MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER 121
OF The
Senate OF mICHIGAN tECHNOLOGical university

15 December 1981

(Senate Minute pages: 1984-1995)

President Pintar called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., December 15, 1981 in the Faculty Lounge of the Memorial Union.

Roll: Twenty three members/alternates were present. Absent were Abata (AL); Adams, (IRW); Bates (CH/CE); Beske-Diehl (Geo); Francis (AL); Gappy, (PE); Janners (Bio); Johnson (IMR); Robb (Mining); Rupley (Aerospace); Smith (MY).

Recognition of Visitors: President Pintar asked if there were any visitors who wished to have their names entered into the record. Dr. John Jobst introduced himself and Dr. Arthur Young representing the Department of Humanities and Liberal Arts.

Minutes of Previous Meeting - The date was omitted from Meeting No. 119 and should be annotated to reflect a date of September 30, 1981. Similarly the date of Meeting No. 120 should read November 11, 1981. A correction is also necessary on page 1978 to identify the proposal in two places as 3-82. There were no other corrections and the minutes were approved as corrected.

President's Report:

President Stein is still considering revised proposal 1-82, Repeat Policy primarily from the standpoint of implementation. President Stein and President Pintar jointly agreed to the appointment of Duane Abata as the Budget Liaison Officer. Senator Monson has agreed to chair the new standing Senate Budget Committee. Both the Budget Liaison Officer position and the Senate Budget Committee were established by President Stein's approval of Proposal 18-78 on November 5, 1981. Senator Baltensperger has agreed to replace Senator Abata as chairperson of the Joint Committee on Relations between the Senate and the Faculty Association. Dr. Michael Agin has been selected by President Stein to serve on the University Athletic Council. President Pintar requested to be advised of the scheduled dates of the next meeting of each Senate Committee so that he could attend if possible. (See page 1988 for the complete President's Report - Available by Request from the Senate Office).

Vice President's Report

Vice President Crowther discussed the highlights of the November 20, 1981 Board of Control meeting and the December 8, 1981 Academic Council Meetings. At the former meeting, key issues discussed were the 1981-82 general fund budget request and a policy/procedure for imposing an involuntary leave of absence on a student found to be medically or psychologically incapable of functioning at the University level. The Board elected Ann O. Pratt, to be Chairman and Martin J. Caserio, Vice Chairman for 1982.

The Academic Council meeting discussed the following topics: See page 1990-1991 for detail (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

  1. Formulation of an ad hoc committee to study statistic course offerings
  2. Problems relating to non-U.S. citizens
  3. Accounting for research grants
  4. Accounting for salaries of persons hired for one or two quarters of the academic year
  5. Procedures for approving new course proposals and changes

President Stein responded to a question regarding the special six percent market adjustment appropriation to help in recruitment of personnel in highly competitive disciplines. The question raised was whether the appropriation applied to only new hires, to which President Stein responded that it could also be used for on-board personnel but would not be applied across the board as in the case of the nine percent compensation increase. A question was also raised regarding the procedure for imposing involuntary leave of absence, to which Senator Crowther replied that omitted in the written report was an appeal process to protect the student.

 

Committee Reports

A. Curricular Policy

Senator Agin stated that there was no report but proposal 3-82 would be considered under Old Business.

B. Instructional Policy - No Report.

C. Institutional Evaluation - No Report.

D. Promotional Policy and Professional Standards and Development

Senator Suryanarayana reported that the Committee had met once since the last meeting. Two areas were discussed, the relationship between the Ad Hoc Task Force and the standing Senate Committee and the objective of the Senate Committee. Senator Tampas, Secretary of the Ad Hoc Committee reported the results of the first ad hoc committee meeting. Guidance was requested regarding the role of the Senate Committee. Is the intent to be reactive to problems referred by the Senate or faculty, or should the committee take a more active role and initiate actions of its own? President Pintar indicated that the committee should be active and take initiative on its own; however, a reactive role may be necessary regarding involvement with the Ad Hoc Task Force on Promotion and Tenure.

