Comments from the Chairperson 

There were no comments from the Chairperson

Comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education 

There were no comments from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

Request for a Moratorium on Admission to the Agricultural Technology Certificate in Organic Farming (Action Item)

The committee unanimously granted voice to Kelly Millenbah, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Associate Dean Millenbah stated that the department would like to put a moratorium on the 2-year certificate program in Organic Farming. She noted that if the moratorium is approved, the department plans to have the program eliminated during the summer of 2014 due to lack of enrollment. In preparation to eliminate the program, she stated that advisors have already begun to encourage students to enroll in the 9-month Organic Farming Training Program.  She stated that no students will be negatively affected by the moratorium and will be able to complete the 2-year program.

After a brief discussion, voice was withdrawn from Kelly Millenbah.

The following motion, as amended, passed unanimously.

Option to Declare a Major at 28 Credits (Discussion Item)

Chairperson Taggart informed the group that Acting Provost June Youatt inquired on the status of the option to declare a major at 28 credits.  She indicated the option would be discussed today however not officially acted upon in order to give members time to discuss with their colleges.

Associate Provost Estry stated that MSU’s current policy is that students must declare a major when they reach 56 credits. Prior to reaching 56 credits, they officially seek advising through the Undergraduate University Division (UUD) although many have a major preference and use college-level advisors. Dean-level academic action must, however, be performed by UUD. Some colleges have an “admit when ready” provision.  Other programs have specific admission criteria such as a grade-point requirement.  If the option to declare a major at 28 credits is approved, this would give students the option to declare; however, they would not be required to do so at 28 credits.  The benefit of declaring a major early is to assist the students in their progress toward a degree and graduation.  Also, colleges could likely provide better mentorship if students had officially been admitted to their programs. 

Dr. Nails stated that many more students are being admitted to MSU with AP and transfer credits than in the past, and they arrive at MSU wanting to see advisors in their majors.

Associate Provost Estry noted that only approximately 12% of the incoming freshmen are no-preference. The remaining incoming freshmen have at least a major preference and are often seeing advisors in the college of that preference. Again, however, if they are having academic difficulties, UUD is responsible for making policy decisions. If the option to declare a major at 28 credits is approved, this would eliminate the student’s having to return to UUD for administrative assistance. He also stated that students often change their major numerous times during the freshman and sophomore years and they seek out a lot of general advising as well.

One UCUE member asked why not make it mandatory for students to declare a major at 28 credits? Associate Provost Estry responded that some students need the time to choose, and we want to give them the opportunity to choose without the added pressure of having to declare a major before they feel they are ready.

Chairperson Taggart reminded the group that they will not act on this today and encouraged the group to think about it and consult with their constituencies; discussion will take place at the next meeting.

Grief Absence Policy

Chairperson Taggart sent the language for a Grief Absence Policy to Acting Provost Youatt for feedback, and she was in support of the policy. Acting Provost Youatt indicated that the policy currently states that making up coursework/requirements is determined in consultation with the instructor. She recommended that the policy should read “as determined by the instructor” as it is ultimately in the purview of the faculty member.

A motion to amend the document to incorporate the phrase recommended by Acting Provost Youatt was passed.

Chairperson Taggart will make the recommended changes and put the proposal forward at the next Steering Committee Meeting.

ASMSU

Mitchell Goheen stated that recently an issue was brought to the attention of ASMSU. A student reported he/she had wanted to be excused from a class for a job interview. The student was penalized for not being in class although the instructor had been given two weeks’ notice. This situation indicates there may be a need to discuss how absences for job interviews should be addressed. ASMSU would like to put together a subcommittee to define a formal policy.

Discussion ensued about the need for a formal policy versus a recommendation from ASMSU. Mr. Goheen feels a recommendation is not strong enough. Discussion continued as to where to draw the line? Should students only be granted time off when a job interview is in their field of study? How should this situation be handled if a student wants time off for an interview that is unrelated to the major? Associate Provost Estry indicated that this situation probably does not happen frequently and students should seek the help of the Ombudsperson if they feel they were treated unfairly.

Chairperson Taggart asked Mr. Goheen to craft something for UCUE to consider.

Roundtable

Chairperson Taggart introduced Jason Porter the new ASMSU representative.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.

Respectfully submitted by Lynne Frechen