Oakland University Senate
Eighth Meeting
April 20, 1978
3:00 p.m.
Gold Room A
MINUTES
Senators Present: Arnold, Boulos, Burke, Cherno, DeMent, Easterly, Evans, Gardiner, Ghausi, Grossman, Hampton, Heubel, Hildum, Hohauser, Holladay, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Liboff, Matthews, Merz, Moeller, Obear, O'Leary, Orton, Osthaus, Pogany, Randolph, Russell, Sloane, Stransky, Torch, Torongeau, Tower, Ward and Williamson
Senators Absent: Allvin, Bantel, Barry, Bhatt, Braun, Butterworth, Coffman, Doherty, Eberwein, Edgerton, Felton, Hetenyi, Hovanesian, Howes, Kleckner, 0'Dowd, Ozinga, Riley, Schwartz, Seeber, Wargo and Weiner
Mr. Obear presided.
Mr. Obear had no prepared comments. Upon query of Mr. Arnold concerning the new computer, he stated that a recommendation concerning the vendor would be made in the next few days to the Computer Priority Council, but that the recommendation would not go to the Board at its April meeting, but would go to the May meeting. Mr. Russell said that a special meeting of the Board might be requested.
Mr. Obear stated that the Executive Budget Committee would present its 1978-79 budget recommendations to the President by May 10, 1978.
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
The minutes of the meeting of April 13, were distributed and will be voted upon at the next meeting.
Attention was then directed to the agenda.
A. Old Business
1. Motion from the UCUI to raise credit requirements for the B.S. in Management degree (Moeller/Tower) unamended was approved by voice vote without discussion as follows:
MOVED THAT THE SENATE RECOMMEND TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THAT THE CREDIT REQUIREMENT FOR THE B.S. IN MANAGEMENT DEGREE BE RAISED FROM 124 to 128 CREDITS.
2. Motion from the UCUI concerning a 'Z' (auditor) grade (Moeller Braun) unamended was next considered.
Mr. Arnold inquired whether the amount spent on new forms and computer time to monitor the use of "Z" grade would exceed the amount of tuition collected? Messrs. Moeller and Tower pointed out that existing forms would be used and that monitoring ''Z'' would be programmed into the new computer. Mr. Grossman wished to know who would assign the "Z" grade: Does it mean auditing in terms of attendance? Mr. Moeller responded it would be up to the department or the instructor whether or not attendance would be monitored. In response to a question by Ms. Sloane, Mr. Moeller affirmed that a student would not be allowed to change from 'Z' to matriculated status or vice-versa after the free add/drop period. Mr. Heubel spoke in favor of the "Z.'' Further discussion revealed concern about admissions procedures for "Z" auditors; the present non-matriculating admission is valid only for one semester, after which a student must apply for regular admission; the question arose whether this policy might not severely restrict the use of "Z" auditor's status? With the understanding that a procedural motion to call this problem to the attention of the Admissions Committee would be introduced, the motion unamended was approved by voice vote as follows:
MOVED THAT THE SENATE RECOMMEND TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD THAT THE UNIVERSITY'S GRADING SYSTEM AND REGISTRATION PROCESS BE MODIFIED TO CREATE A "Z" GRADE (AUDITOR) AND PROVIDE ADM1SSABLE STUDENTS WITH THE OPTION TO REGISTER FOR ANY COURSE ON A NON-GRADED BASIS. TO REGISTER AS AN AUDITOR, THE STUDENT MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE INSTRUCTOR AND REGISTER FOR THE COURSE TO BE AUDITED DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF FALL OR WINTER SEMESTER CLASSES (DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SPRING OR SUMMER CLASSES). TUITION WILL BE ASSESSED AND THE FINAL MARK (Z) RECORDED ON BOTH THE STUDENT'S INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TRANSCRIPTS. AS IN ALL COURSES, THE DEPARTMENT CONTROLLING THE COURSE WILL DETERMINE WHAT THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS, FOR AN AUDITOR WILL BE. AFTER THE 'FREE ADD/DROP'' PERIOD HAS ENDED FOR A GIVEN TERM, STUDENTS MAY NOT CHANGE THEIR REGISTRATIONS FROM AUDITOR TO CREDIT OR FROM CREDIT TO AUDITOR..
