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Page 4874 Minutes of Senate Meeting 226 14 Dec 1994
THE SENATE OF MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Minutes of Meeting No. 226
14 December 1994
Synopsis: The Senate
(1) Approved University time to commemorate Martin Luther King.
(2) Heard a report from the President on bonding for the new
Environmental Sciences building.
(3) Approved Proposal 13-94: Atmospheric Science option in the BS in
Geology degree program.
(4) Approved Proposal 10-95: Disciplinary / Discharge Policy.
(5) Approved the Search Procedures for Deans and University
Administrators
(6) Approved Proposal 9-95: Absence from Regularly Scheduled Class
Meetings
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1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
President Bornhorst called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm on Wednesday,
December 14, 1994 in Room B37 of the Electrical Energy Resources Center.
Secretary Jobst called the roll. Absent were Senators-at-Large Filer
and Reed; and representatives from Metallurgy, AF ROTC, Army ROTC, and
Education; Liaisons Lumsdaine and Seel; and a representative from Staff
Council.
2. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
The numerous visitors consisted of Betty Chavis (Outreach Programs), Eric
Obermeyer (Grad Student, ME-EM), Ellen Horsch and Ingrid Cheney (Human
Resources), Chris Anderson (Educational Opportunity), Ted Grzelak (EE),
Jim Pickens (FWP), Dale Tahtinen (VP-Governmental Relations), Bill
McGarry (VP-Finance), F. Dobney (Provost and Executive Vice President),
and Curt Tompkins (President).
3. AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
President Bornhorst made three agenda adjustments: under section "5.
Committee Business/Reports" add an "E. Faculty Handbook Steering
Committee." Under "7. New Business" add a "B. Proposal 11-95: Membership
for General Education Committee" and then move the entire section 7. New
Business, to just after "5. E" so that the new proposals may be
introduced to the Senate. [Appendix A. NOTE: only official Senate and
Library archival copies of the Minutes will contain a full complement of
appendices.]
Mroz MOVED to approve the agenda adjustments; Heyman seconded.
Bornhorst asked if there were objections to the adjustments; there were
none, so Bornhorst ruled the amended agenda was approved.
4. REPORT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT
A. Proposal 1-95: SABBATICAL LEAVE
This proposal has not yet been sent to the President; Mullins'
supporting documents are not yet ready.
B. OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
Bornhorst said he has submitted a request to the Institutional Planning
Committee [Appendix B] to consider appropriate ways of celebrating Martin
Luther King day, in the third week of January. He then introduced Betty
Chavis, who spoke on behalf of a special University observance. Chavis
distributed a sample petition [Appendix C], copies of which had been
collected on campus with student signatures, indicating support for a 2
pm dismissal. At that time there would be a program honoring Dr. King.
Whitt MOVED and Brokaw seconded for an emergency proposal. While
some senators argued against an emergency proposal, which would not allow
polling of constituency to determine the effect of more class release
time on labs, others argued that Winter Carnival was allotted two entire
days, while petition supporters only asked for a few hours. Discussion
ended, and in a voice vote, with the entire Senate as the voting unit,
the motion supporting an emergency proposal CARRIED with dissent.
Vanek MOVED and Grimm seconded to accept the proposal and dismiss
classes at 2 pm on Monday, January 16, 1995 for the celebration of Martin
Luther King Day. Discussion ended, and with the entire Senate as the
voting unit, on an oral vote, the proposal CARRIED.
C. COMPUTER LAB FEES
Bornhorst reported that he had sent a memo to the Institutional Planning
Committee asking them to review the computer laboratory fee policy
[Appendix D].
D. UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE AGREEMENT (UPDATE)
Bornhorst read a memo from VP Dobney [Appendix E] stating that the
University was continuing "negotiations with potential insurance
carriers." Dobney said he would keep the Senate appraised of progress.
E. PROPOSAL 17-94: POLICY ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Bornhorst read a memo he had received from VP Dobney [Appendix F] stating
that this proposal was acceptable with two slight amendments: Insert a
word in the final sentence of paragraph 1 to read "When faculty exercise
their rights as private citizens, they should be free from institutional
censorship or discipline."
And after paragraph two, add a sentence: "Academic freedom is a
fundamental and long standing tradition at institutions of higher
learning, and a basic right of all faculty at Michigan Technological
University. This right must be understood in the context of prevailing
professional and legal standards and institutional requirements." Heyman
asked what was meant by "prevailing standards," and Dobney explained that
this referred to faculty behaving as professionals. Without this
clarification, he said, faculty could conceivably do and say virtually
anything.
There were no objections to the amendments, and Bornhorst declared
the proposal amendments accepted.
F. UNIVERSITY BENEFITS COMMITTEE
Bornhorst asked the Senate for an additional Senate representative to
this committee, and he suggested Senator Leifer; Leifer, however, said
the Senate Finance Committee had recommended Eunice Carlson. There were
no objections from the floor, and Bornhorst said he would forward the
name offered by the committee.
