REQUEST TO COLLEGE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE FOR CURRICULAR IMPROVEMENTS
DEPARTMENT: BUS PROPOSED EFFECTIVE SEMESTER: Fall 2009 COLLEGE: Haworth College of Business
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
Academic Program
Substantive Course Changes
Misc. Course Changes
New degree*
New course
Title
New major*
Pre or Co-requisites
Description (attach current & proposed)
New curriculum*
Deletion (required by others)
Deletion (not required by others)
New concentration*
Course #, different level
Course #, same level
New certificate
Credit hours
Variable credit
New minor
X Enrollment restriction
Credit/no credit
Revised major
Course-level restriction
Cross-listing
Revised minor
Prefix
Title and description
COGE reapproval
X Admission requirements
(attach current & proposed)
Other (explain**)
Graduation requirements
General education (select one)
Deletion
Transfer
Not Applicable
Other (explain**)
Other (explain**)
** Other:
Title of degree, curriculum, major, minor, concentration, or certificate:
Existing course prefix and #: N/A Proposed course prefix and #: N/A
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Existing course prefix and #: N/A Credit hours: N/A
Existing course title: N/A
Proposed course title:
N/A
Existing course prerequisite & co-requisite(s):
N/A
Proposed course prerequisite(s):
N/A
Proposed course co-requisite(s): None
Proposed course prerequisite(s) that can also be taken concurrently:
Is there a minimum grade for the prerequisites or corequisites?
N/A
No
The default grades are D for undergraduates and C for graduates.
Major/minor or classification restrictions:
This proposal has two components:
A. The minimum number of credit hours to be completed for admission to the Haworth College of Business (HCoB)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program would be lowered from 48 to 26 credit hours with inclusion
of specific courses and general education areas.
B. The minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission to the BBA program would be increased from 2.5 to 2.75.
For 5000 level prerequisites & corequisites: Do these apply to: (circle one) undergraduates
graduates
both
Specifications for University Schedule of Classes:
a. Course title (maximum of 30 spaces):
b. Multi-topic course: Yes
c. Repeatable for credit:
N/A
X N/A
N/A
d. Mandatory credit/no credit:
N/A
e. Type of class and contact hours per week (check type and indicate hours as appropriate) N/A
1.
Lecture
3.
Lecture/lab/discussion
5.
Independent study
2.
Lab or discussion
4.
Seminar or
studio
Revised May 2007. All previous forms are obsolete and should not be used.
6.
Supervision or practicum
CIP Code (Registrar’s use only):
Chair/Director
Date
Chair, College Curriculum Committee
Date
Dean David Shields
Date:
Curriculum Manager: Return to dean
Date
Graduate Dean:
Forward to:
Date
Date
Chair, COGE/ PEB / FS President
FOR PROPOSALS REQUIRING GSC/USC REVIEW:
Date
*
Approve
Disapprove
Chair, GSC/USC
Date
*
Approve
Disapprove
Provost
Date
1.
Explain briefly and clearly the proposed improvement.
This proposal has two components.
A. The minimum number of credit hours to be completed for admission to the Haworth College of Business
(HCoB) Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program would be lowered from 48 to 26 credit hours.
The following must be among the 26 hours:
- BUS 1750
- BCM 1420
- CIS 1020
- MATH 1160 or higher
- General Education Area II: Humanities
- General Education Area V: Behavioral Science (in addition to BUS 1750)
- General Education Area VII: Natural Science and Technology
This proposal continues the existing requirement that students earn at least a “C” grade in BUS 1750, BCM
1420, CIS 1020, and MATH 1160 (or program requirement) but makes this mandatory prior to admission.
The requirement that a student earn a “C” also continues for the students’ sophomore level courses after
admission: STAT 2160, ECON 2010, ECON 2020, ACTY 2100, ACTY 2110, and General Education Area V:
Behavioral Science.
B. The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for admission to the Bachelor of Business
Administration (BBA) program would be raised from a 2.5 to a 2.75.
Both components will be reevaluated two years after implementation and regularly thereafter.
