Oakland University Senate
Second Meeting
October 24, 1974
MINUTES
Present: Senators Barnard, Barron, Barthel, Beardman, Bingham, H. Burdick, Coffman, DeMent, Evarts, Feeman, L. Gerulaitis, Gregory, Haskell, Hawn, Hetenyi, Hitchingham, Hovanesian, Keegan, Knoska, Matthews, McKay, McKinley, Moorhouse, Obear, O'Dowd, Paslay, Reilly, Schillace, Schwartz, Strauss, Torch, Tower, and Wyatt
Absent: Senators Akers, Brieger, D. Burdick, Burke, Coon, Covert, Doane, Gardiner, R. Gerulaitis, Graber, Gray, Johnson, Krompart, Liboff, Light, O'Leary, Palmer, Pfeil, Schmidt, Seeber, Sturner, Susskind, and Tipler
Mr. 0 Dowd made some informal comments commencing at 3:30 p.m. and called the meeting to order at 3:41 p.m. Mr. O'Dowd announced that Ms. Judith Keegan was a new senate member replacing Doug Woodard. Mr. Hetenyi, seconded by Mr. Coffman, moved approval of the minutes of the meeting of October 3, 1974. Mr. Obear noted that the minutes failed to report that Mr. Tower had been designated as parliamentarian at the last meeting, although he acknowledged that perhaps Mr. Tower's status as parliamentarian was a continuing one and hence the designation was without meaning. The minutes were approved as submitted.
A. Old Business
Motion concerning changes in the N grade.
Mr. Feeman noted that the following motion was on the floor, having been introduced at the last meeting:
THAT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY'S GRADING SYSTEM BE CHANGED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS, ALL CHANGES TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE WINTER TERM, 1975.
1. THAT A "WS" OR "WN" BE ASSIGNED BY THE INSTRUCTOR IN A COURSE FROM WHICH A STUDENT WITHDRAWS OFFICIALLY FROM THE END OF THE REFUND PERIOD IN THE TERM TO ONE WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL EXAMINATION PERIOD IN THAT TERM. "WS" IS TO BE ASSIGNED IF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENT AT THE TIME OF WITHDRAWAL IS SATISFACTORY IN TERMS OF GRADUATION STANDARDS, THAT IS, IF IT MERITS A GRADE OF 2.0 OR BETTER. "WN" IS TO BE ASSIGNED IF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENT IS UNSATISFACTORY, THAT IS, IF IT MERITS A GRADE OF LESS THAN 2.0.
THE OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL AFTER THE REFUND PERIOD FROM A COURSE OR COURSES, AS OPPOSED TO COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENT OF "WS" OR "WN" ARE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:
a. THE STUDENT OBTAINS AN APPROPRIATE FORM, TO BE DESIGNED BY THE ACADEMIC POLICY COMMITTEE, IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT WHICH OFFERS THE COURSE FROM WHICH THE WITHDRAWAL IS TO BE MADE.
b. THE STUDENT TAKES THE FORM TO THE INSTRUCTOR AND HAS IT COMPLETED. ONE COPY IS KEPT BY THE STUDENT AND ONE BY THE INSTRUCTOR.
c. THE INSTRUCTOR RECORDS THE GRADE ON THE FINAL GRADE REPORT.
2. THAT THE DEFINITION OF THE "N" GRADE BE CHANGED TO: THE "N" IS ASSIGNED BY THE INSTRUCTOR IN ANY COURSE FROM WHICH A STUDENT DOES NOT OFFICIALLY WITHDRAW PRIOR TO ONE WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL EXAM PERIOD IN THE TERM IN WHICH HE/SHE HAS REGISTERED FOR THE COURSE AND FOR WHICH THE STUDENT DOES NOT RECEIVE CREDIT. IT IS UNDERSTOOD TO MEAN THAT THE STUDENT HAS COMPLETED THE COURSE UNSUCCESSFULLY.
