The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

PROPOSAL 21-07

(Voting Units: Academic)

AMENDMENT TO PROPOSAL 16-97, MINORS IN DEGREE PROGRAMS,

TO ESTABLISH A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Catalog Copy

The purpose of a Minor degree is to officially recognize a student who takes a prescribed set of courses in a discipline outside their Major. To be awarded a Minor degree, a student must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program at Michigan Technological University, have completed all requirements for the Minor, and have indicated that they are pursuing the Minor. The award will be noted on the student’s diploma and official transcripts.

To indicate that they are pursuing a Minor, a student must inform Degree Services no later than the time when degree audits are filed with the Registrar's Office. A student cannot be awarded a Minor that has the same title as their Major or Major Concentration.

In addition to meeting the requirements specified by the academic unit offering the Minor, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 for courses completed as part of the Minor and take at least six credit hours of 3000-level or higher Minor-required courses that are not required as part of their Major (except as free electives). At least six credits of the 3000-level or higher Minor-required courses must be taken at Michigan Tech. Courses that meet the "at Michigan Tech" requirement are defined as courses listed in the course catalog and taught by a Michigan Tech instructor either on campus, at field locations, or through distance learning.

Faculty Endorsement and University Approval of a New Minor

Minors may be proposed by any academic unit recognized by the University. They may be designed for students majoring within the initiating academic unit, for students majoring in other academic units, or both. Minors offered in cross-disciplinary areas must originate in an academic unit. The specifics of each Minor are determined by the faculty within the initiating academic unit, but all Minors must require at least sixteen credit hours of coursework. Of these sixteen credit hours no more than six may be 1000-or 2000-level courses. For Minors exceeding sixteen credit hours of coursework, the additional credit hours may be at any level.

When listing the requirements for a Minor, any prerequisites for required courses must be noted. The credit hours associated with prerequisites need not be counted in the Minor total. Independent study, project, research, and pass/fail courses may be used in Minors as appropriate.

Minors will be submitted to the Senate by the Provost after administrative review.

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES

1. A residency requirement has been added. Under the existing policy for granting Minor degrees, it is possible for a student who has the appropriate transfer credits to receive a Minor from Michigan Tech without ever taking a course from the department offering the Minor. The residency requirement that has been added specifies that students must take at least six credits of 3000-level or higher Minor-required courses from Michigan Tech.
2. Material previously listed under the heading “Catalog Copy” that was more appropriate to be listed under the heading “Faculty Endorsement and University Approval of a New Minor” was moved.
3. All other changes are editorial. A copy of the existing policy (as established by Proposal 16-97 and amended by Proposal 17-03 and 22-04) follows.

[Current] Catalog Copy

Minors in an academic discipline are granted to students matriculating in a Bachelors degree program who have completed the requirements established by academic units at Michigan Technological University. Minors are noted on diplomas and official transcripts. The purpose of a Minor is to give recognition that the student has actively and consciously engaged the intellectual issues central to the discipline of the Minor. Undergraduate requirements and special provisions for each Minor are listed and defined by each academic unit offering the Minor. Minors offered in cross-disciplinary areas must originate in a designated department, school, or multidisciplinary program as recognized by the University. Students may not take a Minor with the same title as their Major or Major Concentration.

Minors require a minimum of 16 credit hours. Of these 16 credit hours no more than 6 credit hours may be 1000 or 2000 level courses. For minors exceeding 16 credits, the additional credits beyond 16 may be at any level. Each Minor must include at least 6 credit hours of 3000 level or higher courses which are not required for a student's Major degree except as free electives. Elective courses that have been selected by a student from a prepared list or by required consultation with a Major advisor in a Baccalaureate program are not free electives. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required for courses in the Minor.

It is the responsibility of the students desiring a Minor to indicate their intention to complete the requirements to Degree Services no later than the time when degree audits are filed with the Registrar's Office. It is recommended that students consider Minors as early as possible in their program of study.

[Current] Faculty Endorsement and University Approval of a New Minor

Minors may be proposed by any department, school, or multidisciplinary program recognized by the University. The specifics of each Minor are determined by the faculty within that unit. Independent study, project, research, and pass/fail courses may be used in Minors as appropriate. Minors may be designed for students majoring within the initiating academic unit, for students majoring in other academic units, or both. To assist students in making decisions about Minors, prerequisite courses must be either included in the Minor program, or listed as a footnote in the proposal. Prerequisites listed as a footnote need not have their credits counted in the Minor total.

Minors will be submitted to the Senate by the Provost after administrative review.

Introduced in the Senate: 28 February 2007
Adopted by the Senate: 21 March 2007
Approved by Administration: 2 April 2007