Oakland University Senate

Thursday, February 11, 1982
Sixth Meeting
128, 129, 130 Oakland Center
3:10 p.m.

Agenda

Respectfully submitted by Keith R. Kleckner for the Steering Committee.

A.  Old Business:
        None

B.  New Business:

1.  A motion from the Steering Committee to amend the Constitution of the University Senate (Mr. Christina).

MOVED that Article IV, section vii. of the Constitution of the Oakland University Senate be amended to read (new language underlined):

The presiding officer of the Senate shall be the Provost or, in his absence, a designated representative of the Provost.  The Provost shall appoint a secretary of the Senate and a parliamentarian. A copy of the minutes of all Senate meetings shall be made available by the secretary of the Senate to the Board of Trustees at the office of the secretary to the Board.

First reading: Debatable, amendable but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.

Comment:  The Steering Committee proposes this amendment in response to President Champagne's remarks at the January 14, 1982 meeting of the Senate.  Substitution of the Provost for the President as presiding officer avoids the conflict of interest the President feels in presiding over the deliberations of a governance body which is making recommendations to him; it also means that the chair of the Steering Committee presides over Senate action on the agenda set by that Committee.  The President wishes to attend Senate meetings regularly and means to report each month to its members; thus, he cannot simply absent himself and appoint the Provost as his representative.

If the Senate approves this amendment upon its second reading, it must be ratified by the faculty in accordance with Article VIII, i. of the Constitution:

The University Senate shall have the right to propose amendments to the constitution. After distribution to the members of the organized faculties and following an open hearing, a proposed amendment shall be submitted to the members of the organized faculties for ratification.  If an amendment is ratified by a majority of the returned valid ballots in a mail referendum, it shall be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval.  An amendment shall be effective following approval by the Board of Trustees. 

C.  Good and Welfare:
        Private resolutions.

D.  Information items:
    1.  Report from the Committee on Academic Mission and Priorities (Mr. Feeman)

E.  President's remarks: