MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER 126
OF The
Senate OF mICHIGAN tECHNOLOGical university

10 November 1982

(Senate Minute pages: 2165-2175)

President D. Abata called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m., November 10, 1982 in the Faculty Lounge of the Memorial Union. This meeting was rescheduled from November 3, 1982 due to the lack of a quorum on that date.

Roll: Twenty five members/alternates were present. Absent were: Gimmestad (KRC); Smith (MY), Sathyanarayanan (Grad. Student Council); and Suryanarayana (ME-EM); Stein (President) and Kaufman (Student Council).

Recognition of Visitors: There were no visitors recognized

Minutes of Previous Meeting - The minutes of meeting number 125 were approved as written.

President's Report:

President Abata's written report is given on pages 2169-2170 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). Major items included:

  1. Meetings with Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for Research
  2. Committee resignations, appointments, and restructuring
  3. Proposed policy on academic tenure
  4. Budget Liaison Officer

In addition, President Abata presented the Senate calendar for the coming year indicating that proposals, committee reports, and other business to be included in the agenda should be submitted two weeks in advance of the Senate meeting. The Senate Council (Steering Committee) will then meet to draw up the agenda for mailing ten days in advance of the Senate meeting. A note about the meeting will appear in Tech Topics the Friday before the meeting.

In discussion of the report, it was pointed out that former Senator Sloan had resigned as chairperson of the Instructional Policy Committee and former Senator Bates had resigned as Chairperson of the Institutional Evaluation Committee.

Vice President's Reports

Vice President Monson reported on the September 24, 1982 Board of Control meeting, and the November 2, 1982 meeting of the Academic Council. A written report for the former was given on page 2158 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). Major items at the Academic Council meeting were:

  1. Univac 1100/80 departmental allocations
  2. Library acquisitions
  3. English language ability of GTAs

A written report is given on page 2171 (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

 

Committee Reports

A. Curricular Policy

Senator Ottenstein reported that the committee had discussed the proposed program for certification of secondary school teachers of Computer Science. The committee did not feel this was a new program which would require Senate action under Proposal 10-70. However, they did feel that endorsement of the program by the Senate would add leverage in obtaining approval from the State Board of Education.

The committee unanimously recommended adoption of the following motion:

The Senate of Michigan Technological University strongly endorses the proposed program for the certification of Secondary School Teachers of Computer Science and further recommends that the Michigan State Board of Education include computer science as a field for certification.

which after a short discussion was unanimously approved by the Senate.

B. Instructional Policy

Senator Hutzler indicated that members of the committee are Beckwith (MA-CS); Gappy (PE); Greuer (Mining); Kaufman (Student Council); and Tampas (Technology).

They have considered an item brought up by former Senate President Pintar concerning Proposal 1-82: Repeat Policy and the administrative interpretation of rule #9 of the interpretation/enforcement of the policy. The Vice President for Academic Affairs has noted that this item was at variance with the Board of Control Policy which states:

In order to receive a degree from Michigan Technological University, a student must be enrolled for the last three quarters of academic work at the University. The Vice President for Administrative Services is authorized to grant exceptions to this requirement in individual cases.

C. Institutional Evaluation

As reported by Senator Beske-Diehl, the committee has been discussing three areas of interest. Senate improvement and committee restructuring will be considered under New Business. The other topic has been evaluation of the chairmanship structure in some departments. A thorough internal review has been completed by the ME-EM department and the Civil Engineering department has a review underway. Rather than have two questionnaires on the same topic, the committee will be cooperating with these departments to evaluate Chairmanship versus Department Head.

D. Promotional Policy and Professional Standards and Development

Senator Pintar indicated the committee will be studying a proposal pertaining to the establishment of promotion and tenure committees within the departments.

E. Budget - No Report.

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

G. Faculty Fringe Benefits - No Report.

H. Senate Handbook

Senator Pintar stated that the handbook is in the process of being printed and should be available shortly. President Abata indicated that each Senator should act as a proofreader rather than waiting for one individual to do the proofreading.

I. Faculty Handbook

Senator Crowther presented a written report which is given on page 2171 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). Several items in the report were discussed. The retirement policy given in the handbook is contrary to Federal Law in that it gives a mandatory retirement age. Vice President Whitten indicated that this is a very complex issue and that although the retirement policy should be enunciated, it is very difficult to do it at this time. Senator Crowther reiterated that the Senate Fringe Benefit Committee would be the appropriate body to discuss this.

Senator Tampas noted that in the past the Definition of Faculty indicated that undergraduate faculty were those people instructing undergraduates pursuing baccalaureate degrees. Faculty in the School of Technology teach students pursuing associate degrees and were not considered part of the academic faculty. It was pointed out that the Board of Control manual has been revised and the definition may now be in suitable form and could be used in the handbook.

After a short discussion concerning an amendment to the Senate Constitution regarding residency requirements for Senate membership, the matter was referred to the Senate Council for action.

 

Old Business

A. Special Meeting of the Senate

President Abata reviewed events that had taken place subsequent to the special meeting (Meeting minutes Available by Request from the Senate Office, pp. 2159-2164 ), and Senator Tampas summarized the response of the Task Force to the Senate resolution indicating that these items had been given serious consideration previously. Senator Francis suggested that the Senate could provide a guide to the proposed changes in the tenure policy, both pros and cons. Discussion indicated that many Senators felt that sufficient information was available and, in view of the time constraints, this suggestion was not acted upon.

New Business

A. Committee Structure

President Abata reviewed a proposed committee structure suggested by the Senate Council. Much of the restructuring was based on work done last year by former Senator Rupley. After some discussion it was referred to to the Institutional Evaluation Committee.

B. Improving the Faculty Senate

Former Senator Reynolds was invited to introduce this subject. He commented on a survey concerning the strengths and weaknesses of the Senate and stated that although the Senate can and does provide a forum for important issues, there was considerable feeling that many important decisions take place outside the Senate or that they were made and the Senate ratified the decisions afterwards. The general perception was that the Senate has limited importance in that it can only recommend actions. However, it was noted that the Administration is required to respond to Senate proposals and therefore the Senate does have an influence on administrative decisions.

During discussion it was pointed out that in the past the Senate has been occupied with relatively unimportant issues and that there is a need to tackle more global issues with respect to the University. It was suggested that the Senate can improve its image by adopting a leadership role in dealing with important issues early. One of the methods adopted by the current Senate Council to give more visibility to the Senate has been to provide Tech Topics with a summary of meetings. It was also stated that there is a joint responsibility for the Senate and the Administration to maintain the strength of the Senate.

There was considerable discussion concerning university service which centered on acknowledgement and recognition for service. Some faculty feel that they do not get credit for university service, such as serving on the Senate or committee work, and therefore, there is no reason to get involved. It was pointed out that much of this perception is based on historical factors and that the present administration does encourage involvement. However, junior faculty should be prudent in allocating time to committees.

C. Hazardous Activities by Students

Senator Crowther reported that a recent memo indicated that students not on payroll are not covered by University insurance and therefore they should not engage in potentially hazardous activities. As a result, the Forestry Department was given instructions not to allow students hands-on use of certain types of equipment such as chain saws. It was pointed out that potentially hazardous activities occur in many departments and that these activities are an important part of the student's learning experience.

The matter was referred to the Instructional Policy Committee.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.