UCAP Meeting of 11/20/2003 2003-2004 agenda status: approved Agenda:
Meeting of Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:15 a.m., Board Room, Administration Building 1. Approval of Agenda (10:15) 2. Approval of Minutes of the October 23, 2003 meeting (10:20)..........(Attachment) 3. Comments from the Chairperson (10:25) 4. Comments from the Assistant Provost (10:30) 5. Review of Maximum Transfer Credit Acceptance Policy from a Community College (10:35).............................(Attachment A) 6. Review of Minimum GPA required for Transfer Credit Acceptance Policy (11:00)...................................(Attachment B) 7. Update from Academic Integrity Sub-Committee (11:15)................Patricia Mullan 8. Update from Learning Importance Sub-Committee (11:30)............Jim Gallagher 9. Update from Grade Inflation Sub-Committee (11:45)...............Bridget Behe Please phone or E-Mail Robin Pline (353-5380; pline@msu.edu) if you cannot be present and send a substitute in your place. Attachments: Octoberber 23, 2003 Draft Minutes Academic Programs Catalog Language for Transfer Credit Acceptance from a Community College Policy Academic Programs Catalog Language for Minimum GPA Required for Acceptance of Transfer Credit from Another Institution minutes status: approved approved at meeting of 12/04/2003 UCAP Minutes for meeting held on 11/20/2003 University Committee on Academic Policy November 20, 2003 Meeting Minutes Members Present: Henry Beckmeyer, Bridget Behe (Chair), James Gallagher, Jeremy Hernandez, Jennifer Hodges, Tim Howes, Patricia Mullan, Helene Pazak (for Paul Coe), Rod Phillips, Jordan Robinson, Sharon Senk, Jon Sticklen (for Betty Cheng), Maija Zile Others Present: Assistant Provost June Pierce Youatt Members Absent: Janet Bokemeier, Steve Dilley, Kyle Martin, Tom Morse, Folu Ogundimu, Georgia Padonu, Cynthia Taggart, Alexander von Eye 1. The Agenda was approved. 2. The Minutes of the October 23, 2003 UCAP Meeting were approved as written. 3. Comments from the Chairperson: Bridget Behe shared information she had gathered at the Lilly seminar on Tuesday November 18. The seminar titled "Managing the Integrity of the Classroom Testing Process (Clever Cheaters and How to Find Them)" was given by Linda Trevarthen, the Manager of Testing Services. Behe shared that a primary way to reduce cheating is to watch for repetitive behavior such as pencil tapping. She encouraged us to attend future seminars. 4. Comments from the Assistant Provost: June Youatt provided background information on the evaluation instruments used to gather student feedback on short and long-term Study Abroad programs. The current evaluation forms (which were distributed to UCAP members) are being reviewed concerning:
2) the need for review by University Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (UCRIHS) due to the nature of the information and its potential for publication 3) whether the current procedures of collection, dissemination, and storage of the data meet FERPA guidelines. 5. Review of Maximum Transfer Credit Acceptance Policy from a Community College: The current policy concerning credit acceptance from a community college is stated in three different ways: a student may transfer in 60 credits, a student may transfer credits while still at sophomore standing (up to 56 credits), and a student may transfer in half of their credits for graduation. UCAP was asked to support new language that would state that the maximum number of transfer credits accepted from a community college is 60 semester (90 quarter) credits. The issue was discussed and Youatt clarified that this was not a policy change but a clarification. A student’s ability to still take a class beyond the 60 credits and use it as a prerequisite was discussed. The original intent of the policy was discussed and it was decided that this issue may warrant further UCAP discussion. It was moved and seconded that UCAP support the adjustment of the language to reflect the acceptance limit of 60 credits from a community college. The motion passed with no dissent. 6. Review of Minimum GPA required for Transfer Credit Acceptance Policy: The current policy allows a student to transfer credits as long as the cumulative GPA from the transfer institution is at least a 2.0. Under the current policy a student can transfer a course in which a 1.0 or 1.5 was earned so long as other grades result in a cumulative 2.0 GPA. After a brief discussion of the original purpose of the policy, it was moved and seconded that the language should be adjusted so that a minimum of 2.0 must be earned in the individual course for it to be transferred. The motion passed with no dissent. 7. Update from the Academic Integrity Sub-Committee: Patricia Mullan reported that the proposed faculty survey has been submitted for UCRIHS approval. Discussion followed about current research related to the effectiveness of honor codes. There was also discussion about the need to clarify current disciplinary and governance procedures which can be used by faculty to respond to incidents of cheating. Work with the provost to centralize information concerning academic integrity policies is ongoing. It was suggested that a memorandum be sent to all faculty from the provost detailing the importance of enforcing academic honesty policies. Proposed action items are expected after the completion of the faculty survey. 8. Update from Learning Importance Sub-Committee: The sub-committee reported on two items: syllabus and attendance policies. Rodney Phillips presented a possible syllabus definition to be added to the code of teaching responsibility. Discussion followed. Youatt indicated a recommendation to amend the Code of Teaching Responsibility to include language about the timely submission of grades will be forthcoming. Jim Gallagher distributed a proposed wording change to the "Attendance" section of the General Information in the Catalog. A motion was made and seconded to recommend amended wording. The motion passed with no dissent. 9. Update from Grade Inflation Sub-Committee: Bridget Behe reported on the analysis of grade data in lower division courses since 1994. Although a step-wise increase in average grades can be seen, an analysis of data from about 25 courses yielded no significant results. The sub-committee proposed that their task be ended because of the variance in the evidence of grade inflation across individual courses. UCAP requested that the sub-committee formulate any additional requests for data or information to be submitted to Office of Planning and Budget. Just before adjourning, Jeremy Hernandez reported that at a recent COGS meeting it was reported that Academic Council is looking at a possible review of the ombudsman’s office. (Reviewers note: The review is the scheduled five-year review of the Ombudsman, not the Office of the Ombudsman.) The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Hodges |
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