UW-Milwaukee: L&S: Academic Policies and Appeals Committee

UW-Milwaukee - College of Letters and Science

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
College of Letters and Science

2002-2003
Academic Policies and Appeals Committee
Meeting: Friday, March 28, 2003
Holton Hall 241

Minutes No. 5

Present:	Lakshmi Bharadwaj, Michael Gordon, Jane Nardin, Erl Olfe (ex officio) Richard O'Malley, Joseph Rodriguez, Kathleen Wheatley
Absent:	Nancy Burrell
Guests:	Connie Jo, Denise Mueller

The Chair, Jane Nardin, called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. in Holton Hall 341.
Automatic Consent

Minutes #4, 2002-2003 (February 28, 2003) were approved as submitted.

Procedural Matters

Election of Committee Chair for 2003-2004 - Michael Gordon was elected unanimously as chair for the 2003-2004.

Old Business

Proposed Policy on Extraordinary Accommodations - The L&S Faculty passed a proposal a year ago defining the English and Math requirements as essential parts of the degree that cannot be waived. It was moved, seconded, and approved to affirm the L&S policy.

New Business

Student Appeal - Erl Olfe gave a brief background of the foreign language requirements in the College of Letters and Science. He explained that a grade of C or better has been in effect since 1998. Erl summarized the student's appeal. Kathleen Wheatley explained that the prerequisite for continuing in Spanish is a C- or better. Lakshmi Bharadwaj suggested that the course syllabus state that a C- is required to continue to the next course, but a C is needed to fulfill the requirement for graduation. Erl indicated a student who earned a C- could go on to the next course and try to earn a C in that course to meet the requirement. He doesn't advise this option. After much discussion, it was moved, seconded and approved to deny the student's appeal.
Policy on Administratively Dropping Students - Several departments state in the Schedule of Classes that students not attending the first week or first day of class may be administratively dropped. Members of the Committee agreed that situations may arise where students are unable to attend the first day of class. It was moved, seconded, and approved to recommend to the Faculty approval of a policy allowing departments to drop students for non-attendance but prohibiting such drops during the first week. Departments are not required to drop students; therefore students must be sure to drop classes they do not plan to attend to avoid receiving F grades. Members emphasized the importance of making this responsibility clear to students through the Schedule of Classes. Jane Nardin asked Connie Jo to draft the proposal for circulation to committee members. (A copy of the draft is attached to these minutes.)

Adjournment - Jane Nardin was recognized for her contributions during her term as chair of the Committee. Erl Olfe, who will retire in June, was thanked for his valuable assistance over the years. The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 pm.