Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

10.1 Introduction

As stated in the Faculty Senate Constitution, the Faculty "is responsible for educational policies and procedures, including admissions requirements, graduation requirements, curriculum and course revisions, new degree programs, and grading procedures." Relevant policies and procedures are found in the University Catalog, the Schedule of Classes, the Dean of Students Office website,, and AccessPlus. Resources for developing and improving teaching skills are available at the Center for Excellence in Learning & Teaching. Policies and procedures concerning students with disabilities can be found at Disability Resources. The policies and procedures published in this section are those adopted or administered by the Faculty Senate.

10.2 Admissions Requirements

Revisions approved by Faculty Senate on 4/21/2009 and by president and provost on 4/29/2009.

Iowa State University admissions requirements are set by the Board of Regents of the State of Iowa (see Catalog).

10.3 Student Academic Performance

10.3.1 Special GPA Requirements

Section 10.3.1 was approved by the Faculty Senate on 10/14/1997.

A program is required to seek approval if it wishes to establish a minimum GPA requirement for admission, continuation, or graduation that exceeds the university requirement. In its request, the program must provide the following:

• a rationale for the special requirement based on expected student learning outcomes
• an equitable, rational, purposeful way that the requirement will be established, implemented, and evaluated

The Faculty Senate Academic Standards and Admissions Committee (FSASAC) is responsible for approving special requirement requests and for reviewing existing requirements on a regular cycle.

10.4 Attendance Policies

Section 10.4 was revised by the Faculty Senate 12/14/1999.

10.4.1 Class Attendance

Approved by the Faculty Senate on 3/4/2008 and by the president and provost on 3/24/2008.

In order to attend a given class, a student must be registered for that class. Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the instructor.

Students are expected to attend class meetings as scheduled. Each instructor sets his or her policy on class attendance, and excuses for absence from class are handled between the student and the instructor.

Additional information regarding discretionary accommodation for disability and religion are available at http://www.hrs.iastate.edu/AAO/eod/reasonaccom.shtml

10.4.2 Curricular-Related Activities

Trips away from campus as part of a course are often appropriate educational experiences. They may not, however, take place during the first or last week of the semester, nor may they extend over more than two consecutive class days (Monday - Friday); these regulations may be waived only by special permission of the dean of the college in which the course is offered. Students should consult with instructors whose classes will be missed. If a mutually satisfactory agreement between thee instructors and the student cannot be reached, the student cannot be required to attend the curricular-related activity or be penalized by the instructor for missing the curricular-related activity.

10.4.3 Extra-Curricular Activities

Students occasionally participate in non-credit events (competitions, conferences, presentations, programs, and performances) scheduled by academic or athletic units of the university at times that conflict with scheduled classes. Students who miss class for these reasons are responsible for completing all assigned course requirements in a timely manner.

Instructors are encouraged not to penalize students who miss class because they represent Iowa state university in activities such as:

1. academic and professional conferences
2. intercollegiate athletic and judging competitions
3. musical, theatrical, dance and other artistic performances
4. presentations or programs given to external audiences about ISU or academic matters

Ultimately, however, it is up to each instructor to decide whether absences will or will not be excused for participation in these activities.

In all cases, the person responsible for the event or activity should provide participants with a letter explaining the proposed absence. Students are obliged to ensure that instructors receive this documentation at least 10 days in advance of the activity or event.

Instructors are urged to provide timely opportunities for students to take missed examinations and/or make up missed assignments. While instructors are free to change the format of make-up exams or assignments, students should be evaluated by the same standards as other members of the class.

Instructors and others who organize curricular and extra-curricular activities are urged to exercise moderation in scheduling events or activities that conflict with the academic rhythm of the university. Wherever possible, recurring activities or events should not be scheduled for the same period of time during a semester. If this is inevitable, then instructors, advisers and coaches are strongly advised to forewarn their affected students not to enroll in courses that will result in repeated absences.

10.5 Policy for Dealing with Classroom Disruption

Section 10.5 was approved by the Faculty Senate on 12/10/2002.

10.5.1 Policy Statement

The university encourages all instructors to strive for free and open communication within their classrooms. However, for student learning to be most effective, classrooms must maintain a civil environment, free from intimidation, disruption, violence, and harassment.

A fundamental principle underlying university governance and academic freedom is that the faculty has the responsibility to determine the curriculum, methods of delivery, and means for assessing student performance. The general faculty discharges this curriculum responsibility through curriculum committees at the department, college, and university levels. Curricula and course descriptions are approved by the Faculty Senate and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. Individual course descriptions in the University Catalog are the manifestation of the general faculty's expectations for the course. Individual faculty members then determine the exact nature of the course content, method of delivery, course assignments, etc., and have full responsibility to assess and evaluate student performance.

