Average boosted for admission scholarships
The University of Western Ontario is increasing requirements for first-year admission scholarships to reflect higher grade averages of entering students and to reduce the cost of the program.
At the May 15 meeting, Senate was informed the Undergraduate Admissions Scholarships Program was revised, following approval from the Senate Committee on Academic Policy and Awards and the Property & Finance Committee.
Beginning May 1, 2010, eligibility for the Western Scholarship of Distinction requires an 87 per cent average and the value will change to $1,000 from $1,500.
The program was last revised in 2005 when the scholarship grade requirement was 85 per cent. In 2008-09, the entering average was 86 per cent, meaning most students qualified for at least one admission scholarship. More than $5.5 million was allocated from the operating budget for the awards.
A portion of the savings will be allocated to entering international students, who will be eligible for admissions scholarships.
Other Senate highlights:
Engineering change
Engineering students who fail a first-term half course may not repeat the course in the second term of the same academic year, upon the recommendation of a policy change by Senate.
The recommended policy on failed courses will be inserted in the 2009-10 Academic Calendar. Acting Dean of Engineering George Knopf says the policy helps the faculty to better understand and address challenges students are facing.
When a student repeats a failed course in the second term, the mark for the failed course is designated “repeated no credit” rather than the actual grade, which affects the calculation of the year-end average. Also, the student had to drop a second-term course or request to take an overload to repeat the class.
Any student who fails a first-term course must wait until the summer before repeating.
New agreement
Senate approved an articulation agreement between Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology’s Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology program and Western. This one-way agreement allows Western students to be placed in the Lambton College program with advanced standing. Students can complete the program in four terms rather than the usual six terms.
Program name change
The Department of Otolaryngology in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is undergoing a name change to the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. This reflects the scope of the specialty and academic program, and improves public understanding. The name is also consistent with national and international societies and North American programs, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Honorary Degrees committee reviewed
As follow-up to a request made at the March meeting, Senate recommends an ad hoc subcommittee of the Operations Agenda Committee be established to review the terms of reference, guidelines and criteria of the Honorary Degrees Committee. The subcommittee is expected to report back by October.
New programs
Senate approved creation of several new programs effective September 1, including:
· Certificates in Practical Spanish, Italian and German in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
· Certificate in Theatre Arts in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities
· Major in French for Teaching to be introduced at Brescia University College