August 17, 2009

To:       Suzanne Anglehart, Convener

            Academic Policies & Standards Committee (CAPS)

From:   Becky LeDocq, Chair

            Faculty Senate

This memo is intended to serve as the initial charge letter to the Academic Policies & Standards Committee for the 2009-10 academic year. 

In an effort to better orient new committee members and to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of committee work, the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) is incorporating the following ideas.

1. The SEC will be holding a meeting of conveners at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1 in 325 Graff Main Hall.  Please plan on attending this meeting if possible.  If you are unable to attend, please send another representative from your committee. An agenda will follow.
2. The SEC will be holding a meeting of Chairs during the week before classes in January.  The purpose of this meeting will be for committee chairs to report on progress on charges to date and discuss any problems committees may be experiencing.

Per Faculty Senate Bylaw II. (s):  “Each faculty committee shall hold an organizational meeting and report the name of the chairperson to the senate office by October 1. (Joint Chairpersons are not permitted.)” 

Therefore, as the convener of the Academic Policies & Standards Committee, please arrange, as soon as feasible, an organizational meeting.  In addition to a chairperson, please also elect a secretary.   

 Primary responsibilities of the chairperson include:

·         promptly informing the Senate office (5-8018) the results of the election of officers and any changes in committee membership.*

·         organizing and conducting meetings.

·         completing a year end report on the Academic Policies & Standards Committee activities to be submitted to the Senate Office no later than May 31, 2010.

*The committee chairperson should carefully review Faculty Senate Bylaw II, “Faculty Standing Committees” for information on committee attendance and the role of alternates.

Primary responsibilities of the secretary include:

·         recording minutes of each meeting.

·         promptly sending meeting minutes to Sibbie Weathers (weathers.sylv@uwlax.edu) so that the minutes can be posted on the faculty senate website. 

In the event the committee chooses to rotate secretarial duties, please designate one person to be responsible for e-mailing the meeting minutes to Sibbie Weathers.

In addition to the committee's normal duties, I ask that the committee consider and report on the following special charges:

• Review and discuss the possible need for a university policy on excused absences for students in university-sanctioned activities and for military personnel and determine if any recommendation regarding this issue is appropriate. Please plan to provide a report to faculty senate at the October 15, 2009 meeting.
• Review the university’s final exam policy to determine if changes or modifications are warranted. Please see the 2008-09 CGAAF end of year report for further discussion of this issue. Please plan to provide a report to faculty senate at the November 12, 2009 meeting.

·         Continue to work closely with the Registrar to ensure a smooth transition to the new Student Information System.

• Review the university’s course repeat policy and course withdrawal policy to determine if changes or modifications are warranted. Please plan to provide a report to faculty senate at the February 25, 2010 meeting.

If you have any questions about the charges, please feel free to contact me.

Finally, if the Senate Executive Committee or I can assist your committee in any way during the year, please do not hesitate to ask.

saw

cc:        Academic Policies & Standards Committee Members