Academic Policy
Faculty Senate
April 24, 2013
Part I: Creation of a Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee
Motion to approve the creation of a Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee with the
following charge:
This Committee advises the Provost through the Faculty Senate, to which it reports. Its charge is to
maintain and improve the academic standards of the College for post-baccalaureate and graduate
students. The Committee shall encourage and recognize outstanding scholastic achievement of students;
review, initiate and recommend Academic Standards policies; evaluate alignment of those policies with
federal student aid policies; determine what academic action (probation level 1, probation level 2,
suspension, or dismissal), if any, is appropriate at the end of each term; monitor the progress of
probationary students; hear and judge the cases of academic dishonesty brought before it by any member
of the academic community; hear and judge the cases of students wishing to appeal academic
suspensions or dismissals; and receive and consider proposals about academic standards from any
member of the academic community.
The committee will submit a report by March 1 summarizing accomplishments, major issues discussed,
and recommendations, if any, for special charges or changes to the charge. The report will typically be a
computerized file; however, the Senate may request an in-person report.
Membership:
Three tenured faculty members
1. Chair – at large (tenured) not from post-baccalaureate or graduate programs
2. At Large
3. Department of Teacher Education representative
Ex officio -- Registrar
Ex officio – Chair of [Undergraduate] Academic Standards Committee
Ex officio -- Provost designee
By invitation – Chair of Graduate Infrastructure Task Force (until disbanded)
Part II: Response to July 2012 Compliance Task
Motion to approve policies and procedures to comply with state law and policy:
Academic Policy and Procedure – General – Curriculum Development – Honest Credit Counting Protocols
Academic Policy and Procedure – Baccalaureate -- Curriculum Development – Degree Programs
Academic Policy and Procedure – Baccalaureate – Curriculum Development – Liberal Arts Core
Academic Policy and Procedure – Baccalaureate – Curriculum Development – Major
Academic Policy and Procedure – Baccalaureate – Degree Completion – Four Year Graduation Agreement
Academic Policy and Procedure – Baccalaureate – Academic Standards – Academic Renewal
Academic Policy and Procedure – General – Catalog of Courses – Specification of Content
Part III: Policy-Making Horizon for 2013-14
Major policies that must be developed and approved next year include:
 Distance Learning
 Assessment
 Assignment of Credit Hour
Part IV: Creation of an Academic Policy Committee
Motion to approve the creation of an Academic Policy Committee with the following charge:
This Committee creates a forum for the faculty to work in collaboration with academic administration to develop a
comprehensive set of academic policies and procedures in preparation for the College’s reaffirmation of
accreditation in 2015-16. This charge outlines the goals of the committee and its membership.
Goals
The enduring concern of the Academic Policy Committee is ensuring the quality of the learning experience and the
integrity of the Fort Lewis College degree, and advancing an institutional perspective and practice in all areas of
academic affairs.
The initial goals for the committee will be to:
 Establish a common format for the articulation of policies and procedures
 Develop an effective communication system for engagement with draft policies and procedures by faculty,
academic administration, students, and staff in other divisions.
 Develop a systematic approval process reflecting the shared governance of academic policy and procedure.
 Develop an effective notification system for the communication of finalized policies and procedures to the
same groups.
 Draft and bring forward for discussion and approval policies and procedures required to meet the
requirements of the Higher Learning Commission, state statute and policy, and federal statute and policy.
Membership
The Committee shall consist of nine members:
 Member of Academic Standards Committee (convener)
 Member of Curriculum Committee
 Member of Assessment Committee
 Member of Faculty Handbook Committee
 Member of General Education Council
 1 faculty member from the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business Administration, or Department
of Teacher Education not currently serving on any of the committees listed above, selected by the
Faculty Executive Committee
 1 student member selected by the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College
 Ex officio -- Provost
 Ex officio -- Member of Deans Council selected by the Provost
 Ex Officio -- Registrar
 By invitation -- Higher Learning Commission Criteria Team Leaders
 By invitation -- Director of eLearning
 By invitation -- Director of Assessment