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Page 4875 Minutes of Senate Meeting 226 14 Dec 1994
5. COMMITTEE BUSINESS / REPORTS
A. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES BUILDING FINANCING
University President Curt Tompkins spoke on the proposed financing of
this new building.
Tompkins began by congratulating the Senate and its officers, past as
well as present, on the efforts towards shared governance. He offered to
meet with the Senate on a more frequent basis.
Tompkins then explained that the original plan for the Environmental
Sciences project was to match the State's contribution of $30 million and
produce not only a new Environmental Sciences building, but also an
expansion of the Forestry facilities. Tech thus far has raised or
received pledges of $6 million, and the University hoped to begin the
building in short order. A university downstate, however, failed to
reach its funding goal for equipment, and the result was a new but empty
building. When the State Office of Management and Budget (SOMB) saw this
it vowed never to allow such an event in the future. The SOMB initially
demanded that Tech raise the total matching funds before starting
construction, but in a compromise, it said that Tech need not match the
entire state contribution, but instead raise a total of $18 million over
the next 2 1/2 years, the amount needed to cover equipment for the
Environmental Science Building, leaving $12 million for the Forestry
facility, which must be funded from private sources. "We have numerous
potential donors," Tompkins said, "along with various grants." When asked
for names, Tompkins said it would be premature to identify people now.
These donors, he said, might well feel Tech was being "presumptuous" in
publicizing their names.
The Forestry expansion segment, originally part of the plan, is now
on hold. Tompkins, however, assured the Senate that he expects to
complete the Forestry project, in a timely manner, without state support.
He will approach companies such as Champion International, which have
been supportive in the past. The financial burden of the Forestry
segment should be $8 million, not $12 million, because the University
already owns much of the necessary equipment. Once the Environmental
Sciences building is complete, all other projects would be subordinated
to the Forestry facility. If a donor appeared with no particular
preferences, Tompkins explained, he would steer that person to the
Forestry project rather than, say, the Performing Arts Center.
Tompkins explained that to begin work on the building, the Board of
Control must sign a statement indicating the total funds are available.
Tech has two choices: the University could purchase $12 million worth of
bonds for a fee of $200,000, and invest these funds until the matching
amount was raised. The State will allow this. The University, however,
hopes to avoid spending the $200,000, if at all possible.
Except for one brief anomaly, Tech can boast of a regular cash flow
balance of $15 million throughout the year. Thus, the University plans
on approaching the State with this argument: Instead of demanding that
Tech has all the money in hand, "give us credit for the current $15
million cash balance. Then we won't have to spend $200,000 and purchase
the bonds."
Tompkins said the timetable is for construction to begin in 1996,
with a completion date two years later.
Brokaw asked what a worst case scenario would be, and Tompkins said
his staff would complete an analysis at the time and make it public.
Brokaw asked about any other current bonding, and McGarry mentioned the
Memorial Union, which is being paid for by student fees, not general
resources.
Brokaw said he was still concerned with downside risk, and Tompkins
reminded the Senate that the Administration has supported 36 new faculty
positions, which require ongoing funds totaling much more in the long run
than this new building. He said the Senate did not complain about them.
The Senate must look at the entire picture, he said.
Tompkins said that he felt the money for Forestry should be available
within 2 1/2 years. "I'm on the road 3 days in every week" working on
the fund raising, he told the Senate.
Arici referred to a memo from his department [Appendix G] expressing
the wish that Tech would hire a consultant to advise on financial
matters. Tompkins said Arthur Andersen Consulting has already been
working with Tech. "I'm the most fiscally conservative President you
have ever had," he said. "Look at the record: we are the least indebted
school in the state." Tompkins ended by mentioning that he expects to
find endowments to take care of future building maintenance costs, with
the Performing Arts Center as an example.
B. HEALTH CARE UPDATE
Ingrid Cheney, Manager of Benefits, told the Senate that most Calumet
physicians had signed up for the PPO plan. She also said an outside
consultant would be on campus in January.
Arici asked about local physicians, and Cheney said those not signing
up originally were now talking to the insurance people. Bradley asked
about insurers other than Wausau, and Dobney said the University was
being contacted by others, but Wausau was being given the first chance.
Bradley asked about flexible benefits, and Cheney said they would be
available in the fall.
C. UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
1. General Education Committee
Bornhorst said two nominees had agreed to run: R. Zulinski (EE) and
William Gregg (Geology). Nominations were closed, and Senate Assistant
Meyers distributed ballots. Zulinski won 13 to 12.
2. Committee to Review Dean of Sciences and Arts, Max Seel
Bornhorst announced two nominees: John Pilling (Metallurgy) and Gary
Campbell (Business). Nominations were closed, and Senate Assistant
Meyers distributed ballots. The Senate chose Campbell, 15 to 10.