2. Rationale. Give your reason(s) for the proposed improvement. (If your proposal includes prerequisites, justify those,
too.)
A. Admission after 26 credit hours would ensure that students in 2000 level BBA-required classes shared a common,
declared interest in business as a major and a common body of knowledge, as identified by the four designated
1000 level pre-requisites. The required 1000-level classes are currently taken in a freshman’s first year, and
General Education Area V is required as part of the pre-business administration (PBA) curriculum. The additional
General Education requirements in Area II and VII represent the broad background necessary for business
success and allow a student some individualization within the first year of the program.
B. The 2.75 cumulative GPA requirement would provide students in 2000-level classes with a more academically
homogeneous student body. These students would have proven themselves academically and could be expected to
manage the more challenging 2000-level material at a common pace. Those who maintain a GPA near the WMU
university average GPA of 2.81 after 26 credit hours have a greater probability of completing the more
challenging 2000-level courses successfully and finishing in four years.
Such a GPA criterion is also expected to help improve our Educational Benchmarking (EBI) rankings on
“Characteristics of Fellow Classmates,” which is currently 5/7 among our “Select 6” institutions. In addition,
students who are weighing the competitive benefits of attending either WMU or Grand Valley State University will
find that the Seidman College at GVSU admits students who have a 2.75 cumulative GPA but after 55 credit
hours.
The slight increase in GPA is expected to diminish the number of students by approximately 130 students per year.
This reduction would allow:
-
A gradual decrease in class size for at least one section of MKTG 2500, MGMT 2500, BUS 3750, and LAW
3800, four of the thirteen required business courses that currently enroll at least one group of 350 students
per semester of each academic year. Reduced class sizes would provide an opportunity for experiential
learning and classroom discussions in which to practice critical thinking skills. Evaluation methods could be
broadened from multiple-choice to short answer or essay examinations, consistent with the university’s
intention to foster writing skills in the baccalaureate program. Simulations and case studies that develop
problem-solving skills and verbal communication abilities would also be possible. Both written and verbal
communication abilities, as well as problem-solving skills, are highly desired by employers, and therefore,
are of benefit to students.
- More certainty for BBA students currently enrolled in the program that classes will be available so they can
graduate in four years, as agreed under the Western Edge compact agreements.
- An improvement in student:faculty ratio, now at 46:1, the highest among our peer, competitor, or aspirant
schools, as shown on The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) website. Most of
the comparison schools have a student:faculty ratio of approximately 35:1 or less, which would allow more
attention to students’ individual learning needs. Without a reduced number of incoming students, HCoB’s
student:faculty ratio is expected to increase further as the 20% of HCoB faculty now over age 60 retire in
increasing numbers in the next few years. The ratios are a factor in our accreditation, which is due for
renewal in Spring 2009.
- “Enhanced advising,” as promised by the Western Edge, would be more feasible than under the current ratio
of students to Academic Advisors of 1250:1. This ratio also exceeds any of our aspirant, competitor, or peer
schools, and is far above the National Association of Academic Advisors’ recommended ratio of 350:1.
3.
Effect on other colleges, departments or programs. If consultation with others is required, attach evidence of
consultation and support. If objections have been raised, document the resolution. Demonstrate that the program you
propose is not a duplication of an existing one.
A. Admission of students after 26 credit hours would have little or no effect on other colleges, departments, or
programs.
B. A required cumulative GPA of 2.75 instead of the current 2.5 is expected to have one of four possible effects on
HCoB, and on other colleges, departments, or programs. These perceived effects may be viewed as the following
potential scenarios that have likelihoods as follows.
I. Very few students get into HCoB: Very unlikely. Students will be informed of the requirements when they
register for their first classes at freshmen orientation in June 2009. Parents will also be informed. Evidence
based on historical GPA’s suggests about 80% of freshmen will succeed. Those who are motivated to study
business are likely to strive to meet the requirements and gain entry, resulting in possible effect II.
