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Page 3646 Minutes of Senate Meeting 191 7 Oct 1992
The Senate of Michigan Technological University
Minutes of Meeting No.191
I. Call to Order
President Sharik called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm on 7
October 1992 in Ballrooms 1&2, Memorial Union Building.
II. Roll Call of Regular Members
25 Senators or alternates were present. Absent: T. Shipley,
P. Laks, M. Gruener, M. McKimpson, G. Pliska-Matyshak.
III. Recognition of Visitors
William Shapton (E.S.I.), James Waber (Physics), Marcia
Goodrich (Tech Topics), Nancy Corrigan (temporary secretarial
assistant).
IV. Minutes
The minutes of Special Meeting No. 7 were accepted and
approved. The minutes of Meeting No. 190 were accepted,
corrected, and approved with corrections.
V. Senate President's Report
A. President Sharik expressed the Senate's appreciation for the
services of the previous officers and committee chairs.
B. Sharik discussed the ways in which he may interact with the
university community in his capacity as Senate president.
1. President Tompkins has asked to meet once per month on
a 1:1 basis with the Senate President; Sharik has agreed
to do this. The first meeting has already occurred.
Sharik agreed to ask the Senate to co-sponsor the "State
of the University" Forum with Sharik as moderator. This
request will be considered under New Business for the
present meeting.
2. As Senate President, Sharik is a member of the Faculty
Review Committee on ESI/Ventures, which was convened at
the request of Will Shapton, VP for ESI. Instead of a
report on the activity of the committee, Shapton was
asked to report directly to the Senate on recent
happenings at ESI.
William Shapton addressed the Senate: The Faculty
Review Committee is intended to broaden the input to the
ESI Board, meeting twice a week. The recommendations of
the committee for the rapid liquidation of Ventures have
complemented those of the board and the Senate. The
problems with liquidation involve liability for the
cleanup of old mining operations. The land and
properties cannot be given away. ESI has sold about
10,000 acres. Land sales for the year are about $1.7
million. Headquarters building on Sharon Ave. has been
sold. Letter of agreement has been signed for the sale
of Horner Flooring; a note for some of the proceeds of
the sale may be passed on to the University. The
Ventures assets are encumbered with mortgages. Back-
taxes are about $600,000. ESI hopes to sell the old
Houghton High School building and adjoining lot, the
Erickson sawmill, and Pelletech.
Questions and discussion centered on the possibility
of a surplus of assets over liabilities, on the legal
liability for cleanup, and the unknown value of
Pelletech.
3. Sharik is a member of the University President's
Cabinet, and is currently the only direct link between
the Senate and the Cabinet. The Cabinet has met only
once this AY, on Sept 28; Sharik was absent. The Cabinet
discussed the Senate proposal on spouse benefits, which
the MTU Board of Control had tabled. Members of the
Cabinet are looking into the proposal.
C. Sharik described the need for a written set of goals for the
Senate for the year, and perhaps the need for a "vision
statement" relative to the long-term direction for the Senate.
D. Sharik listed these items that the Senate might want to
consider in the coming year:
1. The role of the Senate in the question of unionization
of the faculty. Sponsorship of debates is one
possibility.
2. The question of salary structure of the University.
3. Creation of a faculty club, including a facility.
President Tompkins seems agreeable to the suggestion.
VI. Senate Vice-President's Report
Senate VP Vilmann reported on meetings of the Board of
Control; his written summary is Appendix A of these minutes.
There was a brief discussion of the Board's statements about
ESI/Ventures. The Board of Control now has a 15-minute period
for open questions at the end of their meetings.
Julien commented on the Board's handling of changes in the
MTU Procedures Manual. This is important relative to Senate
proposals sent to President Tompkins for approval and
implementation. The proposals take effect only when they are
incorporated in the Procedures Manual. President Tompkins
seemed uncertain what to do with the three proposals on
faculty governance forwarded to him from the Senate last
spring. Sharik said he would consult with Tompkins on the
handling of the proposals.
VII. Committee Reports
A. Election Committee: Chair J. Heyman reported that nomination
forms for the vacant 1994 at-large Senate seat are
circulating.
B. Budget Liaison Officer: No report.
C. Curricular Policy Committee: Chair T. Bornhorst reported
receipt of the information about the baccalaureate proposal
from the School of Technology.
D. Fringe Benefits Committee: Chair L. Leifer reported partial
acceptance of the retirement benefits package forwarded from
the Senate in the spring. His written summary is Appendix B
of these minutes. The Board is cautious about the plan's
financial impact. They will get frequent reports, the first
in January 1993. Discussion of the committee's plans
followed. The problem of the Senate's 2-year-old proposal for
spousal tuition was discussed.
