CAS Annual Report, 2003-2004
Members of the CAS 2002-03:
Jennifer Delton, History (chair)
David Vella, Mathematics and Computer Science
Robert Turner, Government (Fall semester only)
David Peterson, Art and Art History (replacing Bob Turner, spring semester)
Jon Ramsey, Dean of Studies
Ann Henderson, Registrar
Rebecca Bilbro, '04
Regular visitors (nonvoting):
Tina Levith, Associate director, Dean of Studies
Dave DeConno, Associate Registrar
The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) met weekly during the year and
held two Academic Review sessions, one in Jan. 2004 and one in June 2004.
In addition to hearing petitions and requests, and generally upholding
the academic standards of Skidmore College, the CAS also enacted several
new policies.
Policy discussions and decisions
" CAS and Academic Rigor - On Oct. 3, 2003, Dean Joseph visited
CAS to discuss if CAS saw itself as having a role to play in increasing
the academic rigor on campus. This led to several weeks of spirited discussion,
the upshot of which was that CAS contributes to academic rigor by upholding
and enforcing the academic standards of the college. The committee decided
against any new initiatives on its part.
" Disruptive Student Policy - discussed and approved
" Dean of Student Affairs and Academic Review - On Nov. 14, 2003,
Dean Oles met with CAS to discuss if his office can contribute information
on social infractions with regard to those students who have fallen below
academic standards and about whom CAS is considering a waiver. Dean Oles'
reasoning was that CAS would be less likely to grant a "second chance"
to those students whose social behavior had a detrimental effect on campus
life if it actually knew about those social behaviors. After much discussion
and many concerns, the CAS agreed to have the Dean of Student Affairs
contribute information to the CAS at the beginning of the Academic Review,
much as HEOP does. Tina Levith wrote up new guidelines to this effect.
The policy was deployed for the first time in the January 2004 Academic
Review, with uneven results. These problems were addressed, and Dean Oles'
participation in the June 2004 review went smoother. The information from
Dean Oles did influence CAS's decision to disqualify rather than grant
waivers.
" Deadline for FL substitution requests - no later than the end of
junior year.
" Chronic illness, disabilities, and ADA - On March 2, 2004 Dr. Glenn
Egelman and Cynthia Guile visited CAS to discuss the usefulness of our
two withdrawal limit.
" "Two Course limit" for students on personal leave? -
CAS reconsidered the need for this policy, which limits the number of
courses for which a student on personal leave can receive credit. This
limit existed to prevent students who had been denied permission to study
abroad would take a personal leave, study abroad, and petition for credit.
Cori Filson reported that this is no longer a problem. CAS decided to
rescind two course limit for people on personal leave in US, who can now
petition for up to eleven credits, but will no longer allow any credit
for non-approved study abroad programs. See guidelines.
" Asterisks and the commencement program - For a variety of reasons,
these asterisks denoting August graduates may be unnecessary. CAS discussed
and decided to keep them.
Academic Review (courtesy of Patty Ivory)
January 2004 2007 2006 2005 2004 Total
Disqualifications 7 4 7 4 22
Leave-Waiver 3 4 3 0 10
Waivers 3 2 5 3 13
June 2004 2007 2006 2005 Total
Disqualifications 3 9 4 16
Leave Waiver 4 1 1 6
Waiver 5 2 4 11
Statistical Information, 2003-04 (courtesy of Patty Ivory)
Study Abroad
Approved Academic Leaves for Affiliated Programs - 74
Approved Academic Leaves for Skidmore Programs - 70
Denied Academic Leaves for Affiliated Programs - 3
Denied Academic Leaves for Skidmore Programs - 2
Approved Academic Leaves for Non-Affiliated Programs - 78
Denied Academic Leaves for Non-Affiliated Programs - 1
Dean of Studies Office
Approved Personal Leave - 34
Approved Personal Leave Extension - 6
Approved Medical Leave - 25
Approved Medical Leave Extension - 7
Change in Status Requests (cancellations and change of venue) - 53
Approved Readmit - 6
DQ Appeals - 6
Registrar's
Add/Drop Approved - 199
Add/Drop Denied - 25
Grade Change approved - 10
Grade Change denied - 15
Overloads approved - 8
Withdrawals approved - 39
Withdrawals denied - 3
Miscellaneous approvals - 32
Miscellaneous denials - 5
The Chair of next year's CAS remains unknown at the current time. Next
year the Committee will look something like this:
Jennifer Delton
David Peterson
Rik Scarce (replacing Bob Turner)
Grace Burton, Interim Dean of Studies
Ann Henderson, Registrar
[student rep]
Regular visitors (nonvoting):
Tina Levith, Associate director, Dean of Studies
Dave DeConno, Associate Registrar
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Delton, chair, CAS
July 19, 2004
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