Oakland University Senate

18 September 2008
Minutes

Members present: Berven (D), Berven (K), Bhargava, Brown, Condic, Connery, Debnath, Doane, Dulio, Eberly-Lewis, Eis, English, Frick, Goslin, Graetz, Grossman, Halpin, Hawley, Howell, Keane, Khattree, LeMarbe, Lombardo, Machmut-Jhashi, Meehan, Mili, Mittelstaedt, Mitton, Moore, Moran, Moudgil, Murphy, Nixon, Pelfrey, Penprase, Russell, Shablin, Spagnuolo, Sudol, Thompson, Townsend, Voelck, Wharton, Wiggins, Williams

Members absent: Andersen, Dvir, Giblin, Hightower, Ingram, Larrabee, Medaugh, Polis, Preisinger, Rammel, Tanniru

Mr. Moudgil welcomed senators at 3:15 to the first meeting of the academic year. He noted that the use of the Elliot Hall auditorium was unavoidable because of scheduling conflicts and that it would not be the permanent location for meetings this year. He next addressed the issues raised on campus regarding the security measures implemented in Wilson Hall, specifically referring to the memorandum to faculty circulated by the AAUP. Mr. Moudgil introduced Chief Lucido, who was invited to speak to the Senate regarding campus security. Mr. Lucido began with background information regarding the Wilson Hall upgrades, first noting that prior to his arrival at OU six years ago a consultant group hired to consider campus security recommended enhancements to the first floor of Wilson Hall. Nothing was done about it then. Mr. Lucido voiced his support of the recommendations on several occasions, but administrators did not pursue implementing them. Recently specific threats of great concern materialized against named individuals in the Wilson Hall corridor. Chief Lucido described one person investigated, a disturbed individual who was in the process of purchasing a gun and borrowing knives, and who talked about an off-campus encounter with an administrator. A shot-gun was found at his home. The threats continued unabated, with the OUPD receiving dozens of calls from this person, at times up to 30-40 calls in an evening. Officers' lives were also threatened. After his arrest on campus, this individual spent months in psychiatric treatment in a facility; the OUPD continues to monitor his situation through his family. Chief Lucido then described another case of great concern, one that referenced anniversary dates of 9/11 and other tragic events. Because of these and other threats, Chief Lucido said that he then approached the administration to implement the security measures, adding: "it was my idea." He observed that Mr. Moudgil was not in favor of the enhancements, but that he, as chief of police, has a duty to the entire community to keep it safe.

Ms. Pelfrey commented that it is perhaps not so much the security measures themselves that caused a problem; rather, that faculty were not informed. Mr. Lucido mentioned that a brief announcement was made in May, describing several projects that were to take place over the summer, but that he was not personally responsible for decisions regarding announcements. He has discussed the issue with Mr. Moudgil, who agreed that a better manner of communication is needed for future situations. Mr. Moran then characterized the American system of education as an open system and OU as largely an open campus with classrooms open to students, faculty, and the public. To separate a tiny fraction of that, even with serious threats (adding that he too received a death threat as a professor about ten years ago), he argued, goes against the mission of the university. He suggested that a less obstructive alternative be considered, perhaps a police officer in WH around the clock, which may be preferable to a barrier that prevents faculty, staff, and students from reaching a small part of the university. Mr. Lucido commented that after 9/11 the FBI issued a statement in conjunction with Homeland Security stating that universities were to be considered "soft targets." In light of that pronouncement, Mr. Lucido believes that the open nature of the institution poses a difficult balance in terms of accessibility and security. According to Mr. Lucido, it is a balance that he deals with every day. Local high schools, middle schools, etc. (some with metal detectors) begin school at the same time every morning and thus can be locked for the day; universities cannot operate that way, and Mr Lucido acknowledged the inherent struggle with this issue.

Mr. Mitton raised the point of using access cards, currently being used in other areas of campus, for example, in the animal care facility. Mr. Lucido replied that he likes the card system for restricting lab access, and that perhaps it could be implemented more widely in the future. Mr. Moudgil pointed out that colleagues, faculty and staff, who traditionally and routinely visit the Wilson Hall administrative offices have access to the corridor. In terms of asking the identity of those requesting to be buzzed in, Mr. Moudgil drew an analogy with producing a form of identification at the bank where he has been a customer for decades. He added that we should be sensitive to clerical staff who certainly can't know everyone on campus (particularly newly-hired staff), and that no faculty member has been denied access to the Academic Affairs office.

Mr. Berven commented that he paid a visit to the corridor over the summer and found the call box system difficult to use. Mr. Lucido agreed to look into that. Mr. Lucido also remarked on the issue described in the AAUP letter, namely, that the person who came to Academic Affairs was asked if she had an appointment, adding that the question was not part of the staff's training. The person, according to Mr. Russell, claimed that she was told that she could not get into the office without an appointment, to which both Mr. Moudgil and Ms. Lee objected. Mr. Moudgil said that he, in fact, had a pleasant chat with the person who came to AA to deliver the document, talking and laughing, and that he was shocked to hear the person's later claim. Ms. Lee corroborated this, and emphasized that the person was not told that she could not enter without an appointment. Ms. Machmut-Jhashi supported both statements, claiming that she also saw the person in the office exchanging pleasantries with the staff. She also observed that because the person who the document was intended for had stepped out of the office, the clerical staff was trying to be helpful. Mr. Moudgil then asserted that the person who came to the office gave absolutely no indication that there was a problem, and that if she had done so, he would have addressed it immediately.

