Members present: Bob Orr, David Whitaker, Debie Connelly, Jan Gilbert, Litta Adams, Linda Beja, Janet Dickinson, Bill Haggard, Chris Hall, Fred Hinson, Casey Hurley, Chloe Little, Dianne Lynch, Jesse Lyons, John Ritchie, Lisa Scruggs, Newt Smith, Roger Turk and Tori Ellison, recorder
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.
The Council was briefed on the activities of other university governance groups.
- Faculty Senate, Casey Hurley
Faculty Salary Review
Retention Recommendations
Restructuring - 2001-2002 will be a transition year with the new Senate structure fully in place for 2002-2003.
- Student Government, Jesse Lyons
Elizabeth Dole will visit campus on Thursday, January 10, 2002. This will be used as a voter registration event.
- Staff Forum, John Ritchie
Parking
Gathering Information for Staff Mentoring Program
4) Administrative Update, Chancellor Bardo
Announced Western’s New Head Football Coach – Kent Briggs
Primary Recommendations from Pappas Consulting Group, Inc.
- Need Variegated Housing Policy
- Examine Lifestyle Differences in the Residence Halls
- Freshman Experience – Create Special Course for Undeclared Majors
- Focus More Attention on Graduate / Upper Level Education
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.
Tthe procedure with the UAC suggested changes.
Undergraduate students who have other problems related to instruction are encouraged to discuss those problems and possible solutions with the appropriate undergraduate dean.
Undergraduate students who wish to appeal an assigned grade should follow, in order, the academic appeal procedure:1) appeal verbally to the instructor; 2) appeal in writing to the instructor's department head; 3)appeal in writing to the dean of the instructor's college; 4) appeal in writing to the Academic Problems Committee as outlined below. Any request by a student for a change must be submitted to the instructor within thirty-five days after the end of final exams.
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.
The policy with the UAC suggested changes.
PROBATION/SUSPENSION POLICY PROPOSAL
ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR NEW FRESHMEN AND NEW TRANSFERS
New students who earn a cumulative grade point average below a 2.0 at the end of their first semester are
considered to be in academic difficulty. These students will be placed in one of the following categories
to assist them in achieving academic good standing, which is considered a minimum cumulative grade
point average of 2.0 or higher.
ACADEMIC WARNING FOR FRESHMEN AND NEW TRANSFERS
First semester freshmen and new transfers will be placed on academic warning if their grade point
average falls within the range of 1.5 to 1.999 at the end of their first semester. These students must
achieve good standing by the end of the warning term or will be placed on academic probation.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Academic Probation will occur as a result of either of the following:
1. New freshmen and transfers will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative WCU grade
point average falls below 1.50. See guidelines below.
2. Second semester and thereafter, any student will be placed on academic probation if their
cumulative WCU grade point average falls below 2.00.
All students on academic probation shall be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12)
semester hours in the Fall or Spring semesters.
At the end the term of academic probation, students must achieve one of the following:
a. Raise the cumulative GPA to good standing, or
b. Earn a minimum 2.30 GPA during the probationary term.
Failure to achieve one of the above criteria will result in academic suspension.
ACADEMIC PROBATION FOR FRESHMEN AND NEW TRANSFERS
First semester freshmen and new transfers who earn a cumulative grade point average below 1.5 at the
end of their first semester may only return to the University for their second semester if they chose to
participate in one of the following programs.
LEARNING CONTRACT PROGRAM
First semester freshmen and new transfers will be placed on academic probation if their grade
point average falls within the range of 1.00 to 1.49 at the end of their first semester. Students
placed on academic probation with a cumulative grade point average in this range at the end of
their first semester must participate in the Leaming Contract program during their second
semester. Students who do not choose this option are not eligible to enroll in the University for
one term . If readmitted after a lapse in enrollment, students are reminded that they will return to
WCU under the guidelines for academic probation.
The Leaming Contract Program specifies that these students work closely with an academic
advisor in the Advising Center. The student and advisor will discuss, academic performance
issues, set realistic goals, and make the necessary plans to reach those goals. Students will be
linked with the campus resources that can help them succeed. Follow-up contacts will occur
throughout the semester.
Additionally, these students must make at least a 2.30 grade point average during their second
semester or bring their cumulative grade point average to good standing. Failure to achieve these
guidelines will result in academic suspension.
ACADEMIC PROBATION WITH GRADE REPLACEMENT FOR FRESHMEN AND
NEW TRANSFERS
Freshmen and new transfers can return for their second semester on academic probation with
grade replacement if their grade point average falls below a 1.00 at the end of their first semester
at Western. Students placed on academic probation with a cumulative grade point average in this
range at the end of their first semester must participate in the Academic Probation with Grade
Replacement Program during their second semester. Students who do not choose this option are
not eligible to enroll in the University for one term. If readmitted after a lapse in enrollment,
students are reminded that they will return to WCU under the guidelines for academic probation.
The Academic Probation With Grade Replacement policy requires that during their second
semester students must, in consultation with their academic advisor, repeat two to four courses
and utilize Western's grade replacement policy. (Students are never allowed to repeat their
Freshman Seminar course.) These students must work closely with an academic advisor in the
Advising Center. The student and advisor will discuss academic performance issues, set realistic
goals, and make the necessary plans to reach those goals. Students will be linked with the
campus resources that can help them succeed. Follow-up contacts will occur throughout the
semester.
Additionally, these students must make at least a 2.30 grade point average during their second
semester or bring their cumulative grade point average to good standing. Failure to achieve these
guidelines will result in academic suspension.
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
Academic Suspension from the University will occur as a result of failing to meet the criteria
specified while on academic probation.
Students placed on academic suspension are not eligible to enroll in the University for one
semester. After a one-semester suspension, students may apply for readmission to the
University. If readmitted, students will return on academic probation.
The semester of suspension is intended to provide students with time to carefully consider the
reasons for academic difficulty, resolve problems, clarify educational goals, and improve
academic skills. If a student attends another institution while on suspension, the student must have a
minimum 2.0 grade point average on all work attempted since their last enrollment at Western Carolina
University. Students are reminded that grades made in transferred courses are not considered when
computing the GPA at Western Carolina University.
edited 1/14/02
Election Procedures
David Whitaker, Newt Smith, Chloe Little and Litta Adams will present a draft of their proposed election procedures at the February 12th Council meeting.
Campus Beautification Day
The Staff Forum requested UAC endorsement of a Campus Beautification Day to be held during the fall 2002 semester. The Council offered its full support.
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
The Visioning/Strategic Workshop for Leadership will be held on the afternoon of February 5th in HFR 510.
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.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
Next meetings…
Executive Committee, January 29th at 3:30 p.m. in 540 HFR
Full Council, February 12th at 3:30 p.m. in the Catamount Room
