Proposal ends student representation in academic grievances

“If the problem cannot be resolved following student consultation with the Dean (or his/her appointee), it shall proceed to the Provost’s office where a final decision will be made. The Provost may at his or her discretion convene a panel comprised of three deans or associate deans not affiliated with the student’s major or the faculty member’s department or college,” reads the proposed legislation.

ASBSU Sen. Pro Tempore Justin White is sponsoring a bill asking the faculty senate to reconsider and rewrite the procedure to allow for student representation.

“Students find the proposed change in the way academic grievances are handled to be unfavorable,” he said. “It is the wrong decision, and a faculty member should not have sole discretion of the outcome of a student grievance.”

The procedure formerly began with the student consulting the course instructor, the head of the department, and then the dean of the college in which the course was offered. If it remained unresolved, the case continued to the Academic Grievance Board.

The ASBSU vice president would assist the student before and during a hearing.

The Academic Grievance Board consisted of seven student senators and seven faculty representatives.

Faculty Senate Vice President Lynn Lubamersky said she was told last spring some members were not happy with this policy.

“They were having difficulty in getting students to participate,” she said. “We want to operate according to the rules, but if you are going to have a grievance committee and half of the members are not there, there’s no use.

“Students need to realize if they are going to be self-governing, they need to participate,” she said.

Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies Sharon McGuire said the procedure for addressing academic grievances had been used few times.

The process was described as being antiquated, cumbersome, and misplaced. She asked for it to be referred to a committee for further examination last February.

“Students need a clearer way to appeal,” McGuire said.

A complete copy of the current proposal by the faculty senate is not available.

The 2009-2010 Boise State student handbook shows changes have already been made.

Faculty Senate President Owen McDougal said he is concerned it would be quoted as the final version if released at this point.

“It is not official policy yet,” he said. “We are only in the beginning stages.”

McDougal voiced concern about student opposition and the resolution presented by ASBSU asking for reconsideration.

“There was no need for them to draw up a bill,” he said. “This could have been handled more expeditiously by phone.”

McDougal said a phone call would have saved time. “This is not something to be worked up about.”

He said there are several steps to be completed before the academic grievance policy can be changed.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Leslie Webb recommends student involvement.

“We are encouraged by students voicing their opinion,” she said. “It is a wonderful thing.”

Faculty and student senate meetings are open to the public.

The next faculty senate meeting is Oct. 27 at 3:15 p.m. in the Hatch ballroom of the Student Union Building.

ASBSU meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. in the SUB Forum.

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Posted by Kim King on Oct 19 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.