Mr. Frick observed that his previous university experienced a school shooting where the targets were faculty, and that in such events it is the faculty that are usually in the line of fire. Mr. Moudgil noted that at a departmental chair's meeting of the previous week, Mr. Lucido spoke with that group and reassured them that the safety of the faculty is of utmost importance to the OUPD, and that Mr. Lucido himself would get involved in any threat directed at a faculty member. He further commented on the need to be as proactive as possible in this day and age. Mr. Meehan pointed out that statistics show that college campuses are actually safe, and that one's risk for victimization decrease when stepping on a campus. Half of the incidents (16 in total) have targeted faculty, the other half have concerned interpersonal disputes. He suggested that it be communicated to parents, staff, and others who call the university that statistically this is a safe environment, and that balance is called for so as not to overreact to potential danger. Mr. Lucido recounted the threats made in April, and the decisions made regarding them, and said that he would always err on the side of safety and security but that perception is a crucial issue.

Ms. Howell voiced appreciation for safety concerns, but expressed her opinion that the wrong message has been sent to the university community, to the detriment of the openness of a public institution. She believed that the way perceptions were evaluated came far too much from a law enforcement standpoint and not enough from kind of perceptions Mr. Meehan described. She would like to see a process whereby multiple perceptions can be balanced in making future decisions about security. In addition, she expressed the opinion that walling off the administration during business hours is unjustified, and could see no reason why open access to these offices cannot remain during 9-5 hours, especially in light of other security enhancements, such as the security cameras. If most faculty members believe that the Wilson administrative suite is "overly secure," she argued, then perhaps there are ways to look at the security currently in place and modify it downward. Mr. Moran then asked Chief Lucido whether he would find regular meetings with a committee composed of faculty and staff useful in bouncing ideas or in apprising them of possible developments. While he sees police officers in cars throughout campus, Mr. Moran wondered about the policy regarding police officers on foot. Chief Lucido replied that one of his goals is too get officers out of their cars and into the buildings, noting that this is one part of a set of patrol objectives. He added that officers are patrolling the interior of academic buildings, especially at night. Mr. Moudgil conveyed his appreciation for the discussion and thanked Chief Lucido for his willingness to consider the concerns expressed by the Senators.

Mr. Moudgil then turned to the next informational item, welcoming Mr. Grossman back from his sabbatical and appointing him Senate parliamentarian.

Ms. Piskulich then presented another informational item, updating the Senate on the progress of the ad-hoc committee for review of new program proposals. She explained that the committee has made considerable progress and has created a draft document outlining a streamlined process for program proposals. The steering committee has asked for additional information, which will be addressed in the near future. Committee charges will be revised once the document is finalized for Senate review. The goals are to streamline the proposal process with focused information as well as to create a website for programs in the governance process. Messrs. Murphy and Polis have been asked to attend the next meeting of the ad-hoc group.

The Provost gave an update on the School of Medicine. He noted that Dean Folberg is now officially on the job, and that currently the SOM is working on staff and faculty issues. The primary concern is to hire medical school faculty and to consider the issues relative to this process, an effort that has included the help of Mr. Russell and other faculty colleagues. Although still in a raw stage, the work to develop the SOM is a community project, according to Mr. Moudgil, who called for understanding and support as the work continues. He remarked on the many benefits of the SOM to Oakland, including the ability to draw excellent faculty to campus, and gave the example of the Eye Research Institute, where it is difficult to attract researchers to an institution without a medical school.

The secretary proceeded with the roll call, after which a motion to approve the minutes from the April meeting was made by Mr. Frick, duly seconded by Ms. Mittelstaedt, and approved.

Without old business, Mr. Moudgil turned to the first item of new business, the election of a Steering Committee member to replace Mr. Severson. Mr. Goslin, chair of the elections committee conducted the election. Mr. Berven nominated Ms. Howell. No other nominations were offered. Ms. Howell was elected by acclamation to serve during the 08-09 academic year.

The other item of new business was a procedural motion to staff Senate standing committees. Moved by Mr. Meehan, with a second by Ms. Townsend, the senate approved the following appointments:

Academic Conduct Committee
Brian Taber (2008-2010)

Assessment Committee
Lisa Dalton -- Fall 2008 (to replace Shannan McNair)

Senate Library Committee
Julia Rodriquez (2008-2009)
Kris Condic (2008-2010)

University Research Committee
Natalie Cole (2008-2009)
Abdi Kusow (2008-2010)
 

Having concluded new business, Mr. Moudgil opened the floor for Good and Welfare. Ms. Berven asked about the time slot dedicated to group exams for 100-200 level courses with multiple sections, and whether that slot could be moved from the end of exam week to an earlier time. Mr. Shablin agreed to take a look at a possible adjustment to the schedule.

Mr. Russell asked the Provost to comment on the recent news of a satellite campus at Macomb. Mr. Moudgil replied that an answer is perhaps more appropriate coming from Mr. Russi or Ms. Otto, but offered his perspective that Macomb is a "delivery site" and has been so for many years. Many OU faculty teach there and use offices at the Macomb University Center. The plan is to expand so that other institutions do not encroach upon our market. It is known that several institutions are actively seeking to establish satellites there, including Wayne State. Mr. Moudgil emphasized that there is currently no satellite, but only plans to develop one in the future. He observed that a satellite must come before the Board of Trustees as well as the Senate. Mr. Murphy asked whether the matter would come to the Senate under our normal procedures when the time comes for a satellite, to which Mr. Moudgil indicated that this would be his preference.

Mr. Frick moved to adjourn at 4:00 p.m. and the meeting concluded.

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

posted 10/3/2008