Minutes Academic Standards Committee December 5, 2014 Convened at 2:04 pm in the Misner room. In attendance: Ken Clark, Jo Crane, Kelli Delaney, Karl Fields, Jim Jasinski, Danny Laesch, Jan Leuchtenberger, Martins Linauts, Lori Ricigliano, Sarah Shives, Adam Smith, Brad Tomhave, Landon Wade, Ann Wilson I. M/S/P to approve the minutes of meeting on November 14, 2014. II. Petitions Subcommittee Report for the period November 12 – December 2, 2014. The following report was submitted by Brad Tomhave, Registrar: During the dates covered by this report, the following actions were taken on petitions
submitted to the Academic Standards Committee:
1 Approved Late Registration
3 Approved Reinstatements or Readmissions
1 Denied Readmission
3 Approved Re-Enrollments from a Medical Withdrawal
1 Denied Re-Enrollment from a Medical Withdrawal
4 Approved Registrations with a Time Conflict
5 Approved Medical Withdrawals
2 Approved Waivers of the “Last 8 Units Rule”
1 Approved Waiver of Minimum GPA for Independent Study
21 Total Petitions
Registrar Approved: 1
Preview Team Approved: 6
Sub-Committee Approved: 12
Total Approved: 19
Sub-Committee Denied:
Total Petitions: 21
2
The late registration petition was from a student who neglected to register for the class in
question. The “Last 8” petitions are from students taking courses through the University
of Arizona during the semester break so they can graduate in Spring 2015.
For the year to date, 78 petitions have been approved and 4 have been denied. Among
the 82 petitions considered, there were 16 late registrations, 22 schedule conflict
registrations, and 15 medical withdrawals. For comparison, by December 3, 2013, 67
petitions were approved and 4 denied. Among the 71 petitions considered last year, there
were 29 late registrations, 9 schedule conflict registrations, and 8 medical withdrawals.
III. Review of policies for incomplete grades Two major issues (in bold and underlined) were discussed and related difficulties and possible solutions (lettered items) were brought up, but no motion for changes to the current policy was presented. Under what circumstances can an incomplete grade given? An incomplete grade can be offered in cases of illness or some other circumstance that prevents the student from completing a few assignments (e.g. exam, paper). Incomplete grades are not intended for late work that was not completed during the semester. a. Should a student be limited in the number of incomplete grades (per semester or with respect to the total number over time at Puget Sound)? The suggestion was made so the student could possibly focus on (and complete) one course and not have as much work to complete later. However, the variability of each student’s case doesn’t allow for this to be a very viable option. b. Should there be a person who oversees (the process of) incomplete grades? The offices of Academic Advising, the Registrar, and the Dean of Students already work with students and faculty to help determine when to consider the option of incomplete for the course or withdrawal from the course or University. Timing to complete incomplete work The current due date for completion of the incomplete work is mid-­‐term of the following semester. A faculty member may set up a timeline for the earlier completion of the incomplete work. An extension to have work completed after midterm of the following semester may be requested through the Registrar. If a student doesn’t complete the work by midterm of the following semester the incomplete grade is converted to a F grade. While the uneven time distribution between the spring and fall is one concern, the other concern with timing was whether the midterm deadline is too long. • An incomplete grade is not meant to extend the semester by several months, nor delay a poor grade. Anecdotally, those who will do well will complete the work in a timely manner. • How can a student focus on completing the incomplete work when working on new coursework? c. Make a summer deadline for incomplete grade given in the spring. Problem: Limited access to resources for student (library, research/lab facilities, or faculty). d. Change the deadline to occur at the end of the first week of classes (during the Add period). This timeline may be too short for an incomplete grade given in the fall semester. e. Change the deadline to four weeks into the semester. This timeline provides enough time and it is before major work of current semester is due; but it still doesn’t address the long period of time for an incomplete given in the spring. f. Does the deadline need to be uniform for the two semesters or can it be staggered (e.g. four weeks into spring and first week in fall)? Pros for uniformity—the consistency for the two semesters is easier for faculty to remember. Pros for staggered—Adequate time is provided for completion of incomplete work and allows student to focus on current coursework. Other questions that came up during the discussion related to the magnitude of the issue. Committee members wondered if statistics were available regarding incomplete grades (possibly from Registrar’s office, Institutional Research, or ASC minutes)? What are the incomplete grade rates across campus? What number of incomplete grades are converted to a F grade? Is there a disparity between the number of Fall and Spring incompletes and F conversions? Are there chronic offenders? IV. Recognition of service—Danny Laesch The committee recognized and thanked Danny Laesch for 3 years of service as the student member of the ASC. His insight, as well as his cookies and chocolate, will be greatly missed. M/S/P for adjournment at 2:44 pm. Respectfully submitted, Johanna Crane