COMMITTEE ON INSTRUCTION
MINUTES, AUGUST 26, 1997

Members Present: Mary Ellen Cowser, Tom Greer, Wes Henson, Martha Whitt, Jim Clark, Bill Zachry, Phil Davis, Robbie Green, Dan McDonough, Michelle Hand for Jenny Johnsonius, Nancy Warren for Jo Margaret Aden, Phil Watkins (ex officio), K. Paul Jones (ex officio), Linda Ramsey (ex officio), Jerald Ogg (ex officio), Kendall Blanchard (ex officio)

Members Absent: None

The first meeting of the Committee on instruction was called to order at 3:00 PM in Room 247 Humanities.


ISSUE #1: COMP TEST FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

K. Paul Jones discussed a memorandum in which he recommended that senior international students be exempted from taking the ACT/COMP exam as a requirement for graduation. Dr. Jones pointed out that the General Education Self-Study Team suggested that, since the exam has been documented to contain biases, that this test be excluded as a graduation requirement for international students.

Discussion then centered upon the issue of how international students would be defined and identified. Dr. Jones finally suggested that identification of international students should be made through Records.

Bill Zachry moved that international students be exempted from the graduation requirement of the general education test, effective Fall 1997. Mary Ellen Cowser seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

ISSUE #2: ENROLLMENT IN UPPER DIVISION COURSES

In an issue remaining from the previous spring, K. Paul Jones noted that the policy on allowing freshmen and sophomores in upper division (300-400 level) courses has been widely evaded. Noting that few freshmen attempted to register in upper division courses, Dr. Jones suggested that upper division courses be opened to sophomores, so long as they meet established prerequisites, and that only freshman be required to obtain written permission of the Dean before registration into said courses.

A lengthy discussion followed during which several views were expressed. It was suggested that members of the committee should take this question to their respective departments and that further consideration be delayed until the next Instruction meeting.

Tom Greer moved that the question be tabled pending the advice of the departments. Wes Henson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

ISSUE #3: ACADEMIC FORGIVENESS POLICY

In another piece of leftover business, Dr. Jones revisited the issue of the Academic Forgiveness Policy. As stated on page seven of the current catalog, "undergraduate students who have not attended a college or university for a minimum of four consecutive calendar years" are eligible. "This policy means that any previous coursework in which the student received a grade below C will not be computed in subsequent calculations of grade point average." Dr. Jones continued that this policy could result in inequity. We have had students in the past who have returned to UTM after an absence of four or more years. Some of these students have enrolled at local community colleges shortly before their return. By our rules, such students would be ineligible for forgiveness. Dr. Jones asked that we consider extending forgiveness to those who return to UTM from another campus if they were eligible for forgiveness from UTM when they resumed their higher education.

Several questions arose. Several members questioned why poor grades should be forgiven while good grades remained valid. Phil Davis suggested discounting all grades earned earlier from GPA calculation. Jim Clark asked what effect forgiveness would have upon GPAs calculated for purposes of honors, graduation, etc. Dr. Jones answered that forgiveness would not be calculated for these purposes.

Dr. Jones suggested the creation of a sub-committee to meet with him and Emily Knudsen to discuss this matter. Wes Henson questioned the need for such a committee and motioned that K. Paul Jones draft a proposed language change concerning the academic forgiveness policy. Mary Ellen Cowser seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

ISSUE #4: POSTING OF GRADES

After a brief discussion of this issue, the committee decided that no further action need be taken, given the policy announced by Dr. Blanchard during Spring 1997.


Motion to adjourn passed unanimously at 4:20