US9900-17 Undergraduates enrolling in Graduate Courses

The Faculty of the University of Oregon adopts the following policy on undergraduates enrolling in graduate level courses (courses with numbers 600 through 699):

Undergraduate students, subject to the following conditions, must obtain prior approval before they are permitted to register for a graduate level course.

1) The petition must be filed with the Graduate School prior to the beginning of the term of registration for credit. The petition must also be signed by the chair of graduate studies in the appropriate department or school if the student is not a senior.
2) The student must have a GPA of at least 3.00 in the last three terms of work.

Credit earned in graduate level courses, if not reserved toward a graduate degree at the University of Oregon (as described in the policies of the graduate school), and if not applied toward a different degree, may be counted toward the minimum number of credits required for an undergraduate degree.

Procedural comments:

(1) Except for the paragraph about undergraduate credit, this motion is substantially identical to a proposal by Hal Sadofsky, to be presented to the Graduate Council on Wednesday 19 April. If it, or a satisfactory substitute, is approved by the Graduate Council, this motion will be withdrawn (except possibly for the last paragraph). Unfortunately, the deadline for notices of motion for the University Senate is before that meeting.
(2) I have consulted with Gwen Steigelman concerning the authority of the University Senate. According to her interpretation, the last relevant legislation was adopted in March 1970, and gives the faculty of the university (now represented by the University Senate) ultimate authority on this subject.
(3) The first part of this motion changes current policy in two ways. First, under current policy only seniors may take graduate courses at all. Second, under current policy undergraduates may take at most 9 credits worth of graduate courses. (Other alternatives expected to be discussed at the graduate council meeting would increase this to 12 credits or 3 courses.)
(4) As printed in the Schedules of Classes (see Page 12 of the Winter 2000 Schedule of Classes), "Graduate (5xx or 6xx level) classes are not eligible for inclusion in the baccalaureate degree requirements." This was cited by the Registrar's office; I don't know where the official rules are. This motion would change that policy, requiring, however, that the courses be used toward only one degree.

Rationale:

It is not abnormal for very good undergraduates in mathematics and physics (and possibly other subjects) to be fully prepared to take graduate level courses in these subjects. For example, in the math department, about one undergraduate student per year takes one of the standard three quarter first year graduate sequences. Under current policy, the third quarter of such a sequence is not allowed. Every few years, we have an undergraduate student who should take more than one such sequence, perhaps even before the senior year. For example, as I write this, we have a potential undergraduate student who, I fully expect, would take and excell in at least one graduate sequence in her sophomore year, and surely at least 15 graduate courses before she finishes. (She is still in high school, and is considering attending the University of Oregon.) According to current policy, this is completely impossible.

It is true that this rule affects only a small number of students. However, those affected are our very best students--the ones we most want to have. They substantially raise the level of our programs. They are also likely to go on to great academic success later, not only benefiting our prestige, but also in turn possibly sending students they encounter our way.

Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 17:04:45 -0700 (PDT)

From: N Christopher Phillips
To: gilkey@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Subject: Notice of motion

Dear Peter,

Copies to Hal Sadofsky and Dietrich Belitz.

I attach the formal notice of motion I mentioned earlier. Much of the motion may yet be withdrawn, and even if there are no other changes I assume I will want to improve the "Rationale" section. However, official notice needs to be given soon, so I am submitting it now. ---Chris

Report of the Senate Rules Committee re Motion USS99/00-17: The motion is properly phrased and submitted. There are no procedural errors in its format. The motion pertains to undergraduate credit earned for graduate courses. Since enrollment must exist in either case, there is no fiscal impact. The number of students involved in this action is small, although they will be extraordinary undergraduates in expanding their studies to graduate level classes.

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