UCAP Meeting of 03/29/2012 2011-2012 agenda status: approved Agenda: University Committee on Undergraduate Studies AGENDA Thursday, March 29, 2012 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor, Administration Building
minutes status: Approved on 4/12/2012 UCAP Minutes for meeting held on 03/29/2012 University Committee on Undergraduate Studies Minutes Thursday, March 29, 2012 10:15 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Board Room, 4th Floor, Administration Building
Attending: Zarena Aslami, Mark Axelrod, Henry Beckmeyer, Jan Brady, Crystal Branta, Laura Dillon, Doug Estry, Fred Fico, Milan Griffes, Kathleen Hoag, Seung Hyun Kim, Evan Martinak, Chris McClain, Nicole McCleese, Ron Perry, John Reifenberg, Patricia Rogers, Michael Scott, Ryan Sweeder, Zachary Taylor, Abraham Wheelet Absent: Tom Morse, Mary Noel, Justin O’Dell
The Agenda was approved after changing Item 7 to a discussion item.
The minutes of the March 15, 2012 meeting were approved.
Comments from the Chairperson Chairperson Dillon reported that at the last Steering Committee meeting Provost Wilcox thanked UCUS for its thoughtful consideration of the revision to the Dual Enrollment for High School Students Policy.
There were no comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education.
Energy Transition Plan – Committee Feedback to the Steering Committee The committee reviewed the substance of the proposed letter to the Steering Committee regarding the proposed MSU Energy Transition Plan. After brief discussion, the committee unanimously approved forwarding the letter with the addition, “although a concern was raised that any energy plan be cost effective in the energy market and technically efficient in energy production.” at the end of the first sentence of the final paragraph.
Time to Degree: Focusing Our Efforts Doug Estry, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Associate Provost Estry presented undergraduate persistence and time-to-degree data to the committee. Dr. Estry’s PowerPoint presentation will be made available on the UCAP website (http://ucap.msu.edu) located in the “supporting docs” section.
ASMSU Proposal Regarding Grief Related Absences Zachary Taylor, ASMSU Provost and representative to UCUS
ASMSU Provost Taylor stated that ASMSU had begun its review of current University policies and practices on grief related absences based on the reports from a small group of students that they had been put in a position of choosing whether to take an exam or go to the funeral of a friend (who was not a relative). In these circumstances, students who chose to attend a friend’s funeral were not allowed to make up the exam. ASMSU also surveyed the undergraduate student body to try to determine the number of students who have had similar experiences. Based on the results of the policy and practice review and the 1200 survey responses, ASMSU drafted a proposal to submit to University Academic Governance committees. Mr. Taylor stated that ASMSU had looked at other CIC institutions to see if any had policies that dealt particularly with student bereavement finding approximately half of the CIC institutions had such policies. He noted that Purdue had implemented a student bereavement policy in fall 2011. Purdue reported that through October 2011 around 90 students had utilized the system created by the policy.
Associate Provost Estry pointed out that the Academic Freedom Report guidelines stated that there should be no regulation created without demonstrable need.
In discussion the committee members expressed dismay that such a policy would be necessary. Their expectation would be that in these circumstances faculty would accommodate the student by providing a makeup test or assignment. It was noted that the existence of a bereavement policy for faculty and staff may indicate the need for a corresponding student bereavement policy.
Mr. Taylor suggested that UCUS form a subcommittee to look at the proposal in more depth and to make recommendations to the larger committee for further action.
The following members volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to review the proposal and provide recommendations to the larger committee. Patricia Rogers Kathleen Hoag Zachary Taylor Chris McClain
After Roundtable, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted by Sandra Walther |
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