Faculty Senate okays resignation policy

Under new rules approved on Tuesday, students will have more time to consult advisors and professors before making a final decision about resigning from courses and receiving a grade of 'R.'

At the same Faculty Senate meeting, UB officials also discussed two large grants awarded to the Health Services Department and the continued uncertainty over the future of the School of Radiology.

The new, later resignation policy, which the Faculty Senate unanimously approved, states: "A student may unilaterally resign a course without penalty through the 11th week of a fall or spring semester, and through the first two-thirds of any other academic term."

The problem with the current resignation date is that it comes before many students have their first exam. If they choose not to resign and then fail that exam, they are potentially stuck having to make up the grade.

"Basically, it's to give students the option to assess their own progress and decide whether or not to resign the course because the first exam sometimes doesn't come until after mid-semester," said professor William Baumer, who first brought up the changes for consideration in early February.

After the 11th week, students will still be able resign courses by petition under "extenuating circumstances."

"This petition is normally a request for an administrative withdrawal (applicable to all courses in which the student is enrolled in the term in question)," the rule states. "If that is granted, the grade recorded is 'W,' "

The reforms to the resignation policy were met with praise by members of the Faculty Senate.

"I think it makes more sense for people to clearly understand whether to resign or not and it gives them the ability to get good advice," said Faculty Senate chair Peter Nickerson.

Other changes include a possible change in the drop/add date from two weeks to seven days after classes begin. An eighth day will be for added only to allow students to take advantage of any openings. In the second week, students will be able to drop with the approval of the department or an advisor.

Tuesday's Faculty Senate meeting also gave floor time to David Dunn, vice president for Health Services, for a status report on his department.

Dunn's address included fiscal positives, notably the $5 million given to UB by Blue Cross/Blue Shield to the Public Health School and the $7 million given by Pfizer to the School of Pharmacy.

"The main thrust of it is how to deal with the epidemic of obesity that this nation and Western New York is facing," Dunn said of the grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Beyond the good news, however, Dunn also addressed the possible loss of the School of Radiology, whose accreditation is under review.

"There's a misconception in the Western New York public eye that the medical school is falling apart. Radiology is one program out of 55, the remaining 54 are accredited. The med school is not falling apart," Dunn said.