MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER THREE
OF THE
sENATE OF mICHIGAN cOLLEGE OF mINING AND tECHNOLOGY
15 April 1959
(Senate Minute pages: 9-18)
Vice President Kerekes, in the absence of the President, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
The roll of members was called, showing all members present except Anderson, Bovard, Bourdo, Crawford, Cox, Duggan, Eddy, Gibson, Hesterberg, Hooker, Keck, Kemp, Myers, Neilson, Noblet, Van Pelt and Vichich.
Dean Kerekes, as Chairman of Committee on Committees, made the following report:
The Committee on Committees recommends:
In the discussion of the recommendation, it was brought out that growth in competence in his field of specialization is intended to mean advancement by study, research and experience in his usual teaching field.
It was moved by Prof. Polkinghorne and supported by Prof. Snelgrove that the recommendation be adopted. The motion carried by voice vote.
Prof. Sermon, as chairman of the Academic Standards Committee, made the following report:
The Committee on Academic Standards met on March 26, 1959, to review those areas in which it is the responsibility of this Committee to recommend policy.
Statements of academic policy as presently included in the current college catalog were reviewed. The statements covered were: 1) requirements for admission; 2) maximum number of credits a student may carry per term; 3) grade point standard required to remain in residence or to continue in residence while on probation; 4) the granting of transfer credit and the admission of students with "Advanced Placement."
The Committee has no recommendations to present at this time.
It was moved by Prof. Bredekamp and supported by Prof. Romig that the report be accepted. The motion carried by voice vote.
Prof. Been reported for the Curricular Policy Committee its recommended formalized policy statement of Senate Proposal No. 1-59 as follows:
It is recommended that the core requirements for elective credit in the humanities and social studies be changed to read as follows:
Approved Humanities and Social Studies Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The 18 credits in this category must be elected by students from the following areas of study: Literature, Music, History, Geography, Economics, Behavioral Sciences, and Fine Arts. At least nine, but not more than twelve credits, not necessarily in sequence, must be completed within a single area except for foreign languages. A student may elect to take all 18 hours in a single foreign language.
Students seeking to fulfill the humanities and social studies requirements in a foreign language should be aware of the following:
- The first year of work in a foreign language will not be considered as credit in the humanities and social sciences unless the second year is completed.
- Two full years of work in a foreign language will be considered as credit in the humanities and social sciences studies only if there is no departmental requirement of two years of work in a foreign language, except that HS285-286-287 may be counted as credit.
- Students fulfilling a departmental requirement of two years of work in a foreign language may elect a third year of work in the same language for credit in the humanities and social studies.
During the discussion of the term "Behavioral Science" which was substituted for the term "Psychology and Sociology" stated in the Agenda, in the recommendation Prof. DelliQuadri clarified this term's desirability so that the present Human Relation course and possible future courses could be included as well as Psychology and Sociology. There was considerable discussion that the term was not needed and that the term "Psychology and Sociology" covered the same courses and was widely accepted by other colleges. It was brought out that the term "Behavioral Science" would be a more liberal and flexible term. It was moved by Prof. DelliQuadri and supported by Prof. Vance that the term "Behavioral Science" be accepted. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Prof. Bredekamp asked why the committee recommended from 9 to 12 credits rather than just 9. Prof. Been replied that the committee recommended not more than 12 credits in order to force diversification. In the discussion which followed, Prof. Fryxell brought out than Band and Glee Club credit do not presently count as Humanistic and Social Studies. Prof. Weaver expressed his opinion that a minimum of 9 credits minimizes diversity. Prof. Bredekamp and Prof. Bayer suggested that the phrase "at least 9" be removed. Prof. Polkinghorne reminded the Senate that the E.C.P.D. requires at least 9 credits in one area of Humanistic and Social Studies. Prof. Belanger asked if Music was not in the area of Fine Arts, thus duplication of areas. Prof. Fryxell explained that the recommendation used the same terminology as the E.C.P.D. when Music was included.
It was moved by Prof. Caspary and supported by Prof. Niemi that the recommendation be accepted as stated to the words "single area" in the second paragraph, and the remainder of that paragraph be deleted.
