Oakland University Senate
Thursday, November 12, 1981
Third Meeting
128, 129, 130 Oakland Center
MINUTES
Senators Present: Akers, Appleton, Arnold, Boulos, Briggs-Bunting, Brown, Chipman, Christina, Copenhaver, Coppola, Cowlishaw, Dawson, Downing, Eberwein, Eklund, Eliezer, Feeman, Frampton, Gardiner, L. Gerulaitis, R. Gerulaitis, Gregory, Grossman, Hammerle, Hetenyi, Heubel, Hildebrand, Howes, Ketchum, Kleckner, Lambric, Maloney, Miller, Pino, Rhadigan, Russell, Sakai, Schwartz, Sevilla, Somerville, Strauss, Stokes, Swartz, Tripp, Witt.
Senators Absent: Bieryla, Burdick, Champagne, Ghausi, Hershey, Hightower, Horwitz, Kurzman, Lambric, Lindell, Mallett, Otto, Pak, Pine, Scherer, Stanovich, Wilson.
In the absence of President Champagne, Mr. Kleckner served as Interim Presiding Officer calling the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m. with a more noticeable quorum present than been able to muster for the earlier starting time designated for the two previous meetings. Ms. Tripp moved approval of the minutes of the October 15, 1981, meeting, seconded by Mr. Strauss; the minutes were approved without objection. Mr. Kleckner clarified the order of business by explaining that agenda item B.I (Report on the Establishment of the Committee on Academic Mission and Priorities) should be considered as an information item because it does not call for formal Senate action.
Old business consisted of a resolution from the Committee on Academic Standing and Honors (Moved, Mr. Feeman; Seconded, Mr. Miller) to modify requirements for graduation honors for second degree candidates in a way which accord Oakland University alumni the same privileges already extended to graduates of other colleges. There was no discussion from the floor, and the proposal was unanimously adopted after Mr. Gerulaitis called the question. After adjournment, however, Mr. Pino directed the attention of the Interim Presiding Officer and the Secretary to a stylistic barbarism which disfigures the resolution. As the baccalaureate is, by definition, the bachelor's degree, the redundant word "degree" should be stricken from the official transcript of this resolution. The motion, so approved and so corrected, reads:
MOVED that a student holding a baccalaureate [degree] cannot have his or her undergraduate GPA modified by additional work; however, a student who holds a baccalaureate [degree] may receive departmental and University honors provided that consideration for honors shall be based only upon the additional credits presented for the additional degree, such additional credits to total at least 62.
With no new business and no private resolutions for the good of the order, attention moved at once to information items. Appointment of two new members to seats on the Faculty Council for General Studies was noted. More explanation was needed, however, about the formation of the President's Committee on Academic Mission and Priorities.
Mr. Kleckner anticipated that a special edition of the OU News would soon inform the University community of the Committee's membership and charge and indicated that this is the Committee President Champagne pledged to establish in his colloquium address last month. The membership base is the Senate Steering Committee, a body elected by representatives of the whole University. Additional members have been appointed to represent other degree-granting units, students, alumni, and administration. Mr. Hammerle has withdrawn from the CAMP while remaining on the Steering Committee and has been replaced by another faculty member from the School of Engineering. The Committee roster includes Mr. Feeman (chair), Mr. Akers, Ms. Boulos, Mr. Bunger, Mr. Christina, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Green, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Haskell, Mr. Miller, Ms. Stinson, and Ms. Williams. This group has already met twice and begun to organize into subcommittees.
Mr. Kleckner then reviewed the Committee's charge, explaining each statement and call special attention to the substitution of the word "may" for the "will-in the third WHEREAS. This refinement recognizes limits to human foresight while mitigating the sense of adverse historical determinism. He elaborated on the "targets of opportunity" metaphor to indicate that the University would consider areas of enrollment growth only if they conform to its established mission and academic strengths; he saw no likelihood of a degree program in cosmetology, whatever the predictable demand. Explaining the emphasis on community public service, he cited several examples of faculty members already involved in service/research collaborations with local industries, governmental units, and service agencies. He cited the Institute of Biological Sciences as a program which has already achieved critical acclaim for excellence and invited his auditors to call others to mind from the University's varied distinguished offerings. Noting that there is no reference to cost anywhere in the charge, he acknowledged that excellence is not always cheap. It is this Committee's responsibility to examine the academic strengths and potential of Oakland University and to report its findings to President Champagne by the Ides of March.
Mr. Feeman then briefed his Senate colleagues on his Committee's course of action. Formally charged on November 5 by President Champagne, the Committee met again on November 10 to identify meeting times and divide into subcommittees responsible for developing evaluative criteria, identifying persons the Committee needs to meet and planning mechanisms and schedules for conducting business. Periodic reports will be released. Although there are no plans for general distribution of minutes, a full set will be maintained in the Provost's Office for inspection by all interested persons.
Commenting on his understanding of the Committee's charge, Mr. Feeman emphasized that his group will formulate recommendations on how Oakland University can maintain quality despite pressures. Committee members will try to balance our institutional structure with the composition of the student body in light of academic priorities. He stressed that he and his associates approach their task with a positive intention. They have no mandate to cut budget, staff, or specific programs. They will follow an open process, attempting to preserve a high degree of collegiality and to preserve the integrity of all participants. It is not this University's function to produce new programs rapidly, and the Committee recognizes that targets of opportunity have a tendency to move. Mr. Feeman stressed that his Committee's report will be advisory to the President although its work will be transacted independently with President Champagne available as a resource person. He noted that the President has appointed a similar committee within the Division of Student Affairs. He called for the full support of the academic community and hoped that his Committee's recommendations would be academically sound.
Mr. Kleckner concluded this report by calling attention to Mr. Feeman's membership on both the Academic Policy and Planning Committee and the Senate. Links with the Senate will be maintained; and, if any need arises for Senate action to modify academic structures or procedures, normal governance procedures will be followed. As there were no questions directed from the floor, Mr. Gerulaitis called for adjournment, and a chorus of voices seconded his motion. The meeting concluded at 3:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Jane D. Eberwein
Secretary to the University Senate