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Page 5910 Minutes of Senate Meeting 247 13 Dec 1995
THE SENATE OF MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Minutes of Meeting No. 247
13 December 1995
Synopsis: The Senate
(1) heard a report from Bill Blumhardt on campus parking options.
(2) heard a report from Bruce Pletka on progress of the Search
Committee for Dean of Engineering.
(3) requested nominees for Dean of Engineering.
(4) approved an amended Proposal 6-96 to add the Institute of Wood
Research and Department of Education as other course-offering units
in the Senate.
(5) approved Proposal 7-96 to permit the Executive Committee to
determine eligibility of directors as Senate constituents.
_______________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
President Bornhorst called the Senate meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, 13 December 1995, in Room B37 of the Electrical Energy
Resources Center.
Secretary Glime called roll. Absent were at-large Senator Filer,
representatives from Business and Engineering Administration, Army/Air
Force ROTC, and Enrollment Management. Liaisons in attendance were
David Henke (USG) and Ted Soldan (Staff Council).
2. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS
Guests included Marcia Goodrich (Tech Topics), Bill Blumhardt
(Facilities Management), Bruce Pletka (Metallurgy and Materials
Engineering), and Brian Whitman (GSC).
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
President Bornhorst suggested amending the agenda to move item 8,
New Business, after item 5, Report from Senate President, to be certain
the two proposals under New Business were introduced in this meeting.
Heyman MOVED and Soldan seconded the motion to accept the agenda as
modified. The motion PASSED by voice vote with no dissent. [Appendix
A. NOTE: only official Senate and Library archival copies of the
minutes will contain a full complement of appendices.]
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MEETING 246
Soldan MOVED and Carstens seconded the motion to accept the minutes
of Meeting 246. The motion PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
5. REPORT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT
The President reported that he had forwarded Proposal 32-95, Ph.D.
Program in Mathematical Sciences, to the Administration for approval.
[Appendix B]
The President also has forwarded to the Administration our
rejection of the changes to Proposal 36-95, Scientific Misconduct Policy
Statement, and Proposal 26-95, Undergraduate Academic Progress, with
memos requesting new wording based on the discussion in the Senate in
Meeting 246. The President has discussed these proposals with the
Provost and expects that the new wording will be forthcoming, pending
review by the University lawyer. [Appendices C and D]
The President has requested the Committees on Sabbatical Leave and
on Academic Tenure to review the policy of having the President of the
University choose one or more members for those committees as approved
by the Senate on November 1, 1995. [Appendices E and F] The Sabbatical
Leave Committee has already responded that they support the recent
revision regarding that committee and recommend that there be no changes
in the method of selecting committee members.
President Tompkins has selected Barry Kunz to serve on the Academic
Tenure Committee. The committee members now are Kunz (Electrical
Engineering), Dave Sikarskie (ME-EM), Beth Flynn (Humanities), Peck Cho
(ME-EM), and Mark Plichta (Metallurgy/Materials Engineering).
Senator Heyman will be Conflict of Interest Coordinator effective
January 1, 1996, until Bruce Seely returns from sabbatical leave.
Bruce Barna has resigned as Senator because he is now acting chair
of Chemical Engineering. David Shonnard will replace him as Senator and
John Williams will act as Alternate.
We need three faculty on the NCA Accreditation Committee.
Several people have volunteered for the ad hoc committee on shared
governance. Those interested should notify President Bornhorst.
We need to change the Bylaws to add the Department of Education as
an "other course-offering unit."
President Bornhorst stated that one of the Senators has asked him
to raise the question of when we should decide who should vote on a
proposal. Senator Soldan stated that there are times when the
importance of excluded groups is not apparent until after the proposal
has been discussed, but the voting units have already been decided.
President Bornhorst stated that we need to know who will vote on the
amendments. Soldan suggested that we could decide on voting units when
the first vote is needed. Senator McKimpson asked what could be done
if we decide later that we have chosen the wrong voting units.
President Bornhorst read from Robert's Rules of Order that a vote to
rescind requires a 2/3 vote and that a motion to rescind is out of order
if any action has been taken which cannot be undone. Senator Bradley
suggested that we would not have any problem if the entire Senate
constituted the minimum voting unit. Senator Heyman reminded the Senate
that the separation of voting units had been a political compromise that
recognizes some issues as being faculty only issues.
The consensus was to decide on voting units when the first vote is
taken, so President Bornhorst ruled that we would follow that procedure.
