The University of Texas at Arlington

Undergraduate Assembly

Minutes

 

 

The Undergraduate Assembly met in a special called session on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at 2:15 p.m. in 101 College Hall.  Interim President Charles A. Sorber presided.

 

Attendance.

Member

Present

Excused

Absent

Alternate

Charles A. Sober

 

 

 

Dana Dunn

 

 

 

Pam Haws

 

 

 

Michael Moore

 

 

 

Evan Anders

 

 

 

Susan Beckham

 

 

 

Karen Bullis

 

 

 

Bill Carroll

 

 

 

Jinny Choi

 

 

 

Theresa Daniels

 

 

 

William Dillon

 

 

 

Richard Dodge

 

 

 

James Epperson

 

 

 

Victoria Farrar-Myers

 

 

 

Perry Fuchs

 

 

 

Jeanne Gerlach

 

 

 

Susan Grove

 

 

 

Andy Hansz

 

 

 

D.L. Hawkins

 

 

 

Jay Henry

 

 

 

Santos Hernandez

 

 

 

Melinda Hiemenz

 

 

 

Dan Himarios

 

 

 

Jeannine Hirtle

 

 

 

Richard Jimmerson

 

 

 

Karen Johannesson

 

 

 

Lon Johnston

 

 

 

Peter Lehmann

 

 

 

Dennis Marynick

 

 

Fred McDonald

Don McConnell

 

 

 

Robert McMahon

 

 

Karl Petruso

Jim Munch

 

 

 

Tabitha Padilla

 

 

 

Lynn Peterson

 

 

 

Jo Pinkerton

 

 

 

Elizabeth Poster

 

 

 

Syed R. Qasim

 

 

 

Steve Quevedo

 

 

 

Peggy Quinn

 

 

 

Dennis Reinhartz

 

 

 

K. Jamie Rogers

 

 

 

Craig Slinkman

 

 

 

Neal Smatresk

 

 

 

Gina Thames

 

 

 

Patricia Turpin

 

 

 

Kimberly van Noort

 

 

 

Josh Warren

 

 

 

Tom Watts

 

 

 

Alisa White

 

 

 

Tom Wilding

 

 

 

Paul Witt

 

 

 

Beth Wright

 

 

 

Kai Yeung

 

 

 

Abu Yilla

 

 

 

 

Report of the Academic Standards Committee. Committee Chair David Gray presented a proposal to increase admission standards for incoming freshmen.   The proposal was presented in two parts. 

 

1.  Proposal to Increase Admission Standards for Entering Freshman.  This proposal states that UTA freshman admission requirements are currently lower than those at many state institutions including UNT, UTD, UT and UH.  Our current admission standards undermine efforts to improve UTA’s  reputation in the community, and discourages top caliber students from giving UTA serious consideration as their college choice.  Approval of this proposal to raise admission standards for first time freshmen and freshman transfer students does not mean that UTA is abandoning its commitment to affordable education, public access, or to closing the gaps in higher education.  The following standards, which are comparable with UNT’s standards, were presented:

 

Proposed Automatic Admission Standards for First Time Freshmen and Freshman Transfers

Start Date:  Fall 2004

 

 

 

Current Standards

Proposed Standards

Impact of Proposed Standards

 

 

 

Class Rank

 

 

Minimum Acceptable SAT    Score

 

 

Minimum Acceptable ACT  Score

 

 

Minimum Acceptable SAT    Score

 

 

Minimum Acceptable ACT  Score

# of Fall 2002 FTF Cohort Affected by Proposed Standard

% of Fall 2002 FTF Cohort Affected by Proposed Standard

% of Fall 2002 UTA Students Affected

Top 10%

No minimum score, but students must submit scores

No minimum score, but students must submit scores

No minimum score, but students must submit scores

No minimum score, but students must submit scores

 

 

 

Next 15% of the top quarter

900

19

No minimum score, but students must submit scores

No minimum score, but students must submit scores

N/A

N/A

N/A

2nd quarter

950

20

1050

22

223

12.3

0.9

3nd quarter

1000

21

1150

25

319

17.5

1.3

4rd quarter

1150

25

Individual review

Individual review

215

11.8

0.9

Class rank unavailable

Individual review

Individual review

Individual review

Individual review

 

123

 

 

 

Professor Evan Anders expressed concern about the timing of raising admission standards now when the sluggish economy could possibly create a declining enrollment crisis.  Interim Provost Dana Dunn stated that we are at a point where our focus on growth may need to be moderated due to space and capacity issues.  Professor Jay Henry felt that minimum SAT and ACT scores should be required for the next 15% of the top quarter of high school students.  Student Congress President Josh Warren voiced unease about implementing admission standards changes to become effective just when a new central administration might have to deal with the aftermath of this decision.  President Sorber explained that this would have no impact on a new president, and if it would benefit the University, it should be done without any bearing on the presidential search.  Provost Dunn suggested that the modest increase should make the campus more attractive to the caliber of president we seek.  Also, if this proposal is not approved in time to get on the docket for the next Board of Regents’ meeting, new standards could not go into effect until Fall 2005.  A motion to amend the proposed standards to include a minimum SAT score of 1000 and the appropriate minimum score for the ACT for the next 15% of the top quarter was made by Professor Henry.  Impact data were not available at the meeting to determine if this amendment should be made, and the motion died for lack of a second. 

 

The Assembly approved the proposal for increased admission standards as presented without objections.

 

2.  Future Changes in the SAT and ACT Test.  This proposal involves adding a writing section to the SAT and ACT tests to be scored on the same metric as the current math and verbal sections.  Fall 2006 incoming freshmen will be taking the revised tests.  Universities across the country are currently deciding whether to require scores from the writing test.  The Committee recommends that UTA require the writing test for at least three reasons:  (1) we want to be perceived as having the same high standards as other ‘best’ universities in the nation that will require the test; (2) this requirement will send an important signal to area high schools that writing is important and it should be emphasized in high school curriculum; and (3) the writing test scores have the potential to be used for placement and diagnostic purposes. 

 

The Assembly approved the proposal to require writing test scores effective Fall 2006 without objections.

 

Remarks by the President.  President Sorber stated that he is happy to be at UTA.  He feels UTA is a great place and we ought to be proud of it.  He also feels that today’s actions of the Assembly have enhanced the institution.

 

Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Pam Haws

Secretary

 

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