3. THAT ALL GRADES, NUMERIC AND NON-NUMERIC ALIKE, BE RECORDED ON A STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT SO THAT THE TOTAL ACADEMIC RECORD OF THE STUDENT IS VISIBLE TO THE READER.
4. THAT NONE OF THE NON-NUMERIC GRADES (S, N, W, WS, WN, I, P) BE USED IN THE COMPUTATION OF THE GRADE POINT AVERAGE.
A long discussion ensued about whether the appearance of the N on a student transcript advantages a "faster" student with respect to a "slower" student �� and, if so, whether that is appropriate, i.e. the discussion centered on paragraph 3 of the motion.
Mr. Knoska, seconded by Mr. Gerulaitis, moved to delete paragraph 3 as presented and to substitute the following:
THAT ONLY NUMERICAL AND S GRADES APPEAR ON ALL EXTERNAL TRANSCRIPTS BEGINNING AUGUST 30, 1975. THE TOTAL CREDITS EARNED AND TOTAL CREDITS ATTEMPTED ARE TO BE LISTED ON THE EXTERNAL TRANSCRIPT IN A SEMESTER BY SEMESTER BREAKDOWN. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS TO APPEAR WITH THE BREAKDOWN: "ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE TOTAL CREDITS ATTEMPTED AND EARNED MAY BE ACCOUNTED BY THE RECEIPT OF THESE GRADES IN A CLASS: N, WS, WN, P, I. (sic)
After some discussion, Mr. Knoska, with permission of his second, withdrew his proposed amendment in favor of an amendment to be proposed by Mr. DeMent.
Mr. DeMent, seconded by Mr. Knoska, moved that paragraph 3 be changed to read as follows:
3. THAT ALL GRADES OTHER THAN N WILL APPEAR ON A STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT.
A show of hands on this amendment produced a twelve-twelve tie, which was resolved by the chair in favor of the amendment. The main motion was then voted and carried on a voice vote. Thus the motion as approved reads as follows:
THAT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY'S GRADING SYSTEM BE CHANGED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS, ALL CHANGES TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE WINTER TERM, 1975.
1. THAT A "WS" OR "WN" BE ASSIGNED BY THE INSTRUCTOR IN A COURSE FROM WHICH A STUDENT WITHDRAWS OFFICIALLY FROM THE END OF THE REFUND PERIOD IN THE TERM TO ONE WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL EXAMINATION PERIOD IN THAT TERM. "WS" IS TO BE ASSIGNED IF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENT AT THE TIME OF WITHDRAWAL IS SATISFACTORY IN TERMS OF GRADUATION STANDARDS, THAT IS, IF IT MERITS A GRADE OF 2.0 OR BETTER. "WN" IS TO BE ASSIGNED IF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENT IS UNSATISFACTORY, THAT IS, IF IT MERITS A GRADE OF LESS THAN 2.0.
THE OFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL AFTER THE REFUND PERIOD FROM A COURSE OR COURSES, AS OPPOSED TO COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENT OF "WS" OR "WN" ARE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:
a. THE STUDENT OBTAINS AN APPROPRIATE FORM, TO BE DESIGNED BY THE ACADEMIC POLICY COMMITTEE, IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT WHICH OFFERS THE COURSE FROM WHICH THE WITHDRAWAL IS TO BE MADE.
b. THE STUDENT TAKES THE FORM TO THE INSTRUCTOR AND HAS IT COMPLETED. ONE COPY IS KEPT BY THE STUDENT AND ONE BY THE INSTRUCTOR.
c. THE INSTRUCTOR RECORDS THE GRADE ON THE FINAL GRADE REPORT.
2. THAT THE DEFINITION OF THE "N" GRADE BE CHANGED TO: THE "N" IS ASSIGNED BY THE INSTRUCTOR IN ANY COURSE FROM WHICH A STUDENT DOES NOT OFFICIALLY WITHDRAW PRIOR TO ONE WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL EXAM PERIOD IN THE TERM IN WHICH HE/SHE HAS REGISTERED FOR THE COURSE AND FOR WHICH THE STUDENT DOES NOT RECEIVE CREDIT. IT IS UNDERSTOOD TO MEAN THAT THE STUDENT HAS COMPLETED THE COURSE UNSUCCESSFULLY.
