The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
Upon recommendation of the Curricular Affairs, Faculty Appeals & Oversight, and the Unit Criteria Committees, the UAF Faculty Senate moves to establish a Policy on the Identification and Use of Invalid Academic Degrees.
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: Preservation of UAF’s integrity as a degree-granting institution is very important. A significant aspect of UAF’s academic integrity is the assurance that UAF students, staff, faculty, and administrators only claim possession of valid academic degrees. In the last decade, unregulated degree 'suppliers' have become rampant. Definition and regulation of the use of invalid academic degrees and academic credits at UAF is therefore necessary.
Reputable organizations exist that research and evaluate the quality of academic oversight for degree suppliers and publish lists of accredited degree-granting institutions and non-accredited degree suppliers. For UAF to create its own ‘degree evaluation’ program is neither necessary nor worthwhile. Rather, UAF should depend on outside agencies for such evaluations.
Reputable organizations include:
***
THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS AND REGULATIONS CONSTITUTE THE UAF POLICY ON THE IDENTIFICATION AND USE OF INVALID ACADEMIC DEGREES:
1. A valid academic degree is one issued by a legitimate degree-granting institution. An invalid academic degree is one issued by any other organization or person.
2. For the purposes of determining competency of accrediting agencies, UAF only recognizes those foreign and domestic accrediting bodies that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. A list of non-approved “accrediting” bodies will be posted on the Provost’s web site (see Attachment I).
3. A legitimate degree-granting institution is one that is accredited by a competent and qualified accrediting agency and consequently listed in the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers International Registry of degree-granting institutions. All other organizations and persons, especially those specifically listed as unacceptable by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, are recognized by UAF as suppliers of invalid academic degrees and invalid academic credits. A list of suppliers of invalid degrees and credits will be posted on the Provost’s web site.
4. An individual who possesses a degree or credits defined by the above criteria as invalid can over-rule this determination if (s)he can obtain a transcript evaluation made by either (a) the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers or (b) the World Education Services that states the degree in question is in fact equivalent to a degree granted by an accredited U.S. institution. A copy of this transcript evaluation should be filed with the individual’s Dean.
5. Only valid academic degrees and credits earned from legitimate degree-granting institutions may be used for the purposes of credit transfer, hiring, promotion, or tenure at UAF.
6. Employees and students of the UAF who possess academic degrees defined as invalid by UAF are forbidden to indicate that they possess such degrees in any official UAF context, including --but not limited to-- UAF classes, UAF syllabi, UAF web sites, and at meetings where they are identified as UAF employees or UAF students. "Indicating” one possesses a degree includes --but is not limited to-- using the title "Dr." or other degree-related title before one's name or listing the degree abbreviation (e.g., B.S., M.S., PhD) after one's name.
7. The list of suppliers of invalid degrees and credits, posted on the Provost’s web site (Attachment II), is to be updated annually by the Faculty Senate Curricular Affairs Committee. Additions to this list are to be based on (a) the listing of invalid degree suppliers provided by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization and (b) names of any additional degree suppliers that do not appear in the annual ‘American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers International Registry’ and come to the attention of the UAF Registrar or Admissions Office.
****
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to recommend the Board of Regents eliminating specific Residency Requirements from BOR Policy 10.05.03 and move them to University Regulations with changes proposed as follows:
[[ ]] - Deletion
CAPS - Additions
Residency Requirements P10.05.03
In order to satisfy the residency requirements for the degree or certificate program from which a student wishes to graduate, students will be required to earn specified numbers of credits from the university or community college offering the program. [[These requirements for undergraduate degrees will be:
Associate degree
15 credits
Bachelor's degree
30 credits overall
24 upper division credits
12 credits in the major ]]
SPECIFIC [[More]] residency credit requirements to meet program accreditation standards SHALL [[may]] be established BY THE PRESIDENT IN REGULATION following THE recommendation OF [[by the]] program faculty and the Chancellor. [[and approval by the President.]]
If a program is delivered collaboratively, credit from each participating institution will be counted toward fulfillment of residency requirements. Residency requirements will be specified in catalogs.
(05-07-81, revised 02-16-96)
Proposed Regulation R10.05.03
Residency Requirements
Certificate and Associate degrees
15 credits taken at UA
Bachelor’s degree
at least 30 credits taken at UA
21 upper division credits must be taken at UA, of which
at least 15 credits must be
taken at the degree granting MAU
12 credits in the major taken at UA
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: The purpose of the proposed change is to allow transfer students more flexibility in their schedule and especially allow more flexibility for students transferring between MAUs of the University of Alaska.
