Oakland University Senate
Thursday, 15 January 1987
Fifth Meeting
Gold Room A, Oakland Center
MINUTES
Senators Present: Appleton, Bingham, Blankenship, Burke, Cardimen, Chipman, Coffey, Copenhaver, Dahlgren, Desmond, Diltz, J. Eberwein, Frankie, Garcia, Hartman., Haskell, Herman, Hildebrand, Hough, Ketchum, Khapoya, Kleckner, Moore, Pine, Srodawa, Straughen, Swartz, Terry, Wilson, Witt.
Senators Absent: Barclay, Barnard, Barthel, Blatt, Boganey, Champagne, Chatterjee, Clatworthy, Downing, R. Eberwein, Faber, Gerulaitis, Grossman, Hamilton, Hart-Gonzalez, Heubel, Hightower, Horwitz, Liboff, Lindell, Pettengill, Pillow, Reddy, Righter, Rozek, Russell, Schimmelman, Stamps, Stinson, Thomas, Tripp, Willoughby. -
Summary of Actions:
1. Minutes of 4 December 1986 (Srodawa; Hough).
2. Motion to increase credit requirements for B.S. in Computer Science (J. Eberwein; Wedekind). Approved.
Fervently hoping that the conclave assembled before him constituted a quorum, Mr. Kleckner called the meeting to order at 3:16 p.m., calling for consideration of the minutes of 4 December 1986. Approval of these having been moved by Mr. Srodawa and seconded by Mr. Hough, the Senate approved them without discussion. Mr. Kleckner then introduced a new member of the body: Mr. Desmond, the new Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science. That worthy, who had been somewhat concealed in a corner, rose to greet his new colleagues. Mr. Kleckner then acknowledged several visitors, including students--some of whom may soon be named to vacant Senate seats.
The only item of formal business was the second reading of a motion to increase graduation requirements in the Computer Science baccalaureate program from 124 to 128 credits (Ms. Eberwein; Mr. Wedekind). Ms. Eberwein, acknowledging no new insights to contribute on behalf of the sponsoring committee, deferred to representatives of the School of Engineering and Computer Science to respond to any questions. None arose. Sensing the mood of the body to be less restive than restful, Mr. Kleckner called for a vote. The motion was approved resoundingly. No new business was presented, nor any private motions for the good of the order.
The presiding officer filled the gap in deliberations by reporting on two items of information. The first concerned the library expansion project, which continues to show progress. Mr. KIeckner stated that the budget is now pretty much in place and architectural plans substantially completed. Lansing approval is expected after the drawings are reviewed for such things as location of fire exits. Hopes spring up, therefore, for groundbreaking this summer. Some costs, he noted, are already funded by the state -- some new pipelines, for example. Anxiety lingers about the likelihood that construction bids may exceed the architect's estimate, but the architect remains steadfast in his projections. Mr. Dahlgren and Ms. Frankie provided additional information about construction timing. the new wings should take fourteen months for construction, with another five or six months needed thereafter for renovation of the existing library facility. The biggest challenge, according to Mr. Kleckner, will be that of keeping all collections usable throughout this process.
Another challenge faces the University's academic programs: the 1988-89 reaccreditation review by the North Central Association. Preliminary documents have arrived to establish scheduling plans, and efforts will soon be launched for institutional self-study. Mr. Kleckner promised that the Senate would be informed of the developments in this massive undertaking and indicated that its committees would be called upon to assist in the preparation of documents. he mentioned that someone would soon be appointed to head the project. This self-assessment process should be useful for identifying institutional goals as well as appraising where we now are.
No questions arose, and the Senate adjourned at 3:26 after a meeting that may set some sort of record for its brevity.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane D. Eberwein
Secretary to the University Senate