II. Everyone gets into HCOB upon admission: Unlikely. In this scenario, forewarned students are expected to
easily meet the requirements, resulting in more students than ever before gaining admission to HCoB.
However, as many freshmen enjoy their independence and struggle with time management during their first
semester (or first year), this scenario is unlikely. The average GPA for freshman is 2.81; thus, historical
evidence across the university suggests that most incoming students will have a 2.75 GPA after their first
year. However, those who are motivated to study business are likely to strive to prove themselves, earn the
benefit of a solid GPA base, and enjoy a more secure “good standing” status as they tackle more challenging
2nd year coursework. Motivated students and higher GPA’s bode well for retention.
II. Everyone gets in to HCoB eventually: Possible but ill-advised. Students who do not achieve a 2.75 after 26
credit hours may simply retake classes (up to 3 times) until they achieve the necessary grades. A student who
earns a “D” could retake it and raise a lagging GPA. Advisors who become aware of a student repeating
more than one course might initiate a discussion on the student’s interest and motivation for the program. In
this scenario, the HCoB enrollment might increase briefly in 1000-level courses as students re-enroll to raise
their GPA’s. However, such an increase would be temporary, modest, and have little effect on other colleges.
Students who have to retake a number of courses to meet the 2.75 GPA may experience difficulty attaining the
four requisite “C” grades in ACTY 2100 & 2110, ECON 2010 & 2020 & STAT 2160, all of which are
required courses that many students regard as “more challenging.” We believe it is more appropriate to
narrow the applicant field early to those students who are more likely to succeed than to allow more students
to continue to enroll and spend limited resources on a program that is not well suited for them.
IV. Approximately 21% (about 130) freshmen are denied admission to HCoB: Very likely, as shown by
historical (static) data. Based on the GPA’s of Fall 2007 pre-Business students, 20.9% would not meet the
2.75 GPA requirement after 26 credit hours, although they would meet a 2.5 GPA (HCoB’s current admission
standard; see table and methodology at end of proposal. However, such data are only accurate at a given
point in time; we cannot predict what a motivated student who is forewarned of the higher GPA requirement
would do. In fact, the decrease in students could be notably less than 21%, due to potential implications of
both effect III and IV. Static data of actual business students’ past performance is the best indicator we have
that 20.9% will pursue an alternate major, and could be helped to find a major at WMU that is not currently
over-enrolled, and take a business minor that helps them fill a unique job market niche (see Effect on
Departments or programs, below).
Instead of leaving the university, we believe it most likely that the majority of the expected 21% of students
who do not earn a 2.75 GPA will stay at WMU and pursue a major in another college, as they will have spent
their first year learning what WMU has to offer, forming bonds with other students, and enjoying Kalamazoo.
While it is outside the college’s purview to tell these students what major they should pursue, HCOB Office of
Advising and Admissions can encourage students who are struggling with the coursework to identify a major
that better fits their interests, personality, and values. Students could save time and resources by identifying
their major at this early stage of their academic careers with the resources available through the Career &
Student Employment Services in Ellsworth Hall, or by enrolling in a one-credit hour elective to help them
interpret their results and find their “best fit” career (e.g., UNIV 1020).
The above scenarios would vary in their effect(s) on other colleges. We will focus here on effect IV, which
would have the most impact on other colleges. Students who obtain a cumulative GPA of >2.0 but <2.749 will
be able to apply the admission-requirements shown in IB (proposed above) toward other university
requirements:
-
BCM 1420: Would count as writing proficiency
CIS 1020: Would count as computer proficiency or an elective
MATH 1160: Would count as math proficiency.
BUS 1750: Could count as a General Education Area V or as an elective. General Education
requirements would be satisfied also for
 General Education Area II: Humanities
 General Education Area V: Behavioral Science or as an elective
 General Education Area VII: Natural Science and Technology
Most other colleges are likely to experience only a small increase in enrollment as students select majors
throughout that college. The College of Arts & Sciences is the college most likely to experience the most
increase, as that college offers the largest selection of majors. However, in academic year 2006-07, the
College of Arts & Sciences actually experienced a drop in enrollment of 146 students (SAIR Fact Book). If
HCoB experiences the anticipated drop in enrollment of 21% of the freshmen class (anticipated to be between
550-650 students), and all 21% are drawn to the College of Arts & Sciences, the CAS increase in enrollment
(of ~130 students) would come close to returning enrollment to the 2006-07 levels.