Student comments on the course may be expressed to the instructor or the Department Chair and are solicited on course evaluations. Students, who feel they have been treated unfairly, may file an Appeal of Academic Grievances (see Catalog)

10.5.2 Response to Classroom Disruption

Should any student officially enrolled for credit or audit in a class disrupt the instructor's ability to ensure a safe environment, control the class agenda, and/or deliver the approved curriculum, the instructor has the right to ask that the disruptive action cease immediately. The instructor may find it useful to include general guidelines about disruptive behavior on the course syllabus; and in the event of a classroom disruption, the instructor may, if she or he finds it necessary, explain to the student and the class why the particular action is deemed disruptive. The instructor should also take into consideration complaints of disruptive behavior brought to their attention by students. The responsible student should cease the disruption and utilize non-disruptive means for expressing disagreement or concern. If the disruption continues, the instructor can pursue various forms of intervention, including suspension from class, use of student disciplinary regulations, or police intervention, as discussed below.

Although most situations are best resolved without resorting to requests for police intervention, the Department of Public Safety should be called when the disruptive behavior prohibits the continuation of the class. The Department of Public Safety may also be called if any person enters or remains in the classroom after being asked by the instructor to leave.

10.5.3 Procedure to Suspend a Student from Class Attendance

If, in the instructor's opinion, the student should be suspended from attending the class, the instructor must request the Chair of the Department offering the course to suspend the student from the class until a decision is reached by the Chair as to whether the student will be allowed to return to the class. When the course is offered by a Program, the Director of the Program should assume the role of the Chair. Moreover, when the instructor is an administrator, the petition should be reviewed at the next higher level of administration.

If the instructor's request to suspend the student is accepted by the Chair, the suspension will take effect immediately and the student and the instructor will be notified in writing. Immediately after suspension, the Chair must investigate and determine whether to permit the student to return to the class. The Chair must provide the student and the instructor with a written statement of the outcomes of the investigation in a timely manner.

If the instructor's request to suspend the student is not accepted by the Chair, the Chair must explain the reasons to the instructor in writing for not accepting the instructor's request. The Chair must also ensure that the resources in classroom management are made available to the instructor so that the instructor can manage the student upon the student's return to the class. The instructor may, however, appeal the Chair's decision to the Dean of the College.

10.5.4 Procedure for Students Returning to Class

If the student is allowed to return to the class, the Chair must notify both the student and the instructor in writing. The instructor must inform the student of any conditions of the return and of make-up opportunities for missed work. In some cases, it may be productive to have a conference of the Chair, the instructor, and the student before the student is allowed to return to the class. Upon return to the class, further incidents of disruption by the student could be the basis for terminating the student's enrollment in the course and/or for disciplinary action.

10.5.5 Procedure to Terminate a Student's Enrollment in a Class

If the Chair decides that the student should not be allowed to return to the class, the Chair will notify the student in writing of 1) removal from the class, 2) the reasons for removal, and 3) the right to appeal the decision using the Appeal of Academic Grievances process (see Catalog). The Chair will also send written notification of the action to the Dean of the student's college, the Dean of the instructor's college, the Dean of Students and the Registrar. The Dean of the student's college must request that the Registrar terminate the student's enrollment in the course administratively.

10.5.6 Filing of Disciplinary Charges

During the investigation phase, the instructor and/or the Chair could also consider whether the conduct that led to the suspension and/or termination should be reported to the Dean of Students for disciplinary charges. If disciplinary charges are filed, the student's pension may continue pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing (see Student Disciplinary Regulations)

10.5.7 Attendance by Persons not Enrolled in a Course

The University has the right to determine who is enrolled in a class and to control the presence of the person who is not enrolled in the class. A non-enrolled person is allowed in the classroom only at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor should ask the non-enrolled person who attends a class against the express wishes of the instructor to leave. The instructor should ask such a person to identify themselves. If the person refuses to leave, the Department of Public Safety may be called. If the person is a student enrolled in the university but not enrolled in the class, disciplinary charges may be filed.

10.6 Course Information

Section 10.6 was approved by the Faculty Senate on 11/12/1996.

Instructors shall provide information regarding course content, objectives, and procedures to students during the first week of each course. The information shall include a course syllabus or schedule of proposed topics, readings, and course materials or other description of the course content. The evaluation procedures to be used, as well as expectations for attendance and assignments, shall also be included.

10.6.1 Explicit Materials

For sound pedagogical reasons, a faculty member may decide to use course materials that include explicit visual representations of human sexual acts. The faculty member has an obligation to inform students at the beginning of the course about the nature of that material. If a student chooses not to view the presentation(s) and the faculty member determines that alternative assignment(s) are not feasible, the student shall be permitted to drop the course without penalty (as an administrative drop) within seven calendar days of receiving the announcement of the presentation.

