Yoder to present on College of Medicine to Academic Senate
Dr. Ernest Yoder will present material regarding the College of Medicine to the Academic Senate, but at a later date than members would like.
During Tuesday’s A-Senate meeting, a motion was presented requesting Yoder, founding dean of CMED, “provide a written description of any and all changes made to the curriculum for the Medical Doctor Degree since its approval by the senate on Nov. 16, 2010 including any changes to the master course syllabi.”
The motion also requested Yoder send in copies of all master course syllabi related to CMED curriculum so they can be posted on the A-Senate website by Nov. 23.
“There’s no way that I can have this material prepared in the format asked by (the 23rd or even) the 29th,” Yoder said.
Two weeks ago A-Senate voted to halt “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.” But some have said the vote was unconstitutional because not all members were informed about the vote beforehand.
Student Government Association President Vince Cavataio, a Shelby township senior, motioned for the motion to be amended so the material could be given at a later date. A second motion was then requested for the votes to be done electronically. Confusion ensued as the A-Senate attempted to figure out which motion it was voting on.
Eventually, it voted to postpone the original CMED motion by a vote of 68 percent.
Yoder will present on CMED Nov. 29 and also give five presentations on issues that were discussed with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
During Provost Gary Shapiro’s report, questions were asked about the self-study done by CMED. In a section regarding, “strengths and challenges,” David Smith, professor of religion and philosophy, asked about the use of the term “egalitarian culture” as a challenge.
“Do we have an egalitarian culture? Yes we do,” Shapiro said. “The question is, what is the proper mix between egalitarian culture and equity? In some areas we’ve overemphasized egalitarian rather than performance-based.”
Suspended student
The incident of the suspended journalism student was also discussed. Political Science Chairman Orlando Perez asked why no name has been released and why the student was not expelled.
Legally, the university does not currently have the right to release the name, Shapiro said. The decision to not expel the student was made by the Office of Student Life. He was asked to email the Central Michigan University community because rumors had been spread regarding the situation, he said.
Shapiro said he has been informed by the authorities that the situation has been peacefully resolved and the community is safe.
“That person went through Student Life, and that was the decision made by the appropriate individuals,” Shapiro said. “I personally have been told it is sufficient, and in that sense, I have to rely upon the people that make that decision.”
Course withdrawals
The course withdrawal process has changed this semester, and continues to undergo improvements.
The new withdrawal system allows students to electronically drop a class without having to discuss the decision with their professors.
Registrar Karen Hutslar outlined issues with the changes.
“Concerns were raised about students lacking communication with faculty members when withdrawing from courses,” she said. “With the changes made to the process, that part was eliminated.”
Course withdrawal is initiated by the student, and the professor is informed after initial paperwork is complete.
“Often when students come into my office, I ask if they’ve spoken to their professors and they haven’t,” Hutslar said. “It used to be a requirement in order to withdraw, but now that it’s not, most students never even have the conversation with their teachers"
