Oakland University Senate
Seventh Meeting
Thursday, 16 October 1986
Second Meeting Rooms 128-130 Oakland Center
MINUTES
Senators Present: Appleton, Barclay, Barnard, Blatt, Boganey, Burke, Chipman, Clatworthy, Coffey, Copenhaver, Dahlgren, Downing, J. Eberwein, R. Eberwein, Faber, Feeman, L. Gerulaitis, R. Gerulaitis, Grossman, Hartman, Herman, Hildebrand, Hough, Khapoya, Kleckner, Lindell, Pettengill, Pigott, Rozek, Russell, Srodawa, Stinson, Straughen, Terry, Tripp, Wedekind, Wilson, Witt.
Senators Absent: Barthel, Bingham, Blankenship, Cardimen, Champagne, Diltz, Edgerton, Frankie, Garcia, Hamilton, Heubel, Hightower, Horwitz, Ketchum, Liboff, Moore, Pine, Reddy, Righter, Stamps, Thomas, Swartz, Willoughby.
Summary of Actions:
1. Minutes of 18 September 1986 (Tripp; Clatworthy). Approved.
2. Motion to amend the constitution of the School of Engineering and Computer Science (Wedekind; Hartman). First Reading.
3. Motion to approve a new constitution for the School of Nursing (Lindell; Wilson). First reading.
4. Motion to fill a vacancy on the Research Committee (Hough; L. Gerulaitis). Approved.
Detecting a quorum, Mr. Kleckner called the meeting to order at 3:14 p.m., immediately informing his colleagues that Senator Carl Levin had been forced to cancel his anticipated campus visit at 4 p.m. because of continuing business in Washington but planned to reschedule that appearance. Our University Senate, therefore, lacked its original incentive to proceed expeditiously through the business confronting it. The chair hoped, however, that it would move promptly to consideration of the first item of business: consideration of the minutes of 18 September. With Ms. Tripp moving approval and Mr. Clatworthy seconding her motion, the body demonstrated its acceptance of those minutes by introducing no discussion. The minutes were approved.
This achievement cleared away the press of old business, allowing attention to focus on two constitutions presented for first reading. Mr. Kleckner pointed out that Senate procedures prevent amendment of such documents on the floor but in no way preclude full and open discussion. The first of these documents was the amended constitution of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, acceptance of which was moved by Mr. Wedekind and seconded by Mr. Hartman. Mr. Wedekind then deferred to Mr. Witt, chair of the school's Constitution Committee, to clarify the motion. Mr. Witt reported that the prior constitution had self-destructed at the end of its five-year span and that the document now presented had been designed to reflect the new organization that has evolved within the school He called attention to the changes itemized in the Senate agenda.
Ms. Gerulaitis then called attention to section I,3,ii, inquiring who conducts the actual search for the dean and whether the school's CAP is to be included in that process. Mr. Witt pointed out that the Provost typically, indeed 'every year' lately, appoints a search committee that includes two or three members of CAP. In the past, the whole CAP had been involved, but current procedures work adequately to ensure a flow of information between the search committee and the appointment and promotion group. Ms. Gerulaitis wondered why the constitution did not say so. Mr. Witt doubted that the Assembly should be specifying this matter. Mr. Kleckner noted that past practices distinguish two criteria in such an appointment: the person should be qualified to serve as dean and should also be qualified for tenured faculty rank. Therefore, the search works best when the CAP is integrated into the process. Ms. Gerulaitis then raised a similar question about chairpersons. She inquired why the constitution fails to specify how a chair is identified internally before appointment by the Dean and Provost. Acknowledging that his school's experience so far involves only internal appointment of chairs, Mr. Witt indicated that the faculty make a recommendation to the Dean. Mr. Clatworthy wondered whether an elective system had been considered. Mr. Witt's reply that the Dean makes a recommendation for which he seeks approval of the tenured faculty satisfied Mr. Clatworthy that a consensus process exists. Noting that the proposed constitution makes provision for full-year replacement of a chair, Me. Gerulaitis wondered what would happen should such a worthy depart on a one-semester leave. It turned out that a subsequent provision of the same article dealt with that question. Mr. Witt elaborated on the point, citing the current example of someone going on leave as acting chair. He brought an end to discussion with the hopeful remark that "I think it converges."
Mr. Herman then wondered about the total size of the A assembly and asked how it had been decided to have two student members, on an undergraduate and the other a graduate student. Mr. Witt explained that this number satisfies the students. At one time, the Assembly had more seats for students but had trouble finding persons to serve. Now the members are designated by the student organizations within the school by processes best known to themselves. The total number of Assembly members is about 35. Mr. Kleckner suggested that SECS find a way to enliven Assembly members by way of attracting student interest, and Mr. Witt thought that the sate strategy might strengthen faculty participation as well.
With the first reading of the Engineering constitution thus concluded, Mr. Kleckner recognized Dean Lindell to propose acceptance of a new constitution for the School of Nursing. The motion was seconded by Ms. Wilson, who--as chair of her school's constitution committee--provided a brief repot explaining intended changes. The Nursing constitution has also expired in terms of time. Its proposed replacement reflects changes in program administration within the school including the addition of a graduate program. The document also provides formal acknowledgment of the Advisory Committee on Appointment and Promotion, which has existed all along as an adjunct to the Nursing CAP and will still be needed for at least three more years until the school has enough tenured faculty within Nursing to staff its CAP.
