A new transfer-credit proposal presented to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee would promote fairness and maintain the quality and distinctiveness of a St. Thomas education, said Abby Schutt, Undergraduate Student Government vice president of academic affairs, at USG’s Sunday night meeting.
The proposal’s goal is to limit the number of post-enrollment transfer credits that may be applied to a St. Thomas undergraduate student’s graduation requirements. The proposal also would “capture lost revenue, address uneven quality of courses proposed as transfer and maintain integrity of the core and interconnectedness among its courses.”
According to the proposal, students coming to St. Thomas with 52 or fewer transfer credits would be allowed to take up to 12 additional transfer credits after enrollment. Students bringing in 52 to 63 credits could take additional transfer credits to bring their total transfer credits to 64.
St. Thomas seniors are currently required to take 32 of their final 36 credits from St. Thomas. Other transfer-credit approvals are specific to department.
This system would not count study abroad credits or Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities credits as transfer credits.
Greg Scharine, USG vice president of financial affairs, said Marquette University and Georgetown University have similar models.
Schutt said the proposal will be an “ongoing process this semester.”
USG approves club
USG also approved the St. Thomas Run Club at its meeting Sunday night.
The Run Club’s mission is to “provide students with a network of people who share a common love for running.”
Sophomore Charles Peterson told USG the club would like to partner with the Wellness Center and put on a 5K run.
Peterson said it was time for a club for runners because there is a bicycle club and a rollerblading club on campus already.
“Part of me wants to make it so people can run with others if they want to,” he said. “It would be a way for people to come together.”
The club currently has 15 members.
Spring elections
USG spring elections for the 2011-2012 academic year will be held April 13 through April 15. Packets will be available online for interested candidates in Murray-Herrick 111C starting Monday, March 28.
Students must be a junior or senior to apply for the executive board, and they must have served on USG for a year before applying for president.
Corey Dahl, vice president of public relations, said USG will use a new website for voting this year to prevent voting glitches. Dahl said he hopes it will be more user-friendly.
Ashley Stewart can be reached at stew1177@stthomas.edu.