****
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend the UAF Regulation for Emeritus Status as follows:
CAPS - Additions
[[ ]] - Deletions
Emeritus Status
A. A full-time faculty member who has already attained the rank of full professor and who has retired after a minimum of ten years at the University of Alaska immediately prior to retirement [[is eligible for consideration as an]] MAY BE HONORED THROUGH APPOINTMENT AS PROFESSOR emeritus [[professor]]. Nominations for [[the]] CONFERRING emeritus STATUS [[professor must]] originate with the APPROPRIATE DEAN IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FACULTY, OR WITH THE faculty. IF THE NOMINATION ORIGINATES WITH THE FACULTY, IT SHALL BE THE APPROPRIATE PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FORWARDED TO THE CAMPUS PROMOTION COMMITTEE TO BE EVALUATED ON THE BASIS OF THE CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF FULL PROFESSOR WITH THE ADDED CAVEAT THAT THE POSITION OF PROFESSOR EMERITUS IS THE HIGHEST HONOR THAT IS BESTOWED UPON A RETIRING FACULTY MEMBER. [[The process may be initiated by *any three faculty members, one of whom must belong to the retiree's primary academic unit, for review by the appropriate dean. The dean, in consultation with the retiree's primary academic unit, will make ]] THE COMMITTEE'S recommendations WILL BE MADE to the Provost who will then forward his/her recommendations to the Chancellor[[. The Chancellor's]] WHOSE decision is final and non-reviewable.
B. In exceptional circumstances, the Chancellor, or in the case of statewide administration employees, the President, may confer emeritus status on other meritorious employees who have provided a minimum of ten (10) years of faithful service of high quality to the institution. Recommendations will proceed along the appropriate administrative channels to the Chancellor or President.
C. The Board of Regents may confer emeritus status upon a retiring President of the University.
D. Privileges available to emeritus employees include the following:
1. Listing in the appropriate university directory and catalog.
2. Invitations to major university functions.
3. [[Mailing]] Notices of campus functions and social gatherings.
4. Use of library, gymnasium, and food facilities on the same basis as active employees in their category.
5. Access to ELECTRONIC MAIL, laboratories, office space at the discretion of the dean or director, AND/OR research [[and/or electronic communication]] facilities (where such access is available at no charge to the university and does not displace other faculty and/or students).
6. Free parking permit (UPON APPLICATION TO THE APPROPRIATE PARKING FACILITIES SERVICE).
7. Receipt of aN [[permanent]] identification card.
8. Waiver of tuition for courses in which they themselves are enrolled.
E. Upon appointment to emeritus status a retiring employee shall be designated by the proper title Emeritus/Emerita.
[[* nominations must have the support of three faculty]]
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: These changes provide a more rigorous review of nominations and bring the UAF Regulations in line with Regents' Policy & Regulations.
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend the policy on Graduate Degrees - General University Requirements - Registration Requirement (p. 166, 2004-2005 UAF catalog), as follows:
CAPS - Additions
[[ ]] - Deletions
Graduate students must be registered for at least six [[graduate]] credits per year (fall, spring, summer) IN GRADUATE OR 400-LEVEL COURSES RELEVANT TO THE GRADUATE DEGREE, while actively working toward a degree. Those who wish to temporarily suspend their studies should obtain an approved leave of absence. Students who do not register or obtain a leave of absence will be dropped from graduate study and will have to be reinstated before resuming graduate studies.
You must be registered for at least 3 graduate credits in the semester in
which you receive your degree and you must apply for graduation in that semester.
EFFECTIVE: Fall 2005
RATIONALE: This addresses an inconsistency in the UAF Graduate School policy regarding the minimum registration requirement of 6 credits per year.
ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ policy states that credits from both 600-level and 400-level courses may be used toward graduate degrees at UAF. Some graduate programs require specific 400-level courses as part of the graduate degree requirements. Graduate programs may set their own limits on the number of 400-level courses that may be counted toward the graduate degree.
ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ policy also requires that graduate students register for a minimum of 6 credits per year. However, the policy refers to “graduate courses”, thus excluding 400-level courses from eligibility. The revised policy will allow graduate students to use relevant 400-level courses to fulfill the minimum registration requirement of 6 credits per year.