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Page 3647 Minutes of Senate Meeting 191 7 Oct 1992
E. Institutional Evaluation Committee: Chair D. Hubbard
presented a written report (Appendix C of these minutes). The
ME-EM Dept has a charter that may serve as a model. In
addition, the Chemistry Department is writing their charter;
L. Julien is the contact.
F. Instructional Policy Committee: Chair K. Heuvers reported
on the probable activities of the committee, including a
proposal for Recognition of Quality Teaching, consideration
of a +/- grading system, and liaison with the Center for
Teaching Excellence for faculty evaluation.
G. Board of Control Liaison Task Force: Chair C. Vilmann
reported no activity.
H. Constitution & Constituency Committee: J. Waber reported on
recent activities of the committee, and a constitution which
he had drafted. Waber had talked with President Tompkins
about the makeup of a faculty senate, which Tompkins favors.
Waber discussed definitions of faculty members, and
representation.
Senate discussion and questions initially concerned the
makeup and size of the prospective faculty senate, its role
as an advisory vs. approving body, the size vs. effectiveness
of the prospective senate, and the best method of presenting
the new constitution to the constituency.
Further discussion concerned the makeup of the
Constitution and Constituency Committee, and whether the
committee was proceeding properly. Heuvers, Vilmann, and
Mullins volunteered to serve on the committee, with Heuvers
serving as chair.
VIII. Reports from Affiliated and Ad Hoc Committees
A. President Tompkins's Cabinet: President Sharik reported on
cabinet activities in his report to the Senate.
B. Task Force on Tradeoffs: Cost, Quality and Size: No report.
IX. Old Business
A. Proposal on Quality Teaching: No discussion.
B. Secretarial assistant for the Senate: The position was
discussed by Sharik. Nancy Corrigan had agreed to serve
temporarily for another few hours. Although only temporary
and part-time at 10 hours per week, the position had to be
posted with Personnel Services. Nine applications were
received. The Senate Council will select 3 persons for
interviews. An office for the assistant is needed, to serve
as a focal point for Senate business, and storage of records.
X. New Business
A. Sponsorship and participation in the "State of the
University" Forum: Sharik had introduced the topic in his
report; he described the event to be co-sponsored by the
Senate and Staff Council, with himself as moderator. The
Senate and its goals will be introduced. A United Way appeal
will be presented. President Tompkins will address the
meeting, and field questions from the floor.
Heuvers moved that the Senate co-sponsor the forum;
Hubbard seconded. Discussion involved cost of the Forum
(none), and Senate visibility. The motion passed unanimously
with a voice vote. Sharik requested that committee chairs
send lists of committee goals to him for presentation at the
forum. A sign-up sheet for forum attendance was circulated.
B. Presidential Commission for Diversity: Sharik had a memo
from President Tompkins requesting appointment of one faculty
person from each college. The matter was referred to the
Elections Committee. Discussion concerned selection
procedures. A deliberate method seemed appropriate, and
Heyman indicated that nomination forms would be sent to all
senators, with selection at the next Senate meeting.
C. Replacement of Cabinet Alternates: Sharik reported that the
loss of two serving faculty members from President Tompkins'
Cabinet had resulted in the two alternates (Drummer and
Plichta) moving into their positions. Vilmann moved that the
Election Committee solicit nominations from among the faculty
for the appropriate numbers of alternates. Heuvers seconded.
Passed unanimously by voice vote.
D. Board of Control Liaison Task Force: Vilmann said that the
function of the Task Force has been to keep the Board aware
of what the Senate is doing. He questioned its effectiveness,
and asked for the Senate's opinion on its function. Further,
most Task Force members have left the Senate. Discussion
emphasized the Task Force's importance as contact between
Board and Faculty, however tenuous. The Board Secretary can
schedule meetings with the Task Force. A suggestion that the
Senate minutes be sent to Board members was accepted.
Bulleit, Hubbard, Jambekar, and Julien volunteered to serve
on the Task Force.
E. Senate Luncheon: Sharik announced that the Senate will
sponsor informal luncheons monthly. The first luncheon will
take place at noon on Thursday, October 15.
F. Salary Structure: Sharik queried whether the Senate should
have a role in how salaries are determined in the University,
both at the faculty and administrative level. Initial
discussion concerned the point at which the Senate's input
could occur, e.g. in recent "market value" adjustments.
Sharik requested that information on salary structure be
forwarded to him. Vilmann pointed out that for the Senate to
play a role, the bylaws would have to be changed, requiring
approval of the Board of Control.
XI. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was seconded and approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:06 pm.
Robert Keen
Senate Secretary
.