Academic Policies Committee

       Annual Report 2006-07

            PSF 19/07-08     

On , 2006, John Longeway was re-elected chair of the committee. The committee met on
October 11th and 25th, November 6th and 20th, and December 4th in 2006, and January 24th and 29th in 2007.

There was extensive discussion of proposals by ARSC, with input from the First Year Committee, to set up a Conditional Admit status for some students, but the committee was unable to agree this year on any plan to pass on to the Senate.

A proposal not to count ACSK courses toward a student’s GPA was also discussed with no action taken.

The committee passed the following resolutions on to the Faculty Senate:

(1) Proposed revision of New Freshmen admission policy to the Senate, a Holistic Admission Proposal for new Freshmen, as follows.

PSF 19 06/07

NEW FRESHMAN ADMISSION

Expectations for Admission

Applications for admission will be given an individual and comprehensive review. Admission to UWParkside is determined by several academic and nonacademic criteria. The academic factors include cumulative grade point average (GPA), high school class rank, the rigor of the high school curriculum, and standardized test scores (the ACT or SAT). There are many nonacademic factors that will be considered but are not limited to, such things as community service, creativity, leadership, and personal characteristics that will enhance the mission of the University, including diversity, community engagement or special talents.

High School Course Preparation

High school coursework, including the strength of the courses taken, is an important indicator of first year success. Therefore, the high school course schedule will be an integral part of the admission decision. Below are the minimum high school course requirements.

Students should consider exceeding these minimum requirements to be competitive in the admission process.

English/Speech 4 Years
Mathematics (Algebra and higher ) 3 Years
Science 3 Years
Social Science 3 Years
Additional Academic Electives 4 Years

The Senate did not approve the motion, but passed a substitute motion, “The University of Wisconsin Parkside endorses holistic admissions, which we have in fact successfully practiced for years.”

It was the sense of the Senate to send the policy back to APC for changes in wording. In particular, it was observed in discussion that satisfactory GPA in High School, with satisfactory rigor of the HS curriculum, and satisfactory test scores, should together be sufficient for admission. Discussion in committee also suggested a stronger message needed to be sent to High School counsellors concerning the seriousness of a rigorous program meeting the minimum requirements stated.

In response the following revised version of New Freshman Admissions was prepared by Matthew Jensen in Admissions.

NEW FRESHMAN ADMISSION

Expectations for Admission

Applications for admission will be given an individual and comprehensive review. Admission to UW-Parkside is determined by several academic and nonacademic criteria. The academic factors include cumulative grade point average (GPA), high school class rank, the rigor of the high school curriculum, and standardized test scores (the ACT or SAT). There are many nonacademic factors that will be considered but are not limited to, such things as community service, creativity, leadership, and personal characteristics that will enhance the mission of the University, including diversity, community engagement or special talents.

High School Course Preparation

High school coursework, including the strength of the courses taken, is an important indicator of first year success. Therefore, the high school course schedule will be an integral part of the admission decision. Below are the minimum high school course requirements.

Students should consider exceeding these minimum requirements to be competitive in the admission process.

English/Speech 4 Years

Mathematics (Algebra and higher ) 3 Years

Science 3 Years

Social Science 3 Years

Additional Academic Electives 4 Years

(2) Completion of course work for graduation:

Resolved, that the catalog be amended on the current p. 28 to read:

Students must complete all course work to be counted toward graduation by the end of the semester in which they graduate.

Approved by the Senate, March 20.

(3) Double Majors.

Resolved, that the catalog be amended on the current p. 34 to read:

New Copy:

Students earning a double major in programs taken concurrently must complete the course requirements for both major areas and all other standard degree requirements. Students wanting to earn two or more majors that lead to different degrees (bachelor of arts and bachelor of science) normally earn only one degree. Students choose which degree they wish to earn at the time they file their Application to Graduate/Degree Summary request form. Students wishing to earn dual degrees, please refer to the dual degree policy below.

Current Copy:

Double Major. Students who complete two or more majors that normally lead to different degrees (bachelor of arts and bachelor of science) earn only one degree. Students must choose which degree they will earn at the time they file their degree summary request.

Approved by the Senate, March 20.

(4) Dual Degree

Resolved, that the catalog be amended on the current p. 34 to read:

New Copy:

Dual Degree. A student may earn both a bachelor of arts and a

bachelor of science degree by completing the graduation requirements for both degrees, including a major appropriate to each degree. The student must, in meeting these requirements, complete an additional 30 credits for the second degree (for a minimum of 150 credits).

Approved by the Senate, March 20.

(5) Failures or Incompletes in the Major.

Resolved, that the academic policy regarding failures or incompletes in the major be changed as follows:

New Copy:

Failures or Incompletes in the Major: Students who fail required courses in their majors must retake those courses. If they wish to do so through credit obtained elsewhere, written approval from the chair of their major department must be obtained, prior to enrollment off campus in order to guarantee appropriate transfer.

Current Copy: Failures or Incompletes in the Major: Students who fail required courses in their majors must retake those courses. If they wish to do so through credit obtained elsewhere, written approval from the chair of their major department must be obtained, preferably before enrollment off campus.

Approved by the Senate, March 20.

UW-Parkside: Southeastern Wisconsin's University