Oakland University Senate
Thursday, April 15, 1982
Ninth Meeting
3:10 p.m.
128, 129, 130 Oakland Center
AGENDA
Respectfully submitted by Keith R. Kleckner for the Steering Committee.
A. Old Business:
None.
B. New Business:
1. Motion from the Committee on Academic Standing and Honors concerning mid-term grading in introductory courses (Mr. Akers):
MOVED that the instructors of 100-level courses provide to each registered student some form of evaluation of his or her academic progress prior o one week before the withdrawal period ends.
Comment: The intention of this motion is to provide information about academic standing to new students: freshmen, new transfers, or continuing students embarking on a new field of study. No grades are to be mailed out, but professors would be expected to turn back at least one graded examination, paper, or other academic project within the first six weeks of fall and winter semesters (first three weeks spring and summer). This grade should serve to reassure students who are doing well and to assist students in strengthening weak areas before the withdrawal period elapses. The Committee proposed a version of this resolution to the University Congress for its approval; the Congress expressed its support in the following resolution:
WHEREAS, there is a demonstrated need in 100 level classes at Oakland University for a six week grade notification for counseling and decision making,
WHEREAS, it would benefit the students of Oakland University,
WHEREAS, the cost will be kept down by not using any type of mailing to the students but on a one to one basis with the individual professor,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the University Congress officially supports the legislation put forth by the Academic Standing and Honors Committee for a six week grade in 100 level courses.
First Reading: Debatable, amendable, but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
2. Motion from the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction to designate the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mr. Hammerle):
MOVED that the School of Engineering redesignate the Bachelor of Science degree as the Bachelor of Science in Engineering for all undergraduate engineering programs other than Engineering Physics.
Comment: This action has been initiated primarily because of student demand. Many students are dismayed that neither their degree designation nor their diploma indicates in any way that they are graduates of an engineering program. The proposed designation is one commonly used by engineering schools. The Engineering Physics program is excluded since it is a joint offering of the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.
First Reading: Debatable, amendable, but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
3. Motion from the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction to allow the School of Engineering to deny credit toward its degrees for certain courses (Mr. Hammerle):
MOVED that the School of Engineering be authorized to deny credit toward a degree in engineering for courses which are prerequisite to, or of similar content but lower level than, MTH 154, PHY 151, and CHM 144.
Comment: Students who complete such courses would receive credit for them, but these credits would not be counted among those presented in satisfaction of the minimal requirements for the baccalaureate in Engineering. At present, the undergraduate engineering programs each have 8 credits of free electives, credits which have often been used to complete prerequisites for required courses in these programs. During the site visit of the evaluation team for the Accreditation Board in Engineering and Technology the chairman took issue with O.U.'s policy of permitting free elective credit for mathematics and science courses that are below the level of required introductory courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Our School of Engineering attempted to justify free elective use for such courses, but the Accreditation Board has taken a firm position that this is not a proper use of our curriculum space. Thus, this motion seeks approval to disallow use of the forementioned courses for free elective courses. A current list of such "disallowed" courses will be kept available for inspection in the office of the Dean of Engineering.
First Reading: Debatable, amendable, but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
4. Motion from the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction to require B.G.S. students to complete at least 12 credit hours within the program (Mr. Miller):
MOVED that, to obtain a Bachelor of General Studies degree, the student must successfully complete at least the last 12 hours as an admitted candidate to the program; and that candidacy be authorized by the University and the Faculty Council for General Studies when the student has approval of his/her plan-of-work and rationale for the Bachelor of General Studies degree from the Bachelor of General Studies Advising Committee.
Comment: The Faculty Council for General Studies requests this legislation to help it deal with the increasing number of persons who flee to General Studies when escaping the requirements of other programs on campus. A great many of these "escapees" approach the Council in their last semester of Oakland University to change their major to B.G.S. and graduate with that degree. Because the requirements for the degree have been met, the Council has no basis to deny sue requests although it has no meaningful contact with those students to guide them through coursework to a desired academic aim. At present, a student can simply complete an application for graduation at the Registrar's Office stating his/her intent to receive a B.G. degree and be eligible for the degree without ever having been an official B.G.S. student.
First Reading: Debatable, amendable, but not eligible for final vote at this meeting.
C. Good and Welfare:
Private Resolutions.
D. Information Items:
1. The University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction confesses its inability to present to the Senate within this semester the recommendations concerning the grading system which the Senate requested in January. The Steering Committee, sympathetic to such problems, has invited Mr. Sudol, the chair of UCUI, to offer the Senate an interim report on this interesting topic at its April 22 meeting.
E. President's Remarks;