Drop policy to change
Alicia Wiser, Staff Writer
In an effort to curb the massive amounts of class drops that have been increasing each semester, the Utah State University Academic Standard Committee has proposed to do away with the current super-drop policy and replace it with a new one. “There is a general feeling that we would very much like to find a suitable replacement for the super-drop policy,” said Jeff Walters, president of the Academic Standards Committee. “There isn’t anybody in our group who feels it is a worthwhile policy.” As it stands, the super-drop policy allows students to drop any undesired course until the 30th day of the new semester. Associated Students of USU Academics Vice President Jim Stephenson said the current policy is not only frustrating to professors, but is also aggravating to students trying to enroll into classes that are full. To remedy this situation, the Academic Standards Committee submitted three proposals, two of which have gone on to the Education Policies Committee for consideration. The first proposal would have required that students be charged a $20 fee for every drop. Acadamic Standards Committee members unanimously objected to a fee, however, and will not give it any further consideration. The second proposal, which has been passed by the EPC, gives professors the prerogative to drop students from a class if they do not show by the second class meeting. This proposal changes very little in existing policy, which already allows the instructor to issue a drop after one week. The third issue is still being discussed extensively by the Education Policies Committee. If taken into effect, this policy will change the drop date from the 30th day to the 10th day of the semester. Whether or not this policy comes to pass, there will “definitely be action taken on the super-drop policy,” Stephenson said. “Our proposals are still in their infancy and have a ways to go before they become official.” If passed by the EPC, the policies will go on to the Faculty Senate for consideration, Stephenson said. After that, they would go to the university administration where the proposals must be reviewed and signed by the president. Walters said the Academic Standards Committee is still open to receiving suggestions but anticipates the super-drop policy will be replaced with a new drop policy by Fall Semester 2002.