Committee on Academic Policy and Procedures

Meeting Notes October 13, 2010, 9:00 A.M.

401 Hale

Attending

Mike Crow (iSIS), Wilson (AG), Lisa Last (AR), Alsop (AS), Cunningham (BA), Niedfeldt (BA), Perl (ED), Larry Satzler (EN), Karen Pence (HE), David Delker (TC), Scott Schlender (GR), Linda Morse (DCE), Judy Lynch (ADV), Lynn Carlin (PROV), Monty Nielsen (REG), John Letourneau (ISO), Loren Wilson, (ITS), Rebecca Gould (iTAC)

December 2010 Grade Submission Strategy (Crow)

(Handout: December 2010 Grade Submission Strategy) (.pdf)

  • Send handout to department heads via Dean’s listserv ASAP.
  • Gould: iTAC will work with Registrar’s Office to communicate grade deadlines and procedures.
  • Carlin: Provost’s webpage has added “Academic Calendars” with hotlinks to various academic calendars (general academic calendar; academic deadlines; promotion, tenure, sabbatical and annual evaluation; dean’s office deadlines).

Standards for evaluating total “Academic Standing” Hours (Crow)

(Handout: How to Figure Threshold for Academic Dismissal) (.pdf)

  • Replacement retakes (repeats) are difficult; he’ll work with John Letourneau for a technical solution.
  • Transfer hours need to be identified.
  • Accurate count of “OVERALL” hours is needed for dismissal calculation.

Upgrade Update (Letourneau)

  • Upgrade is making progress and planning for upgrade weekend is on-going. Still testing. Upgrade will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, Nov. 19, and it is hoped that it will be completed on Monday or Tuesday, Nov. 22 or 23.
  • Rebecca Gould distributed handout: “Communication Plan for iSIS Upgrade.” (.pdf)

Discussion with Ken Stafford, CIO

David Delker reviewed the history of iSIS Task Force.

  • The iSIS Task Force initially was designated as the iSIS Implementation Task Force and appointed by the Committee on Academic Planning and Procedures (CAPP) to provide an academic voice in the implementation of the student information system. The Task Force was involved in testing, development and implementation and provided a bridge between technology and policy. Constituents have been consulted along the way. Subcommittees were appointed to address some particularly complicated processes (e.g., program/plan changes, graduation processing, minors). It has been an effective group working together without interference of “politics.” Many task force members also are CAPP members. The “Implementation” was dropped from the title as work continued after iSIS implementation. The membership has expanded over time as others have asked to join.

Questions and discussion

  • Business process changes: how are faculty change requests addressed?
  • FSCOT does not feel involved in the process.
  • Representative from Faculty Senate Academic Affairs is a Task Force member.
  • Communication is an issue.
  • Currently more faculty are involved in testing.
  • Requests are made to Mike Crow, who works on request. Progress is not always known.
  • We don’t always note successful changes. Need to work on identifying needs and communicating progress.
  • “Too many lists” – lists need to be consolidated and prioritized (see brainstorming list). (.pdf)
  • Processing vs technology changes are issues bigger than iSIS Task Force. Admissions and Student Financial Assistance also have requests in addition to those of the task force.
  • What would you change?
    • Academic representation
    • Need advice from advisers (professional and faculty advisers)
    • Clarification of work flow
    • Clarification of iSIS Task Force role; relationship with academic procedures and policy
    • Clarification of usability – what can iSIS do? Can iSIS do this or that?
  • How do unused iSIS features get introduced? Typically Mike Crow introduces features to us.
  • Other topics
    • Academic advising: needs assessment, fit-gap between iSIS and DARS (on hold pending resolution of resource issues)
    • The mysterious “Three C’s”
    • Implementing work flow in iSIS (e.g., plan changes that don’t require completion of individual forms by hand)
    • Need for a Common Data Dictionary
    • Existence of multiple official databases

Next meeting: November 10, 2010 at 9:00 AM

(113 Seaton Hall)