The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal 26-16
(Voting Units: Academic)
“Undergraduate Catalog Policy ”
PDF version of Proposal 26-16
Introduction and Rationale:
The wording that appears below is currently in the undergraduate catalog under "Graduation Requirements." It is not currently a formal University policy, but it has been in the catalog, with various modifications, since the late 1960s. The reasons for this proposal are:
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Formalizes the policy
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Clarifies and defines portions of the text
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Eases access for transfer students; transfer students will be able to develop a Michigan Tech academic plan when they begin their studies at the community college, which is in line with trending state polices related to transfer credit
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Allows students who return after being away for more than a year to follow the requirements they started with (if approved by department and within 7 years), which facilitates the path toward completion
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Allows the University to expire outdated undergraduate catalogs and degree requirements; most universities in Michigan have similar policies with similar expiration periods
Current wording in the Undergraduate Catalog:
The Michigan Tech Undergraduate Catalog is updated annually and requirements for degree programs may change from one catalog year to the next.
Students maintaining continuous enrollment at Michigan Tech may expect to graduate under the requirements published in the catalog in effect at the time of their matriculation. Students who change majors will follow the requirements in effect at the time of the change.
Students who add a major, minor, or certificate will follow the requirements of the additional curriculum in effect at the time it is added.
Students who have been absent from the University for one or more years will follow the degree requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of readmission.
Students should consult with their academic advisor for guidance when considering options in regard to their individual plan.
Proposed Policy:
The Michigan Tech undergraduate catalog, including degree requirements, is updated annually and expires after seven years. Students may not graduate using a catalog that is more than seven years old.
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Students maintaining continuous enrollment at Michigan Tech may expect to graduate under the degree requirements in effect at the time that they became a degree-seeking student at Michigan Tech.
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Students changing majors will follow the degree requirements in effect at the time of the change of major.
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Students adding a major or minor will follow the requirements for the additional curriculum in effect at the time it is added.
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Students who have been absent from the University for three or more consecutive semesters (including summer) will follow the degree requirements in effect at the time of re-enrollment.
With approval from the academic department, students may follow the degree requirements from an earlier catalog. The catalog selected must be within seven years prior to the student’s graduation or the first term the student was enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a regionally accredited institution, whichever is shortest.
Introduced to Senate: March 23, 2016
Approved by Senate: April 6, 2016
Approved by Administration: April 15, 2016