Slippery Rock University Forum

Minutes

19 February 2009

Attendance: Trudy Bayer, Angela Bernardo, Michael Conlon, Bailey Costantino, Jackie Freeman, Diane Galbraith, Justin Kleemook, Istvan Kovacs, Unhae Langis, Liu Wenhao, Laureen Lokash, Paul Mullins, David Nugent, Ursula Payne, Annette Salsovic, Kevin Sharkey, Laura Smiley, Erin Street, Lalanda Stromp, Andrzej Szymanski, Diane Tomasic, Jialing Wang, Barbara Westman, Junko Yamamoto

I.                 Call to Order - Justin Kleemook called the forum meet to the order

II.                Approval or Corrections of January 2009 Minutes

III.              Old Business

a.      Plus/Minus Grading – Trudy Bayer

Trudy Bayer led the discussion on plus/minus grading.  She passed out the summary of her research.  She has listed both reasons to implement and reject the plus minus grading system.  She also listed PASSHE Universities that are currently using a plus/minus grading system.  

The first point of contention involved the issue of academic freedom: Do instructors have the freedom to choose not to use plus/minus?  There was a disagreement in the forum.  A second issue was that non-tenured faculties may feel as if they are forced to use plus/minus.  Others believed that there may be pressure to inflate grades with the plus/minus system, which is occurring in the university where the average grade is already approaching an A.  On the contrary, there are fewer A’s in recent years in the school of business.  Ultimately, the instructor would have the right to assign the grade cut-off point.  Trudy would be willing to accept the claims that other members made as long as there is evidence to support their claims. 

Trudy spoke with Elliott Baker, who said that it will be feasible to implement plus/minus grading system at SRU.  The forum suggested to survey students and faculties.  Junko Yamamoto offered technical assistance with the survey.  

Trudy preferred a literature-based educational campaign prior to survey. Michael Conlon agreed.  Junko Yamamoto suggested that whoever has literature regarding plus/minus forward them to Trudy so that she can compile the literature and create a brochure to educate the clientele.  Then the forum can proceed with the survey, which should be done as a response to the brochure. 

Justin Kleemook suggested that if there is anything to pass on to the provost, he will be able to do so.  Trudy Bayer suggested that the Forum invite the provost and Elliott Baker to the March meeting.   The last issue raise was concerning how the university would deal with grades of transfer students.  Apparently transfer grades do not get calculated into an SRU QPA.  

b.     Outstanding Secondary Teacher Nomination – Unhae Langis – Unhae has gotten favorable response from the Provost and is set to proceed with the program.  

c.      Keister Road Crosswalk – Justin Kleemook – Nothing new to report.

IV.              New Business - Michael Conlon reminded the forum that it is time to nominate next year’s officials. 

V.               Next Meeting

                  Thursday, March 26, 2009, North Hall University Room at 12:30.

VI.              Adjournment