Oakland University Senate
16 February 2006
Minutes
Members present: Andersen, Deng, Dillon, Downing, Eberly, Eberwein, Eis, Fink, Frick, Goldberg, Goslin, Grossman, Haskell, Hightower, Ingram, Latcha, Lemarbe, Lepkowski, MacDonald, Machmut-Jhashi, Magnan, Mili, Miller, Mittelstaedt, Moudgil, O�Mahony, Otto, Polis, Rammel, Russell, Severson, Sevilla, Shablin, Silberman, Stamps, Stano, Stein, Sudol, Thompson, Tracey, Tracy, Wharton, Williams
Members absent: Berven (D), Cardiff, Giblin, Graves, Hamilton, Klemanski, Meehan, Reger, Schweitzer, Voelck, Wendell, Wood
Summary of Actions:
1. Informational Item: Update on Class Scheduling Task Force -- Mr. Moudgil
2. Motion to approve the Doctor of Nursing Practice program (Ms. Mittelstaedt, Ms. Stein). Second reading. Approved.
3. Motion to approve the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education. (Ms. Stein, Mr. Lepkowski). First reading.
3a. Motion to waive second reading of the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education Program. (Mr. Sudol, Mr. Stamps). Approved.
3b. Motion to approve the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education. Approved.
4. Procedural motion to change the date of the April Senate meeting from April 20 to April 13. Approved.
5. Procedural motion to staff a Senate standing committee. Approved.
Calling the meeting to order at 3:10, Mr. Moudgil began with an update on the creation of a task force that will be charged with examining issues pertaining to class scheduling. Further information regarding the specifics of the charge and the faculty and staff who will comprise the committee will be forthcoming and broadcast to the university.
The secretary proceeded with the roll call, after which Mr. Downing made a motion to approve the minutes of January 19. Duly seconded by Mr. Latcha, the minutes were approved.
Old Business
MOVED that the Senate recommend to the President and Board of Trustees approval of a program leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice.
After the motion was read by Ms. Mittelstaedt and seconded by Ms. Stein, Mr. Moudgil reminded senators that this was the second reading. Mr. Goslin asked whether the reports of the Budget and Planning Review committees were available. The secretary responded that they had not yet been posted to the website. Mr. Downing then confirmed that the reports of both committees were positive. With no further discussion, the senate voted to approve the program.
New Business
MOVED that the Senate recommend to the President and Board of Trustees approval of a program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education. (Ms. Stein)
Upon Mr. Lepkowski�s second, Mr. Moudgil invited Ms. Jackie Wiggins, Chair of Music, Theater and Dance, to speak to the Senate regarding the proposed program. She began by noting the program�s approval by the College of Arts and Sciences Assembly in December 2004. She then outlined the criteria and requirements for admission to the program, and noted that the plan of study includes 76 credits (32 core credits, 28 credits of electives, and 16 credits of dissertation); comprehensive exams; and dissertation (with a committee of three faculty drawn from CAS and SEHS).
Ms. Wiggins explained that the program was started in Fall 2003 in collaboration with the School of Education and Human Services under the auspices of the Department of Educational Leadership. She noted the success of the program, which has attracted high quality students who have made national and international presentations at competitive juried conferences and have published in well-regarded journals. Since 2004 two new faculty were hired who could support the program in MTD. Ms. Wiggins also expressed her gratitude for the cross-disciplinary support from SEHS, but added that the program is now strong enough for it to have its proper name: the Ph.D. in Music Education. According to Ms. Wiggins, key changes include: the change of name of degree, the shift of governance from SEHS to MTD/CAS; funding for two assistantships; and fewer requirements (eliminating the leadership cognate from SEHS).
Ms. Wiggins then introduced two students who are defending dissertations this term: Deborah Blair, and Alex Ruthman. Both students addressed the Senate with statements about the opportunities and preparation offered by the program for their future careers.
Congratulating the students, and thanking Ms. Wiggins for her presentation, Mr. Moudgil opened the floor for questions. Mr. Stamps asked about the number of similar programs in the country, and in Michigan. Ms. Wiggins indicated that 45 such programs exist, and that the University of Michigan has recently reinstated a program, and that Michigan State University has a program that is philosophically unlike ours. Mr. Downing then reviewed the history of the proposal in the Graduate Council. He noted that concerns raised by the Council were addressed and resolved, and that the program received the Council�s strong endorsement in Fall 2005. Mr. Moudgil raised a general issue regarding the timeline for the review of new programs, stating
that the time required by the faculty governance process should be respected. To clarify the process for all those involved in new program review, he explained that the Steering Committee is currently developing a checklist that will assist in the program review process in the future. Mr. Moudgil further observed that our programs are strengthened and are viewed positively in Lansing because of the rigor of the internal review process.
Mr. Sudol then made a motion to waive the second reading of the proposal; Mr. Stamps seconded. Mr. Tracy spoke against the motion, remarking that the proposal had been reviewed quickly by the Budget and Planning Review committees, and that the reports of those committees, not yet posted to the website, should be available before a vote. Mr. Sudol observed that this program, essentially a spin-off program, is already in its second year, and that he encouraged its approval as soon as possible so that students may be awarded degrees that accurately reflect what they have earned. Mr. Sudol confirmed that he has received positive reports from the Budget and Planning committees. According to Mr. Tracy, who serves as a member of the Planning Committee, the report from that committee has not yet been completed. Mr. Wiggins responded by noting that she had received verbal approval from both committees. Mr. Stamps agreed with Mr. Tracy in principle that new programs should not be rushed, but that in his view this program is ready for approval. Mr. Dillon then raised a concern about setting an inappropriate precedent, and asked Mr. Sudol to affirm that time is of the essence for this program. Otherwise, Mr. Dillon stated, he would not support waiving the second reading. Mr. Sudol explained that time was in fact crucial because the two students graduating at the end of Winter 2006 should receive the proper degree. A vote to waive the second reading yielded two opposed and one abstention. With that motion passed, the new program was approved with one abstention.
The second item of new business was moved by Mr. Tracy, seconded by Mr. Latcha, and approved without discussion:
MOVED that the date of the April Senate meeting be changed from April 20 to April 13.
The final item, a procedural motion to staff a Senate standing committee, was moved by Mr. Lepkowski, duly seconded by Ms. Mittelstaedt, and approved.
MOVED that the person listed below be appointed to the committee designated:
ACADEMIC CONDUCT COMMITTEE:
Elysa Koppelman (Philosophy) -- 2006-2007
With no comments for the good and welfare, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tamara Machmut-Jhashi
Secretary to the University Senate
updated 9/7/06