MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER 128
OF The
Senate OF mICHIGAN tECHNOLOGical university

9 February 1983

(Senate Minute pages: 2190-2207)

President D. Abata called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m., February 9, 1983 in the Ballroom of the Memorial Union.

Roll: Twenty seven members/alternates were present. Absent were: Baltensperger (SS); Gappy (PE); Johnson (IMR); Miller (CH/CE); and Sathyanarayanan (Grad. Student Council).

Recognition of Visitors: There were no visitors recognized

Minutes of Previous Meetings

A. Special Meeting of October 26, 1982 - The minutes were approved as written

B. Meeting No. 126

Senator Hutzler noted that on p. 2168 under item C, the final sentence should read: "The matter was referred to the Senate President with a suggestion that it be referred to the Instructional Policy Committee."

Senator Tampas indicated that on p. 2167 under item I, Faculty Handbook, the sentence in the middle paragraph should read "Faculty in the School of Technology teach students pursuing associate degrees yet are considered part of the academic faculty." It was pointed out that the Board of Control has a revised definition of faculty which will be used in the new Faculty Handbook and should alleviate confusion.

C. Meeting No. 127 - The minutes were approved as written.

President's Report:

President Abata's written report is given on pages 2195 and 2196 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). The following major items were included:

  1. Meeting with Library Director
  2. Discussion of State budget deferrals
  3. Formation of Retrenchment Planning Committee
  4. New/modified academic programs
  5. Bookstore policies

Vice President's Reports

Vice President Monson's written report on the January 11, 1983 Academic Council meeting is on pages 2188-2189 Available by Request from the Senate Office). The report includes items on:

  1. Excessive classroom use of computer terminals
  2. Evening exams
  3. Changes in policy for thesis binding
  4. Creativity grants
  5. Arts and Humanities Center renovations

Discussion of item i. indicated that because the facilities are in the ME-EM department, other departments have difficulty scheduling time. In effect, ME-EM students have double access to the facilities because they have reserve time and regular time.

President Abata attended the January 28,2983 Board of Control meeting and his written report is given on ages 2197-2198 (Available by Request from the Senate Office). The most significant item was concerning the State budget deferral. Recommendations to reduce the effect on MTU, presented by President Stein and Vice President Koepel were approved by the Board. Other items discussed were:

  1. Loans to MTU
  2. Undergraduate tuition
  3. Cooperative education relationship with Central Michigan University
  4. Sex discrimination policies
  5. Miscellaneous

There was some discussion concerning item iii. and it was pointed out that the intent was to allow downstate students the opportunity to pursue an engineering degree without going to the University of Michigan or Michigan State. It will be an effective way of serving the needs of the area without starting another engineering program. However, the relationship will not be restricted to engineering, and other possibilities will be explored. There is potential for attracting more students into graduate programs at MTU and the cooperative relationship should provide additional continuing education opportunities.

In answer to a question about the budget, President Stein indicated that there were no new developments. He noted that there is likely to be an increase in State income tax, but with so many new legislators with no track record, it is difficult to know how they will react. There does seem to be sentiment now in support or higher education and K-12 education, so that revenues may be earmarked for education.

 

Committee Reports

A. Curricular Policy

Senator Ottenstein introduced Proposal 4-83, Master of Science in Mineral Economics and Proposal 5-83, Master of Science in Operations Management and indicated that the Senate had endorsed development of these two Master's programs last year as Proposals 7-82 and 4-82, respectively. Now that the School of Business has developed program specifics and the State recently gave necessary approvals, the School of Business would like the programs approved as soon as possible so that they can start signing up students for these programs. The Graduate Council has approved Proposals 4-83 and 5-83 unanimously, with minor editorial changes. In accordance with Senate Policy 10-70, the Curricular Policy Committee has discussed the proposals, has approved them, and has moved for their adoption by the Senate.

Because the proposals were not introduced in sufficient time to be included with the agenda, a motion was made and seconded that Proposals 4-83 and 5-83 be considered as emergency submissions. The motion was approved unanimously.

In further discussion of the proposals, the consensus of the Senate was that, although these were emergency submissions, they have been well documented, discussed extensively in the past, and recently in committee, and the Senate did not feel pressured to act speedily. It was noted that the State had responded favorably to the degree titles indicating that they would enhance the image of MTU's technological education program. When put to the vote, both Proposal 4-83 and Proposal 5-83 were unanimously recommended for adoption.

B. Instructional Policy - No Report.

C. Institutional Evaluation

Senator Beske-Diehl reported that the committee is still working on ways to strengthen the Senate and is currently reviewing documents from other institutions. The committee has received input from several departments, but is looking for further input from other departments, Senators and faculty.

