New grading system announced to senate

The plus-minus grading concept recommended by the Academic Affairs Committee will be instituted at UNT by April 2005 for undergraduate students only, Howard Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced during the Dec. 10 Faculty Senate meeting.

The proposed system would allow instructors to differentiate between a high grade and a low grade within a letter-grade range. For example, a student receiving a "B" grade with an average of 89 is performing at a different level than a student receiving a "B" grade with an average of 80, but the current letter-grade system does not provide any indication of the difference. The new system would use B+ for the 89 and B- for the 80.

Johnson also announced work on an academic plan for the university. Currently, he is examining the university's strengths with the hope of accentuating those aspects. The academic plan also entails a new review process for faculty, curriculum, programs, schools and colleges, measuring them against other nationally recognized universities. Johnson mentioned that faculty will have an opportunity to review the plan.

Also at the meeting, the senate instituted a new tracking system for actionable items dating back to Fall 2002, to begin by Spring 2004. The system will allow individuals to follow the progress of senate items.

The senate discussed plans to meet with Richard Rafes, senior vice president for administration, to discuss the current smoking policy and the possibility of making UNT a non-smoking campus. The current policy allows smoking at designated areas away from building entrances.

Senators plan to begin collecting data from their constituents to create an overall picture of the top issues for faculty. The senate plans to collect the data by February and is asking faculty to contact or respond to their senate representatives as soon as possible. The accumulated information will be passed on to Johnson.

The senate also unanimously voted to approve three new members for four of its committees: Erika Nelson is on the Curriculum Committee and the Traffic Appeals Court, Susan Eve is on the Faculty Research Committee, and Leslie Moller is on the Committee on Scholarly Misconduct.

The senate published the first issue of the Faculty Senate Newsletter in December. The publication offers a voice for faculty and is accepting any contributions or ideas.

The senate voted to cancel January's meeting due to the winter break. The next meeting will be held Feb. 11. For more information, visit www.unt.edu/facsenate.

BY RUFUS COLEMAN rcoleman@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Hearing at UNT explores nanotechnology
• La Point to serve on national committee
• New UNT center offers cyber security certifications
• International group elects Holden president
• UNT community's donations make the holidays brighter
• Marcello earns lifetime achievement award
• Three honored for 40 years of service to university
• Film historian discusses 2003's best movies

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