10.6.2 Distant Sites

Faculty should notify students at the beginning of the course that the class will be recorded or transmitted to distant sites. Faculty whose classes involve interaction through electronic means should notify their students if comments or submissions are private between instructor and student, available to other students in the class, or available to others outside the class.

10.6.3 Library Reserve

Books and other materials that are required reading may be placed on reserve in the Parks Library for use by students in specified classes.

10.6.4 Dead Week Resolution

Section 10.6.4 was approved by the Faculty Senate on 4/9/2002.

Dead Week. The last week of fall and spring undergraduate classes has been designated Dead Week by the Government of the Student Body and Iowa State University for undergraduates. The intent is to provide students with time for review and preparation for final examinations. Therefore, no student organization registered with the Student Organization Office may hold meetings or sponsor events without the expressed permission of Program Coordinator or the Dean of Students Office. For academic programs, the last week of classes is considered to be a normal week in the semester except that in developing their syllabi faculty shall consider the following guidelines:

• Mandatory final examinations in any course may not be given during Dead Week except for laboratory courses and for those classes meeting once a week only and for which there is no contact during the normal final exam week. Take home final exams and small quizzes are generally acceptable. (For example, quizzes worth no more than 10 percent of the final grade and/or that cover no more than one-fourth of assigned reading material in the course could be given).
• Major course assignments should be assigned prior to Dead Week (major assignments include major research papers, projects, etc.). Any modifications to assignments should be made in a timely fashion to give students adequate time to complete the assignments.
• Major course assignments should be due no later than the Friday prior to Dead Week. Exceptions include class presentations by students, semester-long projects such as a design project in lieu of a final, and extensions of the deadline requested by students.

Instructors are reminded that most students are enrolled in several courses each semester, and widespread violation of these guidelines can cause student workloads to be excessive as students begin their preparation for final examinations.

Students are reminded that their academic curriculum is their principal reason for being in college and they have a responsibility to study in a timely fashion throughout the entire semester.

The provost will publicize and monitor this policy each semester. In addition, the provost will study the impact of these guidelines on student achievement and report to the university community on the findings.

10.7 Evaluation of Instruction

10.7.1 Oral Communication Competence

Section 10.7.1 was approved by the Faculty Senate on 5/07/1991.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa Policy on Oral Communication Competence mandates that all faculty and teaching assistants who provide instruction to students during each relevant academic period will be evaluated for oral communication competence. In the context of this policy, oral communication competence is understood to be the ability to communicate appropriately in the language of instruction. The nature and scope of the evaluation of oral communication competence may vary with the discipline, instructional setting, and material being communicated. The following guidelines apply:

• Written standards and procedures for making the determination of oral communication competence will be developed at the departmental or program level in a collegial manner and will incorporate a mechanism for evaluation of instructors by students.
• Departments will complete such evaluations within the timeframe designated by the Regents policy, i.e., "by the end of each academic period in which [the instructor] has sufficient direct contact with students to render such evaluation meaningful."
• Procedures developed within departments must be written and implemented cooperatively by the teaching faculty and the departmental administration.
• The evaluation of oral competence need not function separately from other evaluation procedures as long as such established procedures meet the Regents requirements for timeliness and student input, and they explicitly address the matter of oral communication.
• The departmental chairs and program directors, college deans, and the provost are responsible for the implementation of this policy and for ensuring that adequate standards of oral communication competence are maintained.

10.7.2 Student Outcomes Assessment

Section 10.7.2 was approved by the Faculty Senate on 5/07/1991.

Introduction. Iowa State University endorses the philosophy of outcomes assessment stated in the National Association of State University and Land Grant Colleges' (NASULGC) "Statement of Principles on Student Outcomes Assessment." These seven principles state that programs for student outcomes assessment should do the following:

• focus primarily on the effectiveness of academic programs and the improvement of student learning and performance
• be based on incentives rather than regulations or penalties
• be developed in collaboration with the faculty
• be appropriate to the particular mission and goals of the institution
• use multiple methods of assessment
• be fiscally conservative and not impose costly programs on institutions
• be linked to strategic planning and program review processes within the institution

All outcomes assessment procedures developed within the university must be consistent with these guidelines.