We recommend that colleges experiencing an influx of students from the business college encourage these
students to enroll in the one-credit hour elective, UNIV 1020, to help the students find their most suitable
major. Students reluctant to enroll in an additional class could be encouraged to utilize the career-search
resources available through the Career and Student Employment Services office in Ellsworth Hall.
Effect on departments or programs:
Students who were initially interested in business but do not have a 2.75 GPA might be interested in majoring
in a complementary field (e.g., Africana Studies, Geography, Economics, Comparative Religion, Statistics, or
Philosophy), and pursuing the proposed Business Minor for Non-Business Students, which will be open to any
student in good standing with >2.0 GPA after 26 credit hours. The example majors are shown here because
all are applicable to understanding the world in which business is conducted and because they could provide
the student with a unique disciplinary background that, in combination with the new business minor, provides
a unique combination of skills and abilities that could help the student find a satisfying career.
Other effects:
Specific departments within the College of Arts & Science may be affected. Under anticipated effect IV
(above), 79% of the usual number of freshmen will be admitted to the business program after 26 hours. Many
of these students will not have taken Economics 2010 and 2020 and Statistics 2160. However, all BBA
students will continue to be required to take STAT 2160, ECON 2010 and 2020. Thus, BBA students will take
Statistics 2160, and Economics 2010 and 2020 after admission to the business program, rather than prior to
entry. Those three courses may experience some drop in enrollment, consistent with the expected decline of
approximately 130 students per academic year in the BBA program (effect IV).
We plan to encourage students who intend to major in Accountancy, Finance or Economics to take
Economics 2010 in the second semester of their freshmen year. The Economics faculty could take advantage
of this early course enrollment to recruit more Economics students.
Other uncertainties in predicting any change in enrollment include the effect of catalog year (see #5), and the
effect of transfer students (see #11).
4.
Effect on your department’s programs. Show how the proposed change fits with other departmental offerings.
A. Students admitted after 26 credit hours: See #5, below. Also, if component A is enacted without B, more students
would be admitted to program than currently are admitted, as indicated by WMU average GPA of 2.81 after
freshman year. Without component B, all of the following would increase: Average class size for BBA students;
current large class size in several classes; student: faculty ratio; advisor: student ratio.
B. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 including specific courses completed among >26 credit hours.
Depending on the chosen scenario (see #3, B above), different effects would follow:
I: Very few students admitted: Average class size would be reduced; auditorium sections would be unlikely.
II: Everyone is admitted: The following could increase: Number of auditorium sections; average class size;
student: faculty& advisor ratios. Accreditation would be unlikely.
III: Everyone admitted eventually: Minimal change to program; accreditation would be unlikely.
IV: About 21% of students are denied: Ratios of students: faculty, and students: advisors would improve; class
sizes could be reduced. WMU and the HCoB could reclaim reputation as an excellent teaching, as well as
research, institution.
Other possibilities for the long term are that better students who are interested in attending a college where
the student body is more academically homogeneous may be attracted to WMU and overall applications will
increase.
5.
Effects on enrolled students: Are program conflicts avoided? Will your proposal make it easier or harder for students
to meet graduation requirements? Can students complete the program in a reasonable time? Show that you have
considered scheduling needs and demands on students’ time. If a required course will be offered during summer only,
provide a rationale.
Effect on PBA enrolled students who have a 2.75 GPA in 2009:
“Moving up” catalog year: Students who enrolled prior to Fall 2009 and have attained a GPA >2.75 may
choose to “move up” their catalog year of WMU admission to a selected later year (e.g., Fall 2009) and have
the later admission criteria apply. Students may perceive the advantage of moving up as being assured of
BBA admission (under Fall 2009 criteria) without having to complete quantitatively-oriented courses (such
as ACTY 2100 and 2110, STAT 2160, and ECON 2010 and 2020) while meeting the 2.5 required GPA.
