MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER 122
OF The
Senate OF mICHIGAN tECHNOLOGical university

10 February 1982

(Senate Minute pages: 1996-2048)

President A. Pintar called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., February 10, 1982 in the Faculty Lounge of the Memorial Union.

Roll: Twenty seven members/alternates were present. Absent were Bates (CH/CE); Brahney (HU); Frick (NU); Heckel (AL); Rupley (Aerospace);. Wilson (FFC); and Drutowski (Grad. Student Council).

Recognition of Visitors: There were no visitors to be recognized.

Minutes of Previous Meeting - There were no amendments to the minutes and they were approved as written.

President's Report:

President Pintar presented the highlights of his written report (pages 2001-2005 - Available by Request from the Senate Office). An opportunity was provided to read pages 2002 and 2003 which outlined the enforcement interpretations for implementation of Proposal 1-82, Repeat Policy. There were no questions or recommended changes. He also reported the formulation of an Ad Hoc University Committee on Surveying to review the role and status of surveying at MTU. This was discussed further under new business since an impartial Senator from Business Administration or Science and Arts was desired to provide a fifth committee member.

Included in the President's report is an MTU information paper on Corporate Funding. President Stein was asked if he had any comments in this regard and he stated the intent of the program was to maintain momentum in acquiring external funding. The approach will provide the base for a centennial campaign in 1985.

Vice President's Report

Vice President Crowther presented the highlights of the January 19 and February 9 Academic Council Meetings (page 2006-2009 - Available by Request from the Senate Office). Topics discussed in these meetings included procedures for obtaining course change approval, establishment of a University committee on surveying and the study of the problem of temporary, part-time faculty development.

Also discussed was a special meeting called by President Stein regarding employment of foreign nationals at MTU. Fred Gunnell and Mary Kay Simon have received recent training in the proper procedures to be followed in the processing of alien status for employment. They presented general guidelines at the meeting. Questions regarding applicable procedures can be addressed to these individuals. See also memo at page 2010 (Available by Request from the Senate Office) for basic guidance. Some comments were made regarding the above academic council meeting reports. Senator Tampas, School of Technology, expressed concern regarding comments about the credentials of faculty members and remedial courses and a perception of some of the faculty that courses in the School of Technology were "not really college level courses." He felt that the School of Technology should be evaluated for what it was, a lower division, college level program. Dr. Whitten also addressed several statements within the report which as written were not a true reflection of what went on.

  1. First paragraph, page 2 of the January 19 meeting implies that the proposal had not been submitted to the Senate when in fact it was the courses within the program that was the object of the discussion.

  2. On the 3rd and 9th paragraphs of the report of the February 9 meeting, the word "philosophical" was removed not "philosophical statement."

  3. In the penultimate paragraph of the same report, a recommendation was made that twice annually a list of courses proposed, reviewed, and acted upon and the action taken should be submitted to the Academic Council. These reports are different from the annual report which this committee is obligated to issue.

  4. On the last page of the report, he took exception to the implication that there was no way to remedy any of the problems without great cost. Some solutions would not cost much while others were not as feasible from a cost standpoint.

  5. The last paragraph, which Senator Tampas referred to, creates the erroneous impression that all the remarks regarding the transfer of remedial or elementary level instruction was directed at the School of Technology. In fact, it was only mentioned in a discussion of the whole question of the future, the promotion, the status of faculty and in particular, the faculty dominantly in the College of Science and Arts where they are on part-time or visiting status. Set out boldly as a separate paragraph, a rather wrong impression of the spirit of the discussion of that meeting is given.
 

Committee Reports

A. Curricular Policy

Senator Agin reported that the committee had met several times since the last Senate meeting on two items.

The first is the formulation of a statement of goals and objectives of freshman English. The committee has met with director of Freshman English and various faculty members involved in the HU101, 102, 103 sequence, and are close to a consensus. Hopefully, a statement will be ready for the next Senate meeting.