Policies. Within the framework of these NASULGC guidelines and the stated mission of the university, Iowa State University adopts the following policies regarding assessment of the outcomes of undergraduate programs:

• The primary focus of the assessment process will be on ascertaining the effectiveness of academic programs and instruction and on developing methods to improve the educational process. Although data may be collected from individual students, the purpose of the assessment will not be to certify the competence or skills of particular students. The outcomes of extra-curricular activities will be assessed to the degree that they relate to academic goals.
• The results of student outcomes assessment will be an integral part of the program review and strategic planning processes.
• Assessment of attainment of general educational goals will be conducted primarily at the college level, and at the department or program level when the outcomes are clearly related to the unit's mission and goals.
• Assessment of the outcomes of academic programs (for majors, and as appropriate, minors) will be conducted at the department or program level. Assessments should use methods and procedures appropriate to the nature of the discipline, the goals of the program, and the students in the program.
• Student outcomes will be assessed prior to graduation in all programs. There may also be assessments earlier in the students' college careers and after graduation.
• Use of multiple methods of assessment and multiple evaluators is encouraged, including methods independent of specific courses. Existing sources of information should be used whenever appropriate and feasible. Because the focus of assessment is on improving the educational process, not every student needs to be assessed by every method. The assessment process, however, should include representative samples of students in the program and be conducted on a regular, continuing basis.
• Summaries of the results of the assessments will be shared with the faculty, administration, students, and other interested constituencies.

Procedures

• Each academic program or department will develop written procedures that specify the desired educational outcomes of the program and the procedures that will be used to measure attainment of these outcomes and how the results of the assessment will be used to improve learning and instruction. Assessments should include outcomes measures specific to the program and measures of those general educational goals that are expected to be attained by all majors.
• The department or other administering unit will submit the program or department plans for assessment to the appropriate college dean for review and approval. After approval by the college dean, these plans will be forwarded to the provost for review and approval.
• Each college will develop written procedures that specify the educational goals of the college and the procedures that will be used to measure attainment of these goals and how the results of the assessment will be used to improve learning and instruction.
• The college will submit the plans for assessment of the academic program to the provost for review and approval.
• If the program is approved and funded by the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Office of Institutional Research will provide assistance in developing and conducting assessment programs. University-wide assessment studies may be conducted by the Office of Institutional Research and other offices.
• Each unit will integrate the results of its student outcomes assessment program into its program review and strategic planning processes.
• Evaluation of the policies and procedures for outcomes assessment will take place at the time of each unit's periodically scheduled program review.

10.8 Development of Courses and Curricula

10.8.1 Academic Program Approvals

A new course or curriculum must first be approved by the department(s) or college(s) that initiate it. Changes in existing minors, certificates, or options within majors require only approval by the faculty of the offering program. If the proposed changes are related to other academic programs, documented consultation with those academic programs must also be provided. Documentation of support or objection, with rationale and faculty vote must be forwarded with the proposal. Proposed curricular changes must then be approved by the college curriculum committee, and also be approved by the college faculty as designated in the respective college governance document, the college dean, the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Senate, the Executive Vice President and Provost, and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa (except as noted in the table below).

*Refers to Graduate College only, through the Graduate Curriculum Committee.

Prior to proposing a new course for inclusion in the catalog, the department is encouraged to offer the course on an experimental basis. An experimental offering must be announced by a form submitted to the registrar. Copies of this form may be obtained from the department office.

Curricular changes are published in the University Catalog. Approved curricular changes that do not meet catalog publishing deadlines will be accessible on the University Registrar's website.

10.8.2 Discontinuation of Academic Programs

A recommendation for discontinuation of an academic program shall be reviewed through both faculty and administrative channels. In every instance, the proposal for discontinuation of an academic program must be presented to the departmental faculty and administration or appropriate interdepartmental group.

A proposal for discontinuation of an academic program may be made by the academic department or program committee, college curriculum committee or college administration, Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, Central Administration, or Board of Regents. Regardless of the origin of the proposal, there must be opportunity for faculty review at all levels (department or interdepartmental program, college, and university).

Both the rationales for and against a proposed academic program discontinuation shall be forwarded with the proposal for discontinuation. Agreement between the provost and the Faculty Senate is required before a proposal of discontinuation of an academic program is sent forward to the Board of Regents.

*Refers to Graduate College only, through the Graduate Curriculum Committee.

^#A "No" vote of academic program faculty may be overruled by two-thirds majority of the Faculty Senate voting in favor of the discontinuation of an academic major.

Curricular changes are published in the University Catalog. Approved curricular changes that do not meet catalog publishing deadlines will be accessible on the University Registrar's website.

Revisions approved by Faculty Senate (May 5, 2009); by president and provost (May 15, 2009)
Revisions approved by Faculty Senate (September 21, 2010); by president and provost (October 11, 2010)
Revisions approved by Faculty Senate (April 19, 2011); by president and provost (April 22, 2011).

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, 1550 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011-2021
Office Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Phone 515-294-9591, Fax: 515-294-8844