Executive Committee
Faculty Council
December 8, 1976
Meeting #80
MINUTES .
The Executive Committee of the Faulty Council met Wednesday, December 8, 1976
in the Board Room with Chairman jacqualin Collins presiding. Members present were:
Collins, Burford, Stewart, C. Bell, Cummins, Davis, Keho, McPherson, Mogan, NeLson,
Smith, Strauss, Tereshkovich, Terrell, Wade and Wilson. Guests included, Kim obb,
of the University Daily; Vice Presidelt for Academic Affairs, Charles Hardwick;
Terry Wimmer, President, Student Assoziation; and Mr. R. Klocko.
Ch. Collins , called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m., recognized thagunst3,
and requested that other business to e brought. before the meeting be indicatel at
the beginning if possible.
I. MINUTES OF THE NOVEMEFR 10, 1976 MEETING
Professor Wilson made a motion that the minutes be Accepted. Professor C. Bell
seconded the motion. The motion tarried. The minutes were accepted as pOlished.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. 1. Ch. Collins wrote a letter to the Academic Affairs Committee bringing to
its attentior: the Executive Committee Resolution regarding the d2velopment of a system for advising students; and the referral for consideration
of the suggestion to use pluses and minuses in grading and to operate the
bookstore with greater emphasis on academic purposes.
2. A letter was sent to the Academic Status Committee regarding the Executive
Committee recuest i that it develop recommendations on tenure and promotion
procedures.
In a letter responding to this request, Dr. Max Lennon, Chairman of the
Academic Status Committee stated in part: "at the December 1 meeting of
the Academic Status Committee it was decided that the Executive Committee
should re-evaluate the request that the Academic Status Committee develop
recommendaticns with respect to evaluation, counseling, and voting procedures
on tenure an promotion. Particular attention should be given to the charge
to both the kcadeMic Status and Tenure and Privilege Committees. It is our
understandinE that we are responsible for policy and the existing request is
for procedurad clarification. Please provide additional information with
regard to the study desired in order to insure'that credibility o" the
recommendaticn is develored."
Professor WiLson moved that the Academic Status Committee be rele sed from
this charge pending the e.evelopment of procedures by the Academic Vice
President's office with the assistance of the Tenure and Privileg Committee.
Professor McPherson seconded and discussion followed. Dr. Hardwi k was
asked his opl_nion of faculty input in the matter. He replied tha t his
intention is to develop a set of procedures and work in conjuncti an with
the Tenure and Privilege Committee and that he would consider thi to be
faculty inpu:.
Executive Committee
Faculty Council
Page 2.
December 8, 1976
Meeting #80
He said that he would like to discuss with the Tenure and Privilege
Committee questioas which arose in last months Executive Committee
meeting; namely with regard to secret ballots, whether tenure vote shc.Ild
be taken by secret ballot, whether there should be written comments on the
ballot, whether tae ballot sh puld be signed by the faculty members caE:ing
the ballots, and 30 forth.
Professor Nelson spoke in supoort of the motion on the grounds that tk..e.
development of procedure and -Process are essential in the implementation
of policy. It is his contention that the Tenure and Privilege Committe
has priority in taese conside-:ations, but that the Executive Committee
should review any draft before it is finally approved.
Professor Stewart spoke againa .r.the motion. He expressed the opinion
that the Tenure aad Privilege Committee purview does not include the
whole picture of faculty evallation, counseling, and decision making;
that, in fact, it only represuits a segment of the decision making pro:ess.
He feels that the Academic Status Committee really should take a look at
the whole picture in terms of policies and relevant procedures.
Professor Cummins stated that he feels there are more alternatives than
we realize for appropriate selemes relating to tenure and privilege. le
made reference to a committee at work at this time in the Law School.
He feels there is a lot to discuss and the Academic Status Committee
has a role to play. He would like to see as many committees as have
a relationship to this issue consider it with as many different viewpoints as possible.
Professor Mogan saggested tha:the Tenure and Privilege Committee could
, Work -With Dr. Hariwick to formulate a set of procedures, that the
Executive Committee could examine them and send them to the Academic
Status Committee, whose job 1.: would he to formulate policy to guarantm
the.integrity of these procectires.
The motion carried by a voice votean&Ch. Collins agreed to send 4 le ;ter
Academic Status Committee of the respcnto Dr. Max ,Lennon releasing
sibility at this time. lie also indicated his intention to write a : let:er
to the Academic rice Presiden: urging haste with his deliberations in
consultation with the Tenure and -Privilege Committee and reminding him
that the Executive Committee should review theresulting document pric:
to its implementation.
