Oakland University Senate

1976 - 1977
First Meeting
Thursday, September 16, 1976
3:00 p.m.
128-150 Oakland Center

MINUTES

Members Present: Atlas, Barnard, Barren, Bertocci, Burke, Cherno, Coffman, DeMont, Eberwein, Evarts, Felton, Fuller, Hammerle, Hetenyi, Heubel, Hitchingham, Keelin, Ketchum, Kuczynski, Liboff, Matthews, McKay, McKinley, Moeller, Obear, O'Dowd, Pogany, Riley, Russell, Scherer, Schuldenberg, Schwartz, Shacklett, Sponseller, Swanson, Swartz, Torch, Tower, Tucker, White, Williamson and Witt
Members Absent: Burdick, Cameron, Doane, Freeman, Gardiner, Keegan, Johnson, Moberg, Ruscio and Seeber

Mr. O'Dowd presided and opened with informal remarks on matters of general concern:

1. The development at Lansing of formula budget funding models should be noted: Although for this year formula budgeting seems to have operated in the University's favor, this method of determining funding wilt undoubtedly lead to further constraints on the institution's flexibility.

2. In the area of teacher education, two somewhat ominous developments should be noted: In Lansing the MEA is attempting to put teacher licensing in the hands of a panel dominated by MEA while at the same time is trying to convince school districts not to accept teaching interns; obviously each of these moves would endanger important University programs.

3. The state increasingly is using public monies to fund private higher education: This year about $160,000 of our budget was diverted to the funding of private institutions.

4. Proposition C dealing with a constitutional amendment to be voted on this November which would severely limit revenue from the state income tax: This could result in drastically curtailed state services, hence reduced University budgets.

5. While state funding for COB II and the Library expansion is still stalled, federal funds are becoming available and we will do everything we can to get our share.

Mr. McKay inquired about the presidential review; Mr. O'Dowd replied he understood the Board meant to begin the review in October; upon query, Mr. Matthews replied the Steering Committee had not been approached by the Board on this subject.

The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m.

I. Minutes of the meeting of April 22, 1976, as corrected by Mr. Russell were approved upon motion of Mr. Hetenyi, seconded by Ms. DeMont.

II. The reports of the standing committees were ruled as received by the Chair, those from the Academic Policy Committee and Academic and Career Advising Committees being noted as absent. Mr. O'Dowd congratulated the Committees on the quality of their reports.

The matter of the Athletics Committee recommendation for establishment of an athletics fee was noted as was the recent support of the University Congress for such a move. Mr. Matthews indicated that the Steering Committee would give the matter thorough study.

III. The report of Steering Committee activities was noted as received. Ms. Schwartz noted the existence of G.C.O. but wished to know what the issues were? Mr. Matthews referred her to pages 2 and 3 of the report; Mr. McKay indicated his deep distress with the present impasse and inquired what steps the Steering Committee would take. Mr. Matthews assured Mr. McKay and the Senate the Steering Committee would do its best to help resolve the problems.

IV. New Business

1. Ms. DeMont (Chairperson, Elections Committee) conducted the election under Article V, Ix as amended to replace Mr. Hampton on the Steering Committee for fall semester. From a slate of three nominees, Ms. Jane Eberwein was elected to the evident pleasure of the Senate.

2. Upon motion of Mr. Tower, seconded by Mr. Heubel, Mr. William Bezdek was nominated and approved as Chairperson of the Academic and Career Advising Committee for the 1976-78 term.

3. Motion from the Teaching and Learning Committee was moved by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Torch. Mr. Burke presented the Motion (with comments also on the related Motion 4). The Senate's appreciation of the hard work embodied in these motions was evidenced by the vigor of the subsequent discussion. The question of the use to which the questionnaires might be put, whether the legislation was binding on departments or CAPs, yielded the clarification that the intent was to establish a two-year period of experimentation under the direction of the Teaching and Learning Committee before a decision as to what to do with the results need be made. Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Bertocci then offered amendments intended to make such clarification a part of the Main Motion. These amendments were withdrawn, however, in favor of a motion to amend offered by Mr. Heubel and seconded by Ms. DeMont, that Main Motion 3. (New Business, agenda of September 16, 1976) be amended so as to read (new wording underlined);

THE UNIVERSITY SENATE RECOMMENDS THAT A QUESTIONNAIRE ON STUDENT PERCEPTION OF TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS BE PREPARED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AND THAT THE RESULTS OF THIS QUESTIONNAIRE BE AVAILABLE TO A DULY CONSTITUTED AD HOC COMMITTEE STRICTLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE CAN BE USED FOR MAKING RELIABLE ASSESSMENTS OF PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS ON A UNIVERSITY- WIDE BASIS.

After some discussion Mr. Heubel, seconded by Mr. Tucker, offered a second amendment to the Main Motion to the effect:

THAT THE QUESTIONNAIRE ASSOCIATED WITH MAIN MOTION 3 (NEW BUSINESS, AGENDA OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1976) BE DELETED FROM THE MAIN MOTION.

After further discussion Mr. Torch, seconded by Mr. Burke, offered an amendment to the Main Motion as amended by the Heubel/DeMont amendment to the effect that the phrase "two years" be changed to "one year." Before Motion 4 (New Business, agenda of September 16, 1976) was formally moved and seconded, a motion to adjourn was entertained. The motion carried upon division and the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Office of the Provost/J
9/20/76