3. THAT ALL GRADES OTHER THAN N WILL APPEAR ON A STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT
4. THAT NONE OF THE NON-NUMERIC GRADES (S, M, W, WS, WN, I, P) BE USE IN THE COMPUTATION OF THE GRADE POINT AVERAGE.
B. New Business
1. Establishment of a Committee on Academic and Career Advising. Mr. Tower, seconded by Mr. Obear, moved:
THAT THE SENATE APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOLLOWING STANDING COMMITTEE: COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING.
CHARGE: TO CONSIDER, RECOMMEND, AND EVALUATE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES INVOLVED WITH THE ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
MEMBERSHIP: FIVE FACULTY, FOUR STUDENTS AND TWO ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONALS; AND THE DEAN OF STUDENT SERVICES AND THE DIRECTOR OF CAREER ADVISING AND PLACEMENT, BOTH OF WHOM SHALL BE EX OFFICIO AND NON-VOTING.
Mr. Coffman, seconded by Mr. Tower, then moved to amend the membership specifications as follows:
MEMBERSHIP: FIVE FACULTY, FOUR STUDENTS [AND], TWO ADMINISTRATIVE-PROFESSIONALS, AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS (OR HIS DESIGNEE); AND THE DIRECTOR OF ADVISING AND DIRECTOR OF CAREER ADVISING AND PLACEMENT, BOTH OF WHOM SHALL BE EX OFFICIO AND NON-VOTING.
There was a brief discussion of the voting role of the Vice President for Student Affairs on the committee.
This motion was in first reading.
2. Motion to make appointments to standing committees.
Mr. Obear, seconded by Mr. Hetenyi, moved:
* THAT THE PERSONS NAMED ON A LIST DISTRIBUTED AT THE SENATE MEETING BE APPOINTED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEES INDICATED, WITH TERMS AS SPECIFIED. (A copy of that list is attached to these minutes).
Motion approved.
3. Motion concerning amendments of the Senate Constitution:
a. Mr. Obear, seconded by Mr. Hetenyi, moved:
THAT ARTICLE V, SECTION i BE DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACED WITH THE FOLLOWING:
1. The University Senate shall be composed of twenty-nine Senators, as follows:
Nineteen Senators shall be elected by the organized faculties.
One Senator shall be elected from among the Administrative and Professional staffs, and three Deans shall be elected by and from the Deans of the organized faculties and the Dean of Graduate Study, in a manner to be prescribed by the Elections Committee of the University Senate.
Three students shall be chosen by the students of Oakland University. Both graduate and undergraduate students shall have the right to run for and be elected to these seats.
The Provost shall serve ex officio, with full voting rights and privileges.
Two Senators shall be appointed by the President after all the elective seats have been filled.
Mr. Matthews, seconded by Mr. Torch, then moved the following substitute motion:
THAT ARTICLE V, SECTION I BE DELETED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACED WITH THE FOLLOWING:
I. The membership of the University Senate shall be as follows:
Twenty-one Senators shall be elected by the Organized Faculties of the University.
One Senator shall be elected from among the Administrative and Professional staffs.
Three Senators shall be students chosen by students. Both graduate and undergraduate students shall have the right to run for and be elected to these seats.
The Provost of the University shall serve ex officio with full voting rights and privileges.
The Dean of each Organized Faculty and the Dean of Graduate Studies shall serve ex officio with full voting rights and privileges.
Two Senators shall be appointed by the President after all elective seats have been filled.
This motion was in first reading.
Mr. McKay, seconded by Mr. Coffman, moved to adjourn and the meeting was adjourned without agenda items B.3.b.-e. having received a reading.
Robert H. Bunger, Secretary
University Senate
Office of the Provost/ss
10/30/74