Student Academic Policies Committee

Present Senators: Doyle, Dries, Eimermacher, Ilg, Mott

Guest: Walker

Issues:

Discussion centered around whether or not we should add a C- to the grading scheme we suggested at the last meeting. That would make the grading scheme: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F. It was again argued that a C- grade could cause a problem for students having to earn at least a 2.0 to graduate. Also, it would mean revising the general competency policy so that a C- was a passing grade in a competency course, or forcing many students to retake the course. The C- suggestion was dropped for now.

It was suggested that a survey be emailed from the provost’s office asking the faculty to express an opinion on the proposed grade scheme change. The letter would include advantages and disadvantages of the grade change, and allow the faculty to choose one of the following three options.

1. Leave as is: A, B, C, D, F

Change to : A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, F

Suggest an alternative

The attendance policy was revisited. There is no support for changing the present policy to somehow include sophomores in the required attendance policy.

New Business:

The question was asked as to the status of the voting for student academic senators. Nobody knew. George Doyle will contact the Provost office to find out.

SGA has submitted a suggestion that the University Academic Senate consider allowing the SGA Academic Senators to be the University Student Academic Senators. Presently, SGA has eight academic senators (two from each unit) whose term begins in the fall of the year. So, this suggestion needs a little work to make it fit. It will be brought to the ECAS.

SGA is suggesting that two more competencies be considered, i.e. 1. Business competency, and 2. Civic competency. The point was made that we are just implementing the general competency program, and there will be a great many elements to be ironed out. The suggestion will be brought to the ECAS.