Dean Kerekes stated he was against such a motion on the basis that such a major change should not be made after such a short discussion when the committee had undoubtedly spent much time considering the point. Prof. DelliQuadri called for a point of order -- that the chairman could not enter into the discussion without first relinquishing the chair. The chair was then turned over to the Secretary and discussion continued. Prof. Fryxell disagreed with deleting the option of taking all 18 credits in a foreign language. Prof. Makens also felt that foreign languages are very important and should not be restricted. Prof. Baker asked the thoughts of the committee when making recommendation. Prof. Pearce said the committee did not want to penalize students who wanted 2 full years of language by not allowing the full 18 credits. Prof. Niemi thought there should be no specific reference to foreign language. It was moved by Prof. Fryxell and supported by Prof. Price that the motion be laid on the table. This motion carried. Dean Kerekes then resumed the chair.
It was moved by Prof. Fryxell and supported by Prof. Bredekamp that the recommendation down to the words "single area" in the second paragraph be accepted. The motion carried by a voice vote.
It was moved by Prof. Bredekamp and supported by Prof. DelliQuadri that the name "second year German" be used in place of "HS285-286-287" in Section 2 of the recommendation. The motion carried by a voice vote.
It was moved by Prof. DelliQuadri and supported by Prof. Fryxell that the remainder of the recommendation, as amended be accepted. In discussion, Prof. Work felt that the third year of a foreign language (in Section 3) should not count any more than the first two years, since it was also functional. Prof. Been pointed out that the third year goes beyond its functional value to the Department, going into literature. The motion carried by a voice vote.
It was moved by Col. Vogel and supported by Prof. Been that the motion made earlier by Prof. Caspary be reconsidered. The motion carried unanimously. The original motion was defeated by a voice vote.
Prof. Been, acting for the Curricular Policy Committee, introduced Senate Proposal No. 2-59 which is as follows:
Up to, but no more than, twelve hours of unassigned credit may be transferred for work done at other colleges in courses for which there are no equivalents at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology, provided that such credit is approved by the head of the appropriate department, and provided further that such credit is acceptable as elective credit in the student's curriculum.
Prof. Longacre questioned the proposal as to which Department would grant the credit.
It was moved by Prof. Bredekamp and supported by Prof. Belanger that the report be received and made part of the minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
Prof. Work, Chairman of the Instructional Policy Committee, reported for this committee as follows:
I. Introduction
Three meetings of the entire committee have been held to date. A general plan of procedure has been established and certain areas for immediate consideration have been selected.
The terms of office of committee members were determined by lot as follows:
1 year: D.H. Baker, R.R. Hagen, and R.J. Smith
2 years: S.H. Benedict, R.R. Chelberg, and M.S. Lind
3 years: H.B. Anderson, R. Bayer and C.E. WorkS.H. Benedict was elected secretary of the committee.
II. Recommendations studied
Two proposed recommendations have been submitted more or less formally to the committee for study and recommendation. These were discussed first by the committee as a whole then referred to sub-committees formed from the membership of the parent committee.
The following resolution was submitted by Professor S.R. Price of the Department of Humanities and Social Studies:
"Resolved that the right be recognized of free selection of textbooks by the teacher or teachers of a given course, in consultation with the department head, as long as no legal action to proscribe the book shall be pending on the local scene, or shall be shown to have been upheld in a court of law elsewhere within the United States."
H.B. Anderson and R.J. Smith made a study of this resolution and its implication. Their findings were reported to the committee. The evidence they collected is now being circulated among committee members for individual study. A report on this resolution and the committee's recommendations pertaining to it will be submitted to the Senate at its next meeting.
A request was made by M.S. Lind that the committee examine carefully the so-called 48-hour rule setting a deadline for submitting grades at the end of each term. Professor Lind questioned the need for the rule, its practicality and its possible influence on the kind of final examinations given. Since examinations are considered to be an important instructional device, the 48-hour rule was considered of direct interest to the committee.