We expect the number of students taking this option to be <262 students, based on the number of WMU (nontransfer) students in Fall 2007 whose GPA’s after 26 credit hours fell between 2.5-3.0, as shown in Appendix A.
The most likely group to “move up” is comprised of those whose GPA’s are between 2.75-3.00 after 26 hours. In the
Fall 2007 group, 132 students earned a spot in this category. These 132 students may want to ensure that their
grade point is not jeopardized by low grades in sophomore level courses, which might pull their GPA below a 2.5
and deny them admission (under current rules) to the BBA program. Another possible group is those Fall 2007
students whose GPA’s fall slightly below the required 2.75 at 26 hours. By repeating a class or taking another
semester of courses perceived as “less challenging,” students could raise their GPA to 2.75, move up their catalog
year, and avoid the risk of having to complete sophomore level requirements and potentially lower their GPA
below the currently required 2.5 GPA.
If the maximum anticipated number of students (262) were to “move up” their catalog year, the HCoB would
experience a slight increase in BBA student enrollments in Summer and Fall 2009, and a return to normal levels in
2010. In fact, fewer than the 262 students discussed above are likely to exercise this option. The number choosing
to “move up” is expected to be closer to 130 than to 262 for a few reasons:
- Some students will not be aware of the option to change their catalog year;
- Some students will be confident they can attain the 2.75 GPA after sophomore-level classes.
Effect on pre-BBA students who do not meet the 2.75 GPA for admission: Students who complete the 1000 level prebusiness requirements but are not admitted due to a GPA <2.75 have the option of retaking courses a maximum of
three times to improve their GPA. Those who are not successful would have the option, under the proposed New
Business Minor for Non-Business Students, of enrolling in a business minor at only 26 credit hours if in good
standing with a 2.0 GPA. Those students not admitted to the program have an opportunity to begin exploring
options earlier, may begin pursuing other programs, and completing one better suited to their needs, personality,
interests, and values within the desired four years.
Program conflicts: None are anticipated.
Meeting graduation requirements and program completion: Students will have access to up to 27 courses at the
1000-level of general education courses across Areas II, V, and VII as early as their first semester of enrollment.
After students have completed their math and writing requirements, an additional 94 courses are available for
enrollment in the three required general education areas, II, V, and VII.
The Western Edge: The components of the admissions proposal help students meet the goals of the Western Edge and
any graduation compact agreements. The change will not delay any student who is admitted to the BBA program.
In fact, this proposal is well in line with all aspects of the Western Edge, particularly in providing student access
to classes and maximizing the opportunities for student success. Given the limited faculty resources throughout the
university, reducing the number of HCoB students helps ensure that those enrolled will have classes available.
For practical implementation, we recommended that students who wish to sign Western Edge Compact Agreements
do so after their admission to the BBA program, which is generally expected after the first semester of students’
sophomore year. Enhanced advising, a Western Edge component, will be better accommodated with the new
admissions criteria proposed.
With a reduction of 21% in enrollment, our current advising ratio of about 1250 students to one advisor could be
improved over time to about 1000 students to one advisor, although this is still far from ideal. The recent hiring of
a director for the Office of Academic Advising and Admissions reduces the ratio to about 1125:1 advisor. The
National Association for Academic Advisors recommends a ratio of 350 students to one advisor.
Course Offerings Schedule
Course scheduling is not affected; courses will continue to be offered year round.
6.
Student or external market demand. What is your anticipated student audience? What evidence of student or market
demand or need exists? What is the estimated enrollment? What other factors make your proposal beneficial to
students?
We expect demand for the BBA program to remain constant or increase in the next few years. The current level of
demand follows a few years of decline after students found they could not get their required classes (University
enrollment was then ~28,000 students and faculty hiring was limited or non-existent). While history is not a
perfect predictor of the future, this proposal attempts to proactively and rationally control HCoB’s enrollment
and avoid having closed classes drive students away, which could damage not only HCoB’s reputation but also
that of WMU.
