Undergraduate Academic Council Minutes
Meeting: Wednesday, November 17th, 2010. 2:00-3:00 PM.
Room: Undergraduate Education Conference Room, LC31J
Present: Maria Brown, Nathan Cady, Yu-Hui Chen, Greg Denbeaux,
Steven Doellefeld, Sue Faerman, Winnie Kutchukian, Martin
Hildebrand, JoAnne Malatesta (Chair), John Murphy, Leah Rotella
(undergraduate student rep.), Joan Savitt, Hany Shawky, Christy Smith,
Kabel Stanwicks, Michael Steklof (graduate student rep.), and
Katherine Trent.
Guests: Karen Chico Hurst, Linda Krzykowski, Sue Phillips, and Greg
Stevens.
Review of the Minutes: Minutes from 11/10 meeting were approved
as amended.
Chair’s Report: The Chair is establishing the meeting schedule for
next semester; please see the link she circulated via email to access
an online calendar where you can list your day/time availability.
The chair reported on the most recent Senate meeting. Specifically
discussed was the call from the Senate for the creation of a committee
to examine alternative funding sources and identify ways to increase
funding for the university. A member noted that such committee may
already exist and the Chair will explore this with the SEC.
Furthermore, the Chair encouraged any member who would like to be
part of the Senate committee to volunteer and she will put their name
forward for consideration.
Meeting:
A staff member from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate
Education asked the Council to consider making a change in the
previously approved bill: “Revisions to University Policies on Students
Absences”. The current bills states: “There will be no provision for
notes in instances where an illness related absence is less than one
calendar week in duration, except in cases where the student has
missed an exam or significant course deadline due to their absence.”
The proposed revision would state: “There will be no provision for
notes in instances where an illness related absence is one calendar
week or less in duration, except in cases where the student has missed
an exam or significant course deadline due to their absence." The
Council approved the change and a bill will be created to forward to
the Senate.
The Council continued discussion about the retention and use of the
Violation of Academic Integrity Reports. A revised version of the form
was presented to the Council. Some members expressed concern that
even with the changes, students may still not be informed that a report
has been filed against them, and even if they are aware that they may
not know what to do if they wish to grieve the report. A member
suggested that the Office of the Vice Provost should be responsible for
sending a letter to a student who is been accused of violating
academic integrity, while others suggested that notification of the
student is solely the responsibility of the faculty member filing the
report.
Other concerns included the extent to which faculty filing the report
realize what the implications to the student are, and whether that
would influence their decision to file a report.
Some members expressed concern regarding the legality of the use of
this information when other institutions or government agencies
request an academic background check on a student. Other members
noted that it would be a violation of institutional academic integrity to
withhold the information.
A strong concern was expressed over disparities in dispensation of
reports of academic integrity violations -- two instructors could decide
two very different sanctions in otherwise identical circumstances.
Some members noted that this is the nature of academic freedom and
faculty members have discretion regarding the sanctions in such
cases. However, other members sought to explore a more uniform
way in which to address violations of academic integrity and it was
suggested that these reports be streamlined through one office.
The Council decided to form a subcommittee to explore all issues
associated with this policy and will invite GAC to join the subcommittee
as this issue impacts both graduate and undergraduate students. In
the interim, in order to complete the Dean’s Recommendation requests
that may come in while this matter is under consideration, University
Legal Counsel will be consulted to determine whether or not the Office
of Undergraduate Education may continue to follow current practice.
Committee reports:
Committee on Curriculum and Honors: They reviewed and
approved the suspension to the Judaic Studies major as well as the
proposed changes to the Journalism Major. The Chair will be sending
other proposals out via email.
Committee on General Education: Nothing to report. The Task
Force will have their report completed by next week and then will be
send to Senate.
Committee on Interdisciplinary Studies: Reviewed and approved
proposal for German Major.
Committee on Academic Standing (Sub-committee of
Admission and Academic Standing): Will meet this Friday.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00pm.