A sub-committee consisting of M.S. Lind and S.H. Benedict investigated the problem and reported their findings to the Instructional Policy committee. A formal statement of this problem and the recommendations of the committee are attached.
III. Organization of Committee for Long-Term Studies
After considerable discussion the committee concluded its functions should include studies and recommendations with regard to:
- assistance to instructional faculty members in matters of pedagogical techniques and procedures
- methods of evaluating teaching effectiveness, including the related question of the validity of such evaluation by superiors, colleagues, and students
- specific problems in connection with the conduct of testing, especially testing methods which facilitate or promote dishonesty
To carry out these functions three standing sub-committees were formed. The following men agreed to serve on these sub-committees:
Teacher Training and Indoctrination Committee
D.H. Baker, Chairman (Physics)
A.S. Weaver (E.M.)
V.W. Johnson (Forestry)
H.B. Anderson (Math)
R.W. Curtis (M.E.)- Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness
R. Bayer, Chairman (M.E.)
L.A. Robert (C.E.)
J.A. Mandarino (Geol. E.)
G.M. Machwart (Chem. E.)
R.J. Smith (Met.)
- Testing Methods Committee
R.R. Hagen, Chairman (M.E.)
A.I. Fiks (B.A.)
E.R. Griff (Math)
E.V. Piel (Chem.)
M.S. Lind (E.E.)J.A. Mandarino will be replaced at this own request.
All three sub-committees have met at least once and reports of their progress will be submitted at subsequent meetings of the Senate.
Report and Recommendation on the "48-Hour Rule":
a. This report and recommendation is concerned with college policy on submitting final grades.
b. The present policy set by the registrar is that final grades must be submitted within 48 hours after the end of the last class meeting or the end of the
final examination, whichever is later. Sundays are not included in computing the time.c. Most instructors are able to comply with this rule unless:
- the number of students enrolled in one instructor's section is very large
- all exams for a particular instructor happen to be scheduled on the same day
- a course does not lend itself to a type of examination which can be graded quickly.
d. The committee's study verified that (1) preliminary processing of grades can be done section by section as early as reports come in to alleviate the
concentrated overload that would occur if all grades came in at one time; (2) for terms separated by only one week, the registrar must have all
grades within 48 hours of the end of the term to enable him to get complete grade reports to the students by mail before they start back to campus
for the following term; (3) the final examination committee is attempting to relieve the problem by careful planning of future final exam schedules.e. The committee recommends the Senate go on record as supporting the registrar in the 48-hour rule and that the registrar be given an opportunity
to explain the reasons for the rule to the general faculty at some future meeting.
It was moved by Prof. Work and supported by Prof. Baker that the Senate go on record supporting the present 48-hour rule. Prof. Bredekamp questioned whether or not this action was policy under the function of the Senate. The Chairman ruled it was not policy, and the motion was withdrawn.
It was moved by Prof. DelliQuadri and supported by Prof. Been that the committee report be accepted. In discussion Prof. Price questioned the need of the instructional sub-committee. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Prof. DelliQuadri introduced Senate Proposal No. 3-59 which reads as follows:
"Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good . . . The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its exposition.
'Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applied to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and the student to freedom in learning. It carries with it duties correlative with rights.' page 108, AAUP Bulletin, March 1959.
Therefore be it resolved that the Michigan Tech Senate request the Instructional Policy Committee to formulate a policy on academic freedom to be presented to the Senate for its consideration."
It was moved by Prof. DelliQuadri and supported by Prof. Romig that Senate Proposal No. 3-59 be referred to the Instructional Policy Committee for study. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Prof. DelliQuadri introduced Senate Proposal No. 4-59 which reads as follows:
I would like to make a motion to the effect that the Faculty Professional Development Committee consider the finding of the Faculty Association Special Committee on Sabbatical Leave and formulate a policy statement to be presented to the Senate for its consideration.
It was moved by Prof. DelliQuadri and supported by Prof. Park that Senate Proposal 4-59 be referred to the Faculty Professional Development Committee for study. The motion carried by a voice vote.
The meeting adjourned at 9.25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Harold Meese, Secretary