Mr. Tower, seconded by Ms. Sloane, then offered the following procedure motion:
THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE BE INSTRUCTED TO DIRECT THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE PROBLEM OF THE CURRENT NON-MATRICULATING ADMISSIONS POLICY IN RELATION TO THE NEW "Z" AUDITORS STATUS AND RECOMMEND CHANGES TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH STUDENTS IF NECESSARY.
Motion approved by voice vote without further discussion.
3. Motion to approve the new Constitution of the College of Arts and Sciences (Torch/Ozinga)
After clarification (a request of Mr. Torongeau) of student membership in the new Assembly established by the Constitution, Mr. Torch responded to the
effect that such membership would be three determined by the University Congress, the motion was adopted by voice vote without further discussion.
Attention was then directed to the agenda.
B. New Business
1. Procedural motion from the Steering Committee nominating certain faculty to the Financial Aids Committee and Campus Development and Environment Committee was introduced by Mr. Tower and seconded by Mr. Jones.
Ms. Pogany pointed to continued confusion regarding the membership of the Campus Development and Environment Committee; Mr. Matthews, somewhat bemused promised to look into the matter again.
Motion approved by voice vote without further discussion.
2. Motion from the Graduate Council to establish a Master of Public Administration, degree was introduced by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Tower.
Mr. Heubel spoke In favor of the motion and addressed the question of the impact of such a new graduate degree upon undergraduates in Political Science, the impact would be only beneficial, since the new graduate program would strengthen the department and enhance its undergraduate program; no graduate assistants will be used to teach undergraduates.
No amendments were offered.
3. Motion from the Graduate Council to establish a program of graduate studies in Computer and Information Sciences leading to the Master of Science degree was introduced by Mr. Johnson. seconded by Mr. Tower.
Mr. Ghausi spoke in favor and wondered only why it has taken the University so long in offering such a program? The graduate program would strengthen the undergraduate CIS program, and the School of Engineering generally. Mr. Grossman asked if the program would be offered in the evening, to which Mr. Ghausi responded affirmatively. Questions arose concerning the adequacy of the new computer in relation to the proposed program and concerning the capability of the new machine to accommodate Ph.D. work in CIS should such a program be developed. Mr. Jackson replied that the new machine would be more than adequate for the first and adequate to the second, the degree of adequacy, however, depending upon what machine finally is installed. Further questions developed concerning problems of admitting students in fall, 1978, before the new machine is available. Mr. Ghausi assured the Senate that careful selection of the first courses would allow the CIS faculty to work around the problem for the first year. The discussion pointed to the urgency of obtaining the new computer at the earliest possible moment. Mr. Torongeau inquired about the number of graduate assistants and their stipends. Mr. Johnson replied that two assistantships and funding would be available in year two of the program.
No amendments were offered.
Mr. Russell seconded by Ms. O'Leary offered a procedural motion as follows:
THAT IS THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE NEED FOR A NEW COMPUTER IS SO URGENT THAT THE PRESIDENT BE REQUESTED TO CALL A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BEFORE THE END OF MAY TO CONSIDER AND ACT UPON THE MATTER.
Motion approved by voice vote.
4. Procedural motion from the Steering Committee to call a special meeting of the Senate for May 3, 1978, for the purpose of discussing and considering endorsement of certain planning documents was Introduced by Mr. Tower and seconded by Ms. Sloane.
Motion unamended approved by voice vote.
Upon motion properly offered and duly seconded the meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
GTM:Jw
Office of the Provost
4/24/78