Minutes for March 2, 2020

UC members present: Campagnola, Halverson, Sandgren, Ventura, Warfield (chair), Wolf

Also present besides those mentioned below: Michelle Felber, Amol Goyal, Jane Richard, Jake Smith, Bill Tishler, Beth Warner

Chair Warfield called the meeting to order at 1:31.

Minutes of February 24 were approved with one correction.

There was discussion about the title “Teaching Faculty” being used instead of “Faculty Associate.”

Registrar Scott Owczarek and Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Steve Cramer discussed the grade deadline. The current policy is that grades should be turned in 144 hours after the examination period for the course. A couple years ago, a proposal to change this proposal to 72 hours after the final examination period failed to pass the Faculty Senate. Recently, the Registrar’s office began enforcing the original policy, leading to some frustration on the part of faculty and instructional staff. The University Committee would like any policy to accommodate instructors who do not give an exam, but use the finals date as a due date for projects/papers. Steve and Scott will come back to the University Committee with a proposal for the Faculty Senate to consider for a first reading in April.

Scott and Steve also discussed a draft policy regarding the ability of students to move from a residency program to one online and vice versa. The draft policy would allow students to switch programs only in exceptional circumstances with the approval of a school or college.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank announced that Steve Ackerman will serve as the next Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. She also provided an update on campus preparations for the coronavirus. Students studying abroad in South Korea and Italy have been called back. The campus is making sure that plans such as the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) are up to date and working proactively to make sure the campus is prepared for any kind of pandemic or quarantine.

Chair Warfield adjourned the meeting at 2:50 pm.