D. ADMINISTRATIVE EVALUATION COMMISSION
Bornhorst said the Senate officers felt that there were sufficient
numbers of nominees so that the commission could be assembled. The
officers suggested a mail-in ballot vote, with those candidates obtaining
the highest votes being declared winners. There were no objections.
Bornhorst said that Senate Assistant Meyers would prepare ballots.
E. HANDBOOK STEERING COMMITTEE
Bornhorst said that much of the handbook was finished. Completion awaits
finalizing policies such as grievance, tenure and promotion, and conflict
of interest.
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Page 4876 Minutes of Senate Meeting 226 14 Dec 1994
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7. NEW BUSINESS
[Section moved by agenda adjustment.]Bornhorst introduced the following
new proposals so they could conceivably be voted on at the January 11,
1995 meeting.
A. Proposal 11-95: Membership for General Education Committee
[Appendix H].
B. Proposal 15-95: Statement on Professional Ethics
[Appendix I].
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6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Proposal 13-94: ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE OPTION IN THE B. S. IN
GEOLOGY DEGREE
[See Minutes, pg. 4810 for a copy of this proposal.]
Leifer asked if there was a cost to the new degree, and Roblee said
there was none. He also explained that this old proposal had been
delayed because the committee last year had asked for further information
about the proposal, and it did not arrive until the current academic
year.
Roblee then MOVED with Mroz's second to approve Proposal 13-94.
Bornhorst explained that the voting units were all degree-granting units;
there was no objection. The Senate offered no further discussion, and on
a voice vote the motion CARRIED without dissent.
B. Proposal 6-95: POLICY ON DISCRIMINATION AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT
[See Minutes, pg. 4868 for a copy of this proposal.]
Bornhorst called the Senate's attention to the amended version of
this proposal [Appendix J]. This proposal may be voted on at the next
meeting.
C. Proposal 9-95: ABSENCE FROM REGULARLY SCHEDULED CLASS MEETINGS
[See Minutes, page 4815 for a copy of this proposal.]
Keen MOVED with Vanek's second to approve proposal 9-95. Bornhorst
asked if anyone objected to the voting units-degree granting units. No
one objected.
Brokaw asked if this proposal would not generate more bureaucracy,
and Keen said that a bureaucracy already exists: faculty now must
complete a small form for absences. Whitt asked if there would be more
forms: "No," said Keen. Discussion ended, and on a voice vote the motion
CARRIED with minor dissent.
D. Proposal 10-95: RECOMMENDATION ON DISCIPLINARY / DISCHARGE POLICY
[See Minutes, page 4817 for a copy of this proposal.]
Arici MOVED with Heyman's second to approve proposal 10-95.
Bornhorst said the voting units would be the full Senate unless someone
objected; no one did. Without further discussion, and on a voice vote,
the motion CARRIED without dissent.
E. Proposal 12-95: SEARCH PROCEDURES FOR DEANS AND UNIVERSITY
ADMINISTRATORS
[See Minutes, page 4819 for a copy of this proposal.]
Glime distributed a summary of changes to the Search Procedures
[Appendix K]. Arici MOVED with Vanek's second to approve Proposal 12-95.
No one objected to the voting units: the full Senate. Keen MOVED with
Hein's second to amend a line on page three "for clarity": Replace the
second sentence with "The ... committee must consider the published goals
of the unit." No further discussion, and on a voice vote the motion to
amend CARRIED.
Keen asked how, in the past, the University located alumni for help
in selecting Deans. Dobney said that faculty were asked for nominees.
Keen said this detail should be in the proposal. Heyman noted that the
group added up to an even number, eight, and he suggested an extra
representative from the Senate. He also asked for the rationale of
including alumni for selecting Deans. Bornhorst replied that the
committee wished to keep the plan uniform for all administrators.
Because the Senate appeared to want a number of changes, Leifer MOVED to
table, but Jobst said the changes were minimal and the Senate should be
able to pass it tonight, with the understanding that the changes would be
included in the final draft. Keen said a final copy could be placed on
the Gopher [computer] system, which was now responding to Senate business
thanks to the "heroic efforts of Ted Soldan" (CTS). Leifer's motion
FAILED for lack of a second.
Glime asked the Senate's wishes on the eight member committee.
Dobney said if the vote was split evenly, "You shouldn't hire that person
anyway." Discussion ended, and the Senate, on a voice vote, CARRIED the
proposal. Glime will complete the editorial changes, and the revised
proposal will return to the Senate for its approval.
F. Proposal 13-95: FACULTY GRIEVANCE POLICY AND PROCEDURES
[See Minutes, page 4870 for a copy of this proposal.]
Heyman said he has concerns regarding the change from heads to chairs
of academic departments. The committee is unhappy, he said, with leaving
the decisions to each department's Charter Committee. He distributed a
summary of the changes he proposed [Appendix L], but time had run out on
meeting 226.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Leifer MOVED and Miner seconded to adjourn. Motion CARRIED. Bornhorst
declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Submitted by
Jack Jobst
Secretary of the University Senate
.