Oakland University Senate
Sixth Meeting
15 April 2004

Minutes

Members Present: Aigbedo, Bard, Berven (D), Bhargava, Bryant-Friedrich, Downing, Dunn, Eis, Goldberg, Goslin, Grossman, Howell, Kidger, Khapoya, Klemanski, LeMarbe, Licker, Mabee, Machmut-Jhashi, McNair, Moore, Oakley, Papazian, Porter, Savage, Schott-Baer, Schweitzer, Stamps, Stano, Sudol, Tracy, Wendell
Members Absent: Andersen, Berven (K), Blume, Cipielewski, Didier, Fink, Frick, Gardner, Giblin, Graves, Hansen, Haskell, Hightower, Keane, Latcha, Lepkowski, Maines, McNair, Mosby, Nacy, Otto, Polis, Rowe, Russell, Porter, Schochetman, Sethi, Thompson, Williams, Wood

Summary of Actions
1. Informational items (Mr. Moudgil):
    a. Addition of focus group to the WHP degree to accommodate double major with Psychology. Approved by UCUI
    b. Change of program name from Industrial Health and Safety to Occupational Health and Safety
    c. School of Nursing program combining UG/Graduate programs, R.N./M.S.N. Approved by Graduate Council and UCUI
    d. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) second degree to allow students with a baccalaureate to earn the BSN in 12 months. Approved by UCUI
    e. Restructuring of Senate committees: Academic and Career Advising Committee and Admissions and Financial Aid Committee will meet from 9/04 to 1/05 with additional appointed members as the ad hoc Student Affairs Committee. In 1/05 the Steering Committee may propose making the Student Affairs Committee a Standing Committee of the Senate with expanded charges.
2. Roll Call. Approval of March 2004 minutes (Ms. Papazian, Mr. Aigbedo)
3. Motion from the Steering Committee to approve policy on transfer credits for 100- 200-level courses (Mr. Licker, Mr. Stamps). Approved. (Motion to waive second reading approved. Mr. Downing, Mr. Goslin)
4. Motion from Steering Committee to add the Director of Graduate Study as an ex officio member of the Planning Review Committee. (Ms. McNair, Ms. Oakley). Motion to waive second reading approved. (Mr. Downing, Mr. Stamps) Approved as  amended (see 4a.)
4a. Motion to amend the membership of the Planning Review Committee to include both the Director of Graduate Study and the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education as ex officio members of the Planning Review Committee. (Mr. Goslin, Ms. Howell). Approved.
5. Motion from the Steering Committee to staff standing committees. (Mr. Licker, Mr. Stano). Approved.

Calling the final meeting of the academic year to order at 3:15 p.m., Mr. Moudgil expressed gratitude for the work of senators over the course of the year. He then addressed the following informational items on the agenda: (1) the IUCUI-approved addition of a focus group to the Wellness, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention degree to accommodate a double major with Psychology; (2) a change of program name, from Industrial Health and Safety to Occupational Health and Safety; (3) a combined School of Nursing program, joining undergraduate and graduate programs (R.N. to M.S.N.), which has met with approval by the Graduate Council and UCUI; (4) a second degree program for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) that would allow students with a baccalaureate in another discipline to earn the BSN in 12 months approved by UCUI; (5) the restructuring of two Senate Standing Committees, the Academic and Career Advising Committee and the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee. Underutilized for the past several years, these two committees will meet jointly from September 2004 to January 2005, with additional appointed members, as the ad hoc Student Affairs Committee. After assessing this trial period, the Steering Committee may propose to the Senate to make the Student Affairs Committee a Standing Committee of the Senate with expanded charges (thus permanently replacing the Academic and Career Advising Committee and the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee).

The secretary proceeded with the roll call and the Minutes of the 18 March 2004 meeting were approved (Ms. Papazian, Mr. Aigbedo).

New Business

Turning to new business, the following motion was offered by the steering committee:

MOVED that transfer credits from lower division courses (100 and 200 level) at other colleges and universities cannot count as upper division credits (300 and 400 level) at Oakland University. (Mr. Licker, Mr. Stamps)

Ms. Howell inquired whether this issue would impact our current agreement with community colleges, to which Ms. Awbrey (representing UCUI) replied that the Registrar's office has in the past encountered cases in which departments were using lower division courses to count for upper division credits at Oakland. She added that according to articulation agreements, OU is not able to offer 200-level courses at community colleges, and that regarding 300-400 level courses as the purview of the university is consistent with the views of the community colleges.

