Oakland University Senate Archives - Oakland University Senate

Oakland University Senate

Thursday, January 15, 1981
Fourth Meeting
3:00 p.m.
128-130 Oakland Center

Agenda

Respectfully submitted by Frederick W. Obear for the Steering Committee.

A. Old Business:

1. Motion from the Teaching and Learning Committee (Miller/ Bertocci). Item B.I. from the agenda of December 11, 1980.

MOVED that the Senate recommend to the President and the Board the formation of a Teaching Consultant position at Oakland University to help faculty members resolve teaching problems and develop or diversify their instructional competence. The Consultant shall:
    a. Provide assistance to any faculty member at that person's request: consulting, observing, and making recommendations to help the faculty member resolve instructional problems in the context of the instructor's teaching goals. At no time shall the Consultant impose counsel on anyone;
    b. Maintain scrupulous confidentiality and completely separate his/her office from reappointment, tenure, and promotion review evaluations;
    c. Report annually to the Senate on his/her activities, indicating the number of faculty members consulted but not identifying specific persons or departments;
    d. Be a tenured member of the faculty, serving 1/2 or 2/3 time as Consultant but continuing to teach each semester of a three-year consultancy appointment; and
    e. Be appointed by the Provost upon nomination by the Teaching and Learning Committee, which will poll the faculty for recommendations before identifying and interviewing candidates.

Second Reading: Debatable, amendable, and eligible for final vote at this meeting.

2. Motion from the Teaching and Learning Committee (Miller/ Bertocci). Item B.2. from the agenda of December 11, 1980.

MOVED that the Senate recommend to the President the establishment of an annual Award for Teaching Excellence to recognize outstanding teaching at Oakland University. The recipient shall be nominated by a group specially appointed by the Teaching and Learning Committee, shall be honored by the President at University commencement exercises, and shall receive a financial award when funds are available.

Second Reading: Debatable, amendable, and eligible for final vote at this meeting.

B. New Business:

1. Resolution of Appreciation and Commendation from the Steering Committee (F. Obear).

WHEREAS George T. Matthews has served Oakland University since the Fall of 1979 as Interim President, enriching campus vocabularies with the verb "IPing" which will always be warmly associated with his period of service; and,
WHEREAS Mr. Matthews has successfully navigated "the Good Ship Oakland": piloting the University through troublous times, keeping it steady on its proper academic course, and guiding it toward the apparently safe harbor of a new presidency; and
WHEREAS Mr. Matthews has signified his respect for the University's governance procedures by presiding in person over all meetings since November, 1979, and keeping his colleagues apprised of the view from the Oblong Office; therefore be it
RESOLVED that the University Senate thanks Mr. Matthews for his services as Interim President which have enhanced the welfare and morale of this University and that the Senate, moreover, takes this occasion to commend him for his multitudinous contributions to the University Senate as one of its founding members, as an active participant throughout its history, as long-time secretary of the Senate and its Steering Committee, and as its presiding officer.

Procedural Motion: Debatable, amendable and eligible for final vote at this meeting.

2. Resolution of Welcome from the Steering Committee (F. Obear).

WHEREAS Joseph E. Champagne has accepted appointment by the Board of Trustees as President of Oakland University and will assume office in March, 1981; and,
WHEREAS Mr. Champagne brings to this University an impressive record of public service and educational-administrative accomplishments at Purdue University, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Houston; and
WHEREAS the faculty, students, and administration of Oakland University expect that Mr. Champagne will provide resourceful leadership for the University, maintaining and strengthening its academic excellence; therefore be it
RESOLVED that the University Senate welcomes Mr. Champagne as President of Oakland University and presiding officer of the Senate, pledges to work responsibly with him for the betterment of the University, and urges all members of the Oakland University community to support him in carrying out the responsibilities he now assumes.

Procedural Motion: Debatable, amendable and eligible for final vote at this meeting.

C. Good and Welfare: Private Resolutions

D. Information Item:
1. Ann K. Sakai will replace Mr. Robert Stern on the Academic and Career Advising Committee for the Winter, 1981, semester during which Professor Stern will be on sabbatical leave.