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Case Western Reserve University

Report to the Undergraduate Program Faculty
from the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education

New Policies and Recommendations

The following policies and recommendations were submitted by the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education (FSCUE) for approval by the Faculty Senate in 2010-2011. New policies are effective starting this fall.

Resolution Regarding USG General Assembly Resolution R. 20-02:
A Resolution to Adjust the SAGES Categorical Requirement

Students who have already matriculated and those who matriculate prior to August 2012 may complete their SAGES University Seminar requirement with seminars from any two of the three thematic areas (Social World, Symbolic World, or Natural/Technological World) independent of the thematic area of the student's First Seminar. Discussion will continue in FSCUE and its curriculum subcommittee about how best to address the concerns raised by the Undergraduate Student Government going forward.

FSCUE Statement on Academic Certificate Programs for Undergraduates

FSCUE passed a resolution encouraging the development of new minors, tracks or concentrations, rather than the development of certificate programs for undergraduates.

Study Abroad

Students will now be eligible for semester- and year-long study abroad and exchange programs, provided they have completed at least 24 credit hours of coursework at Case Western Reserve University, have declared a major, are in good academic and disciplinary standing with no pending judicial actions, and are otherwise eligible to register on campus at Case Western Reserve for the proposed semester(s).

Guidelines for the Participation of Undergraduates as Teaching Assistants

FSCUE endorsed new guidelines for the participation of undergraduates as teaching assistants.

Undergraduate Scholarship Retention Criteria

FSCUE established retention criteria for the newly named scholarships awarded to students matriculating for Fall 2011. Students will retain their scholarships provided they remain in good academic and disciplinary standing. Students who lose their scholarships will regain them when they return to good academic and disciplinary standing. Retention criteria for scholarships awarded to students who matriculated prior to Fall 2011 remains unchanged.

Admission Requirements for International Undergraduates

Requirements for English proficiency for international students have been elevated. The minimum TOEFL score required of admitted international students is 100 (up from 80) and international applicants must now also submit SAT scores. Students studying at ELS Language Centers will no longer be offered conditional admission; they will be required to meet the TOEFL requirement upon application for admission to Case Western Reserve.

FSCUE Resolution on 2+2 Programs with International Institutions

Students seeking admission to Case Western Reserve as part of a 2+2 dual-degree undergraduate program with an international university will now be evaluated on the basis of Case Western Reserve's standard admission requirements for international students, as well as their ability to complete Case Western Reserve's degree requirements, both general education and major requirements, in the expected timeframe.

Undergraduate Pass/No Pass

All undergraduate students (degree candidates and non-degree students enrolled at the undergraduate level), other than students participating in the Pre-College Scholars program, may take one course each fall and spring semester on a Pass/No Pass grading basis, provided they remain enrolled in at least three credit hours of courses for regular evaluative grades. This option is no longer limited to full-time students in good standing. Students must declare their intention to exercise the Pass/No Pass option by the relevant course withdrawal deadline (11th Friday of the semester for upperclass students, including new transfer students; last day of classes for first-year students). As before, all courses to be counted toward major, minor or SAGES/general education/core requirements must be taken for regular evaluative grades, though students now may opt for Pass/No Pass if they intend to repeat the course in the future.

New Minors in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing, Business Management; One Minor Canceled

Two new minors were approved: Business Management and Mechanical Design and Manufacturing. The minor in History of Science and Technology was canceled.

Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education 2011-12

At-large members: Larry Parker, chair (Weatherhead School of Management); Christine Cano, vice-chair (College of Arts and Sciences); and Jim McGuffin-Cawley (Case School of Engineering)

Constituent faculty representatives: Kim Emmons (College of Arts and Sciences), Margaret Wheatley (Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing), Jennifer Reimer (PHED), Bob Savinell (Case School of Engineering), Jagdip Singh (Weatherhead School of Management) and James Swain (School of Medicine)

ex officio: Provost Bud Baeslack, Rick Bischoff (VP, Enrollment Management), Don Feke (Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education), Glenn Nicholls (VP, Student Affairs) and Jeff Wolcowitz (Dean, Undergraduate Studies)

Undergraduate Students: Shengbo Wang & Caitlin Simmons

The FSCUE expresses its gratitude to FSCUE members whose terms expired last year: Professors Bob Greene (College of Arts and Sciences) and Jennifer Johnson (Weatherhead School of Management); and undergraduate students Steve Cummins and Gabby Markoff.

Learn more about the FSCUE.

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