Faculty Senate to take up grade inflation

1:34 p.m., Dec. 8, 2004--Three major issues--grade inflation, multicultural course guidelines and the reorganization of some programs in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy--will face the University Faculty Senate on its return in February.

Senate president Charles Boncelet reminded senators at the Monday, Dec. 6, meeting that a senate committee had reported last year that significant grade inflation had occurred at UD over the last 15 years. An ad hoc committee has been formed to see to see if further action is required.

“Grade inflation is a controversial subject on any university campus,” Boncelet said. “It is highly unlikely that we will ever reach unanimity; nevertheless, we hope to achieve a consensus.”

The ad hoc committee has been asked to present a preliminary report on proposed actions by March 7 and hold an open hearing on March 14 before a final report and resolutions are presented.

The deadline for recertification of multicultural courses has been extended by the Undergraduate Studies Committee, Boncelet said. All units must submit half their multicultural courses to the committee by Jan. 7, preferably those with the higher enrollments. The balance of the courses will be required by Sept. 15. An online application form is available.

Three of the five following criteria must be satisfied for recertification:

The course content must provide significant opportunity for students to gain a great understanding of the cultural diversity of the people of the United States.
The course content provides significant opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding of world cultures.
The course content provides significant opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding of the behavior of people within the culture(s) under study.
The course content provides significant opportunity for students to compare and contrast the culture(s) under study with their own.
The course content provides significant opportunity for students to use their understanding of cultural differences to inform their own behavior and decisions to a significantly greater degree.

A resolution is expected at the February senate meeting moving the undergraduate major and minor in leadership from the Department of Consumer Studies to the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, according to Karen Stein, chairperson. As part of this reorganization, the name of the Department of Consumer Studies will be changed to the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, effective July 1.

Article by Cornelia Weil

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