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend the policy on Deficiencies for Graduate
Students (p.166, 2004-2005 UAF catalog) as follows:
CAPS - Additions
[[ ]] - Deletions
Deficiencies
Your advisory committee may require that you [[correct]] REMEDY certain deficiencies in your program. Your committee will determine early in the program BOTH how to remedy the deficiencies and the minimum level of performance required of you. [[Such courses may be taken under the credit/no credit option, by audit, or through credit by examination.]] GRADED UNDERGRADUATE COURSES TAKEN TO REMEDY A DEFICIENCY MUST RECEIVE A GRADE OF “B” OR BETTER. Deficiency courses are not listed on the Advancement to Candidacy form.
EFFECTIVE: Fall
2005
RATIONALE: This motion will clarify ambiguities in the current requirements regarding deficiencies. Since deficiencies may be remedied in other ways besides taking courses, and since these other ways are at the discretion of the Advisory Committee and the Department, removing the sentence in brackets will prevent students from being misled into thinking they may select one or the other method as an option at their own discretion. Adding the sentence about the minimum grade of B will prevent students from assuming they must merely pass a course at the lowest level in order to remedy a deficiency, and makes the requirement equivalent to that of undergraduate courses taken for credit toward the graduate degree (B or better).
***
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to amend the current Cooperative Programs policy
(p.166-67, 2004-2005 UAF catalog) by adding the following statement:
CAPS - Additions
[[ ]] - Deletions
Cooperative Programs
Some students may develop cooperative programs using specific courses from other universities before being admitted to graduate study at UAF. As part of the application process, the cooperative program must be included in an approved Graduate Study Plan (GSP) (see page 167). The student must complete a minimum of 12 semester credits in residence at UAF, in addition to thesis and research.
The following guidelines are for collaborative Ph.D. graduate studies across all UA academic units [[:]] SOME INDIVIDUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE SPECIFIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS IN THE GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM SECTION IN THE CATALOG. THE REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED HERE APPLY ONLY TO PROGRAMS THAT HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS.
* At least four faculty members shall serve on the graduate advisory committee for each Ph.D. student. At least two committee members shall be UAF faculty. One of the UAF committee members must be on a tenure-track appointment in a Ph.D.-granting department. The committee shall be chaired or co-chaired by a UAF faculty member.
* The graduate advisory committee and its chair and/or co-chairs must be approved by the program director and the dean of the Graduate School.
* UAF rules and regulations on graduate studies shall apply to all UAF graduate students, including those concurrently enrolled at UAA and UAS.
* The graduate advisory committee must meet at least once a year to update the Graduate Study Plan and to review the student’s progress toward the degree. The annual progress report must be signed by all committee members and submitted to the dean of the UAF Graduate School.
* A comprehensive exam committee composed of the student’s advisory committee will administer the Ph.D. comprehensive exam for each student.
* The Ph.D. thesis defense is to be conducted on the UAF campus.
EFFECTIVE: Fall
2005
RATIONALE: One program, Engineering, has already established its own requirements; if approved, the proposed Psychology Ph.D. will also have different requirements. Therefore, clarification is needed to assure that the catalog does not include contradictory information, and that the general catalog requirements for collaborative Ph.D. graduate studies apply unless different requirements have been approved by the Faculty Senate.
*
The UAF Faculty Senate passed the following at its Meeting #125 on November 1, 2004:
MOTION:
=======
The UAF Faculty Senate moves to recommend that the proposed changes to Regents' Policy and the draft University Regulation 03.01.01 -- Faculty, Staff and Student Governance as submitted by the Faculty Alliance be accepted with minor changes as indicated in section L.1.
EFFECTIVE: Immediately
RATIONALE: This
motion clarifies Regents' policy and establishes University
regulation dealing with Faculty, Staff and Student Governance.
****
CAPS - Addition
[[ ]] - Deletion
DRAFT UNIVERSITY REGULATION 03.01.01
FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENT GOVERNANCE
L. TRANSMITTAL OF RECOMMENDATIONSAND ACTIONS
1. Transmittal of System Governance Recommendations and Actions to the Administration or Board of Regents
Actions of the system governance groups affecting the university system or system community shall be transmitted in writing to the President of the University and the responsible executive within 40 days of the action taken. Transmittal shall NORMALLY include evidence of dialogue with the responsible executive and a faithful characterization of the views [[that]] OF THE RESPONSIBLE executive and of THE SYSTEM governance GROUP.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REVISION DRAFTED SEPTEMBER 24, 2004/pmi
Regents' Policy
PART III - Faculty, Staff and Student Governance
CHAPTER I
Faculty, Staff and Student Governance
P03.01.01 |
The opportunity for faculty, staff and students to participate in the governance of the University is important to its effective operation. The Board of Regents intends that faculty, staff and student participation in University governance be an integral part of the University community's culture.
