a major portion of the members of the O.U. Employees Union, Local 1418 ASFCME, and sampling opinions of other University employees, it is not possible for said Union members to concur with the signed petition asking that the University be closed on Friday. Our recommendation to the Senate, and to Chancellor O'Dowd is that all University business should be maintained as usual.

We employees wish to express our sympathy to all those involved in the unfortunate incident at Kent State University. We hope that a solution to all campus disorders can be found through peaceful negotiations. Our sympathy extends to those on both sides of the incident,

Also, we would like to go on record with objections to the petition making reference to the hourly rated employees, whom were not consulted prior to the circulation of the petition."

Glen Brown, president of the Administrative-Professional Association, read and distributed the following statement representing the majority position of this group.

"The Administrative-Professional Association supports Chancellor O'Dowd's memorandum to the university community dated May 7, 1970.

We strongly oppose official political stands by the university. We respect the right of individual citizens to express their personal, political, and moral opinions.

We urge that Oakland University remain an institution of free political expression,

Consequently, we oppose emphatically the University Senate adopting as the official university stance, any petitions submitted to it, of a political nature"

 Mrs. Barbara Gaves, speaking for some of the clerical/technical employees, commented that 165 of its members had been polled regarding the Chancellor's memo, and the results were as follows

92 supported the Chancellor's memo
46 voted for closing the institution 
122 had no comment 
15 voted for no action,"

Several individuals spoke in favor of supporting the Chancellor's memo to suspend classes and declare the day as a day of mourning to recognize the tragic events at Kent State University. Others of the audience felt that the University should take a political stance against the United States Foreign Policy and particularly the deployment of troops into Cambodia,

After approximately 40 minutes, only minimal substance was added to the previous discussion. At this point the Chancellor said that he felt the discussion suggested that he follow the action proposed in his memo.

Mr. Davis moved the approval of the April 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, and 21 Senate minutes. Seconded by Mr. Matthews. Approved.

* Mr. Obear reintroduced his motion regarding the Library constitution (April 16 Agenda, Item 5.) Mr. Obear distributed a paper with a series of changes to the Library Constitution as recommended by previous Senate discussion on this subject. Mr. Butler explained each of the changes. The motion with the changes was voted and approved, (See attachment for approved Library Constitution.)

"THAT THE SENATE APPROVE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE LIBRARY."

* Mr. Matthews reintroduced his motion regarding the Bachelor of Science degree (April 16 Agenda, item 6.) Following a brief discussion, this item was voted and adopted.

"THAT THE SENATE REQUEST THE CHANCELLOR TO SEEK AUTHORIZATION FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES TO OFFER THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE."

* Mr. Phil Johnson reintroduced his motion to amend the Constitution of Oakland University offered by the Graduate Council (April 16 Agenda, item 7.) After a brief discussion, this motion was approved.

"THE GRADUATE COUNCIL SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ALL CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATE DEGREES. ITS PRESIDING OFFICER, THE DEAN OF GRADUATE STUDY, SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE AND THE UNIVERSITY TENURE AND APPOINTMENT AND POLICY COMMITTEE."

* Mr. Obear reintroduced his motion regarding the Senate approval of the Graduate Council change to the University Constitution (April 16 Agenda, item 8.) This motion was voted and approved.

"THAT THE SENATE APPROVE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE GRADUATE

Mr. DeMent moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Hetenyi.

Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

* Motions and amendments adopted at this meeting.