7.
Effects on resources. Explain how your proposal would affect department and University resources, including faculty,
equipment, space, technology, and library holdings. Tell how you will staff additions to the program. If more advising
will be needed, how will you provide for it? How often will course(s) be offered? What will be the initial one-time costs
and the ongoing base-funding costs for the proposed program? (Attach additional pages, as necessary.)
Faculty: The HCoB has ongoing resource needs due to the net loss of fifteen faculty positions over the last several
years. No new faculty needs (above those described earlier to administration) are anticipated in the short term.
Reduced enrollment will not change the need to replace tenure-track faculty lines for the long term, as 20% of our
faculty are >60 years of age. Several of our large sections of required courses are already taught by term faculty.
Equipment and technology: No additional equipment needs beyond those described in other communications to the
administration are anticipated.
Library: Faculty and students would continue to use the library and would have ongoing needs for continually
updated materials and online data bases.
Space/Facilities: All courses in the business disciplines required by the BBA program will continue to be taught in
Schneider Hall.
Advising: The student:advisor ratio is expected to improve to a more favorable figure compared to our peer,
competitor, and aspirant institutions. See #5 (above).
Start-up Costs: Initial costs are expected to be minimal, and include printing of new materials to publicize the
admission requirements to community colleges and other four-year institutions. Visits to the community colleges to
explain the details and gain their cooperation are anticipated in the academic year 2008-09, if the proposed
admission requirements are accepted.
8.
General education criteria. For a general education course, indicate how this course will meet the criteria for the area
or proficiency. (See the General Education Policy for descriptions of each area and proficiency and the criteria. Attach
additional pages as necessary. Attach a syllabus if (a) proposing a new course, (b) requesting certification for
baccalaureate-level writing, or (c) requesting reapproval of an existing course.)
The General Education categorization of BUS 1750 remains unchanged; no reapproval is sought. Proficiency
requirements and courses to meet those needs are unchanged.
9. List the learning outcomes for the proposed course or the revised or proposed major, minor, or concentration. These
are the outcomes that the department will use for future assessments of the course or program.
The proposed requirements will be evaluated two years after implementation for the desired effect on BBA enrollment.
These desired effects include a reduced student:faculty ratio and reduced student:advisor ratio.
The learning outcomes remain unchanged. Graduates of the Haworth College of Business, with a Bachelor of
Business Administration (BBA) degree, will be able to:
- Understand essential business knowledge
- Make effective business decisions
- Communicate effectively
- Understand and apply global business knowledge and diverse perspectives
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and leadership
- Demonstrate an understanding of business operations and product and process technology
- Understand and use computer-based information and systems and infrastructures.
10. Describe how this curriculum change is a response to assessment outcomes that are part of a departmental or college
assessment plan or informal assessment activities.
HCoB students, responding in their senior year to an Educational Benchmarking (EBI) survey, were not pleased with
the “Characteristics of Fellow Classmates.” The students’ responses on this factor resulted in a rating that is
currently 5/7 among our “Select 6” institutions. The more rigorous admission standards should improve this rating.
Also, during our last formal accreditation visit nearly ten years ago, our accreditation agency, The Association to
Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation team faulted HCoB for having an insufficient number
of faculty given the size of the student body. Accreditation was granted in part based upon a promise to hire
additional faculty, a promise that has not been completely fulfilled. AACSB officers remember this incident and have
promised it will not reoccur. The two components (A & B) proposed here are expected to reduce the number of
students in sophomore level BBA-required classes and thereby reduce student: faculty ratios in the only way fiscally
feasible under current budgetary restrictions.
In general, experienced teachers in HCoB have found that most of our students learn practical business skills by
working through simulated or real cases, solving problems, and asking questions. These options are more realistic
with smaller average class sizes, as are opportunities to demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills via essay
exams. A lower student: faculty ratio is more conducive to smaller classes and the development of these skills
through repeated practice.
