Academic Senate approves resolution to halt further action on medical college


cb_asenate_04
Charlotte Bodak/Staff Photographer George Ross

In a hushed auditorium Tuesday, David Smith addressed the Academic Senate about what he called the “elephant in the room” regarding the College of Medicine.

Smith, a professor of philosophy and religion, presented a resolution, which said “all work by, toward, and on behalf of the College of Medicine pertaining to curriculum, non-curricular policies and procedures, and faculty recruitment be suspended until such time as the above concerns have been addressed by and to the satisfaction of the Academic Senate.”

The resolution with a 76-percent vote to halt further action was approved.

However, it is unclear whether or not the motion will legitimately suspend action on CMED or remain symbolic.

Phil Squattrito, a chemistry professor and former chairman, said although the A-Senate has control over curriculum, there is debate over who has authority over CMED. The A-Senate did adopt the CMED curriculum last year, but it was expected to be more involved with the process.

“At the heart of this motion is to get the university to be more forthcoming on the medical school,” Squattrito said.

A-Senate’s constitution states insofar as it is charged to “consider any matter relevant to the general welfare of the faculty” and to “deliberate and legislate upon matters of concern to the faculty, involving students, staff, instruction, financial policies, university planning and university organization when related to academic affairs.”

The constitution states several concerns they can deliberate, including: Standards for appointment, promotion, tenure and dismissal of faculty members; except as covered by collective bargaining agreements.

It is still undecided if CMED faculty will be included in the Faculty Association, since the contract negotiations are at an impasse.

Squattrito, Director of Public Relations Steve Smith and A-Senate Chairman Jim McDonald all said the area in the constitution was gray, and were unsure what authority A-Senate has in the matter.

The concerns regarded the university’s lack of detailed account about the feasibility of the CMED with the A-Senate, faculty and students. The main complaint of the motion was the university’s lack of public communication and low participation with faculty and students.

McDonald had been asked to withhold debate over the motion. He would not disclose where this decision came from.

“I think it’s been discussed in my parliamentary inquiries that perhaps it is my discretion to do this without debate,” he said.

University President George Ross said he wished there had been open debate on the topic. As the next step, he said he would discuss the motion with the administration and get back to the A-Senate.

Ross said he would do his best to respond before the Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s visit to campus Nov. 13.

One of the concerns included in the motion included the absence of Ernest Yoder, founding dean of CMED, from A-Senate meetings since Jan. 8. Yoder did attend Tuesday’s meeting and said he has a busy schedule and unless the A-Senate’s agenda specifically deals with CMED, he has other work to do.

“I don’t intend to devalue the Academic Senate,” Yoder said. “It’s just that I can’t always be here.”

Student Government Association President Vince Cavataio said he would like to see the administration answer the senators’ questions.

“I will stand firm that any increase in student tuition due to CMED is absolutely unacceptable,” said the Shelby Township senior in an email. “Having said that, if CMED can be funded from outside sources and maintained by the tuition of students attending that college, I take no issue with that.”

Arguments ensue

At one point in the meeting, Laura Frey, Faculty Association president and associate professor of counseling and special education, corrected Ross when he stated the faculty went on a strike. “Just a semantic clarification, it was a legal work stoppage,” Frey said.

“With all due respect, I disagree,” Ross responded. “It was an illegal strike and you can put that in the record.”

The meeting took another turn as physics Professor Joseph Finck sarcastically questioned Ross on what his cabinet was made of.

“Is it made of tall oaks like faculty that can withstand all the changes that are happening? Is it made of the young sapling maples that are peaceful students that really do speak their mind?” Finck asked.

After laughter from those in attendance, he continued by saying, “Or is it made of weeping willow administrators who bow and sway with the wind or deans who are invasive species? The question is, is this cabinet someone who is beholden to you or are you getting advice from people who will speak freely?”

Ross stood by the work his administration has done.

“That was real cute,” he responded. “There is not one ‘yes person’ there, if that’s a direct question, that’s a direct answer.”

Other business

Claudia Douglass, interim vice president of Academic Affairs, spoke on the strategic planning process as a co-chair.

Douglass asked the senate why they bother to engage in strategic planning.

Douglass brought up CMU 2010 Vision Fund which, according to the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs website, “was established by the president to demonstrate institutional commitment to the outcomes of the five priorities in the strategic plan. One million per year for the five years of the plan (totaling $5 million) was allocated to provide seed money for innovative projects that promised to move CMU toward successfully achieving those priorities.

In order to prevent this from happening again, it’s essential to engage multiple parties at many levels, she said.

“It was something that maybe you didn’t engage in, it was something that you felt might have been underfunded, maybe you felt some of the initiatives just fell flat,” Douglass said.

A bachelor of science in computer engineering degree, and a master of science in administration-research administration, graduate concentration and graduate Certificate were added as new programs.

Deleted programs included BSED Elementary certificate history major K-8, and a Teaching Elementary K-8, BSED Elementary Certificate history minor.

Share: