Members present: Debie Connelly, Jan Gilbert, Fred Hinson, Jesse Lyons, Bob Orr, David Whitaker and Tori Ellison, recorder
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
Campus Beautification Day
The Staff Forum has requested UAC endorsement of a Campus Beautification Day to be held during the spring semester. The Executive Committee thinks this is a wonderful idea and will ask the Council for its full support during the January 8th meeting.
Student Academic Appeals Procedure
The Executive Committee suggested several changes to the draft for the new Student Academic Appeals Procedure. One suggestion is that the policy focus more on addressing other academic problems, in addition to grade appeals. The committee feels the procedure for grade appeals is fairly well understood by students, but that the policy for bringing forth academic problems should be better defined. It was proposed that the same process be followed for academic problems and appealing a grade, rather than two separate processes.
Student Academic Suspension Policy
The Executive Committee also reviewed the Student Academic Suspension Policy. The policy was well received and the conversation consisted of some minor editing. Suggestions included changing the phrase "sitting out" to other wording and adding a phrase to encourage students to consider enrollment in a community college to earn transfer credit when under academic suspension. A final suggestion was to include language in the learning contract section to inform students of the possibility that they may not be able to retake needed course(s) due to full enrollment. This would mean not being able to have a learning contract to replace the grades in question.
Two logistical concerns were discussed. One was the need to hold open seats in the courses students would most likely be required to retake. This would require conversations with the Deans and Department Heads. The second suggestion was to enroll students retaking courses in sections taught by a different faculty member than the first course.
Issue Update
Fred Hinson, Bob Orr and David Whitaker have sent several e-mails and left voice mails for Mark Redd regarding his concerns about classes for canceled majors. Hopefully, Mr. Redd will follow-up in the near future.
Election Procedures
David Whitaker, Newt Smith, Chloe Little and Litta Adams will present a draft of their proposed election procedures at the January 8th Council meeting.
Communications Committee Update
Deb Connelly and her committee will be pulling together a UAC newsletter in January that will promote all the Council accomplished during the fall 2001 semester.
Leadership Committee Update
Jan Gilbert reported that the Leadership Committee will be meeting on Monday, December 17th at 3:30 p.m. and that they hope to have Western’s leadership retreat organized by January.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