The AACSB continually revises its standards, most recently in January 2008. The proposed reduction will assist
HCoB’s efforts to meet an emerging informal standard among AACSB schools regarding student to faculty ratios.
The current HCoB ratio is substantially higher than those of our peer, competitor and aspirant AACSB schools, as
noted in #2, above, on page 4.
11. (Undergraduate proposals only) Describe, in detail, how this curriculum change affects transfer articulation for
Michigan community colleges. For course changes, include detail on necessary changes to transfer articulation from
Michigan community college courses. For new majors or minors, describe transfer guidelines to be developed with
Michigan community colleges. For revisions to majors or minors, describe necessary revisions to Michigan community
college guidelines. Department chairs should seek assistance from college advising directors or from the admissions
office in completing this section.
A. Community college students are likely to transfer credit for many of the required 26 hours from their community
colleges. They may be ready for admission directly from the community college.
B. Community college students will not be required to have a 2.75 cumulative GPA in the courses transferred for
credit. WMU has matriculation agreements with several community colleges; these agreements specify that GPA
admission requirements (e.g., 2.75 GPA) will only apply to the grades earned in courses taken at WMU. Under the
new admission criteria, transfer students could enroll in 2000 level and upper-division business courses after
official transcripts are received that verify completion of 26 hours and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in any WMU
courses. Once students have taken a course at WMU, the GPA earned at WMU becomes a relevant criterion for
admission to the BBA program.
These matriculation agreements help to foster WMU’s relationships with community colleges, several of which are
the home institutions of approximately 40% of the HCoB student body who have transferred from other schools.
The major “feeder schools” are Kalamazoo Community College, Kellogg Community College, Grand Rapids
Community College, Oakland Community College, and Lake Michigan College.
The catalog year of entry will govern whether the new admission rules apply to transfer students. Transfer students
who began their programs at a Michigan community college prior to Fall 2009 (or the effective date of this
proposal) will follow the transfer policies in effect at the time of their first semester at the community college. If a
student has taken community college courses at the same time as WMU courses, the student’s catalog year will be
determined by year of first college level course (either at community college or WMU) and the students’ GPA will
be based on courses taken at WMU. Students from four-year institutions entering WMU in Fall 2009 would have
as their catalog year of entry 2009.
Students who wished to transfer after a fall semester would be admitted only after official transcripts are received. A
deadline would be established for receipt of transfer transcripts so students could register for Summer I session.
Students who transfer from a community college with 60 hours or more may lack Area VII. Such a student has little
to take in course work until admitted but must first satisfy the Area VII requirement. At the discretion of the
Director of Advising and Admissions, these community college transfer students will be allowed to begin their BBA
program on the condition that these students must have a 2.75 GPA after the first semester of courses at WMU for
official admission.
Several Michigan community colleges currently offer undergraduate business courses that may be transferred for
credit as 1000 and 2000 level PBA and General Business minor requirement equivalents. Such courses would
continue to be accepted as equivalent for transfer students pursuing a BBA.