3. By formal resolution, the Exeautive Committee at its last meeting reqLasted
a statement from Dr. Hardwick, in writing, regarding the extent to whi:h
the procedure for granting teaure has been altered, especially in regard
to the appeals procedure. Ch. Collins stated that he wrote the letter
as directed.
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Executive Committee
Faculty Council
Page 5.
December 8, 1976
Meeting #80
vation of Energy on Campus rather than Carol of Lights since the
primary concern is conservation of energy. He gave examples of energy woof
on campus and others of lack of appropriate use of energy, such as cold off ices
and classrooms. He indicated that he had responded to the request for sugg astions
only to suffer ridicule when the measures taken were managed in a manner tt at
produced contradictory results. Professor Strauss asked, "Does Tech have a a
energy policy and if not, should it have one?" Dr. Hardwick replied to Prc essor
Strauss by stating that Tech is very definitely concerned with the energy F oblem
and he gave the committee examples of conservation measures that have alrea ly
been taken on campus and outlined ?lans for future conservation and reducti )n
in energy costs.
Professor Stewart commented that tie above mentioned item and the next item
on the agenda are two examples of the issue of adequate faculty input into the
area of "physical facilities" +- t'aeir planning, use and maintenance. Prof assor
Smith indicated that this was being considered in the new committee structt. re.
Professor Strauss suggested that a memo from Dr. Hardtack's office to the
faculty telling them that their offices and classrooms are unavailable for
their use after hours would make the use of home offices necessary and tin. S
justify an income tax deduction for their expense. Dr. Hardwick agreed to
look into this matter.
V.
CAMPUS LOOP, ENTRY STATIONS AND CUSSWALK LIGHTING
Professor Burford moved that provisions be made at all entry stations to er. able
traffic to bypass vehicles stoppei at the stations. The motion was seconc ad
and passed. Ch. Collins was instructed to write a letter to Mr. Wehmeyer
informing him of the action of this committee.
A motion by Professor Burford that this committee encourage the installatioa
of adequate lighting fir the Flint Avenue crosswalks was seconded and carriad.
Professor Keho noted the need for rails as safety measures around the Mass
Communications Building and Holden Hall and moved that they also be conside red.
It was seconded and passed.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Ch. Collins read a letter from Dr. Harley Oberhelman, Chairman of the
Grievance Committee, stating that he will be off campus during the Sprin
Semester. The committee has an elected vice chairmart.,,.:Dr'....WilliaMBOhl 1-4g
who will act as chairman during this time.
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2. Professor C. Bell brought up the matter of the recent case of the
player who is alleged to have been dismissed from a class for not
prerequisites. His question was whether or not the academic freedom of the faculty member had been violated in this case. Ch. Collins stated to 4
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Executive Committee
Faculty Council
Page 3.
4.
b.
On the matter of
book which is fo
"The Committee o
committee -- fro
functioning," C
members of the T
Presidents, Dean
and continued pe
In partial reply to
research, it was con
included in an offic
Regents and therefor
of the Faculty Handb
made and are being
is no official state
procedure outlined i
December 8, 1976
Meeting #80
the omissio
d on page 2
Tenure and
within or o
• Collins r
ure and Pr
, and Depart
tinence.
of the footnote from the new Faculty Ha
of the old Faculty Handbook and reads:
rivilege is responsible for appointing
tside its own membership -- and for its
orted that he has written a letter to a
ilege Committee, and to all academic Vi
ent Chairmen advising them of Its existe
is
he above Dr. Hardwick stated that after considerable
luded that e footnote in question was at no time
al copy of t e Tenure Policy as approved by the Boar
should not e stamped in on the undistributed copie
ok as was o iginally decided. Many efforts have bee
de to clear p these discrepancies. At present ther
ent of proc dure for granting tenure other than the
the Tenure Policy.
Another letter from r. Hardwick communicated the information that the pa
fail recommendations acted upon y the Executive Committee and the Facult
Council have been fo ally imple ented by the president with one slight
alteration to take c re of summe school sessions.
Professor Strauss mo ed that the Executive Committee of the Faculty Counc
copy of the final grade reports (comput
request that the reg strar send
dicating
the grades reported to students
printouts) to facult members (i
motion
carried.
ded
and
the
Professor Smith seco
c. Ch. Collins reported
policy for undergrad
and Retention Commit
to have recommendati
likely.. to be a mored
we now have.
d.
