Report of the Semester Conversion Task Force - California State ...

Semester Conversion Task Force ReportID Recommendation PageOPER-31 We recommend that each division be responsible for identifying and initiating revision of 29its Policies and Procedures as necessary. Where possible, this review process ought toinclude both staff and management. Ultimately, Vice Presidents ought to be responsiblefor ensuring revision of Policies and Procedures as necessary.OPER-32 We recommend the creation of a Senate ad hoc Steering Committee (SC) to oversee the 29modifications of the Faculty Handbook. The SC would be comprised of four facultymembers with Academic Senate experience, preferably prior members of the Senate’sExecutive Committee (EC), and one administrator. The SC would review the Handbook,identify the policies in need of modification, and triage these into the previously identifiedeasy, moderate and complex categories.(a) Easy changes. The SC itself will suggest modifications for policies where modificationsare identified as easy. These recommendations will go directly to the EC of the CSULAAcademic Senate. Once delivered, if the EC accepts the proposed language, the typicalEC process is to have the policy modifications announced as an Executive Action. Ifobjections are not raised by the Senate these policy modifications would then beforwarded to the President for his approval.(b) Moderate changes. The SC itself will also be address policy modifications identifiedas moderately challenging. The SC will propose draft language that could be sent to theEC. The EC could either (i) send the proposed language to a standing committee of theAcademic Senate or (ii) announce its acceptance of the proposed language by ExecutiveAction. If objections are not raised by the Senate these policy modifications would thenbe forwarded to the President for his approval.(c) Complex changes. Policy modifications identified by the SC as complex will beassigned to an Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) jointly created by the Provost and theEC. The charge to such AHWGs would be to examine current policy and the changesdentified by the SC. The AHWG would consider any external orders, laws, or regulationsand would propose appropriate draft language. Resultant policy modification languagewould be submitted to the SC, who would forward it in turn to the EC. The EC could sendit to a standing committee of the Academic Senate or accept the proposed changes asan Executive Action. If assigned to a standing committee, the draft language would be astarting point for the committee’s discussion and deliberation.SUPP-1 Development and distribution of a pledge to all students to assure support toward graduation. 31SUPP-2 Development of Individualized Advising Plans (IAPs) for transition. 31SUPP-3 Implementation of a mandatory advisement system for the transition and conversion periods. 31SUPP-4 Development and implementation of an outreach plan to assure that all students receive 31mandatory transition and conversion advisement by (a) contact of students by departmentsand programs, (b) utilization of technology for outreach, (c) utilization of a varietyof communication methods regarding curriculum changes, and (d) informational sessionsfor the transition period.SUPP-5 An increase in the academic advisement capacity of the University to include the University 31Academic Advisement Center and departments as needed, graduate student advisers,and Student Affairs Student Services professionals for G.E. advisement during transitionand the conversion periods.SUPP-6 That faculty providing extensive student advisement during conversion transition be eligible 31for reassigned time or stipends.42