October 10, 1996
Members Present
- Dr. Bill Bonner
- Ms. Annette Coorts
- Ms. Pamela George
- Mr. Ken Hunter
- Dr. John Mason
- Mr. Jim Rose
- Ms. Rebecca Tolbert
- Ms. Sharon Tyree
- Dr. Matthew Zagumny
Members Absent
- Dr. David Boocker
- Dr. Glenn James
- Dr. Cooper King
- Mr. Tony Marable
- Ms. Carla Odom
- Ms. Gail Stearman
Introduction of New Members
Dr. Zagumny called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 1996, and asked everyone to introduce themselves to the committee. After introductions, Dr. Zagumny welcomed the new members.
Approval of Agenda
Ms. Annette Coorts moved to approve the agenda and Dr. John Mason seconded the motion. The agenda was approved.
Repeating of Incomplete Courses
Mr. Rose updated the committee on a problem that was occurring. Approximately 58 students this semester enrolled for a course for which he/she had previously been assigned an incomplete grade. Dr. Zagumny asked why this was a problem. Mr. Rose explained how the incomplete grades are handled on campus. Dr. Zagumny asked Mr. Rose if he knew the majors of those 58 students. Mr. Rose explained that he did not have an exact count, but a majority of the students were psychology majors. Most of the psychology majors' incomplete grades are for PSY 493, which is the senior thesis course. Dr. Zagumny explained that the way the catalog is written for that course, students may take up to six credit hours of senior thesis. Most students take that over the course of two semesters. He explained that approximately forty students are registered for the senior thesis course this semester. A good portion will receive incompletes for this semester and finish the thesis next semester. Ms. Tolbert asked if there was a way to split out the course. Dr. Zagumny explained that maybe a grade of "Z" or an "in progress" grade could be assigned. The department does not want students registering for six credit hours in one semester. Mr. Rose stated that he still does not understand the process. Dr. Zagumny explained that a three-credit-hour course is required for the major and the other three-credit-hour course is an upper-division elective. Students are not required to complete six credit hours. The same grade is not necessarily assigned for both courses of the senior thesis. The course shows only three credit hours in the undergraduate catalog, and the catalog does not state that a student can receive variable credit for the course. Ms. Tolbert asked if the catalog states that the course could be taken more than once. Mr. Rose read from the catalog, "Consent of instructor. Supervised independent study of a special problem with emphasis on research. Credit three hours." Discussion was held regarding credit hours received for the course. Ms. George pointed out that the catalog states "(Psychology majors must complete a minimum of three semester hours.)" The catalog does not state that students can take six credit hours, but it implies that they can. Dr. Zagumny asked how an "S" grade is handled. The "S" grade is never removed. Mr. Rose asked if it was possible to come up with two different courses. Dr. Zagumny explained that the thesis is one project, but it may take more than one semester for some students. It is independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. Dr. Zagumny asked if another grade could be awarded. The University does not have anything in place. Ms. Tolbert suggested that Dr. Zagumny take this information back to the department and discuss the ramifications. Dr. Zagumny asked if the psychology department is the only problem, and Ms. Tolbert stated that it was only a piece of it.
Discussion was held about faculty members who are responsible for the course assigning incomplete grades. Only the faculty member who is responsible for the course is allowed to assign grades.
Ms. Tolbert asked Mr. Rose to explain what the Records Office had done to clear up the problem. Letters were mailed out this fall by the Records Office to those students who had registered for a course in which they had been assigned an incomplete grade. The majority of the students withdrew from the course. Students were told by their advisor to sign up for the course. Ms. Tyree asked Mr. Rose if a statement could be printed on the grades which were were sent out to students. Discussion was held by the committee. Academic Affairs will send a memo to all faculty reminding them of the policy about "I" grades. No action needed to be taken by the committee.
Credit by Special Examination
Ms. Tolbert explained that several questions had been asked about credit by examination. She explained what signatures needed to be on the form. Two specific instances that have occurred for credit by examination are the military science activity course and the military science leadership course. One course is a one-credit-hour course and the other is a two-credit-hour course. She met with Colonel Ochsenbein to collect information on these two courses. He explained to her that the activity course is a regular course in which students must meet certain standards--a specific number of repetitions in sit-ups, push-ups, etc. Most of those that have used the exam for this course have been athletes. The second course, which is a two-credit-hour course, consists of one hour of physical fitness content and one hour of learning how to set up a program for physical fitness. A fitness test is administered and an exam is given over the text.
A request was received recently from a department asking if a student can attend a workshop in the field of study and then come back to demonstrate competency by a special exam. The faculty in that department believe that the workshop will be the equivalent of an independent course or a class in that area. The student could register for a special topics course and pay more than $700, or he/she could pay $200 to take the special exam and receive credit. The policy does not state degree credit in the major, and it does not state that it must be part of the program of study. Discussion was held by the committee.
Ms. Tolbert said that an advisor had called and asked what it meant when she signed an Application for Special Examination form. The faculty member signed and wrote above her signature that she was the current advisor and she was approving the student to take the special exam to receive credit for the course, but she was not stating that the course would count for the intended major. Dr. Zagumny asked about the wording of the form and about the faculty member's responsibility. Mr. Rose read from the special examination section of the catalog "A student who has had sufficient training or experience in a subject to merit the establishment of credit by comprehensive examination, but who has not enrolled in the same, comparable, or higher level course at the college level, may request the privilege of taking a special examination prepared by the department involved. The request for special examination is secured from the Office of Records and Registration, and the required signatures of approval are obtained, after which the student pays the special examination fee of $20 per semester hour to the Business Office. The results of such an examination will be recorded on the student's permanent record. Not more than 14 semester hours may be established by special examination. To establish credit in this manner, a student must be enrolled in the University. Only grades of 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', 'F' will be assigned." Ms. Tolbert asked if we need anything else stated in the catalog. The form will be sent to the committee for the next meeting to review.
Such Other Matters
Since there were no such other matters, the meeting was adjourned.
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