February 20, 1997
Members Present
- Dr. Bill Bonner
- Dr. David Boocker
- Ms. Annette Coorts
- Ms. Pamela George
- Mr. Ken Hunter
- Dr. Glenn James
- Dr. John Mason
- Dr. Dave Narrie for Dr. Cooper King
- Mr. Jim Rose
- Ms. Rebecca Tolbert
- Ms. Sharon Tyree
- Dr. Matthew Zagumny
Members Absent
- Mr. Tony Marable
- Ms. Carla Odom
- Ms. Gail Stearman
Approval of the Agenda
Dr. Zagumny added as item six on the agenda the replacement of Ms. Carla Odom who was serving as a student representative. Dr. Dave Narrie made the motion to approve the agenda and the motion was seconded by Dr. Boocker. The agenda was approved as changed.
Approval of the October 10 Minutes
Dr. Bill Bonner made the motion to approve the minutes and Ms. Annette Coorts seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
Catalog to Follow
Dr. Zagumny turned the meeting over to Ms. Tolbert. She explained to the committee that there has been some debate over which catalog to follow in order to graduate. Questions have come up regarding what catalog should be followed by students who have withdrawn from the university and return to the university at a later date. Students can follow either the catalog that was in effect when they entered or the current catalog when they graduate. Ms. Coorts made the motion to approve the excerpt submitted with the agenda and Ms. George seconded the motion.
Dr. Mason questioned whether it would be a problem for students who do not officially withdraw from the university or students who are suspended. Discussion was held by the committee regarding wording. The change was approved as stated below:
Catalog to follow: To graduate, a student meets the requirements of the catalog effective at the time he or she entered the curriculum, provided graduation is within seven years from that entrance date. If a student is out of the university for one or more full semesters, the student must comply with the current catalog upon re-entry. "Catalog" refers specifically to degree requirements in this section. Degree requirements for all students, regardless of date of enrollment in their curricula, may be subject to change prior to the publication of a new catalog when the implementation of curricular changes is necessary to maintain quality programs. Students may need to graduate under a more current catalog when program revisions have been made. The designated catalog for graduation must be approved by the departmental chairperson and dean if different from the one in effect when a student entered the curriculum. Students entering a curriculum in the summer are expected to follow the catalog for the next academic year. A Tennessee public community college student may select the Tennessee Tech Catalog effective at the time he or she enters the community college if that student enrolls at Tech within six years and continues in the major chosen while in community college.
Grade/Academic Standing Changes
Ms. Tolbert explained to the committee that the academic action may or may not change on a student's record after a grade change. If a faculty member makes an error in calculating a grade and turns in a grade change, the academic standing for that term is recalculated by the Records Office and changed accordingly on the student record. If a student has been assigned an 'X' or 'I' and the grade is changed to a normal grade, the academic standing would not be recalculated and changed on the student record. Students have reapplied for "Readmission After Suspension" and been readmitted after the grade change because the academic record met the retention table, but the academic standing does not change on their record. Ms. Tolbert asked Phyllis Miller in the Records Office if this was a big issue by just looking at fall term. One hundred fifty grades of 'X' were assigned for fall semester. As of January 7, nine of these 'X' grades had been changed to regular grades. Dr. Mason questioned if this meant 150 grades or 150 students. Upon reviewing the printout, Ms. Tolbert found six students who had received two 'X' grades and one student who had received three 'X' grades. The remainder of the students on the printout had received one 'X' grade. The Records Office is asking if this is the way that they should be doing business. Dr. Narrie made the motion to treat 'X' and 'I' grade changes as regular grade changes and Dr. David Boocker seconded the motion. Dr. Narrie explained that he had advisees who had been suspended due to earning 'X' and/or 'I' grades and the process of readmitting students would be much simpler if the university treated these grade changes as regular grade changes. Discussion was held regarding when the status would change for a student after a grade change. This policy will go into effect at the end of spring semester. The amended motion was approved to treat 'X' and 'I' grades as regular grade changes, and to recompute the academic status when the grade is changed. This policy will go into effect at the end of spring semester 1997.
Conflict Between Policy Dealing With Withdrawal From the Institution and Policy Dealing With Dropping A Course
Mr. Rose explained that a student may drop a course without a grade during the first four weeks of the semester. However, with the withdrawal policy, a student would receive a grade of "W" if he/she withdrew within the period for dropping a course without a failing grade. A question was asked up by a student regarding this process, because he/she was planning on attending medical school and had received "W" grades on his/her transcript when he/she withdrew from the university. Dr. Narrie made the motion to approve and the motion was duly seconded by Mr. Ken Hunter and Dr. Boocker. The following motion was approved:
Withdrawal from the Institution. Students who desire to withdraw from the institution before the end of a semester must make formal written application for withdrawal in the Office of Student Services at the time of withdrawal. Those who complete withdrawal procedures will be dropped from each individual course, including required English, Academic Development Program, and Physical Education courses, in accordance with the policy on dropping a course which is described on page 58. Applications for withdrawal will not be considered if received after final examinations begin in any semester.
Replacement of Student Representative
Dr. Zagumny will contact the SGA President for a replacement for Carla Odom, student representative, who no longer attends the university.
Such Other Matters
Mr. Rose asked if the committee would consider one item regarding a definition for attempted hours. The university does not have a definition for attempted hours. The definition which has been used is the number of hours a student is registered for and earns a grade in. The committee asked Mr. Rose to send a policy to the committee to consider at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
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