D. Promotional Policy and Professional Standards and Development

Senator Pintar indicated that Proposal 3-83 will be considered under Old Business.

E. Budget - No Report.

F. Faculty Fringe Benefits - No Report.

G. Faculty Handbook

Senator Crowther reported that preparations are well underway for a new edition of the handbook.

Old Business

A. Proposal 2-83, Change in Residency Requirement

In accordance with requirements in the Senate Constitution, Proposal 2-83, which is a constitutional amendment, was introduced by the Senate Council for the second time. Following no discussion, the proposal was unanimously recommended for adoption. It will now be submitted to the academic faculty for a ratification vote.

B. Proposal 3-83, Amendment of University Promotion Policy and Procedures

Senator Pintar as chairman of the Promotion Policy and Professional Standards and Development Committee introduced Proposal 3-83 from that committee. The intent of this proposal is to allow for flexibility in the selection of departmental promotion committees, where the faculty of each department will determine criteria and methods of selection for the committee.

It was pointed out that the proposal, as written, does not allow for committees in schools which do not have formal departments. There was additional comment that the wording did not suggest a spirit of cooperation between faculty and department head and that the wording should be changed to suggest this. After further discussion, it was decided that the suggested changes amounted to more than editorial changes and the proposal was referred back to the committee for revision.

C. Senate Handbook

The draft copy of the Senate Handbook contains many typographical errors and requires some changes. Senate Secretary Adams has received information on errors from several Senators and will be making corrections to the handbook.

New Business

A. Presentation on Library Policy

President Abata introduced Professor Lee Lebbin, Director of the Library, who discussed library policy with regards to circulation of periodicals. Lebbin indicated that in response to concerns about previous circulation policy for periodicals, i.e., bound volumes circulate for one week and current issues do not circulate, the library adopted a policy that both bound and unbound periodicals can circulate for 24 hours; there is a $1 a day fine for overdue periodicals which jumps to $5 a day for an overdue item, which has been requested by another individual, after the person holding the item has been notified.

The rationale behind these changes was an effort to make sure that copies of periodicals are available in the library for faculty or students who need them. The fine system was imposed to help retrieve some of the costs involved in recalling overdue periodicals and to help get people to respond to requests for overdue items.

The 24 hour circulation allows a faculty member to use the periodical overnight and make a photocopy if necessary. Lebbin did mention that a couple of departments had indicated that this was insufficient time because of demands on photocopying machines.

Lebbin asked to be told of actual instances where the new policy had handicapped individuals and specifically asked that Senators talk with the faculty they represent and relay to him comments concerning the policy. The library is looking for a policy that helps individual faculty members have access to the material but also allows access to all people who want the material available.

In response to questions, Professor Lebbin stated that the new policy was implemented because of a general concern among the faculty that it was difficult to find periodicals in the Library. He noted that the number of faculty who do not return items is fairly small but they are not the same people over and over again. In the following discussion, it was pointed out that the ME-EM faculty generally felt that 24 hours was insufficient time and has requested a 3-day circulation. They also felt a fine of 25 cents would be adequate. There was some feeling that the entire faculty was being restricted because of the actions of a small group.

A comment was made that the new policy will be hard on graduate students because of limited space to work in the library and the costs involved in photocopying the required journals. It was noted that the Geology Department has initiated a petition which would require an individual to sign a release allowing the library to release information about who had a required item. There was some discussion as to the legality of this release form.

It was reemphasized that the new policy is helping to obtain fast turnaround and that more periodicals are found on the library shelves when needed.

B. Senate Ad Hoc Retrenchment Policy Planning Committee

Vice President Monson as chairperson of this committee presented a written report (p. 2205 - (Available by Request from the Senate Office). In addition to the people mentioned, Professor Paul Nelson (BA) is also on the committee. The intent was to have representation from each school as well as a representative for the research institutes.

The committee has prepared a role statement given on page 2205 (Available by Request from the Senate Office), and some background information which indicates more what the committee will not be doing than what they will be doing at this time. The committee does not intend to examine specific programs or areas but rather develop a general plan for the University. It was stressed that this will provide contingency planning and hopefully will not have to be implemented.

C. Fringe Benefit Proposal

President Abata introduced a proposal submitted by Senator Schwartz concerning Social Security. The proposal was referred to the Fringe Benefit Committee for action and reads as follows:

The Faculty Senate recommends that the administration take the necessary steps to withdraw employees of Michigan Tech from the Social Security system. Any monetary savings accruing to the university at any future time should be invested in the appropriate current retirement plans.

The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

 

Roy D. Adams
Senate Secretary