MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER Eight
OF THE
sENATE OF mICHIGAN cOLLEGE OF mINING AND tECHNOLOGY
9 November1960
(Senate Minute pages: 64-89)
The meeting opened at 7:10 p.m., with President Van Pelt presiding.
The roll call of members was taken. Some members arrived late. Ultimately, all were present except: Group I - Meese, Townsend, Crawford, Pearce, Bourdo, Myers. Group II - None. Group III - Been, Clark, Makens, Noblet, Smith, T.N., Williams, Work. Group IV - Harry, Neilson, Rakestraw, Schnelle.
The minutes of meeting no. 7 were approved as distributed.
Reports from Standing Committees:
Reporting for the Curricular Policy Committee, Dean Frank Kerekes discussed the development of the Uniform Freshman Year. Since no printed copy of Dean Kerekes' remarks was available, the Secretary's notes were later submitted to Dean Kerekes for editing and are attached to these minutes.
Following the report by Dean Kerekes, Dr. Van Pelt inquired whether there was any discussion.
Dr. B.L. Fryxell, "Is this a progress report Dean Kerekes? If so, some changes are desired. May they be made now?"
Dean Kerekes, "I believe so."
Dr. Van Pelt, "Details should be avoided now. Main features are discussable."
Dr. Fryxell, "I have no objection to the Uniform Freshman Year. I do object to the title ' Problems and Ideas.' Quoting from a meeting of the Curriculum Committee, since June 1960, is the statement, 'title objected to.' I cannot understand the retention of the 'Problems and Ideas' name.
Dean Kerekes, "The Curriculum Committee now approves this. So does the head of the H.S. Department. The Executive Committee concurs. This name, 'Problems and Ideas,' will have a better effect on students than 'English' or 'Composition.' The emphasis in the present English courses is on problems and ideas. Why not call these English courses this?"
Dr. Fryxell, "I doubt the concurrence of other departments. No outlines of the courses have been made. I see no advantage for 'Problems and Ideas.'
Dr. Van Pelt, "I am uncertain of the Senate function here. We do not want changes made against the desires of our departments. On the other hand, tradition is not a valid determinant. However, the departments must agree first. The teachers must be in accord. Debate cannot accomplish much now."
Dean Kerekes, "I agree to defer debate. Most of the departments have shown that they approve in this matter."
Prof. J.A. Oswald, "The Electrical and the Chemistry Departments disapprove although they did finally include the name in their curricula."
Prof. J.A. Van Westenburg, "The Metallurgy Department thought they had no choice so included it in their curriculum."
Dr. Van Pelt, "The issue is unresolved and must be clarified. English courses vary widely in the different colleges. Some are very immature. Something can be done here to improve this. We pass on to the next report."
Reporting for the Calendar Development Committee, Col. R.F. Schirmer gave a detailed account of the work of his committee under the title "Growing Pains of a New Calendar." A copy of Col. Schirmer's printed report is attached.
Following Col. Schirmer's report, Dr. Van Pelt stated that the Calendar Committee deserves much praise for their work and asked if there was any discussion of the report.
Dr. A.K. Snelgrove, "What become of Plan H?"
Col. Schirmer, "It got lost."
There being no further discussion the meeting continued to:
The final voting on proposals listed below. Dr. Van Pelt asked if there was any discussion of these proposals which had been formalized and approved at the previous Senate meeting. There being no discussion printed ballots were distributed, collected, and tallied by Prof. L.W. Hooker and Prof. W.A. Longacre who were appointed to do so by Dr. Van Pelt. This ballot and total votes cast is reproduced below.
Proposal |
Title |
Yes |
No |
| 2-60 | Credit for extraordinary academic or prof' work | 36 | 1 |
| 4-60 | Cheating on examinations | 32 | 5 |
| 5-60 | Senate procedural By-Laws | 34 | 3 |
It is noted that all three passed by a large majority. Since no changes were made in the proposals and since they have been distributed previously, they are not part of these minutes.
Dr. Van Pelt presented the President's report. This report deals with the action taken by the President on several Senate proposals. A copy of the report as provided by Dr. Van Pelt is attached to these minutes.
Discussion of the report followed.
Dr. B.L. Fryxell moved and Professor W. Polkinghorne seconded the Senate acceptance of Proposal 2-59 as revised (see Dr. Van Pelt report. This motion carried by voice vote unanimously.
Professor C.L. DelliQuadri moved and Professor S.R. Price seconded that Proposal 6-60 be referred to the Curricular Policy Committee for revision compatible with Dr. Van Pelt's suggestions. This motion carried by voice vote unanimously.
New Business:
Dean F. Kerekes reported as chairman of the Committee on Committees. Replacements for committee members whose terms have expired were named. This report is attached.
It was moved by Professor A.S. Weaver and seconded by Col. Schirmer that these appointments be accepted by the Senate. Voice vote approved unanimously.
Professor G.W. Boyd, Senate Secretary, let go of his pencil long enough to request that new proposals be submitted to the Senate. Only one proposal is still in committee and one referred to committee for revision. More business is needed.
Dr. Van Pelt remarked that a Senate that finishes its business is a good one.
Dr. B.L. Fryxell reported that the Wild Eyed Idea Committee had met once. This committee consisting of Dr. Fryxell, Chairman; Professors L.W. Hooker and G.A. Hellman had invited three kindred souls, Professors S.H. Benedict, A.W. Gibson, and J.D. Spain to join them in the conception and birth of some appropriate ideas. The following were hatched and presented.
Following this report, discussion was accepted.
Dr. Van Pelt, "What shall we do with this committee?"
Prof. W.A. Longacre, "What do you mean "De-emphasize intercollegiate athletics?"
Dr. B.L. Fryxell, "Professor Hooker can answer that."
Prof. L.W. Hooker, "It means reassess intercollegiate athletics and concentrate on the areas best for the college welfare. Nothing is gained by taking a beating such as that recently administered by Northern to our football team."
Prof. A.J. Bovard, "Is the athletic program to be general so that all students can try or shall we use only our Canadian students and play only hockey? It is better to schedule schools more nearly our equals in other sports. More students are attracted to our school if we have a wider program. Our aim should be to increase our program."
Prof. L.W. Hooker, "I feel a serious concern for the physical condition of our country's young men. Can intercollegiate sports help more than just a few?"
Prof. A.J. Bovard, "No school's program conditions its students. Special daily training is required for this. Our aim is to teach continuing sports -- tennis, golf, etc."
Dr. Van Pelt, "The ideas proposed by this committee should be distributed in the minutes of this meeting to the entire faculty."
New Proposals
Professors S.R. Price asked about Proposal 3-59 concerning Academic Freedom.
Professor G.W. Body, Secretary, stated that it had been referred to the Instructional Policy Committee 2/3/60 of record. A copy of their report will be mailed with the agenda to each Senate member for study and action at the next meeting.
Professor A.S. Weaver asked about instituting a course in Bostonese so that President Elect John Kennedy could be understood.
Dr. Van Pelt stated that he knows just the man to teach it.
Dr. B.L. Fryxell stated that he would be glad to include it in his department.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
G.W. Boyd, Secretary