To: Kenneth Swalagin

Report of the University Senate Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee

From: Gary Roth and Mark Vodak, Committee Co-Chairs
Date: 2 April 2001
Subject: Minimum Grade Point Average, Charge S-0001

The Senate Executive Committee on 2 June 2000 requested, and on 4 August 2000 issued, Charge S-0001 to the Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee to be completed by November 2000, as follows:

"Review University Regulation 2.4.5, which establishes 1.6 as the minimum grade-point average required for good academic standing. Provide comments regarding the appropriateness of that minimum, and whether it should be raised."

At its first meeting, the Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions (ASRA) Committee discussed S-0001. The resulting consensus was that, while a 1.6 grade point average seems low, each degree-granting division of the University needs the flexibility to set its own standard for "good" scholastic standing; the regulation, however, should specifically state a minimum 2.0 average is required for graduation. As a result, the Committee unanimously voted at its second meeting to suggest the following changes/additions to 2.4.5 of the University Regulations and Procedures Manual, Book 2:

"A." under 2.4.5 is proposed to read as follows: The legislative body of each degree-granting division of the University shall define for its students the quantitative degree requirements, the measure of scholastic standing required for graduation, and the measure of scholastic standing required for good scholastic standing, subject to minimum conditions set by the University Senate. … .

"C. (1)" is proposed to read as follows: For those divisions measuring scholastic standing by a grade average, the average may be set at a level deemed appropriate by the respective division. However, a minimum grade point average of 2.0 is needed for graduation.

The ASRA Committee submits the above as completion of Charge S-0001. Please do not hesitate to contact either of the Co-Chairs if you have any questions concerning the Charge or any of the suggestions above.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the University Senate’s Academic Standards, Regulations and Admissions Committee has examined and reported on the Minimum Grade Point Average; and

Whereas, the University Senate has reviewed the Committee’s Report and its Recommendations, finding those Recommendations to be sound and in the best interests of Rutgers University;

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Rutgers University Senate endorses the Report on the Minimum Grade Point Average, and urges the administration to implement its proposed changes to University Regulations.