As early as fall 2013, students could be able to repeat courses in which they’ve previously received lower than a “C” and have that previous grade excluded from their GPA.
The Faculty Senate passed a resolution to create a grade exclusion policy at its monthly meeting Monday afternoon.
The University’s current policy states a student can repeat a course and have the grades from multiple attempts averaged in his or her GPA.
University Registrar Robert Doolos said the resolution comes as a recommendation from the University’s retention committee.
“[The current policy] basically puts us at a disadvantage when it comes to completion rates compared to our peers,” Doolos said.
Student Government Director of Academics Thomas Rodgers, who read the resolution to the Senate, said students who want to take advantage of the policy will be required to report to their senior colleges to ask permission.
Rodgers said the grade will be excluded from the GPA after the student has completed his or her next attempt.
According to the resolution, students will be allowed to exclude grades for up to three courses, or 12 credit hours total.
Senate also heard two other resolutions for the first time.
One resolution proposes an investigation of the feasibility of a four-day class system, in which the University would only offer classes Monday through Thursday.
The other resolution would ban the use of cell phones for personal use in academic buildings. Many senators voiced concerns about the enforceability of the rule. Some suggested posting signs asking students to use their phones outside, instead of banning use entirely.
Both resolutions will be read for a second time and voted on at the Senate’s May meeting.
In other business, the Senate re-elected English professor Kevin Cope as president, animal sciences professor Ken McMillin as vice president and School of the Coast and Environment associate professor Lawrence Rouse as one of the Senate’s two members-at-large.
University librarian Stephanie Braunstein was elected as the other member-at-large, and food science professor Joan King was elected secretary.
Senate members will review a list of candidates for next year’s senators and vote on those positions at the Senate’s May meeting.
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]