ON 5/3/05:

Academic Affairs Chair Betty Jones gave a second reading of the Proposal for Revision of Graduation with Academic Distinction Policy. This proposal seeks to revise the university policy on graduation with distinction in two ways. First, Jones made a motion on behalf of her committee to amend the policy to require that students earn a G.P.A. of 3.5 or greater in their major rather than requiring that they place among the top 10% of graduates from that major to graduate with distinction. This revision was proposed in response to faculty feedback. The motion failed.

Jones then moved [on her committee’s behalf] to amend the latter half of the policy to read: “Additionally, baccalaureate degree candidates must have completed a minimum of 60 hours at Indiana University. However, the degree-granting unit may grant an exception to the minimum of 60 hours at Indiana University requirement in cases in which transfer students complete close to 60 hours at Indiana University and graduate in the top ten percent of their class. Associate degree candidates must have completed at least half of the hours required for their degree at Indiana University.” The motion carried.

TO: IUPUI Faculty Council (IFC)

FROM: IUPUI Academic Affairs Committee

Betty Jones, Chair

DATE: April 5, 2005

SUBJECT: Proposal to Revise Policy on Graduation with Distinction

Summary. On March 9, 2005, the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) unanimously approved a motion to revise the Indiana University Graduation with Distinction Policy. See motion below. If IFC approves the motion, it will go next to University Faculty Council (UFC) for consideration. Until such time as the motion may gain approval at UFC, the existing policy remains in effect at IUPUI.

Changes to two criteria are part of the motion:

(1) changing the current criterion for distinction from 10% of the graduating class of their respective degree-granting unit to a 3.5 or higher GPA;

(2) allowing an exception to the current criterion requiring candidates to complete a minimum of 60 hours at Indiana University.

Current Policy/Reference. The existing UFC policy appears in the “Grades and Grading Policy” section of the Indiana University Academic Handbook /August 2001, page 165 (available online from the Dean of Faculties Office). UFC approved the policy on April 26, 1983; and November 27, 1984.)

Next Step: If IFC approves the motion, what is the next step? IFC will forward the motion to UFC agenda committee and ask that the motion be addressed at the UFC level.

Motion from AAC:

AAC recommends revising item 1 in the current Academic Distinction policy as follows. Changes appear as bolded/italicized words.

1. To graduate with academic distinction, baccalaureate and associate degree candidates must have earned a 3.5 or higher GPA based on all the courses required to earn that degree. Additionally, baccalaureate degree candidates must have completed a minimum of 60 hours at Indiana University. However, the degree-granting unit may grant an exception to the minimum of 60 hours at Indiana University requirement in cases in which transfer students complete close to 60 hours at Indiana University and have attained the GPA required for academic distinction. Associate degree candidates must have completed at least half of the hours required for their degree at Indiana University.

BJ