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:
|
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
/cf