Oakland University Senate
7th Meeting
Thursday, March 18, 1971
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 and the Academic Policy Committee (Messrs. Hildum and Obear) Second Reading, eligible for final vote
a. THAT THE DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF I (INCOMPLETE) GRADES BE CHANGED FROM: "THE END OF THE NEXT SEMESTER THAT THE STUDENT IS IN RESIDENCE" TO "FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT SEMESTER THAT THE STUDENT IS IN RESIDENCE."
b. THAT EXTENSIONS OF THIS DEADLINE BE GRANTED ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES, AND REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE PROVOST.
c. THAT THE WORDS "BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE STUDENT" BE ADDED AFTER THE WORDS "SEVERE HARDSHIP" IN THE CATALOG ENTRY.
Comment: The catalog entry governing the I ('incomplete) grades would then be changed to read:
I (incomplete)
The "I" (incomplete) grade is a temporary grade that may be given only after the thirteenth week in a course in which a student is unable to complete the required work because of severe hardship beyond the control of the student. An "I" grade does not become official until approved by the Provost.
The "I" grade must be removed by completing the required work no later than four weeks after the beginning of the next term that the student is in residence, or a grade of N will be recorded. Instructors may require that the incompletes be completed earlier than this deadline if they wish; however, extensions of this deadline are given only in exceptional cases, and require the approval of the Provost. If more than three semesters intervene before the student resumes residence, a grade of N will be recorded.
2. Motion from the Academic Policy Committee (Mr. Hildum) Second Reading, eligible for final vote
THAT THE SENATE ADOPT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TO REPLACE PRESENT REGULATIONS ON MAJOR STANDING:
THAT STUDENTS BE REQUIRED, AT SOME POINT IN THE INTERVAL FROM 56 TO 72 CREDITS, TO FILE WITH THE REGISTRAR A DECLARATION OF MAJOR ON A FORM ORIGINATING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OR A DESIGNATED MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT TO SIGNIFY THAT THE STUDENT HAS CONSULTED WITH AND RECEIVED THE APPROVAL OF AN APPROPRIATE ADVISOR IN PLANNING HIS PROGRAM. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT BEING BARRED FROM REGISTRATION.
a. Amendment proposed by Mr. Matthews, seconded by Mr. Torch; to add to the end of the motion the following statement:
"THE SAME POLICY WILL APPLY TO THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH DO NOT HAVE DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION AND TO INDEPENDENT CONCENTRATIONS."
b. Substitute motion proposed by Mr. Mascitelli, seconded by Mr. Tipler:
"THAT THE CURRENT UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS REGARDING MAJOR STANDING BE ABOLISHED."
3. Motion from the Academic Standing and Honors Committee (Mr. McKay)
THAT THE SENATE AUTHORIZE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACADEMIC PROBATION AND DISMISSAL POLICY DESCRIBED IN THE FEBRUARY 18, 1971, REPORT FROM THE ACADEMIC STANDING AND HONORS COMMITTEE. Second Reading, eligible for final vote
Comment: This proposed new policy is a modification of the present standards in an attempt to compensate somewhat for the effects of the new grading system on student grade point averages. There are two major changes:
a. It slightly raises a dividing line between probation and dismissal. (For all students with 80 credits or more, the minimum GPA for good standing remains 2.0, the graduation requirement.)
b. It places limits on the number of N grades which a student may receive and remain in good standing.
The details of the policy and the committee's rationale are given in the document which was attached to the February 18 agenda.
Finally, the committee would like to call to the Senate's attention a persistent problem which we face in interpreting grades and grade point averages. As an example, in a recent term, the class averages in freshmen exploratory sections ranged from well below 2.0 to about 3.6. The committee feels that this is probably more likely to be due to wide variation in grading standards than to real fluctuation in the performance of the classes. Unfortunately, the committee has been unable to take this information into account and seems unlikely to be able to do so in the near future. The committee is forced to assume, in spite of the facts, that the grading system is fairly and uniformly applied throughout the entire university. We would like to ask all faculty to make every effort to bring our assumptions closer to reality.
4. Proposed constitutional amendment, submitted by the Steering Committee (Mr. Obear) Second Reading, eligible for final vote
THAT ARTICLE V, SECTION 1, OF THE UNIVERSITY CONSTITUTION BE CHANGED FROM: "TWO SENATORS SHALL BE ELECTED FROM AMONG THE ADMINISTRATIVE- PROFESSIONAL STAFFS, INCLUDING THE LIBRARIANS..." TO "TEN SENATORS SHALL BE ELECTED FROM AMONG THE ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONAL STAFFS..."
Note: The establishment of two new organized faculties since the last Senate election will increase the number of elected faculty seats from 33 to 39. If this amendment is adopted, the new Senate will consist of 63 Senators distributed as follows:
Faculty 39
Administrative-Professional 10
Ex officio (Provost and deans) 8
Students 3
Presidential appointments 3
Total 63
a. Amendment proposed by Mr. Akers, seconded by Mr. Davis:
THAT THE A-P DELEGATION BE CHANGED TO "EIGHT SENATORS" AND THE REGISTRAR AND THE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS BE MADE EX OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.
B. New Business
1. Resolution from the Steering Committee (Mr. Obear) First Reading
THAT, IN THE PREPARATION OF THE UNIVERSITY CALENDAR, EVERY REASONABLE EFFORT SHALL BE MADE TO AVOID CONFLICTS BETWEEN RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND REGISTRATION AND FINAL EXAMINATION PERIODS. WHEN SUCH CONFLICTS ARE UNAVOIDABLE BECAUSE OF OTHER SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS, ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS SHALL BE MADE TO PERMIT ANY AFFECTED STUDENTS TO REGISTER OR TAKE THEIR FINAL EXAMINATIONS AT OTHER TIMES.
2. Motion from the Academic Policy Committee and the ad hoc Committee on the Applied Social Sciences (Messrs. Hildum and Sturner) First Reading
THE UNIVERSITY SENATE HEREBY ENCOURAGES CONTINUED PLANNING FOR A SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVES THE INTENT, APPROACH, AND BROAD OUTLINES OF THE CURRICULUM SUMMARIZED IN THE FEBRUARY 25, 1971, PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY THE AD HOCCOMMITTEE ON THE APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES. (Attached)
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PROPOSED SCHOOL WOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED UNTIL THE UNIVERSITY SENATE, HAVING SEEN A FIVE-YEAR BUDGET AND AN OUTLINE OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, HAS GIVEN ITS APPROVAL.
a. The Steering Committee has scheduled an extra meeting of the University Senate for Thursday, April 1, in Room 128-30 Oakland Center at 3 p.m. Unless the Senate chooses to schedule yet another extra meeting, this April 1 meeting will be the last opportunity for legislation to be introduced and receive a first reading and be eligible for final vote at the April 13 meeting. Committee chairman or other persons interested in introducing legislation at this meeting should submit their proposals to the Steering Committee as soon as possible (preferably by Monday, March 22, but certainly no later than Monday morning, March 29) so that they may be placed on the agenda.
b. The Steering Committee approved several modifications in the 1971-72 University Calendar as published on page iv of the 1970-71 catalog. These modifications are similar to those adopted for the current year and are necessary for the same reasons: It is simply not possible to complete advising, orientation, registration and the processing of grade reports in the times allowed by the old calendar. The revised 1971-72 calendar is attached to the agenda.
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