Ch. Collins investig
the help of the book
the availability of
Office t Juwfaculty m
completing a Travel
that the Ac
ates. The
ee is curre
ns for a ne
mite stat
demic Council is reviewing the admission
eans have received a report and the Admi sions
tly looking at the matter. We should ex ect
Admission Policy in the near future. I is
ent of provisional admission requirement than
ted the mat er of Travel Vouchers. He feels that wi
ployees' Travel Allowance Guide" and wi
et, "State
xtra assist nce from Mrs. Patrick in the Travel Serv ces
mber has al the information and assistance needed f
oucher.
e. President Mackey has not yet corn
to the Grievance Co ittee.
to a decision on the matter of the char e
f. A Grade Appeals proc dure is bei g studied and something should be forthc ming
from the Academic Af airs Commit ee and the Academic Vice President's offi ce
in the near future.
Professor Strauss s gested that the Chairman request Dr. Hardwick to bri
ecutive Committee before anything final
any such recommendat onto the
Executive Committee
Faculty Council
Page 4.
December 8, 1976
Meeting #80
done. Discussion followed. Prof
there is any activity on the part
He replied that the Student Assoc
faculty and with Dr. Hardwick to
Grade Appeals system and that at
than glad to have it completely c
ssor Stewart asked Terry Wimmer whether
of the Student Association in this area
ation is very active in working with the
evelop some kind of Grade Grievance or
his point the association would be more
ntrolled by faculty.
Dr. Hardwick said that he had as
the Academic Affairs Committee, t
ation with regard to some kind of
This group And a group of student
possibility of an appeals procedu
for these two groups to get toget
d Dr. Valerie Chamberlain ., Chairwoman oE
form a sub-committee to study a recommeadprocedure for setting up an appeals process.
will be brought together to discuss the
e and at this point Dr. Hardwick is waiting
er.
Professor Nelson asked Mr. Wimmer to state .briefly the nature of the problem
Mr. Wimmer replied that students hould be protected from receiving a grace
based on race, creed, or other fo s of personal bias.
Professor Strauss asked Dr. Hard ck whether or not his office or a dean's
office can direct an instructor t • change a grade. Dr. Hardwick replied
that his office has 00 hear appea s and try to resolve the issue, but that
he has never told an instructor t change a grade. Ch. Collins asked
Dr. Hardwick to find out and info It this committee next month which administrators have the power to change rades and on what occasions.
g. Due to the conflict uith registr ion, Professor McPherson made a motion to
change the January meeting date fi om the 12th to the 19th. It was seconded
and passed. The Executive Committee will meet on January 19, 1977 at 3:30 p.m.
in the Board Room.
III.
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEll
Professor Smith reported that the committee has two vacancies to fill: one on
the University Benefits Committee nd another on the Charter Day Committee
Both are for a term Ording in 1977. His committee nominates two candidate from
the Business Administ/ation,Area f Insurance to fill the University Benef ts
Committee vacancy. They are Profe sors Bruce Palmer and David Klock. For the
nominate Professors Reed Richardson, from
Charter Day Committee vacancy, th
Animal Science, and RJchard Baldw n, from Speech Pathology, to replace Pro'essor
Charles Sassee who ha e left the u iversity. Professor Smith moved the aboxe
named persons be nomit,ated by the Executive Committee. The motion was seccnded
and passed.
Professor Smith reporied that he ad asked Terry Wimmer to provide the comittee
with a couple of students to serv as non-voting consultants on the committee
during their deliberations on ree ructuring.
IV.
CAROL OF LIGHTS
Professor Strauss sta'..ed that thi agenda item should have been headed Con
er-
••
V
4,,A,
Executive Committee
Faculty Council
Page 6.
December 8, 1976
Meeting #80
that in his opinion an oper me ting of this type, with the press presen
was not an appropriate place i which to discuss such a matter. He
requested an Executive Ses4on with only invited non-members present i
the committee wished to discus this matter. At this point the discuss Lon
was dropped.
Professor Burford nade a metio to adjourn the meeting. There was a se 2ond
and the motion carried. Tle m eting adjourned at 5:45p.m.
R spec ui submitted,
William A. Stewart, Secreta
Executive Committee
Faculty Council
1/4/77
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