Conference of Senate/Deans Council representatives on the course repeat policy

Preamble: Interestingly, faculty in favor of and those opposed to a continuation of the current policy on course repeats and grade replacement have the same ultimate goal: to have in place a system that is best for the student. It appears, in part, that the current policy on course repeats is an outgrowth of concerns about other problems in the university. If these problems were solved, some feel there would be much less need for continuing the current policy. If this is the case, we could adopt the view that the good arguments, pro and con, on the course repeat policy have accomplished their purpose. We should now focus on the underlying problems.

A draft proposal based on ideas from our conference discussion follows.

Proposal:

1. Put in place a system where students are well informed about course selection, and recognize the seriousness of enrollment in a course. Make the rules clear.

2. Require, absolutely and unequivocally, that professors who teach first and second year courses return to students in their course, prior to the end of the drop period, a sufficient number of graded exams or other assignments so as to provide a realistic assessment of performance in the course.

3. Create a well-defined and adequately publicized advising process whereby students who find themselves below or on the borderline of acceptable performance are able to receive personal counseling and advice from the professor teaching the course or from a designated person in the department offering the course.

4. Provide self-assessment exams or other tools, with counseling, that allow students to measure the prerequisite knowledge and time required for successful completion of all first year courses. This assessment would be completed prior to the end of the add/drop period.

5. Continue the current course repeat policy for one-year only. However, if the university fails to put into place the above or equivalent procedures, the question of continuing the current course repeat policy would be reopened.

Return to First Year Course Repeat modification review