Minutes of the October 7, 2004 Meeting of the Academic Policies Committee of the Faculty Senate
Present: Esther Elstun (chair), Carol Kaffenberger (member), Jean Moore (member), Clifton Sutton (member)
Absent: Susan Trencher (member, on leave)
After some preliminary discussion involving the state of the AP Committee in the Spring Semester, discussion of the
agenda items began at 3:12 PM.
- The minutes of the September 16, 2004 meeting were approved.
- Carol gave a progress report on her work involving an investigation of whether faculty have sufficient input
regarding the approval of undergraduate interdisciplinary programs involving more than one academic unit.
- Following a lead discussed last time, she called Johanna Bockman (Program in Global Affairs Director),
who had no pertinent information to share, but who did suggest that Carol call Julie Christensen.
- Carol called Jim Harvey, who initiated this investigation, to check in with him, and he stated that he would
like for this item to be given further consideration. (There was an unspoken concern that the Provost may exercise too much
power at times, without adequate input from the faculty.)
- The AP Committee then discussed the issues, and arrived at some preliminary conclusions.
- Although it is believed that there may well be a need for faculty input beyond the involvement of Deans and
Directors, it is perhaps not efficient to establish a body similar to the Graduate Council.
- It may be that a motion should be made which recommends that the Provost form ad hoc committees, as needed, to
address new undergraduate interdisciplinary programs.
- It was ultimately decided that a good next step would be for Carol to call Julie Christensen, to obtain further
information, before any action is taken by the AP Committee.
- Cliff gave a progress report on his work involving the possible establishment of an "open withdrawal period"
for graduate students (during which graduate students can drop a limited number of classes, for any reason and
without needing permission from a dean, after the drop deadline (which is about a month into the semester)). Such an
open withdrawal period for graduate students would be similar to the one established last spring, and to be put into
effect in Fall 2005, for undergraduate students.
- Cliff reported that he sent Provost Stearns an e-mail to remind him that last spring the Graduate Council stated
that they would consider this issue during the Fall 2004 semester, and suggested that the AP Committee was waiting
for information pertaining to the discussion of this item by the Graduate Council.
The meeting adjourned at 3:58 PM.
minutes submitted by Clifton Sutton