E. Ad Hoc Task Force on Promotion and Tenure

Senator Tampas reported that one meeting had been held. An item discussed was the means to effectively communicate progress to the general faculty. It was proposed and approved that minutes of the Ad Hoc Task Force be forwarded to the Senate Secretary for inclusion with the Faculty Senate minutes for distribution. He also stated that the Senate Committee would be used as a resource group. Some assignments may be delegated to it for study and development of reports to the Task Force. Any input from the faculty or the Senate can be referred to the Task Force through Senators Tampas or Givens. See pages 1992 and 1993 minutes for Task Force Meeting No. 1 (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

F. Joint Committee on Relations Between the Senate and Faculty Association

Senator Baltensperger stated that the association had decided to present a request for the release of salary information for this year. The Faculty Association will purchase a copy and place it on reserve in the Library.

G. Faculty Fringe Benefits - No Report

A meeting will be held on Thursday, January 7. In particular they will be discussing various aspects of sick leave policy and use of the SDC. Phyllis Boutilier asked that the announcement be made and input communicated to the committee.

H. Committee on Committees - No Report.

I. Senate Handbook

Review is about 75% complete and should be ready for publication in March or April.

J. Faculty Handbook - No Report.

K. Elections - No Report.

L. Ad Hoc Bookstore Committee

Senator Baltensperger reported for Cynthia Ware. A meeting was held on December 11, 1981 and a list of problem areas to be considered developed. The next meeting will be on January 6, 1982. Input from the faculty was solicited. See report on page 1994 (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

 

Old Business

A. Proposal 3-82, Bachelor of Science in Scientific Technical Communication

Senator Agin moved for adoption of proposal 3-82, Bachelor of Science in Scientific Technical Communication. Since the proposal was made as a result of a committee report, no second was required. Senator Agin introduced Dr. Jobst to discuss the proposal and program. He explained that the majority of the students in the program are transfer students who have already met requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree but receive a Bachelor of Arts degree since that is all that can currently be offered. This proposal will place Michigan Technological University graduates in technical communications in a more favorable position with recruiters. The vote for adoption was 20 with 3 abstentions.

B. Budget Liaison Officer

The selection of Duane Abata as the Budget Liaison Officer by President Pintar and President Stein requires ratification by the Faculty Senate. Senator Boutilier moved that Duane Abata be accepted by the Senate as the Budget Liaison Officer. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote. President Pintar asked for input regarding desired objectives of the Senate Budget Committee. Ideas should be provided to Senator Monson who will chair the committee. President Stein indicated that it was his hope that the Budget Committee will provide a source of information and assistance to the administration through the Budget Liaison Officer particularly when dealing with projected budget cuts. Additional involvement in planning in the budget process is expected to be developed.

C. Straw Vote for Support to Student Participation in Silver Dome Snow Statue Contest

Senator Sloan reported that based on the strong Senate guidance in the straw vote, no additional effort was required by the committee other than to reinforce the straw vote taken on November 11, 1981 which indicated faculty support for the participation of 10-15 MTU students in the Michigan Winter Fest Snow Statue competition in conjunction with the 1982 Super Bowl. Students will be required to work out the details with faculty and the Dean of Students.

New Business

A. Graduate School Day

The representation of the Graduate Student Council asked for an indication of faculty support of a Graduate School Day similar to Career Day held in the Fall Quarter. The purpose would be to generate interest in graduate programs at MTU. Senator Heckel suggested that the President of ODK be contacted since that organization also had a forum scheduled on the same topic. It was generally assumed that faculty support could be assumed, but that graduate student participation would be highly desirable. It was also suggested that recent graduate students who have left MTU could be invited back to give their perspective on the value of the graduate degree both from a financial and job satisfaction standpoint. Dr. Whitten gave his strong support to the idea and endorsed the contact with the ODK group.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.