Minutes of the Academic Policies Committee
for April 3, 1998

The Academic Policies Committee met Friday, April 3rd, in CA 233. Present were W. Feldt, M. Gurtman, S. Johnson, W. Moy, J. Ostheimer, M. Power, E. Zepp, Chair.

The meeting was called to order at 2:02 P.M.

1) The minutes of the meeting of March 27th were approved as distributed.

2) Report: The Faculty Senate (3/31) passed all the items sent to it by APC.

3) Review of prior business: Academic appraisal forms, individually planned major, forgiveness policy.

4) Non-traditional course formats--basic standards. After discussion, it was decided to postpone action on the proposed resolution, pending the gathering of further information on what other campuses do with non-standard formats.

5) Drop date: in response to the Chair's e-mail to campus members, the issue of the drop date was raised. S. Johnson reported that our 8-week policy is not unusual. It was noted that the Senate approved the retention plan, which included the wording "early assessment prior to drop deadline." The Committee decided that the issue might best be dealt with by a REMINDER to faculty, academic staff, and part-time instructional staff from the Vice-Chancellor's office that 1) late drops should only be approved if extraordinary circumstances are demonstrated (that does not include a failing grade) and 2) that students should have feedback on their progress in a course before the drop date.

6) University Seminar: the Chair will send a memo to the General Education Committee on behalf of APC asking that committee to review the number of hours transfer students must show to be exempt from the University Seminar (lower 30 to 15-20?). APC would also ask that the General Education Committee re-examine other exemptions.

7) Committee members shoud keep April 24th at 2:00 in mind, although the Committee should not have to meet again this academic year unless pressing business arises.

8) APC has the responsibility of appointing members to the Academic Achievement Assessment Committee. A slate of 7 potential candidates was drawn up and will be submitted to the Secretary of the Faculty. Should these candidates decline to serve, the Chair of APC will attempt to find alternate candidates.

The Chair thanked the committee members for their good work. The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 P.M.

Evelyn Zepp, Chair