Oakland University Senate
Thursday, April 12, 1979
3:15 p.m.
128, 129, 130 Oakland Center
MINUTES
Senators Present: Arnold, Blatt, Boulos, Burke, Butterworth, Eberwein, Edgerton, Evans, Ghausi, Goudsmit,, Grossman, Hampton, Heubel, Holladay, Hovanesian, Howes, Jackson, Johnson, Kleckner, Krompart, McKay, Merz, Obear, O'Dowd, Ozinga, Pogany, Riley, Rogers, Russell, Seeber, Stanovich, Stransky, Torch, Twietmeyer, Wargo
Senators Absent: Allvin, Bantel, Barry, Braun, Cherno, Coffman, Coon, Dement, Doherty, Felton, Halsted, Hildum, Hohauser, Jaymes, Jones, Kohn, Matthews, Moeller, Osthaus, Scherer, Tower, Weiner, Williamson
Mr. O'Dowd presided.
Mr. O'Dowd discussed briefly the status of the University's 1979-1980 appropriation request now before the state legislature, the events surrounding the electrical power failure of April 6, 1979, the progress of spring-term registration, and the proposed resolution of the fraternity/sorority question With regard to the latter, he indicated that the prevailing campus attitude, while not one of enthusiasm for the establishment of local chapters of national fraternities and sororities, favors granting students freedom to explore such affiliations. Mr. O'Dowd further indicated that he has requested authority from the Board of Trustees to decide the question.
Mr. Grossman questioned the origin of the recently circulated statement of archival policy, to which Ms. Krompart replied that there had been wide consultation in its formulation.
Mr. Russell issued an appeal for attendance at the forthcoming open hearings on the question of adopting a three-credit course norm.
The meeting was called to order at 3:42 p.m. Minutes of the meeting of March 29, 1979, were approved as distributed by voice vote upon motion of Mr. Arnold, seconded by Ms. Rogers. Attention was then directed to the Agenda.
A. Old Business
1. Motion from UCUI to increase the degree credit requirement for the BS in Medical Technology from 128 to 136 (Moeller/Jones).
Ms. Williams discussed, in response to Mr. DeMint's request of the previous meeting, the federal licensure requirements for medical technologists. She indicated that most of these requirements are satisfied during the first two years of a student's program and added that affiliated hospitals, by their own internship requirements, impose additional curricular constraints upon the program, constraints which are satisfied during the junior year. Upon call of the question, the main motion unamended was approved by voice vote as follows:
MOVED THAT THE SENATE RECOMMEND TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD THAT THE CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY BE RAISED FROM 128 TO 136.
2. Motion from APPC and the Provost concerning power of primary appointment of faculty on the Institute of, Biological Sciences (Obear/Jones).
Mr. Obear described the funding of the Institute, stressing the division between general fund and grant resources.. He also gave a brief history of the appointment-reappointment-tenure process for Institute faculty. Mr. Russell questioned the meaning of tenure for Institute faculty, to which Mr. Obear responded that it is identical to that for all other faculty, i.e. the terms of the Faculty Agreement are applicable. Mr. Butterworth reported that the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences had great respect for the faculty of the Institute and that a fine relationship existed between the two groups, but that while supporting the present motion, the departmental faculty had some concerns about potential disruptions of their activities should a period of financial duress occur on the Institute. Mr. Barry Winkler was recognized to make a statement concerning the meaning of a faculty appointment in the Institute. He described the status of each current faculty member and the effect on these colleagues of passing or defeating the present motion. Mr. Burke questioned the need for the motion, observing that the Committee on Appointments and Promotions of the Center for Health Sciences is available and indeed is already being utilized for review of Institute faculty. Mr. Reddy, Director of the Institute, replied that considerations of administrative convenience and depth of personnel in the Institute prompt use of this committee at this time, but that the Institute may well establish its own review committee at a later time. Mr. Obear stressed that the present motion does not specify that any particular CAP be utilized. Mr. Russell wondered whether certain Institute faculty might hold Joint appointments under the terms of the motion. Mr. Obear responded that, while this had not been discussed, it would indeed be possible although a primary appointment would nevertheless have to be identified for each individual. Finally, Mr. McKay reminded the Senate that the subject of this motion was also a matter for collective bargaining and that Senate approval was but one step in the implementation process.