After consultation with University faculty, staff and students, the President shall promulgate University Regulations establishing the systemwide governance structure and its constituent organizations. The structure shall include a systemwide organization for faculty, staff and students; an alliance of faculty senates; an alliance of classified and APT staff; an intercampus student network; and appropriate campus constituent organizations.
Each systemwide organization shall development a constitution establishing its name, role and responsibilities which, upon approval by the President, shall be entered into University Regulations. CONSTITUTIONS FOR EACH SYSTEMWIDE ORGANIZATION ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT. Constitutions for campus employee organizations are subject to the approval of the cognizant chancellor. Student government constitutions are subject to Regents' Policy 09.01.01. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EACH SYSTEMWIDE ORGANIZATION SHALL BE ENTERED INTO UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.
Governance organizations shall carry out their functions subject to the authority of the Board of Regents and the President and chancellors of the University. The organizations' purposes are to:
The President and the chancellors shall respond to actions taken by governance groups in a timely fashion as described in the approved constitutions.
Participants in governance shall carry out their governance responsibilities in good faith and to the best of their abilities without fear of reprisal. Spokespersons for governance groups may present their views directly to the Board of Regents in accordance with Board procedures.
REVISION DRAFTED SEPTEMBER 24, 2004/pmi
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DRAFT UNIVERSITY REGULATION 03.01.010
FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENT GOVERNANCE
Originated March 30, 2000, revised March 31, April 2, April 8, April 22, April 27, 2004, May 4 and May 10, 2004, August 26, 2004, August 31, 2004
A. INTENT
It is the intent of the Board of Regents 1) that the faculty, staff and students shall share in the governance of the university, 2) that shared governance is an integral part of the business of the university and 3) that participants in shared governance are empowered by the Board of Regents to carry out their governance responsibilities to the best of their abilities without fear of reprisal.
B. GOVERNANCE GROUPS
1. Systemwide
The University hereby establishes a mechanism for faculty, staff and students to participate in system governance through the following organizations:
Faculty Alliance
Staff Alliance
Coalition of Student Leaders
System Governance Council
Additionally, alumni associations are established at the three academic units and participate ex-officio on the System Governance Council.
2. MAU-Specific
The University hereby recognizes that institution-specific governance groups are an integral part of and are established at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), the ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ (UAF), the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), and the University of Alaska Statewide (SW).
C. AUTHORITY
1. Systemwide
The Faculty Alliance, Staff Alliance, Coalition of Student Leaders and System Governance Council receive their authority and shall carry out their functions subject to the authority of the Board of Regents and the President of the University.
2. MAU-Specific
Faculty and staff governance groups at UAA, UAF, UAS and SW receive their authority from their cognizant chancellor, with the Vice President for University Relations serving as the cognizant chancellor for SW.
Student governments receive their authority from Regents’ Policy Part IX, Chapter 7, and corresponding University Regulations.
Alumni associations receive their authority from Regents’ Policy 02.08.01.
D. PURPOSE
The purposes of the system governance groups within the University of Alaska are set forth and maintained in Board of Regents Policy 03.01.01.
E. ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Governance groups shall carry out their functions subject to their respective charters, constitutions, and bylaws.
Responsibilities of the local governance groups are reflected in their respective charters, constitutions and bylaws. Responsibilities of the system governance groups are listed below.
1. Faculty Alliance
It is the responsibility of the Faculty Alliance to represent the faculty in areas that may include but are not limited to: coordination on matters relating to academic affairs such as academic program review; the addition, deletion or merging of academic programs; curriculum; subject matter and methods of instruction; degree requirements; grading policy; course coordination and transfer; student probation and suspension; standards of admission and scholastic standards; and other matters affecting the faculty, and/or the general welfare of the university and its educational purposes and effectiveness.
2. Staff Alliance
It is the responsibility of the Staff Alliance to represent the Classified and APT (Administrative Professional and Technical) employees who are not represented by a collective bargaining agent in areas that may include but are not limited to: staff affairs, excluding those relating exclusively to faculty; personnel policies and regulations; compensation and benefits; and other issues affecting the work environment and/or the general welfare of the university staff.
3. Coalition of Student Leaders
It is the responsibility of the Coalition of Student Leaders to represent the students in areas that may include, but are not limited to: tuition and fees: financial aid and scholarships; residence life; minority and rural services; clubs and social activities; student media in all forms; health and safety; grievances; tools and resources; student employee relations, and other issues affecting the educational environment and availability of resources for student use.
