President Barstow read a memorandum from the Vice President of Academic Affairs and then referred it to the Curricular Policy Committee. It appears here as Appendix A (Available by Request from the Senate Office).

Report on Meetings of the Academic Council and Board of Control

1. Halkola reported on the last three meetings of the Academic Council. His report is included here as Appendix B (Available by Request from the Senate Office).
   
   
2. Weaver reported that although no observer was present at the October meeting of the Board of Control, he had obtained some information. Provisions were made with respect to Liberal Arts and Social Studies so as to re-emphasize the technological orientation of the University and still permit these departments to develop viable programs. An effort will be made to provide for community college needs for the local area acting in conjunction with other agencies in the area, both public and private. At the meeting on December 10, 1971, the Board of Control approved regulations on smoking and alcoholic beverages. (See Appendix C - Available by Request from the Senate Office).
   

Committee Reports

A. Curricular Policy Committee:

Weaver moved the adoption of Proposal 1-72 "Inter-Curricular Transfer Students" (p. 696). The motion was seconded. Several questions arose concerning whether the student should be permitted an option and also concerning the definition of the term "major . . . curricula." Williams moved that the proposal be returned to the committee for further study. The motion carried by a show of hands.

 

B. Instructional Policy

Halkola reported that the lack of student representation has hampered the operation of the committee all year. He had been informed that student members would be named soon. Hopefully, the committee could then get down to business.

 

C. Elections:

Greuer reported on the faculty ballot on Proposal 9-71, "Constitutional Amendment to Provide Student Representation"

In favor      172
Opposed    34
Invalid         29
    Total      235

In response to a question raised by Horvath, Greuer stated that the number of invalid ballots is about normal and that the majority were because of failure of the voter to sign the envelope. In spite of the fact that the signatures are the only means for validating the ballot and that words to that effect appear right on the ballot, people still fail to sign.

In response to a question from the floor, Secretary Horvath stated that Proposal 9-71 would not be submitted to President Smith for further action. Implementation must be preceded by Board of Control approval.

 

D. Accommodations

Doane introduced Proposal 2-72 and moved that it be considered as an emergency proposal since the second part involves a summer program on which work should be started soon if it is to be implemented this summer. The motion carried. Doane then moved the adoption of Proposal 2-72 as follows:

RESOLVED:

1. That the Department Head in each department designate a qualified adviser whose counseling responsibilities shall be limited to students who are academically disadvantaged.
   
   
2. That in recognition of its unique opportunity to meet some of the needs of a nearby racial minority, Michigan Technological University sponsor a program which would include (a) a motivational seminar for Indian youngsters who might benefit from a college or university experience, and a systematic follow-up with them, their parents, and their teachers; and (b) continuing education offerings at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Center.

The motion was seconded and during the discussion several amendments were proposed and passed. The final proposal then appeared as follows:

RESOLVED:

That in recognition of its responsibility to meet some of the needs of a nearby racial minority, Michigan Technological University sponsor a program which would include (a) a motivational seminar for American Indian youngsters who might benefit from a college or university experience, and a systematic follow-up with them, their parents, and their teachers; and (b) continuing education offerings at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Center.

The motion to adopt in this form was then approved by a show of hands.

 

E. Joint Faculty Association:

Ortner stated that the committee did have a chairman, Professor Chandler, but that he had no further report.

 

F. ROTC Review:

In the absence of Chairman Thayer and any substitute spokesman, Secretary Horvath read a proposal received from the committee concerning academic credit for ROTC. This proposal appears as Appendix D and will come before the Senate at its next meeting.

 

G. Sick Leave:

Keeling stated that the committee felt the need for some faulty feedback and had decided to hold two open meetings (for any interested faculty members) as follows:

Tuesday, January 25, 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 27, 3:00 p.m.

Both meetings will be held in room 212 at the Library. Notices will be sent to all faculty members.

 

G. Promotional Policy :

Crowther reported that further progress had been made in preparing a suitable proposal following lengthy discussions with members of the administration as well as former members of the committee. He hoped to be able to present a final proposal sometime before the next Senate meeting.

 

 

Old Business

Liba asked whether there was any University policy concerning the confidentiality of the information obtained from teacher evaluation forms. He had heard of several alleged instances where such information was "used for hiring and firing." President Barstow stated that he was unaware of any policy in regard to a formal teacher evaluation program and that, therefore, any such program would be an internal policy within each school, department, or college.

Secretary's Note: An earlier Senate committee had recommended that each teacher make use of an evaluation form and that the use be confined to individual departments for the purpose of improving teaching (see p. 531). However, no proposal to that effect was made. In contrast, Western Michigan has a formal policy which implies that such information should be used in reaching decisions concerning tenure, promotions, and salaries (see p. 478).

It was then moved and seconded that a committee be appointed with the specific charge to study the use of teacher evaluation forms for purposes other than self-improvement. The motion passed by a vote of 81 Yes, 5 No.

There followed a discussion of the procedural details involved in the dismissal of the original, and the reappointment of the new, Promotional Policy Committee.

 

New Business

President Barstow distributed a memorandum to the members present which introduced the subject of the academic calendar (see Appendix E -- Available by Request from the Senate Office). Following a brief discussion President Smith responded to each of the points raised in Barstow's memorandum. He indicated that the primary aim was to determine whether there was any practical way to get the students out earlier in the spring. President Smith further stated that if President Barstow wanted to rewrite the charge to the committee in line with some of the points raised in the discussion, he was welcome to do so. Barstow then suggested that the committee be appointed subject to the following charge: The committee is to examine the desirability, feasibility, and implications of adjusting the University calendar to permit earlier termination of the spring quarter.

This charge seemed to be agreeable to all present.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.