Ms. Howell then asked specifically about two 200-level courses under the "2 +2" agreement with Macomb Community College. Ms. Awbrey replied that if Ms. Howell was referring to 300-level courses at OU that would replace the community college 200-level courses, that this proposal would not interfere with that policy. Mr. Grossman then asked for clarification regarding the nature of the current problem, to which Mr. Shablin explained that not all departments were acting on the transfer policy and that the registrar's office felt it important to formalize a policy in writing so that all departments would comply. Mr. Stano wondered whether there is a nationwide standard for identifying these courses, and also whether there would be an effect on international students transferring from foreign institutions. Mr. Shablin noted that typically credits from international universities are sent to transfer credit evaluation agencies and that granting credit for 100-200 level courses has not been a significant issue. Mr. Grossman followed up on Mr. Stano's comment, asking whether there is some sort of national standard, since universities in California, for example, do not use a system similar to ours. Ms. Awbrey answered that the intent of the proposed policy is to address upper-level courses (and not necessarily to correspond to course numbers that are used similarly by other institutions). Mr. Grossman then asked whether petitions of exception were still open to students who may have had a course at the 200-level that may meet our equivalency. Ms. Awbrey indicated that this policy would not preclude students from initiating petitions of exception. A motion to waive the second reading was made by Mr. Downing and seconded by Mr. Goslin. This motion duly approved, the Senate then unanimously approved the motion regarding transfer credits.

The second motion under New Business:

MOVED that the Director of Graduate Study be added to the membership of the Planning Review Committee ex officio and non-voting. (Ms. McNair, Ms. Oakley)

Commenting that graduate programs continue to be a growing and dynamic part of long-range planning, Mr. Moudgil then opened the issue for discussion. Ms. Papazian inquired whether the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education is involved in any capacity in the Planning Committee. Mr. Goslin, who served as chair of the Planning Review Committee this year, responded that the Vice-Provost has not been part of the committee membership but felt that it would be an excellent idea to add the Vice-Provost as an ex officio member. Mr. Goslin's amendment to add the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education (or her representative) to the Planning Review Committee as an ex officio member was seconded by Ms. Howell. With the amendment approved, the Senate then voted to waive the second reading of the motion (Mr. Downing, Mr. Stamps). The vote to add two ex officio members to the Planning Review Committee was unanimous.

The final item of new business involved the procedural motion from the Steering Committee to staff standing committees.

MOVED that the persons listed below be appointed to Senate standing committees and that the persons designated be appointed as chair. (Mr. Licker, Mr. Stano)

ACADEMIC AND CAREER ADVISING COMMITTEE

(see ad hoc Student Affairs Committee below)

ACADEMIC COMPUTING COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Yang Xia (Physics) -- 2004-2006
Anne Hitt (Biological Sciences) -- 2004-2006
New member nominated for a one year terms effective 15 August 2004
Gary Moore (School of Nursing) as chair -- 2004-2005

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
James Dow (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
Kieran Mathieson (School of Business Administration)
Zissimos P. Mourelatos (School of Engineering and Computer Science)
Cindy Sifonis (Department of Psychology)
Robert Slater (Library)

ACADEMIC CONDUCT COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Kasia Kietlinska (Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism) -- 2004-2006
Kathleen Pfeiffer (English) --  2004-2006
Nancy Brown (School of Education and Human Services) -- 2004-2006
Cynthia Miree (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2006
Sam Rosenthall (Linguistics) -- 2004-2006
Cheryl Riley-Doucet (Nursing) -- 2004-2006

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
Serge Kruk (Mathematics and Statistics) as chair -- 2004-2005
Patricia Becker (Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism)
Michael Long (School of Education and Human Services)
Teresa Thompson (School of Nursing)
Beth Marcoux (School of Health Sciences)
Dan Ring (Library)

ACADEMIC STANDING AND HONORS COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Henry Aigbedo (School of Business Administration) --  2004-2006
Beth Kraemer (Library) -- 2004-2006
Nancy Joseph (English) -- 2004-2006

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
Judith Hovey (Nursing) as chair -- 2004-2005
Monica Tracey (School of Education and Human Services)

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE
(see ad hoc Student Affairs Committee below)

ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

New members nominated for three year terms effective 15 August 2004
School of Business Administration
Sherman Folland (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2007
College of Arts and Sciences
Linda Morrison (Sociology and Anthropology) -- 2004-2007

Continuing members serving second year of three year term
School of Engineering and Computer Science
Robert Van Til (School of Engineering and Computer Science)
College of Arts and Sciences
Wallis Andersen (Department of Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism)
Library
Frank Lepkowski
At Large members:
Celina Byers (School of Education and Human Services)
Sandra Pelfrey (School of Business Administration)

Continuing members serving final year of three year terms
School of Nursing
Christina Sieloff (School of Nursing) as chair -- 2004-2005
College of Arts and Sciences
Peter Shi (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)
School of Education and Human Services
Maria Cseh (School of Education and Human Services)
School of Health Sciences
Cathy Larson (School of Health Sciences)

ATHLETICS COMMITTEE

New members nominated for a three year term effective 15 August 2004
William Cramer (Library) -- 2004-2007

Continuing members serving second year of three year term.
Edward Farragher (School of Business Administration)
Satish Walia (Department of Biological Sciences)

Continuing member serving final year of three year term
William Keane (School of Education and Human Services)

BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE

New members nominated for three year terms effective 15 August 2004
Margaret Pigott (Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism) -- 2004-2007
Austin Murphy (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2007

New member nominated for a two year term effective 15 August 2004
Douglas Wendell (Biological Sciences) -- 2004-2006

Continuing member serving second year of three year term
Richard Rozek (School of Health Sciences)

Continuing members serving final year of three year terms
Tamara Machmut-Jhashi (Art and Art History) as chair -- 2004-2005
Emmett Lombard (Department of Political Science)

CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Gaddis Dillon (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2006
Fay Hansen (Biological Sciences) -- 2004-2006

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
Richard Stamps (Sociology and Anthropology) as chair -- 2004-2005
Rose Cooper (Department of Rhetoric, Communication and Journalism)
Linda Schweitzer (Department of Chemistry)

GENERAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Dagmar Cronn (Chemistry) as chair -- 2004-2006
Andrea Eis (Art and Art History) -- 2004-2006
Madelyn Kissock (Linguistics) -- 2004-2006
Debatosh Debnath (School of Engineering and Computer Science) -- 2004-2006
Don Mayer (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2006
Cathleen Breidenbach (Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism) -- 2004-2006

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
Tomas Giberson (School of Education and Human Services)
Stafford Rorke (School of Health Sciences)
Gene Fliedner (School of Business Administration)

HONORARY DEGREE COMMITTEE

New member nominated for a three year term effective 15 August 2004
Brian Connery (English) -- 2004-2007

New member nominated for a one year term effective 15 August 2004
Anahid Kulwicki (School of Nursing) -- 2004-2005

Continuing members serving second year of three year term
James T. Hansen (School of Education and Human Resources)
Vincent Khapoya (Department of Political Science)

Continuing members serving final year of three year terms
Addington Coppin (School of Business Administration)
Eddie Cheng (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMITTEE

New member nominated for a three year term effective 15 August 2004
Karen Markel (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2007
Chaunda Scott (School of Education and Human Services) -- 2004-2007

Continuing members serving second year of three year term
Julia Urla (Department of Modern Languages and Literature)
Anne Mitchell-Gieleghem (School of Nursing)

Continuing members serving final year of three year terms
Ziangqun Zeng (Chemistry) as chair -- 2004-2005

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
College of Arts and Sciences
Claude Baillargeon (Art and Art History) -- 2004-2006
Anna Spagnuolo (Mathematics and Statistics) -- 2004-2006
Library
Ann Pogany (Library) -- 2004-2006
School of Human and Educational Services
John McEneaney (School of Education and Human Services)--2004-2006
School of Health Sciences
William Andress (School of Health Sciences) -- 2004-2006
School of Nursing
Laureen Smith (School of Nursing) -- 2004-2006

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
School of Engineering and Computer Science
1 vacancy
School of Business Administration
Kenneth York (School of Business Administration) as chair -- 2004-2005
College of Arts and Sciences
Jo Reger (Department of Sociology and Anthropology)
Christopher Warley (Department of English)
Library
Kristine Condic (Library)
Shawn Lombardo (Library)

PLANNING REVIEW COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004

Ching Ko (School of Engineering and Computer Science) -- 2004-2007
Seigo Nakao (Modern Languages) -- 2004-2007

Continuing members serving second year of three year term
Dyanne Tracy (School of Education and Human Services)
Robert Stewart (Department of Psychology)

Continuing members serving final year of three year term
Anandi Sahu (School of Business Administration) as chair -- 2004-2005
Frances Jackson (School of Nursing)

RESEARCH COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Natalie Cole (English) -- 2004-2006
Andrei Slavin (Physics) -- 2004-2006
Michael Polis (Engineering and Computer Science) -- 2004-2006

New member nominated for a one year term effective 15 August 2004
Ravi Khattree (Mathematics and Statistics) as chair -- 2004-2005
Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
Amanda Bryant-Friedrich (Department of Chemistry)
Eric Follo (School of Education and Human Services)
Sarah Newton (School of Nursing)
Balaji Rajagopolan (School of Business Administration)

Ad Hoc STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

New members nominated for one year terms effective 15 August 2004
Mohammed Bazaz (School of Business Administration) as chair -- 2004-2005
Scott Crabill (Rhetoric, Communication & Journalism) -- 2004-2005
Rasul Chaudhry (Biological Sciences) -- 2004-2005
Joel Russell (Chemistry) -- 2004-2005

Continuing member from Academic and Career Advising: Ann Pogany (Library)

Continuing member from Admissions and Financial Aid: Bo-Nan Jiang (Mathematics and Statistics)\

TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE

New members nominated for two year terms effective 15 August 2004
Laszlo Liptak (Mathematics and Statistics) -- 2004-2006
Catherine Tyler (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2006

Continuing members serving final year of two year terms
Kathleen Moore (Chemistry) as chair -- 2004-2005
Kris Thompson (School of Health Sciences)
Mary Zeppelin (School of Education and Human Services)

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE ON UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTION

New members nominated for three year terms effective 15 August 2004
School of Education and Human Services
Babette Benken (School of Education and Human Services) -- 2004-2007
School of Business Administration
Nivedita Mukherji (School of Business Administration) -- 2004-2007
School of Nursing
Barbara Penprase (School of Nursing)�2004-2007

Continuing members serving second year of three year term
Library
Kristine Condic (Library)
School of Engineering and Computer Science
Barbara Oakley (School of Engineering and Computer Science)

Continuing members serving final year of three year terms
College of Arts and Sciences
Alice Horning (Department of Rhetoric/Linguistics)
School of Health Sciences
Stafford Rorke (School of Health Sciences)

Mr. Grossman brought up the concern of a non-Senate colleague regarding the name of the proposed ad hoc Student Affairs Committee, suggesting that it may be problematic to include academic advising under that title (as academic advising is part of Academic Affairs). Mr. Sudol commented that the name was chosen as an umbrella term for the activities of the two underutilized committees, and that, in fact, the name itself is ad hoc and is subject to change if the committee sees fit to do so.

Ms. Bard read a statement on behalf of the Professional Academic Advising that requested adequate representation on the restructured committee so that PAC can "contribute a unique voice in the committee's decisions and discussions." Mr. Moudgil thanked Ms. Bard for the input and indicated he will bring the issue to the Steering Committee's attention. Mr. Grossman then raised the issue of whether it would be appropriate for the Senate to appoint members for the two separate committees at this time, with the understanding that the two groups will meet together in the fall, but if it is determined later that two groups will remain separate, then perhaps maintaining continuity in membership is important. Mr. Sudol noted that two continuing members (one from each committee) will serve on the ad hoc committee, and will be joined with volunteers. Mr. Grossman pointed out there are only six names listed for the nine membership positions, and that it is his perception that the Steering Committee is creating a new, ad hoc committee, which it has a right to do, and disbanding existing committees, at least temporarily, which it may not have the right to do. Mr. Grossman added that he would be much more comfortable if the two existing committees would simply meet jointly for the trial period. Mr. Sudol replied that adding members from a list of volunteers will not pose a problem, and that the proposed chair of the committee is a former chair of one of the committees, and that the former chair of the other committee will serve as a member. He further noted that the work of the committee would deal with the issues that the two previous committees would have dealt with. With Mr. Moudgil's observation that discussion on the new committee will continue in the fall, the Senate voted to approve the motion to staff the standing committees.

Good and Welfare

Ms. Moore voiced concern with Informational Item #2, wondering generally about the parameters of such bodies as UCUI and Graduate Council that determine whether or not program changes are substantial enough to warrant broader university review as a new program. She brought up specific concerns with the changes in the science component of Item #2, noting that a previous requirement of 40 credit hours in science/3 lab experiences has now been reduced to 16 credits/no lab experience. Given the significance of such a change, Ms. Moore inquired whether this might not fall under the rubric of a new program that requires university review. Ms. Awbrey indicated that UCUI discussed the changes as modifications of an existing program brought to UCUI "in good faith", yet in response to Ms. Moore's comments, Ms. Awbrey expressed a similar concern regarding more careful scrutiny that should be exercised in the future regarding the definition of new programs. Mr. Moudgil supported this concern and asked that the Steering Committee address the issue of determining criteria for defining new programs vs. modifying existing ones, perhaps seeking Senate advice by way of an ad hoc committee in the future.

Mr. Goslin mentioned that it was his understanding that changes to the program were proposed in response to accrediting issues, and that Ms. Moore could contact Professor Charles McGlothlin, who would have information on the particular changes in the newly named Occupational Health and Safety program. Ms. Moore indicated that through contact with Stafford Rorke she has learned that there are multiple accrediting agencies involved with the general field of occupational health, which makes her less inclined to accept program changes for the sake of accreditation alone. Mr. Grossman reminded Senators of the relevant constitutional provision stating that "each organized faculty shall have the authority to...determine major and elective distributions and degree requirements, subject to review and approval by the University Senate."

Mr. Downing added that in future discussions the Steering Committee might take into account that all parties affected by curricular changes, namely, other units that may be significantly impacted by changing enrollments, be apprised in a timely way of proposed program changes.

With no further comments, the motion to adjourn (Mr. Goldberg, Ms. Papazian) was met with general approval at 3:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Tamara Machmut-Jhashi
Secretary to the University Senate