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Page 5911 Minutes of Senate Meeting 247 13 Dec 1995
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Proposal 9-96, Revision of Senate Bylaws [Appendix G]
The proposal, regarding Senate representation and constituency,
was introduced. These changes became necessary because of the new
definitions of faculty positions passed by the Senate and approved by
the President of the University. Senator Pegg asked when the Senate
could vote on a new proposal and President Bornhorst responded that it
was 10 days from the time the proposal reached the Senate floor as new
business. The proposed change uses historical precedence, but clarifies
it in the Constitution relative to the new faculty definitions. There
are 4 or 5 3/4 time people currently who will be affected. The new
definitions would result in loss of 16 academic constituents, 1 from
other course offering units, no change in research units, and a gain of
7 non-academic constituents. Senator Diebel asked if this affected the
eligibility of certain administrators who had been excluded from being
senators. Bornhorst replied that administrators were covered in a
different place in the Constitution and were covered here by the
statement "excluded elsewhere." Senator Pegg stated that we should make
the constitution so no exceptions were needed (and the appeal to the
Senate would not be necessary). Senator Flynn asked what is meant by
"equivalent." Amendments to change the wording will be entertained at
the next Senate meeting.
B. Proposal 10-96, MS Degree in Environmental Policy [Appendix H]
The proposal was introduced and will be discussed at the next
meeting.
6. COMMITTEE/BUSINESS REPORTS
A. Parking Task Force - Bill Blumhardt [Appendix I]
Bill Blumhardt reported on discussions in the Parking Task Force
to solve growing parking problems for the campus. Bernie Alkire is the
Senate representative to that task force. Blumhardt first presented a
historical perspective of parking needs and locations. He stated that
there are 8 principles guiding decisions: to combine research and
academic activities in the campus core, to link buildings together, to
enhance the university and community ties by moving non-academic
activities down town (such as the move by advancement), to beautify the
core, to maintain views to the valley of the Portage, to continue to use
the hillside along the Portage, to increase the use of the SDC lot, and
to consider placing a parking deck(s) in the core. The committee has
come up with three options: build parking decks, bus people to and from
a distant lot such as SDC, or do nothing.
Senator Shonnard asked if the lots at the SDC could satisfy current
demand and Blumhardt answered yes. Future growth would stress the SDC
parking; one possibility would be to make SDC parking and bussing free,
but parking close to the campus core would have a fee. Senator Pegg
suggested that we could expand the bus system for "chaining" to permit
people to do their shopping and other personal business. The city of
Houghton has a bus that goes to most business areas; the campus bus goes
primarily to the SDC, MTU Apartments, and main campus.
Senator Heyman asked if faculty and staff lots are experiencing an
increasing demand. Blumhardt answered that all are over assigned; new
faculty and staff are placing more demands on them; we keep excluding
the students from more lots. Senator Kitalong stated that those who are
least able to pay are the ones who would be affected the most -
especially single parents who must take care of personal business at
lunch time. Senator Caspary observed that the problem is being driven
by the increase in the number of students with cars and that many of
these cars are parked in one of the lots unused for the winter.
Blumhardt responded that more students want to have cars than in the
past. Vice President Walck asked where a deck might be built and
Blumhardt suggested between the Administration Building and Memorial
Union or behind Wadsworth Hall. Senator Arici suggested that we could
lend land to the private sector to build a parking deck and charge them
a nominal fee. Senator Heyman stated that there are two components to
the problem, student demand and flexibility in faculty and staff lots;
we could give an incentive to faculty and staff to park at the SDC.
Senator Mroz suggested that we could adjust the academic calendar to 12
months and have fewer students and faculty here during any single term,
but increase summer usage. Alternate Arbabi suggested that we could
improve the bicycle path and encourage more students, faculty, and staff
to use bikes. Senators and other constituents should send comments to
Bill Blumhardt or Bernie Alkire. A decision needs to be made this year.
B. Dean of Engineering Search Committee - Bruce Pletka [Appendix J]
Bruce Pletka, Chair, reported on progress of that committee. The
position has been advertised in the Chronicle of Higher Education, ASEE
Prism, and four professional journals. He informed the Senate that
because of the two-month delay in publication of ads in most of the
journals, the committee could not wait until they had defined the job
description and search criteria before advertising the position. This
descriptive information will appear in a web site at MTU. The deadline
for comments on the position description and search criteria is 15
December 1995. Faculty should submit nominees, including phone number
and address, to the committee; the best candidates are likely to come
from nominees; the selected person must be acceptable for a tenured
position in one of the departments in the College of Engineering.
Senator Leifer commented that the description said the person
should have fund-raising ability, but it did not say "successful."
Pletka stated that the selected person should be an advocate for the
college and should solicit funds.
