MINUTES OF MEETING NUMBER 153
OF The
Senate OF mICHIGAN tECHNOLOGical university

10 December 1986

(Senate Minute pages: 2557 -2652 - pages misnumbered in official copy)

President's Report (Appendix A - Available by Request from the Senate Office).

President Shapton briefed the Senate on the contents of his report.

He then mentioned an invitation he had received to attend a meeting of faculty representatives from various universities. The Senate expressed strong support that a representative from Michigan Tech should attend meetings of this type. Spencer Hill made a motion that the roles and responsibilities of the Faculty Senate be re-examined and defined.

President Shapton clarified this motion by assigning the Institutional Evaluation Committee with the task of examining the Senate's Role. Where does the Faculty Senate fit in? When must it be consulted? Professor Abata mentioned that a few years ago Sue Beske-Diehl had done a great deal of work on this issue. President Shapton acknowledged that much information is available and taking another look at the Senate's role should be helpful.

A motion for the Institutional Evaluation committee to review this topic was passed.

Vice President's Report (Appendix B - Available by Request from the Senate Office).

 

Committee Reports

A. Curricular Policy - No Report.

B. Instructional Policy

Two members are needed for this committee. Dennis Miller reported on the results of a survey the committee conducted on the question of "feedback" to the students within the first four weeks of the term. Of the departments that responded it was determined that about 63 percent of courses have some kind of positive or negative feedback within the first four weeks of the term. Mr. Miller was not comfortable with these figures. The committee is planning to do a more extensive survey this term.

Donald Cape expressed support for the idea that feedback on how the student is doing in the course be provided by the drop deadline. He felt this was not an unreasonable request.

President Stein stated that this is an issue which will require the faculty and students to work together. He said he would be happier in approving the final policy on this issue if the faculty and student body had both been involved in the development of the policy.

George Meese pointed out that students should take some initiative in seeking feedback on their progress from the instructors if none has been given. President Shapton also mentioned that the course syllabus should show when quizzes/tests are scheduled. If none are scheduled within the first four weeks this could be addressed by the students.

C. Institutional Evaluation - Appendix C (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

George Meese submitted this report. Two major issues to be addressed are student retention and policies affecting graduate students and faculty. Mr. Meese also requested that one or two student members be allowed to join this committee. Permission was given. He also asked for faculty input on the two issues listed in Appendix C.

D. Budget - No report.

E. Faculty Fringe Benefits - No report.

F. Elections - No report.

G. Faculty Handbook - No report.

H. Planning: Subcommittees are being formed to address specific issues.

I. General Education - No report.

 

Old Business - Spencer Hill suggested that more than one building representative might be necessary to insure compliance with non-smoking policies.

 

New Business - None

 

A motion was called to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved.