28 January 2005

Provost Jay Grimes

Box 5002

Dear Provost Grimes,

I have been directed by Academic Council to write to you concerning your recent
permission to allow the Customer Service Department to override enrollment caps
on classes offered on the Gulf Coast campus.

In any organization at least as complex as a university, there are many levels of organizational responsibility, and we recognize the need to streamline many complex decision-making processes and to work for improvements in efficiency at all levels throughout the university; however, the process of making changes which have the potential to negatively impact teaching effectiveness requires academic input and review.
Specifically, Academic Council believes that changes in enrollment caps constitutes an academic teaching issue which always requires faculty input and departmental review. Even when there are extenuating circumstances, the chair or director, along with the instructor of record, should always be consulted first.

It is the view of Academic Council that removing enrollment caps without procedural safeguards, as we have outlined, directly conflicts with our aim to provide high-quality education to our students.  Increasing on short notice the number of students that have been added to a class can be detrimental to our objectives as educators , and without appropriate planning and re-allocation of resources in these circumstances, may make it difficult, if not impossible, to meet minimum mandated educational standards. It is our concern that these changes in the enrollment caps have been more than minor, or technical adjustments, but instead constitute aggressive changes in registration policy (in one case, we understand enrollment was raised from about 40 students to approximately 100 students). These changes are academically indefensible.

There are many reasons for capping enrollment.

Some of those reasons are qualitative, such as allowing time for faculty to individually mentor students in writing, critical thinking, and other important educational goals (such as writing intensive classes that are supposed to be capped for this very reason). 

Some reasons are simply self-explanatory. For example, enrollment should never exceed the number of chairs or the equipment like microscopes in classes. 

Other reasons involve safety - the possible violation of fire codes through overcrowding or inadequate supervision in lab, shop and field operations where possibly dangerous equipment or materials are used or in which dangerous situations might arise.

Classes might be capped because specific units need a particular faculty member to work on other important projects, including meeting contractual obligations.

Finally, some classes must be capped for reasons of accreditation.

Academic Council believes that enrollment caps by departments should always be
respected. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Amy L. Young, Chair

Academic Council

cc:        Dr. David Beckett, President, Faculty Senate

            Dr. William Powell, President-elect, Faculty Senate

            Dr. Robert Bateman, Chair, Council of Chairs

            Dr. Ed Mann, Chair, Graduate Council