Oakland University Senate
Fifth Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 1981
3:00 p.m.
128-130 Oakland Center
AGENDA
Respectfully submitted by Frederick W. Obear for the Steering Committee.
A. Old Business:
None
B. New Business:
1. Motion from the Academic Policy and Planning Committee (J. DeMent).
MOVED that the name Department of Learning Skills be changed to Department of Rhetoric.
Comment: The Acting Director of the Center for General and Career Studies offers the following justifications for the name change: 1) "Learning skills" was intended to cover math skills. Math skills are not in the mission of the department. 2) The term "learning skills" implies "remedial skills." In fact the basic courses in the Department, LS 100 and LS 101, are equal to standard freshman composition courses at other colleges and universities. 3) The name "Rhetoric" more precisely defines the professional disciplines of the faculty in the department. The change in name does not imply a change in the function of the Department as spelled out in University Senate legislation of April 26, 1972.
First Reading: Debatable, amendable, but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
2. Motion from the Academic Policy and Planning Committee (J. DeMent).
MOVED that the Senate recommend to the Board of Trustees that it establish a new rank of Emeritus (or Emerita) Professor to honor distinguished faculty members upon retirement; that it undertake a study to determine appropriate honorific perquisites for retired professors so designated; and that it approve the awarding of emeritus rank under the following conditions:
Title: Emeritus (a) ______________(title held or promoted to upon retirement; for example. Emeritus Professor of Chemistry).
Purpose: To honor retired faculty who have made significant long-term contributions to Oakland and to encourage a continuing relationship with the University. Eligibility: In order to be eligible to be considered for award of this title, a number of conditions must be met. The faculty member must have been awarded tenure or job security at Oakland University, and must have spent a continuous lengthy period of full-time service (normally at least ten years) at Oakland University ending in retirement. Retirement is here defined as the intention on the part of the individual to reduce her/his commitment to her/ his discipline and/or the world of work generally to substantially less than a full-time basis.
Procedure: Nominated by the individual's academic dean after seeking the advice of the appropriate unit(s) and committees; recommended by the Provost and President; confirmed by the Board of Trustees.
First Reading: Debatable, amendable, but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
3. Approval of the Constitution of the School of Performing Arts (L. Hetenyi). See attachment.
Comment: The proposed Constitution has been studied and debated extensively by the Performing Arts Faculty Council, which body approved the document on January 27, 1981. In the past, school constitutions have been treated as debatable but not amendable. The debate during first reading may lead the sponsor to make corrections and emendations, but the Senate may not itself amend the document. A negative vote on second reading returns the motion, perhaps with specific instructions to the sponsoring body; a positive vote constitute approval.
First Reading: Debatable, but not amendable and not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
C. Good and Welfare: Private Resolutions
D. Information Items:
1. The attached correspondence was received from Professor Strauss on behalf of the Admissions Committee. The Steering Committee believes that these recommendations do not require Senate legislation and will forward them directly to the President requesting their consideration and implementation.
2. Correspondence from President-designate Champagne (see attachment).
3. Ann Jaworski will replace Barry Johnson, who resigned from the University, on the Transportation Committee for the remainder of Mr. Johnson's term.