Then, agreeably to the House, the question was called, upon which the main motion unamended was passed by voice vote as follows:
MOVED THAT THE SENATE RECOMMEND TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD THAT THE INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BE AUTHORIZED TO RECOMMEND PRIMARY APPOINTMENTS OP FACULTY USING THE TITLE (PROF., ASSOC. PROF., ASST. PROF.) OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES". FACULTY SO APPOINTED TO BE ASSIGNED PRIMARILY TO RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES.
B. New Business:
1. Motion from the Graduate Council to institute a graduate program in Applied Mathematics leading to the Master of Science degree, moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Grossman.
Mr. Chipman was recognized and described the general features of the proposed program. In response to a question from Mr. Edgerton, he indicated that the inclusion of a statement that applicants with backgrounds in mathematics, sciences or engineering would receive preference, was intended to attract students with a background of practical applications to which their graduate study might be related. No amendments were offered.
2. Motion from the Graduate Council to institute a graduate program in Applied Statistics leading to the Master of Science degree, moved by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Arnold.
Mr. Chipman was again recognized and described the overall nature of this program. No amendments were offered.
3. Motion from the APPC and the Center for Health Sciences to establish a new program in Industrial Health and Safety leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science, moved by Mr. Heubel, seconded by Mr. Stransky.
Mr. Heubel outlined the proposed program, pointing out the anticipated clientele and the 2 t 2 (certificate/BS) nature of the curriculum. Ms. Eberwein asked why the program spread Learning Skills work over four semesters rather than the customary two. Mr. Pak, Director of the Center for Health Sciences, responded that the nature of the clientele (part-time, industrially employed persons) suggested this to be an appropriate arrangement and that the Department of Learning Skills had agreed to provide such a format. Ms. Rogers observed that the projected first-yearns attrition rate was quite low and that the typical student would require 5 or 6 years to complete this program. The nature of the clientele was again cited by Mr. Pak, who concurred with these observations. Ms. Rogers also raised the question of whether Oakland should grant any degree (certificate), less than a baccalaureate. Dr. Pak indicated that the two-year intermediate certificate would accommodate students who are already employed in the field and who require some credentiality in order to work effectively. Mr. Grossman felt that the program to be somewhat unusual in that its general education component is concentrated in the junior and senior years. Mr. McKay asked whether commitments for offering requisite courses in the evening had been obtained from involved departments, to which Mr. Pak replied "'yes''', except for chemistry with which negotiations continue. Mr. McKay noted the absence of a projected income figure on the budget presentation, and Mr. Russell interjected that current APPC procedures do not incorporate such a figure but rather emphasize incremental costs. Mr. Torch was concerned about potential political problems in connection with the granting of the two-year intermediate certificate, but Mr. O'Dowd indicated that he foresees no difficulty because the certificate is not an Associate's Degree. Returning to the special format of Learning Skills on this program, Mr. Burke questioned the wisdom of segregating any LS sections according to student majors. Mr. Edgerton asked the number of part-time faculty likely to participate in this program. In reply, Mr. Pak estimated that 30-40 of the FTE faculty would probably be part-time, as a result of the difficulty of attracting sufficient full-time person with the available budget. Ms. Merz entered a plea that the level of library funding specified for this program in the formal proposal be made available upon program approval. Mr. McKay returned to his earlier point about the budget, asking whether the APPC had approved the budget. Mr. Heubel responded that a good portion of the funding was already on hand and that special legislative funding of this program was quite likely. Mr. McKay expressed continued concern that the resources necessary for evening instruction in this program would be available. No amendments were offered.
C. Good and Welfare: Private Resolutions
None were offered.
Upon proper motion, duly seconded and approved by voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Several sighs of relief were heard.