Fall 2007 HCOB Students with Indicated GPA or Higher at 26 WMU Credit Hours
(Students with Transfer Credits Excluded)
Major
Accountancy
Advertising & Promotion
Computer Information Systems
Economics: Business
Electronic Business Design
Finance
Food & Consumer Pkg Goods Mkt
Human Resource Management
Integrated Supply Matrix Mgmt
Management
Marketing
Personal Financial Planning
Public Administration Business
Sales & Business Marketing
Statistics: Business
Telecommunications & Info Mgmt
Undecided: Business
Total Number and Percent of
Students Who Meet GPA
Requirement at 26 credit hours
None
129
112.2%
34
109.7%
32
133.3%
7
116.7%
3
100.0%
108
116.1%
34
109.7%
25
104.2%
42
107.7%
99
116.5%
82
120.6%
16
106.7%
1
100.0%
86
116.2%
1
100.0%
1
100.0%
15
150.0%
GPA Requirement at 26 Credit Hours
2.50
2.60
2.70
2.75
2.80
115
108
98
95
89
100.0%
93.9%
85.2%
82.6%
77.4%
31
27
24
23
23
100.0%
87.1%
77.4%
74.2%
74.2%
24
21
18
18
18
100.0%
87.5%
75.0%
75.0%
75.0%
6
5
5
4
4
100.0%
83.3%
83.3%
66.7%
66.7%
3
3
3
2
1
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
66.7%
33.3%
93
85
78
78
77
100.0%
91.4%
83.9%
83.9%
82.8%
31
28
24
24
23
100.0%
90.3%
77.4%
77.4%
74.2%
24
22
21
19
18
100.0%
91.7%
87.5%
79.2%
75.0%
39
35
33
32
32
100.0%
89.7%
84.6%
82.1%
82.1%
85
74
70
68
63
100.0%
87.1%
82.4%
80.0%
74.1%
68
57
50
48
45
100.0%
83.8%
73.5%
70.6%
66.2%
15
14
13
12
12
100.0%
93.3%
86.7%
80.0%
80.0%
1
1
1
1
1
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
74
69
61
57
55
100.0%
93.2%
82.4%
77.0%
74.3%
1
1
1
1
1
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
1
1
1
1
1
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
10
9
8
8
6
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
80.0%
60.0%
715
115.1%
621
100.0%
560
90.2%
509
82.0%
491
79.1%
469
75.5%
2.90
83
72.2%
20
64.5%
18
75.0%
3
50.0%
1
33.3%
68
73.1%
21
67.7%
17
70.8%
27
69.2%
57
67.1%
38
55.9%
10
66.7%
1
100.0%
45
60.8%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
5
50.0%
3.00
76
66.1%
12
38.7%
17
70.8%
2
33.3%
1
33.3%
61
65.6%
18
58.1%
14
58.3%
22
56.4%
50
58.8%
31
45.6%
9
60.0%
1
100.0%
40
54.1%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
5
50.0%
414
66.7%
359
57.8%
This table reports the number and percentage of Fall 2007 HCOB students who would have met the indicated GPA
requirement as of 26 credit hours of WMU graded course work. Students with transfer credits are excluded from this
sample.
The first column shows the total number of non-transfer students in each major. For example, Accountancy has a total of
129 non-transfer students. Each subsequent column shows the number of students remaining when the indicated GPA is
required as of the first semester when the students satisfied the 26 credit hour requirement. The last column shows the
number of non-transfer students who would have met a 3.0 GPA requirement. For example, Accountancy has 76 nontransfer students who would have met a 3.0 GPA requirement when they met the 26 credit hour requirement.
Research Method:
All students who were enrolled in HCOB during Fall 2007 were identified by Institutional Research. The data
provided by Institutional Research (Excel spreadsheet), with a few modifications, are illustrated below. The
data include the historical record of every student who was enrolled in HCOB during Fall 2007. The following
steps identify the GPA of each student at the end of the semester when they first meet the requirement of 48
credit hours (process repeated for 30 and 26 credit hours).
1. Sort data by WIN, then year and semester.
2. If AccumGPACr < 48 then delete the row.
3. Calculate: PriorGPACr = AccumGPACr – TermGPACr
4. If PriorGPACr >= 48 then delete the row. This step eliminates the semesters that occur after the student
first meets the 48 credit hour requirement.
5. The remaining rows are associated with the semester when the students first meet the 48 credit hour
requirement. The AccumGPAs are analyzed using traditional statistical analysis.
Limitations of the Analysis
1. The analysis does not include students with transfer credits. Reason: Although transfer credit data were
provided, transfer GPA’s are available for only a portion of the transfer credits. Consequently, it is not
possible to determine the GPA that transfer students would have at 48, 30, or 26 credit hours.
2. The data do not take into account courses that students take for credit rather than a grade.
3. Students might decide to defer application to HCOB until a later semester than the one in which they
initially meet the minimum credit hour requirement.