Mr. Khapoya initiated discussion by asking why the first article of the new constitution defines "organized faculty" in a way that excludes instructors and special instructors with fewer than two years of service. Mr. Kleckner said the school had no choice; that is how the Senate Constitution defines an organized faculty. Ms. Wilson pointed out, however, that such faculty members have not been excluded from the--Assembly. Mr. Grossman noted that the listing of NCAP duties seemed incomplete, not mentioning among other things that the committee reports to the FRPC. He recommended adding a fourth item such as one that appears in the Arts and Sciences constitution. Ms. Wilson professed willingness to go back and reconsider the matter. The language presented has simply been lifted unrevised from the existing constitution. Mr. Herman wondered how the school arrived at one student as the preferred number for representation on the Undergraduate Committee on Instruction. Noting that the whole committee--including the Dean--totals eight, Ms. Wilson thought the student number proportional. Mr. Faber then inquired why no students serve on the Faculty Assembly. Ms. Wilson thought that unnecessary since students are represented on all the committees reporting to that faculty body. No further discussion ensued, and the matter was held over--like the Engineering constitution--until the November meeting.
The third and final motion was of the procedural variety that allows for immediate action: a proposal by the Steering Committee to replace Carlo Coppola on the Research Committee by extending Kevin Murphy's special one-year appointment through 1987-88 and appointing Susan Miller for the 1986-87 academic year (Moved, Mr. Hough; seconded, Mr. Gerulaitis). The motion carried without comment.
Upon Mr. Kleckner announcement of the Good and Welfare period, Mr. Straughen issued a request from the University Congress that the Senate would endorse the appointment of Professor Sharon Howell as the faculty's representative to that body--replacing Mr. Bertocci, who has asked to be relieved of his duties. Ms. Eberwein explained that, although the University Congress is not a Senate committee and not officially staffed by Senate action, the Steering Committee customarily serves as a referral agency to determine which faculty members would welcome appointment to that body. As the students wish to fill this vacancy promptly, before the Steering Committee next meets, they have chosen this means of notifying the University community and requesting the Senate's confirmation of the desired appointment. Mr. Kleckner then inquired whether the appointment would be for the fall only and learned that it would be. All seats on the Congress are vulnerable to change come January. When Mr. Burke inquired whether the faculty representative to Congress need be a Senator, he was told that no such limitation on eligibility exists. Without formal vote, the Senate then acknowledged its approval of Mr. Howell's appointment.
Mr. Kleckner then drew the meeting to a close with a series of brief informational announcements. The first concerned fall enrollments. he had both good and bad news to report. The good news was that Oakland University has achieved record enrollment, with almost a full percent growth over last fall's numbers. A record FYES figure seems imminent as well. The bad new is the same; that we have record enrollment. The University find it hard to respond in terms of facilities and services. Attempts to limit enrollment worked with respect to new admissions of freshmen and transfers; although some of that advantage may disappear in the winter when some persons ruled ineligible for fall transfer will finally quality. Growth is concentrated among returning students. Efforts to limit enrollments by setting higher academic stands seem to be working well, especially is SHES. The biggest space crunch comes in the evening to the extent that Continuing education programs have been virtually forced off the campus. Any growth, therefore, must be accommodated at a distance.
Detailed plans for the library addition will soon be in Lansing, and the University hopes to be able to solicit bids for the 1987 construction. Efforts to get the science building project approved continue, with Mr. Dahlgren saluted for rendering yeoperson services in responding to frequent requests for information from the Department of Management and Budget. It seems probable that funding for detailed planning will be released presently, although progress through Lansing channels proceeds at the familiar cautions pace. No much talk about state budget projections for next year is anticipated before the election. Notions of some sort of formula funding continue to surface but remain vague; no formal consultation process on this matter is now in progress, Whatever proposal eventually emerges on this matter will be submitted to affected institutions for their responses before being implemented.
Opportunity for questioning being accorded, Mr. Faber wondered whether anything could be done to help the University Congress in its efforts to identify Professor "Staff" in the Schedule of Classes. He reasoned that students are entitled to know who will be teaching a particular class or section. Mr. Kleckner gave him encouragement by indicating that the powers that be share the same concern. Administrative officers would like to clarify payroll records promptly also. He anticipated seeing a much smaller percentages of future courses assigned to the multi-talented "Staff".
Ms. Hildebrand invited all interested persons to view the floor plans for the library expansion that are now on display in the lobby of the Kresge Library. Frequent consultation of the charts is advisable, as revisions keep being entered. When Mr. Kleckner asked where the model of the actual design is now being shown, Mr. Pettengill reported that it too could be admired in the Kresge Lobby. Mr. Kleckner called particular attention to the addition of a protective portico intended to shelter persons entering the library from the stormy blasts outside.
Thus encouraged about institutional well-being, the Senate adjourned at 3:40 p.m. upon motion of Mr. Clatworthy.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane D. Eberwein
Secretary to the University Senate