Slippery Rock University Forum

Minues

26 March 2009

Attendance: Padma Anand, Eliott Baker, Trudy Bayer, Jace Condravy, Michael Conlon, Katie Cooklin, Bailey Costantino, Kim Creasy, Wayne Forbes, Justin Kleemook, Wenhao Liu, Laureen Lokash, Catherine Massey, Paul Mullins, Melissa Nard, David Nugent, Kevin Sharkey, Erin Street, Lalanda Stromp, Renee Tkacik, Diane Tomasic, Barbara Westman, William Williams, Junko Yamamoto 

I.                Call to Order – Kim Creasy call the meeting to order at 12:40PM.

II.             Approval or Corrections of February 2009 Minutes – approved as is

III.          Old Business

a.     Plus/Minus Grading – Trudy Bayer – Trudy introduced her position with Provost Williams, Jace Condavy, and Elliot Baker present.  Trudy mentioned that there is no evidence to support that student will have lower grade with the introduction of +/- signs unless they have 4.0.  The issue of academic freedom was brought up during the last meeting and again during this discussion.  There is a need for further collection of literature and discussion of the literature.  The goal is to compile a comprehensive informational packet and distribute it, with a discussion to follow.  The whole goal of +/- signs is to provide motivation to the students.

Elliot mentioned that it is not his decision whether or not to implement a +/- grading system.  It has been mentioned three times in SRU’s history.  The implementation is not possible until new student information system is in place.  This means that we have 1.5 to 2 years to discuss the issue.  Kutztown is planning to implement +/-.  There are three institutions that implemented three different ways of +/- system.  Further research for each scale is necessary.  The only argument from the students is that they do not understand it why C minus would put them in academic probation: C minus means that QPA is lower than 2.0.

The grade change may increase because student may negotiate for a couple of points while they may not negotiate for a whole letter grade change.  

A student representative said that she used to be an education major.  If one gets a D minus then she/he would not get into the College of Education.  Also, if students feel that essay questions are subjective, they are likely to argue more.  

A communication major student said that she gets high B but her grades are Bs.  Her QPA would rise if she had B plus.  

Padma Anand stated that assessment methods of faculty would improve because they would have to show clear assessment criteria to the students.

Trudy stated that evidence is necessary to support claim.  

Provost Williams mentioned that it would involve changes in academic policy.  The survey showing that a high proportion of the students are in the favor of plus or minus is necessary.  The support from the faculty is also necessary.  

Jace would like to have a representative from the University Forum explain our recommendation to APSCUF if the University Forum decides to be in the favor of plus / minus sign.  

The impact that a +/- grading scale on graduate applicants is also unknown. 

b.     Outstanding Secondary Teacher Nomination – Unhae Langis – no report

c.     Keister Road Crosswalk – Justin Kleemook – nothing new to report, expect to inform the Provost of the issue.

IV.           New Business

a.     Committee on Nominations and Elections – Mike Conlon 

1.     Motion to hold elections at the April 23, 2009 meeting.

There will be no May meeting so the forum agreed to vote on April

Running

Justin Kleemook – Vice Secretary

Junko Yamamoto - Secretary

V.              Next Meeting

Thursday, April 23, 2009, North Hall Room 156 at 12:30.  Bring your own lunch. 

VI.           Adjournment