Oakland University Senate
3rd Meeting
Thursday, November 12, 1970
3 p.m., 128-30 Oakland Center
AGENDA
Submitted by Frederick W. Obear, for the Steering Committee
A. Old Business
1. Resolution from the Steering Committee (Mr. Obear) Second Reading, eligible for final vote.
a. THAT THE SENATE APPROVE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT.
Comment: This proposed constitution was distributed with the agenda of the October 15, 1970, meeting of the Senate. The Senate has agreed that it not be amended on the floor.
2. Resolution from the Academic Conduct Committee (Mr. Mascitelli) Second Reading, eligible for final vote
That the Senate adopt the following resolution:
IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS UNIVERSITY THAT GRADES SHOULD BE USED ONLY TO MEASURE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. IN CASES IN WHICH ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT SUCH AS PLAGIARISM OR CHEATING HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE ACADEMIC CONDUCT COMMITTEE, IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT A STUDENT SHOULD RECEIVE NO CREDIT FOR A PIECE OR WORK WHICH HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE NOT HONESTLY PREPARED. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT PROPER THAT A STUDENT BE AUTOMATICALLY DENIED COURSE CREDIT OR ASSIGNED A PENALTY GRADE IN THE COURSE BEYOND THAT WHICH IS A CONSEQUENCE OF RECEIVING NO CREDIT ON THE UNACCEPTABLE WORK. SINCE THE UNIVERSITY HAS PROVIDED A SET OF PROCEDURES AND A SYSTEM OF PENALTIES FOR DEALING WITH CASES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT, INSTRUCTORS SHOULD NOT USE COURSE GRADES AS AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF PENALIZING STUDENTS FOR ACADEMIC OFFENSES.
Note: Extensive comments in support of this resolution appeared in the October 15, 1970, agenda.
3. At the October 15 meeting of the Senate, a motion and a substitute motion dealing with the approval of the Constitution of the University Congress were introduced. The Steering Committee has withdrawn its original motion in favor of the motion below, and the students have withdrawn their motion in favor of another one which will be distributed at the meeting. The Steering Committee has advised the Chair that these new motions are germane to the subject under discussion, and are therefore in their second reading and eligible for final vote.
a. Motion from the Steering Committee (Mr. Obear)
WHEREAS THE UNIVERSITY SENATE HAS ALREADY EXPRESSED ITSELF AS WELCOMING "THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY STUDENTS TO ORGANIZE A STUDENT CONGRESS,"
BE IT RESOLVED THAT IT IS THE SENSE OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE THAT THE STUDENT BODY, OUGHT AND BY RIGHT, HAS A MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOMMEND UNIVERSITY POLICY IN THE AREA OF STUDENT LIFE TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY.
B. New Business
1. Motion from the Steering Committee (Mr. Obear)
a. THAT THE MOTION BELOW BE MADE ELIGIBLE FOR FINAL VOTE
b. THAT PROFESSOR MARC BRIOD BE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE, AND PROFESSOR SHELDON APPLETON BE ADDED TO THE MEMBERSHIP.
2. Motion from the Academic Policy Committee (Mr. Hildum) First Reading
EACH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY MAY DETERMINE ITS OWN GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDING THAT THE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE TWO FRESHMAN EXPLORATORIES (OR EQUIVALENT BY COMPETENCY EXAMINATION OR TRANSFER CREDIT). THE UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS IN EFFECT FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF DECEMBER 1970 WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR EACH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE UNTIL IT CHOOSES TO ENACT NEW REQUIREMENTS.
Comment: APC is, essentially, accepting the motion by Mr. Hetenyi which is printed in the Senate agenda of April 9, 1970, p.7, item A4. In so doing, we accept the underlying reasoning that the interests and conditions of the various schools and colleges have become so various that it is no longer practical or desirable for a single group to legislate uniform conditions for all.
The only substantive change we recommend from the Hetenyi motion is the omission of the senior colloquium (or university forum equivalent) as a university-wide requirement.
3. Report of Steering Committee activities (Mr. Obear)
a. Status of Student Conduct Committee (see report below)
A REPORT TO THE SENATE FROM THE ACADEMIC CONDUCT COMMITTEE
October 15, 1970
Actions Taken by the Academic Conduct Committee
September 1969 - August 1970
Alleged Plagiarism - 15 cases (15 students)
Not Guilty - No action 3 students
Guilty:
Academic Disciplinary Probation 2 students
Suspension with Immediate Reinstatement 1 student
Suspension for One Semester 8 students
Alleged Cheating on Examination - 7 cases (15 students)
Not Guilty - No action 6 students
Guilty:
Suspension with Immediate Reinstatement 1 student
Suspension for One Semester 2 students
Suspension for Two Semester 6 students
Alleged Falsification of Lab Notebook - 2 cases (9 students)
Not Guilty - No action 4 students
Guilty:
Suspension with Immediate Reinstatement 2 students
Suspension for Two Semesters 3 students
II. Administrative Change in Committee Procedures: The committee has begun the practice of designating one of its members (who does not participate in deliberations after the hearings) as an investigator to work with the instructor prior to the hearing. We thus have relieved the instructor of the burdensome role of appearing as a kind of "prosecutor"; and at the same time, insured that someone familiar with the committee procedures has had an opportunity to acquaint himself with all aspects of the case before the hearing but without prejudice to the committee.