The second item is a proposal to develop a Master of Science in Operations Management Degree Program. This proposal will be presented for consideration at the next Senate meeting. Stated simply, Proposal 4-82 says that the Senate endorses the development of a Master of Science in Operations Management degree program (See page 2011 - Available by Request from the Senate Office).

President Pintar asked Senator Agin if the committee was in receipt of a memo from Dr. Winslow regarding development of a Science, Technology and Society Program. He replied that the memo had been received but since the program was in the developmental stage, there was nothing official to act on at this point. It is expected in the Spring quarter.

B. Instructional Policy

Senator Sloan reported that the committee has received the activity calendar for inclusion in the 1983-85 catalog. They also considered the use of newer sophisticated hand-held computer/calculators in examinations. A positive approach was taken to encourage their use and teach students how to use the increased technical capability. The committee has one pending issue which is a suggestion to possibly revise the drop policy. It will be reviewed considering the impact of the new repeat policy. A copy of the written report is at page 2012 (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

C. Institutional Evaluation

Senator Bates was not available to provide a report but Professor Hauge, from the committee was available to present a report on Decision-Making in Academic Affairs with special attention to the role of Heads/Chairpersons. A copy of the report was provided to all present and is included in the minutes at pages 2013-1025 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). The report was prepared based on 71 responses received from a survey designed to measure faculty perceptions of who is doing what or to what extent is faculty participative in decision making about functions within departments. Also evaluated was the question of what faculty felt ought to be appropriate procedurally. Due to the length of the report, Professor Hauge agreed to return to the next Senate meeting to address questions after the Senators had an opportunity to review the written report.

D. Promotional Policy and Professional Standards and Development

Senator Suryanarayana did not have a report but suggested that Senator Tampas provide an abstract of the progress of the Ad Hoc Task Force on MIchigan Technological University Promotion and Tenure Policy.

E. Ad Hoc Task Force on Promotion and Tenure

Senator Tampas reported that three meetings had been held since the last Senate meeting. These minutes have been provided for inclusion in the minutes of the Senate. See pages 2026-2033 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). He also announced a mini-luncheon on February 16 to encourage input and comments from the faculty to a discussion draft. It was emphasized that the draft was not close to final form but was intended only to generate discussion and input. See discussion draft 1 on page 2033. A key issue being addressed is lengthening the maximum probationary period for the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. See page 2028 for a display of some possible tenure and promotion review schedules. Minutes of meetings no. 2 and 3 contain listings of several topics on which consensus has been reached. See pages 2026-2027 (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

F. Budget Committee

Senator Monson reported that the committee had its first meeting. Major efforts in the first year will be to gather information about the University budget process and provide a liaison between the faculty and the administration. Several questions were posed to the University budget director, Mr. Eilola who provided answers to specific questions and copies of system documentation. See pages 2034 and 2035 (Available by Request from the Senate Office) for a copy of the report. Further questions or comments from the faculty are welcomed by the committee. Senator Sloan requested that the committee provide a brief answer to the questions raised in the report and provide to the Senate at the next meeting. There are still openings on the committee. You need not be a Senator to be on the committee and if you would like to serve, contact Dr. Monson.

G. Joint Committee on Relations Between the Senate and Faculty Association - No Report.

H. Faculty Fringe Benefits

A copy of the committee report of a meeting held on January 25 is at page 2036 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). No questions were raised.

I. Committee on Committees - No Report. The Secretary was asked to contact Senator Rupley to give a report at the next meeting.

J. Senate Handbook - No Report.

K. Faculty Handbook - No Report.

L. Elections - No Report.

M. Ad Hoc Bookstore Committee - Senator Thomas reported that questionnaires had been circulated and the review begun.

 

Old Business - None

 

New Business

A. Ad Hoc Committee on Surveying

A fifth member from the Senate representing either the College of Science and Arts or Business Administration was sought to serve on the committee to provide some sort of external perspective. The Mining Department has also asked that they be represented. President Pintar asked if there was a Senator interested in serving on the committee. There were no volunteers (The Executive Committee appointed Senator Rivard following the Senate meeting).

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.