Policy Updates from the Academic Senate’s Educational Policy Committee

Dear Colleagues,

At the October 12, 2021 Representative Assembly meeting, the Educational Policy Committee (EPC) reported on updates to the Policy for Calculation of the GPA in the Major and the Policy on Distance Education Courses, and the establishment of a new Policy on Syllabi for Courses. A summary of the updates is below, with links to the new policies:

Policy on Syllabi for Courses

EPC approved a new Policy on Syllabi for Courses. Effective Fall 2022, a syllabus is required for all classes, with the exception of independent study courses and any other course approved for an exception by the department chair, program director, provost, or designate.

While providing students with a course syllabus is a widely recognized best practice, there is no current requirement that instructors provide one. The new policy sets the minimum requirements for a syllabus and was established with the goals of promoting consistency across campus and improving the student experience.
Policy on Distance Education Courses

The Policy on Distance Education Courses defines the standards and requirements for distance education courses (R courses; also referred to as remote or online courses) and provides the guidelines for proposals to establish an R course. EPC updated Section III of the Policy to provide departments and programs with more guidance on proposal requirements and address areas where additional information would facilitate Senate review of the proposal.
Policy for Calculation of the GPA in the Major

This policy states which course grades are included in the major GPA calculation. EPC approved updates to the policy, effective Fall 2022, to clarify which course grades are included in the major GPA calculation and which are not.

In addition to these policy updates, EPC would like to take the opportunity to remind faculty that the standard enrollment deadlines for students to add and drop courses and to change course grade options (letter, P/NP, S/U) are in effect for academic year 2021-2022 (see the Academic Senate’s COVID-19 educational policy updates and guidelines). Instructors are encouraged to be mindful of these deadlines and to provide feedback at multiple points during the quarter to assist students in making informed decisions about their course enrollments. We also recognize that there are students who continue to encounter challenging personal situations as the University continues to shift back to on-campus instruction. Department, program, and college advisors are available as a resource for consultation on individual student requests for exceptions.

Questions related to the educational policy updates, distance education course proposals, and Senate review of student petitions may be directed to Senate Associate Director Ashley Hill at awelch@ucsd.edu.

Sincerely,

Padmini Rangamani, Chair
Educational Policy Committee

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