At University Council:
Revised policy proposed;
Alumni's Russell to retire
By Bill Burleson
Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 13 - November 17, 1994
Changes in the graduation requirement policy that would protect students from last-minute alterations in their graduation requirements received its first reading before the University Council last week with little comment.
The current statement in the university catalog that says "the requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply" would be replaced with "the approved requirements in effect for a student's graduation in a given calendar year apply, and that said requirements shall be approved two years prior to their effective graduation date."
The proposed policy also requires that changes in undergraduate degree programs, including such variants as options and concentrations, will be collected over the calendar year by the department/division and submitted as a package to the College Curriculum Committee (and dean) for review and approval no later than two years prior to the calendar year in which they will apply to graduating students.
Betty Heath-Camp, chairwoman of the Commission of Undergraduate Studies and Policies, told council members that another important suggested change would be "though courses may be added to or deleted from the University Core Curriculum by the University Core Committee at any time, the structure of the University Core and the requirements of the University Core that apply to students are those that are in effect at the time he or she first enters the university as a freshman.
"Transfer students will graduate under the University Core requirements in effect for the class level into which they are accepted when they enter the university," she said.
The proposed policy notes that the statement Tech "reserves the right to modify requirements in a student's program if necessary" would be retained.
President Paul Torgersen also announced that George E. "Buddy" Russell, vice president for alumni relations, plans to end a relationship with the university that stretches back 40 years on March 1, when he will retire.
Torgersen said procedures for filling the post have changed since the alumni policy was written. Alumni Association personnel have since been transferred into the university.
Torgersen asked for suggestions from council members, He said he would like to fill the office fairly quickly--more quickly than a new policy concerning the appointment could proceed through governance channels.
Torgersen said the association president already has provided him with a list of six alumni who would serve as the search committee.
It was suggested that two faculty members from the council be appointed to the committee and that three others review the selection after it is made. Torgersen said the existing selection policy would be changed to bring it into compliance with other university officer selections and begin the journey through the governance system as quickly as possible.