Forgiveness Policy

Jeff Matthews indicated that there should be a probationary period before forgiveness is granted. Student should prove himself or herself to be academically oriented and focused before forgiveness is considered. These were discussions for and against academic forgiveness as a general concept.

Michelle and Lori:  Many forgiveness policies are based upon being out of college 5 years prior to asking for forgiveness.

Forgiveness Policy Survey:

Jeff and Lori:  Be specific in determining and delineating the requirement for grades to be forgiven.  If a student has all Cs, they should not be allowed to use the forgiveness policy.  Include this in the draft proposal.

Lori indicated that if the grade(s) are taken away (i.e.: forgiven), then the credit is taken away also.

Jeff inquired as to whether or not individual courses are forgiven or is it all courses for a given semester?

Group members responded that if forgiveness is granted, make it for the entire semester.

Forgiveness Policy Survey (Bullet Point  #5)

Jeff indicated that a student is not eligible for forgiveness if they already hold a degree. If we change curriculum, students could manipulate this. Students tend to be able to find loopholes. 

Jeff indicated we should leave out Gen Ed requirements for forgiveness.

Withdrawals: 

Michelle indicated that after forgiveness, students might only have a certain number of withdrawals. Withdrawals don’t look good and are an issue with some.

Students look to see if they are going to do well, and if not, they may drop the class.

1^st bullet – 24 credits must be completed.

2^nd bullet – 2.25 GPA in order for forgiveness to be maintained.

3^rd bullet – Need specific statement from each student as to why academic forgiveness is needed.  

4^th bullet – OK

Jeff:  Bullet out consequences section.

Jeff and Lori:  2^nd to last paragraph.  Statement is very clear.

Jeff: Last paragraph good.

Jeff, Michelle, and Chet wished to strike “eliminated courses may be taken…” statement from 2^nd paragraph.

There was general discussion concerning the single class re-take issue vs. the semester retake issue.

Jeff:  Insert the word “probation” in bullet point #2.

Jeff indicated that our group should submit the existing draft of the Academic Forgiveness Policy to Diane Johnson, the LCSC Registrar for review. The group felt that this policy has significant consequences for the students, faculty, and LCSC as a whole and needs such a review.

Jeff also indicated that the first draft will be re-written and it will be sent to the divisions and Senate for a vote.  This re-written policy should also go to the Student Affairs Committee.

Revision Components (10/27/03 Academic Forgiveness Policy)

Re-do bullet #2.

Add eligibility consequences.

Drop eliminated curses statement.

SRI’s

Chet:  Cross-referencing needed, develop a worksheet addressing SRI’s.  The SRI process is an emotional issue on campus. Jeff wants a revision where the LCSC faculty has some ownership of the process.

Discipline specific questions need to be added.

Chet and Michelle indicated that we need to sell the work of this committee. This will be an ongoing process.

Specific SRI items that need to be changed or addressed included the following:

Jeff:  Use math resources, statisticians, math professors, to better analyze the numerical data from SRI’s.

Lori, Jeff, and Chet:  Comments are looked at in SRIs, but the numbers are not. Why not look at the numbers more closely?

Michelle:  Appraisal system is relevant for the Business Division.

Chet:  Impact behavior by asking questions.

Jeff:  Students need to have the right to give feedback.

No other discussion was held and the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for 12/9/03 at the SUB, Room 141 at  4:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,