Academic Standard and Policies
Minutes
December 7, 2007

Present:  Taylor Hanna, Barb VanAmerongen, Veronica Garcia, Karen Sanders,

Phil Thurber, Leslie Macaulay, Edward Lee

Taylor welcomed Karen Sanders, Interim Dean of Social Science & College Preparation.  She is replacing committee member Cheryl Scott.

Course Grading Options Standards and Practices:  Taylor presented part of the Grading Proposal at the November EAC Meeting, he will present the rest of the proposal at the December meeting.  They had quite a bit of commentary on the proposal which is reflected in the minutes.  Barb let the committee know that Taylor did a wonderful job presenting this to the EAC.

When Taylor presents at the December EAC meeting he will emphasize that this is a student centered policy change and want to put as much control and responsibility in the hands of the students, that W’s are the same as Audits for students in a Financial Aid context, and that the removal of pressure from faculty to make choices is the intent and not wanting responsibility for adverse effects on Financial Aid. 

Action:  Committee members please read the EAC’s November Minutes before the next meeting.

Action:  Veronica will find out if Audits get full reimbursement.

Action:  Veronica will find out the cost for the new grading policy changes in the Banner system. 

Dee Wilson sent Taylor an email about the proposal and suggested some changes:

Course Grading Options Standards and Practices

• Under Roles and Responsibilities, paragraph 4, phrase: Faculty advise students regarding existing petition processes for extraordinary situations

Change:  Take out phrase and include link to policy already in place

• Under Grading Options Guidelines number 3: It was suggested to remove that statement

• Under Grading Options Guidelines, number 9: There are already established guidelines for petitions for hardships and non-academic issues in place.

Change:  Adjust wording and add link to policy already in place.

Course Grading Options Table

• Under Course Grading Options Table, footnote with double crossbar:  …approved petitions may result in a W grade, end here. 

• Under Course Grading Options Table, Tuition Result row, By the end of the 2nd week column change no effect to charges remain

Change:   “no effect” to “charges remain”

• Under Course Grading Options Table, Tuition Result row, Weeks 3 - 8 column:

Change:  “no effect on tuition” to “tuition charged”

           

• Under Course Grading Options Table, Tuition Result row, Weeks 9 - 12 column:

 Change:  “charges remain” to “tuition charged”

• Under Transcript Result

Change:   “no effect” to “course listed”

• Statement:  Student receiving financial aid should consult a Financial Aid Advisor prior to taking any actions listed below.

Change:  Make font bigger

Action:  Taylor will meet with Dee Wilson to get clarification on the Grading Options Guidelines #3, and will email the committee what he found out. 

Kendra Cawley had a concern regarding the Course Grading Options Standards and Practices under Roles and Responsibilities, #4:  Faculty advise students…. –that this puts the faculty in a culpable position and that the faculty are responsible for advising students. 

Change “Faculty advise students” to “Faculty inform Students”

Future Issues:  The EAC leaders met and came up with a number of things to be added to our future issues list for this committee: 

• Plus/Minus Grading (because other schools do this and potential honors program)
• Meaning of Pass/No Pass Grades
• Meaning of Audit Grade – Grade or Mark?

New Issues - Bylaw Changes:

• Replacements or changes in membership on Standing Committees
• Discuss Quorums at EAC Meetings
• Elections of EAC Chairs, section 4 and 6A2 in conflict

Action:  Taylor will ask the EAC Leaders what their priority is.

Next Meeting:  Friday, January 18th, from 1:00 – 3:00PM, CPWTC