Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 30 April 27, 1995 - BOV rep added to commission

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BOV rep added to commission

By Netta S. Eisler

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 30 - April 27, 1995

At its April 17 meeting, the University Council passed two resolutions, following a second reading. They also heard first reading of four other resolutions.

The council voted to pass a Commission on Student Affairs resolution that adds the Board of Visitors' undergraduate student representative to the Commission on Student Affairs as a non-voting, ex-officio member. According to the resolution, this step was necessary because "the student representative is often asked by members of the Board of Visitors for the students' perspective on certain issues," and there are "few formal means by which the undergraduate student representative can determine the students' perspective."

The Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies' resolution on religious holidays also passed. This policy provides for university-wide distribution of a list of dates for religious and ethnic holidays. The list will be based on holiday dates, submitted by registered university organizations that want to be included, "where academic life may affect religious observances."

The Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies also presented the first three resolutions for first reading.

A resolution on modifications to the freshman rule, which received its first reading, is designed to permit transfer students to delete one course, up to four semester credit hours, from their grade-average calculations.

A second resolution from that commission proposes lifting the ban on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Current university policy prohibits college curriculum committees from accepting CLEP credits. The proposed policy would allow each curriculum committee to determine whether or not to award credit for CLEP equivalencies to courses offered by that college, on the recommendation of the faculty of the department that is home to the equivalent course.

A resolution to modify the obsolete credit rule proposed that, in the case of a student returning to the university after an absence of at least five years, the appropriate academic dean will allow credit only for those courses appropriate for the degree. The current rule allows an absence of seven years.

The Commission on Classified Staff Affairs presented first reading of a policy for classified staff members teaching courses. The policy provides detailed information about the circumstances under which classified employees may teach classes. It also provides policies for procedures for such teaching. According to Ann Spencer, "this brings us in line with what other schools in the state are doing."