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Proposal 13-95, Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures [Appendix K]
The proposal has been returned from the Administration with
changes. Senator Beck objected to the addition of a Human Resources
person as an ex officio member of the
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Page 5912 Minutes of Senate Meeting 247 13 Dec 1995
committees to sit in all meetings; he felt this would interfere with
collegiality and that the involvement of this person should be at a
higher committee level only. President Bornhorst stated as he
interpreted the Provost's remarks (not present tonight) that the concern
of the administration is that faculty do not know the legal issues and
if no Human Resources person were present, the faculty would need a
workshop to train them. Others suggested that the chair could see a
video or go through training. Senator Beck again expressed concern that
this precedent could result in a Human Resources person sitting on the
promotion and tenure committees. Senator Thayer stated that an ex
officio member is a strong position on a committee. Secretary Glime
stated that the chair needs to have close contact with a Human Resources
person on what procedure is to be used and needs to review committee
decisions with the Human Resources person, but that the presence of that
person on the committee is unnecessary. Senator Leifer stated that most
cases should stay in the department and that the Human Resources person
should not be involved most of the time. Others commented that this
could involve too much time for the Human Resources person to attend
meetings in all departments on campus.
Senator Heyman agreed that use of a video and close contact between
the chair and a Human Resources person should be sufficient. He also
stated that the University President should at least report his/her
decision to the panel to avoid any pocket veto; we can't require the
President to do something, but we can avoid a pocket veto. Senator
Thayer asked why the President can't put the response in writing.
Senator Mroz stated that we might want a Human Resources person to
protect us and he would like to hear that perspective from someone in
that office before making a decision on the proposal changes. Alternate
Ott said that if a person from Human Resources is there, lots that could
be solved won't be because of the greater formality. Senator Bradley
stated that he sees this process as having two levels and that if it
can't be solved at the initial (departmental) level, then Human
Resources should be involved. Senator McKimpson reminded the Senate
that in the Scientific Misconduct Policy the Administration agreed to
the statement that the university will make legal counsel available.
President Bornhorst stated that he will request the Provost and a
representative of Human Resources to be at the next Senate meeting.
B. Proposal 6-96, Revision of Senate Bylaws [See minutes, page 5857,
for a copy of this proposal.]
Mroz MOVED and Carstens seconded the motion to approve Proposal
6-96, concerning the definition of other course-offering units. Senator
Diebel explained that there is a separate degree in wood science,
offered from the School of Forestry, but that 6 faculty members and 18
graduate students involved in this program are employed by the Institute
of Wood Research and that the faculty there teach 44 credits of 400
level courses. Thus he considered it appropriate that the Institute of
Wood Research be permitted to vote as a course offering unit as well as
a research unit.
Keen MOVED and Heyman seconded the motion to amend the proposal to
add the Department of Education and to change from n=5 to n=6. There
was no discussion, so President Bornhorst reported that the voting units
were the full Senate; there were no objections so voting units stood.
The amendment PASSED on voice vote with no dissent. The President ruled
that this was an editorial change; there were no objections, so the main
motion could be voted on at this meeting. The motion to approve
Proposal 6-96 as amended PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
C. Proposal 7-96, Revision of Senate Bylaws [See minutes, page 5858,
for a copy of this proposal.]
President Bornhorst explained that Proposal 7-96, concerning
definition of directors who are equivalent to deans, was needed because
positions of director were not equal throughout the university; the
Senate might want to include as constituents persons holding positions
of Director of the Center for "Teaching, Learning, and Faculty
Development" or Director of International Programs. Heyman MOVED and
Caspary seconded the motion to approve Proposal 7-96. President
Bornhorst stated that the proposed voting units would be the full
Senate; there were no objections so the voting units stood. The motion
to approve Proposal 7-96 PASSED on voice vote with no dissent.
D. Proposal 8-96, Revision of Senate Bylaws [See minutes, page 5859,
for a copy of this proposal.]
Proposal 8-96, regarding flow of proposals, was discussed. Senator
Bradley pointed out that in the fall the Executive Committee is only the
officers. President Bornhorst stated that the hope was that committees
would be selected in spring and that chairs would be chosen so that fall
would begin with a full Executive Committee, but that wording could be
changed to indicate that the full executive committee was intended.
Senator Leifer asked why we needed a change if the system is working
now. Senator Bradley responded that the Fringe Benefits Committee and
the Finance Committee might both need to see a proposal. Bornhorst
explained that the current constitution prevents sending a proposal to
more than one committee. Senator Heyman asked what would happen if the
two committees disagreed. Bornhorst responded that the Executive
Committee can attach an opinion to each proposal, and that in this case
that opinion would be necessary. Leifer stated that this process would
"generate more heat than light." Senator Thayer pointed out that the
representation in the flow chart was not accurate if it was intended
that the Officers should make a decision; it indicates they must send
it two routes, not choose.
Thayer MOVED to adjourn and Soldan seconded the motion. The
meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Janice M. Glime
Secretary of the Senate
.