Oakland University Senate
Sixth Meeting
March 16, 1978
3:00 p.m.
128-130 Oakland Center
MINUTES
Members Present: Arnold, Blatt, Boulos, Burke, Cherno, Coffman, DeMent, Easterly, Eberwein, Edgerton Gardiner, Ghausi, Grossman, Hampton, Heubel, Howes, Jackson, Johnson, Liboff, Matthews, Merz, Moeller, 0bear, O'Dowd, O'Leary, Orton, Osthaus, Pogany, Schwartz, Sloane, Stransky, Tower, and Williamson
Members Absent: Allvin, Bantel, Barry, Braun, Butterworth, Doherty, Felton, Hetenyi, Hildum, Hohauser, Hovanesian, Holladay, Jones, Kleckner, Ozinga, Randolph, Riley, Russell, Seeber, Torch., Torongeau, Ward, Wargo and Weiner
Mr. O'Dowd presided.
Mr. O'Dowd commented upon:
1. Recent appropriation hearings before legislative committees matters are proceeding normally.
2. On COB II the recently established building authority is a cautious and hence slow body COB II still has top priority, but when the money will be available is anybody's guess.
3. Progress toward a new computer: affairs progress nicely. Ms. Sloane pointed to present and potential instructional difficulties during the transition from the old to the new machine. Mr. Obear said that a committee has been established to work on the problems.
The meeting was called to order at 3:25 p.m.
The minutes of the meeting of February 16. 1978 were approved as distributed upon motion of Mr. Obear seconded by Ms. Sloane.
Attention was directed to the agenda.
Old Business
none
New Business
1. Motion from the Graduate Council concerning establishment of a master's program in Linguistics moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. DeMent.
Mr. Schwab, Chair of the Department of Linguistics, with justified pride reviewed the development of the department's program of which this present motion represents a capstone. Mr. Schwab called for questions. Mr. Grossman queried the Library costs displayed on page 5 of the Summary Proposal. Ms. Merz explained the projections to Mr. Grossman's apparent satisfaction, pointing out that the First Year Library costs included heavy expenditures to bring the collection up to an acceptable beginning level. Mr. Williamson wanted to know who would teach the speciality courses. Mr. Schwab responded that they would be taught by the department's associated faculty from Modern Languages, Psychology and Sociology; some of these courses have already been offered in connection with other programs. In response to a question concerning cross listing of undergraduate to postgraduate course Mr. Binkert of the department; stated that there would be some 300-400 level to 500 level cross listing but not to 600 level- the department hopes in about three years to get free of this practice.
No amendments were offered.
Attention was then directed to the agenda.
Special Business
Mr. O'Dowd explained the origin and functions of the two documents which he had requested placed before the Senate for discussion. A lively discussion ensued on various specific and general elements of the documents. The past glory, present fate and future possibilities of general education (and just what constitutes general education in the first place) together with debate on whether or not the institution had (or still has) a powerful tradition of liberal studies were conspicuous elements; the lack of specific encouragement for research was pointed out; the question how to educate students in a primarily commuter school was raised with no conclusive answer. Mr. O'Dowd said he would take account of the discussion as the documents were redrafted into final form. Mr. O'Dowd will request the Steering Committee to place the documents on a future agenda for endorsement.
Upon proper motion duly seconded the meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.