4. System Governance Council
It is the responsibility of the System Governance Council to coordinate matters of mutual interest or concern to the Faculty Alliance, the Staff Alliance, the Coalition of Student Leaders, and the alumni associations.
F. MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
For faculty and staff, it is understood that while governance participants’ primary responsibilities are performance of the duties for which they are employed, supervisors and employees will coordinate to ensure that departmental and governance needs are met.
Serving on university governance groups is considered to be within the regular work duties of university employees and is supported by the university.
Students serve on governance groups in accordance with Regents Policy and University Regulation 09.07.05.
Members who serve as officers or participate in special projects, research activities, events or committees directed by their governance organizations require sufficient time to meet those obligations in a reasonable fashion.
Guidelines for participation in governance that are not included in governance group charters, constitutions or bylaws shall be promulgated by the system governance executive officer and made available for use by all members of the university community.
G. MEMBERSHIP
Numbers of members and terms of office are prescribed in the constitutions, or equivalent documents of the respective system governance groups. MAU-specific governance groups determine the method of selection of their own members and their representatives to the system governance groups.
H. MEETINGS
Meeting schedules are determined by the governance groups. Meetings may be held on-site or by audio or videoconference or some combination of these methods. Meeting notices will be published and available through commonly used means.
I. QUORUM
Quorum is defined by each governance group in their constitutions, or equivalent documents.
J. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The parliamentary authority for system governance groups shall be the latest version of Robert’s Rules of Order on file and available from the system governance office.
K. CHARTERS, CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
1. System Governance Groups
Constitutions and amendments for system governance groups, once passed by the groups, shall be:
* transmitted to the President of the University for information,
* placed in system governance group handbooks, and
* retained in System Governance and Board of Regents offices.
2. MAU-Specific Governance Groups
a. Faculty and Staff Governance
MAU-specific faculty and staff governance group constitutions and bylaws and amendments, once passed by the groups, shall be transmitted to the cognizant chancellor, or in the case of the statewide administration assembly, to the Vice President for University Relations, for approval.
b. Student Governance
Student government group constitutions, once approved by the individual student government groups shall be transmitted to the President of the University for approval in accordance with University Regulation 09.07.05.
L. TRANSMITTAL OF RECOMMENDATIONSAND ACTIONS
1. Transmittal of System Governance Recommendations and Actions to the Administration or Board of Regents
Actions of the system governance groups affecting the university system or system community shall be transmitted in writing to the President of the University and the responsible executive within 40 days of the action taken. Transmittal shall NORMALLY include evidence of dialogue with the responsible executive and a faithful characterization of the views [[that]] OF THE RESPONSIBLE executive and of THE SYSTEM governance GROUP.
2. Transmittal of Items from Administration and the Board of Regents to System Governance
Items initiated by the President of the University, the President’s designee, or the Board of Regents affecting matters within the scope of staff, faculty and/or student governance normally shall be submitted to the appropriate system governance group through the system governance office in a timely fashion to allow sufficient time for adequate review and response prior to implementation.
However, Regents’ Policies and University Regulations requiring immediate implementation may be implemented prior to review by governance. Such policies and regulationswill also be forwarded to governance in an expedient manner and may be modified after governance review.
M. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ANDREVIEW OF GOVERNANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Recommendations Transmitted to the President
The President's office shall acknowledge governance recommendations within ten (10) business days following receipt using a means equivalent to that used for transmittal.
The President of the University shall notify the spokesperson of the sponsoring governance group and the system governance executive officer of the approval, disapproval, or modification of a governance action within forty-five (45) days of receiving the recommendation.
In cases where this arrangement cannot be satisfied, the responsible executive will notify the sponsoring governance group as to the review process and anticipated date the review is likely to be concluded. and administrative recommendations forwarded to the president.
B. Recommendations Transmitted to the Board of Regents
The Board of Regents' office shall acknowledge governance recommendations within ten (10) business days following receipt using a means equivalent to that used for transmittal.
The Executive Officer of the Board of Regents shall notify the spokesperson of the sponsoring governance group and the system governance executive officer of the approval, disapproval, or modification of a governance action within ninety (90) days of receiving the recommendation.
N. PRESIDENTIAL ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS
If the President determines that Board of Regents action is warranted as a result of a governance recommendation, including, but not limited to changes to Regents' Policy, the governance item is placed on the Regents’ agenda for discussion or action as appropriate and the sponsoring governance leader(s) are invited to participate in the discussion of the issue.
Spokespersons for governance groups may also present their views directly to the Board of Regents in accordance with Board procedures.