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The Senate of
Michigan Technological University
Minutes of Meeting No. 187
President Julien called meeting No. 187 to order at 7:05pm on
1992 February 5 in Ballroom A of the Memorial Union Building.
I. Roll Call
There were 24 senators or alternates present.
Absent: W. Shapton, T. Shipley, J. Daavetila, P. Laks
J. Ellis, M. McKimpson, P. Moore, G. Pliska-Matyshak,
C. Tompkins, W. Powers, C. Vilmann
II. Visitors
John Caron was a visitor.
III. Minutes
The minutes of Special Meeting No. 4 of 1991 and meeting No.
186 were approved as corrected.
IV. President's Report.
Several items were to be covered in connection with other
reports, so there was no separate report.
V. Vice - President's Report.
V. Vilmann submitted through Julien a copy of the statement
about the vote of confidence made to the MSTU Board of Control
at the informal meeting of the President's Cabinet with the
Board held on 1992 January 31. A copy is attached as Appendix
A.
There was considerable discussion about the informal meeting
with the Board.
1. The Board did not seem pleased about the existence of the
vote of confidence. They said that faculty opinion is
only one of the criteria used to evaluate administrators.
2. There is perceived to be a need to coordinate support for
President Tompkin's policy of openness.
3. There were some actions taken as a result of this
discussion.
(a) It was moved by P. Tampas and seconded by C. Selfe
that the Senate Executive Committee meet with
President Tompkins to discuss our view of
communication with the Board. Passed 13 Yes; 5
No.
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(b) It was moved by C. Selfe and seconded by J.
Fynewever that Senate members who attended
meetings with the Board of Control draft an open
letter to the Board for publication in the
Michigan Tech Lode.
(c) It was moved by M. Vable and seconded by D.
Hubbard that the motion be amended to read as
follows:
The MTU Senate endorses the policy of
participatory activity and opennes in the
operation of MTU and that a public statement about
this be written and approved by the Senate at the
meeting to be held 1992 February 19.
It was moved and seconded tha tthe motion bve
amended further to read as follows:
The MTU Senate endorses the policy of President
Tompkins with respect to participatory processes
and openness.
The second amendment failed.
The first amendment passed: 13 Yes; 6 No.
President Julien instructed the Board of Control
Liaison Task Force to prepare the statement.
(c) It was moved by T. Sharik and seconded by B. Seely
that the Board of Control Liaison Committee made
up of chairpersons of the Senate Committee meet
with the Board of Control to discuss
communications and the democratic process at MTU.
Passed.
VI. Committee Reports
A. Budget Liaison Officer
Part of this report came from the President's Cabinet and
was reported by L. Julien.
1) The Board of Control believes that there will be no
increase or reduction in the state appropriations for
next year.
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2) The Board will not make a 21% tuition increase. The
increase will be lower.
3) The Board will not support any major expense without
specific funds being designated for it.
C. Walck continued the report.
4) The Board of Control wants to hire an interim chief
financial officer. A candidate has been identified and
will be interviewed. The Financial Advisory Committee
has not selected this candidate from a pool of
qualified candidates.
B. Curricular Policy - No report
C. Fringe Benefits
1. Further presentations of the proposed retirement plan
have been made.
* Deans and Department Heads (Friday, 1992 Jan.31)
* President and Vice-Presidents(Tues., 1992 Feb.4)
* Financial Advisory Committee (Tues., 1992 Feb.4)
All groups were in favor of a plan similar to the one
proposed. New cases will be studied to determine the
costs of the program under different sets of assumptions.
A new table of netcosts is attached as Appendix B. A
graphy of part of this information is also attached.
2. L. Juliew reported the Board of Control response to the
proposed retirement program.
The Board is in favor of a uniform retirement policy.
Because the Board believes that the state appropriateion
will not be increased, the money for the program must
come from current funds. No loans will be solicited to
finance any retirement program.
3. C. Walck reported the Financial Advisory Committee
response to the proposed programs.
Two questions were discussed:
(a) Should there be a co-payment for medical benefits
for the retiree and spouse?
(b) What should the amount of the annuity be?
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D. Institutional Evaluation
Two evaluation plans are being developed -- rapid feedback
and reappointment. The plan for evaluation for
reappointment is complete.
The feedback plan is in the first draft stage. The outline
is as follows.
1. Reminder to administrators to be evaluated to
distribute forms.
2. Forms collected by department senators.
3. Data compiled by Center for Teaching Excellence.
4. Comments sent to those being evaluated.
5. Summarized numerical results sent to supervisors of
those being evaluated.
The committee is still working on the disposition of the
comments.
E. Instructional Policy
Three items are being considered.
1. Clarification of final examination policy.
2. Student integrity policy.
3. Cheating policy.
F. Board of Control Liaison
Report was given as part of other reports.
G. Elections
It was moved by T. Grezlak and seconded by L. Leifer that
the position of laboratory supervisor be included in the
senate constituency.
Passed (one dissenting vote)
VII. Reports from ad hoc and other committees
A. Task Forceon Trade Offs; University Planning Committee
No report.
B. Computer Executive Committee
The Alliant Computer proposal was sent forward. The Board
of Control approved this because there was no cost. The
Cabinet discussion was
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unfavorable. No one seems to know what the actual cost will
be. There should be a report from the computer advisory
committee.
C. President's Cabinet
Report has been given as part of other reports.
D. Faculty governance and selection of supervisors
Three documents about proposed procedures were distributed.
1. Position discription
2. Department charter
3. Search procedures
These documents are attached as Appendix C.
Senators should be ready to give feedback at the next
meeting.
VIII. Old Business
A. Senate constitution and constituency task force.
The task force is meeting by mail about the constituency.
They still plan to examine constitutions from other
univerisites and to develop a model constitution.
B. It was moved by M. Vable and seconded by K. Heuvers that a
Senate handbook of procedures be developed.
Passed.
IX. New Business
A. Written records of deliberations of all committees dealing
with promotion and tenure should be kept. This will be an
item to be discussed at the next meeting.
B. Nominations for the Treasurer Search Committee
Nominations are to be closed on Thursday, Feb. 13.
Lists are to be sent Fridaym Feb. 14.
Election will be at the meeting of Feb. 19.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 pm.
Submitted by,
Davis W. Hubbard
Senate Secretary
.