MINUTES Academic Affairs Committee 2 February 2000

The Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) was called to order by Chair Wherland at 3:14 p.m., Wednesday, 2 February 2000, in Todd 239.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bitter (for Guzman), Folwell, Fowler, Hoeksel, Jamison, and Wherland.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Baker, Blatner, Jankowski, Law, Lowinger, Reed, Vreeland, Warner, ASWSU representatives Bachtel, Brunkow-Mather, Carmichael, and GPSA representative Byington.

VISITORS: Christopher Brown, Student Advising and Learning Center Academic Advisor, Jim Ellis, International Programs Associate Director, Ann Halpin, International Programs Assistant Director, and Linda Schoepflin, Summer Session Director.

The minutes of the 26 January meeting were approved.

Steering Committee: Wherland reported that the General Education Review will be presented at the Faculty Senate, on 10 February.

Catalog Subcommittee: Folwell noted that the Catalog Subcommittee recommended approval for the proposal to offer the Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Vancouver, at Boeing.

Members spoke with Jim Ellis, International Programs Associate Director, and Ann Halpin, International Programs Assistant Director, about the Proposal to Establish WSU Resident Credit for Education Abroad. Ellis gave an overview of the process that students go through in preparation for study abroad. Efforts are coordinated between these students and their major departments and advisors, the Office of Financial Aid, the Admissions Office, and the Registrar's Office. Ellis noted that the university wants to capture the FTEs of study abroad students; his office also wants to integrate study abroad more fully into the rest of their degree program. Ellis noted that resident credit for study abroad is not new to WSU. In addition, other institutions, such as the University of Washington, give residential credit for some study abroad experiences. Ellis said that this proposal suggests that the transcript clearly identify these courses as study abroad. A member noted that resident credit would work to a student's benefit since the courses would be preapproved through the student's major department. Another member stated that the Catalog Subcommittee supports the proposal, but does not want the student's grades from the study abroad courses to calculate into the WSU g.p.a., although the grade could be posted on the transcript. Another member pointed out that having grades on the transcript while not affecting the student's g.p.a. would be a programming effort. Ellis suggested that each academic unit could make the decision about whether students' work was to be letter graded or S, F, if the university did not have a standing policy. A member asked noted that the Attorney's General Office should review the proposal to confirm the proposal's legality. Ellis noted that, in general, the proposal will make participating in study abroad easier for students and their parents.

Members postponed further discussion until additional information from other committees was forthcoming.

Members voted to approve the Undergraduate and Professional Major Change Bulletin No. 8.

Meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m.

Becky Bitter, Secretary Pro Tem

2 February 2000