MINUTES of the
Academic Standards Committee (Policy sub-committee)
October 24, 2014
Committee members in attendance:
Ken Clark, Sunil Kukreja, Jim Jasinski, Danny Laesch, Landon Wade, Jo Crane, Adam Smith,
Brad Tomhave, Karl Fields, Jan Leuchtenberger, Kelli Delaney, Lori Ricigliano
Chairperson Jasinski called the meeting to order at 2:02.
Minutes of the October 3, 2014 meeting were approved with no modification.
Petitions Report for the Period 10/01/14 – 10/21/14: presented by Brad Tomhave
Petitions Report for the Period 10/01/2014 – 10/21/2014
During the dates covered by this report, the following actions were taken on petitions
submitted to the Academic Standards Committee:
4 Approved Late Registrations
1 Approved Re-enrollment from a Medical Withdrawal
1 Approved Change in Registration from Credit to Audit
2 Approved Medical Withdrawals
1 Approved Waiver of “Last 8 Units Rule”
1 Approved Transfer Credit from a Community College for a Junior
1 Approved Application of Alternative Courses to Foreign Language Requirement
1 Approved Drop without Record
1 Approved Withdrawal with a W Grade
2 Approved Credit for SSI1 after completing WR and SCIS seminars
15 Total Petitions
Registrar Approved: 3
Preview Team Approved: 6
Sub-Committee Approved: 6
Total Approved: 15
Sub-Committee Denied: 0
Total Petitions: 15
For the year to date, 44 petitions have been considered and approved. Tomhave hesitated
upon relating the last item on the list (2 - approved credit for SSI1 after completing WR and
SCIS seminars), stating that the cases for the 2 seniors were due to “bizarre turn of events.”
Summer Sanction Policy:
Subsequent to the thorough discussion of the topic at the October 3, 2014 ASC Policy subcommittee meeting (well-documented in the Minutes by Keith Ward), Tomhave and Wade
presented the new policy language for consideration for approval. Tomhave reminded the
committee that there are two basic issues here: 1.) the petitions committee practice does
not match the current text, and 2.) there are inconsistencies in the current policy. The
proposed new language reserves the committee the opportunity to sanction a student in
the Fall for a Spring sanction even if the student does well in the summer. Brief discussion
of the need for precise language ensued. Jasinski questioned whether there would be a
need for Registrar’s Office to make an effort to reach out to the faculty for advising
purposes on this issue. Leuchtenberger stated that she really wouldn’t get into that level of
detail in advising, and the group agreed; no further discussion.
MS: to approve the new policy language as presented; P: by unanimous “Aye.”
PROPOSED/APPROVED: A student placed on academic warning who, in next semester, is
again subject to an academic warning may be suspended by the Academic Standards
Committee for one semester. Additionally, if a student on academic warning attends the
summer session and earns a term grade point average below 2.00, the Academic Standards
Committee may consider the summer session as a “semester” for purposes of suspending
that student.
(CURRENT/ REPLACED: A student subject to academic warning for two consecutive terms
may be suspended by the Academic Standards Committee for the next term.)
It was noted that the committee should expect similar policy revision language proposals
regarding summer session as it applies to probation and dismissal.
Transfer Policy:
To prepare for a final discussion of this topic, excerpts from the ASC Minutes of March 26,
2014 were distributed as a refresher by Tomhave at the October 3 meeting. The committee
was reminded that after 16 units (typically end of sophomore year) students can no longer
transfer credits from a community college. The crux of today’s discussion was: should the
current language for transfer units be maintained, OR should the 16 unit limit be taken out
for transfer from community college?
Tomhave reiterated some of the points of discussion in the excerpt, noting that 6 students
in the last year have been excused from the rule for a variety of reasons via the petition
process. For example, the matter of availability of four-year colleges at the local level must
be considered, particularly if it involves a student preparing to return from sanctions. Or, it
may be the case where a student wants/needs to complete a series of courses that were
started at the community college but now would exceed the 16 unit limit. Or, student needs
to take a course at a community college to make room for Study Abroad.
It was noted that the original logic of the prescription of 16 units limit was based on the
idea that students should not be taking lower level courses by their junior year. Arguing
against that logic, Leuchtenberger noted that seniors at Puget Sound can enroll in 100-200
level courses, so why not accept similar level courses from community colleges once the
student has exceeded 16 units. The general consensus was to extend the transfer policy to
the end of the third year (24 units), while still leaving the last 8 units to be taken on campus.
MSP to remove the passage from the Academic Handbook (page 43, under “Transfer
Information- Credit Limits - item #1. Transfer Credit”) that states “Once a student has
earned 16.00 units total, that student is no longer eligible to transfer credit from a
community college.” With no further discussion, the motion was passed unanimously by
voice vote.
Wrap-up:
Having completed the business items of the agenda, as a final word, Jasinski alerted the
members to the topics for the next meeting – continuation of summer sanctions issues as
they apply to probation and dismissal, and the maternity/paternity issue.
Motion to adjourn at 2:40 was met with approval, as well as commendation to the chair for
his efficiency in conducting the meeting – as one might expect from a communications
professor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martins Linauts