Governance

The Academic Standards Committee is a standing committee governed by the EOU University Council and Faculty Senate.

The Constitution Bylaws outline the charge of the committee:

Section 4. Academic Standards Committee

Organization --- The Academic Standards Committee shall consist of ten (10) members, including five (5) teaching faculty with representation from each School, two (2) students appointed by the recognized student government, one (1) Division of Distance Education representative, and one (1) representative from student affairs appointed by the President. At least two (2) of the teaching faculty members must by tenured. A staff member from the Registrar's Office shall serve ex officio without vote and shall serve as administrative assistant and secretary to the Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. To develop, recommend, and interpret academic policy.
2. To serve as the hearing board in all matters regarding academic standing at the University. The Committee is empowered to make exceptions to academic regulations if, in spirit, such regulations are satisfied or, if the strict application of the policies would impose an educational disadvantage or undue hardship on the student. Consideration of exceptions may include consultation with the appropriate administrative unit responsible for maintaining the regulations in question.

From Faculty/Staff Handbook Constitution Bylaws

Committee Chair

A chairperson will be elected annually at the first meeting where a majority of members are present. The chairperson serves for a one-year term. Until a chair is selected, the administrative assistant will coordinate committee business.

Administrative Assistant

The Registrar's Office will appoint a member of its staff to serve as administrative assistant to the committee. The Committee assistant will:

• Support the elected chairperson in the completion of ASC business
• Solicit schedules from members as needed to coordinate times for meetings
• Communicate with students about their hearing appointments, organize the appointment schedule
• Reserve a secure and private room for meetings (equipped with the necessary phone and computer hook ups and provide equipment as needed)
• Prepare all documents needed for consideration of student petitions
• Complete all paperwork related to student petitions
• Keep record of proceedings, remind committee of guidelines and track decisions
• Secure room when not in use
• Follow up as necessary in the conveyance of committee decisions
• Destroy all document copies according to Registrar's normal procedures

Hearing Procedures

The Academic Standards Committee meets with students to discuss academic difficulties and deliberates about their future status as an Eastern Oregon University student. Hearings and deliberations should be conducted with these thoughts in mind:

• The student is an individual. His or her unique life situation is valued and respected.
• Coming before the ASC is most likely an uncomfortable situation for most college students. The committee should make every effort to make students comfortable.
• As we challenge the student's understandings and views, we also must be willing to support the student in their current stage of development. A balance of challenge and support if necessary for student growth and development are to occur.
• Decisions will be made with the student's best interest at heart. At the same time we must honor the integrity of Eastern's established standards, policies, and procedures.
• A student's academic record and information revealed to the committee should be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. No discussion of ASC student deliberations or other business should take place outside of committee meetings. A discussion of a student's academic record outside of official business can constitute a violation of federal educational privacy laws (FERPA).
• No transcripts or student petitions shall leave the room. The committee chairperson can make exceptions to this general rule in the case where follow up is necessary. If written documents are removed from the meeting room, they should be returned to the committee's administrative assistant for proper disposal upon completion of the task.
• Committee members are expected to attend all ASC meetings. If conflicts exist, the Administrative Assistant should be notified well in advance.

General Hearing Guidelines

• Prior to student entering room or phone call, written documents and transcripts are reviewed - Committee will determine the issues to be explored with the student
• Student is called into the room and shown where to sit
• Chair or hearing leader should greet the student and explain why the student must appear before the ASC
• Student is asked to comment on 1) their current academic situation, 2) attempts taken to correct problems, 3) their proposed plan for success
• Committee members ask questions
• In some cases students are asked to leave the room so the committee can deliberate
• Decision is rendered to student, paperwork completed (student gets pink copy)
• Chair excuses the student
• If the Committee approves the student's petition, the student may then complete registration. To do so it may require additional steps as directed by the committee or be required by the Business or Financial Aid Offices.

The ASC may make stipulations and impose limitations that are aimed at assisting the student in achieving academic success. Some possible committee responses:

• Limit the number of credit hours for which a student may enroll. A twelve- credit limit keeps the student at full-time status. A nine-credit limit reduces the FTE to .75 and will correspondingly impact the amount of financial aid the student will be eligible to receive.
• Require/suggest the student add or drop certain course(s)
• Require/suggest the student engage in placement testing to determine appropriate course level
• Require/suggest a student meet with his or her advisor
• Require/suggest a student meet with staff in University support offices.

(The committee will want to build in some checks to make sure requirements are completed.)

It is helpful to know departmental preferences prior to making recommendations. For example, should a student received a "D" or "F" in Bio101 be allowed to register for 102 the next term. Guidance is helpful in these situations.

Formal Grievance Hearings

In the cases where a student desires to pursue a formal grievance, he or she should follow procedures outlined under the Complaint and Grievance Procedures of the Student Handbook. The grievance would fall under "Category 5: Grievances by Students Pertaining to the Satisfaction of Graduation Requirements, Academic Probation, or Academic Suspension."

 

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