Request to College Curriculum Committee

REQUEST TO COLLEGE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE FOR CURRICULAR IMPROVEMENTS

DEPARTMENT: BUS PROPOSED EFFECTIVE SEMESTER: Fall 2009 COLLEGE: Haworth College of Business

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS

Academic Program Substantive Course Changes Misc. Course Changes

New degree* New course Title

New major* Pre or Co-requisites Description (attach current & proposed)

New curriculum* Deletion (required by others) Deletion (not required by others)

New concentration* Course #, different level Course #, same level

New certificate Credit hours Variable credit

New minor X Enrollment restriction Credit/no credit

Revised major Course-level restriction Cross-listing

Revised minor Prefix Title and description COGE reapproval

X Admission requirements (attach current & proposed) Other (explain**)

Graduation requirements General education (select one)

Deletion Transfer

Other (explain**) Other (explain**)

** Other:

Title of degree, curriculum, major, minor, concentration, or certificate: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Existing course prefix and #: N/A Proposed course prefix and #: N/A Existing course prefix and #: N/A Credit hours: N/A

Existing course title: N/A

Proposed course title: N/A

Existing course prerequisite & co-requisite(s): N/A

Proposed course prerequisite(s): N/A

Proposed course co-requisite(s): None

Proposed course prerequisite(s) that can also be taken concurrently: N/A

Is there a minimum grade for the prerequisites or corequisites? No

The default grades are D for undergraduates and C for graduates.

Major/minor or classification restrictions: This proposal has three components:

A. The minimum number of credit hours to be completed for admission to the Haworth College of Business (HCoB) Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program would be lowered from 48 to 26 credit hours with inclusion of specific courses and general education areas.

B. The minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission to the BBA program would be increased from 2.5 to 2.75.

C. A minimum grade of 2.5 would be required in each of the following courses: BUS 1750, BCM 1420, and CIS 1020.

For 5000 level prerequisites & corequisites: Do these apply to: (circle one) undergraduates graduates both

Specifications for University Schedule of Classes:

a. Course title (maximum of 30 spaces): N/A

b. Multi-topic course: Yes X N/A

c. Repeatable for credit: N/A

d. Mandatory credit/no credit: N/A

e. Type of class and contact hours per week (check type and indicate hours as appropriate) N/A

1. Lecture 3. Lecture/lab/discussion 5. Independent study

2. Lab or discussion 4. Seminar or studio 6. Supervision or practicum

CIP Code (Registrar’s use only):

Chair/Director / Date
Chair, College Curriculum Committee / Date
Dean David Shields Date: Graduate Dean: / Date
Curriculum Manager: Return to dean Date / Forward to: / Date
Chair, COGE/ PEB / FS President / Date
FOR PROPOSALS REQUIRING GSC/USC REVIEW:
* Approve Disapprove / Chair, GSC/USC / Date
* Approve Disapprove / Provost / Date

1. Explain briefly and clearly the proposed improvement.

This proposal has three components.

The following must be among the 26 hours:

- BUS 1750

- BCM 1420

- CIS 1020

- MATH 1160 or higher

- General Education Area II: Humanities

- General Education Area V: Behavioral Science (in addition to BUS 1750)

- General Education Area VII: Natural Science and Technology

This proposal continues the existing requirement that students earn at least a “C” grade in MATH 1160 (or program requirement) but makes this mandatory prior to admission. The requirement that a student earn a “C” also continues for the students’ sophomore level courses after admission: STAT 2160, ECON 2010, ECON 2020, ACTY 2100, ACTY 2110, and General Education Area V: Behavioral Science.

B. The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for admission to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program would be raised from a 2.5 to a 2.75.

C. The minimum grade required in each of the following courses would be a 2.5: BUS 1750, BCM 1420, and CIS 1020.

The components will be reevaluated two years after implementation and regularly thereafter.

2. Rationale. Give your reason(s) for the proposed improvement. (If your proposal includes prerequisites, justify those, too.)

A. Admission after 26 credit hours would ensure that students in 2000 level BBA-required classes shared a common, declared interest in business as a major and a common body of knowledge, as identified by the four designated 1000 level pre-requisites. The required 1000-level classes are currently taken in a freshman’s first year, and General Education Area V is required as part of the pre-business administration (PBA) curriculum. The additional General Education requirements in Area II and VII represent the broad background necessary for business success and allow a student some individualization within the first year of the program.

B. The 2.75 cumulative GPA requirement would provide students in 2000-level classes with a more academically homogeneous student body. These students would have proven themselves academically and could be expected to manage the more challenging 2000-level material at a common pace. Those who maintain a GPA near the WMU university average GPA of 2.81 after 26 credit hours have a greater probability of completing the more challenging 2000-level courses successfully and finishing in four years.

Such a GPA criterion is also expected to help improve our Educational Benchmarking (EBI) rankings on “Characteristics of Fellow Classmates,” which is currently 5/7 among our “Select 6” institutions. These rankings are derived from surveys of senior students. The increased GPA may actually boost the perception of WMU among prospective students who will find that the Seidman College at Grand Valley State University admits students who have a 2.75 cumulative GPA but after 55 credit hours.

The slight increase in GPA is expected to diminish the number of students by approximately 130 students per year. This reduction would allow:

- A gradual decrease in class size for at least one section of MKTG 2500, MGMT 2500, BUS 3750, and LAW 3800, four of the thirteen required business courses that currently enroll at least one group of 350 students per semester of each academic year. Reduced class sizes would provide an opportunity for experiential learning and classroom discussions in which to practice critical thinking skills. Evaluation methods could be broadened from multiple-choice to short answer or essay examinations, consistent with the university’s intention to foster writing skills in the baccalaureate program. Simulations and case studies that develop problem-solving skills and verbal communication abilities would also be possible. Both written and verbal communication abilities, as well as problem-solving skills, are highly desired by employers, and therefore, are of benefit to students.

- More certainty for BBA students currently enrolled in the program that classes will be available so they can graduate in four years, as agreed under the Western Edge compact agreements.

- An improvement in student:faculty ratio, now at 46:1, the highest among our peer, competitor, or aspirant schools, as shown on The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) website. Most of the comparison schools have a student: faculty ratio of approximately 35:1 or less, which would allow more attention to students’ individual learning needs. Without a reduced number of incoming students, HCoB’s student:faculty ratio is expected to increase further as the 20% of HCoB faculty now over age 60 retire in increasing numbers in the next few years. The ratios are a factor in our accreditation, which is due for renewal in Spring 2009.

- “Enhanced advising,” as promised by the Western Edge, would be more feasible than under the current ratio of students to Academic Advisors of 1250:1. This ratio also exceeds any of our aspirant, competitor, or peer schools, and is far above the National Association of Academic Advisors’ recommended ratio of 350:1.

C. A 2.5 requirement in each of BUS 1750, BCM 1420, and CIS 1020 would help to identify students who could do well in business courses, instead of simply attaining an overall GPA of 2.75. The 2.5 requirement also contributes to improved academic homogeneity and has the potential for improving students’ satisfaction with their classmates.

3. Effect on other colleges, departments or programs. If consultation with others is required, attach evidence of consultation and support. If objections have been raised, document the resolution. Demonstrate that the program you propose is not a duplication of an existing one.

A. Admission of students after 26 credit hours would have little or no effect on other colleges, departments, or programs.

B and C. An increased grade requirement of 2.5 in BUS 1750, BCM 1420, and CIS 1020 and a required cumulative GPA of 2.75 instead of the current 2.5 is expected to have one of four possible effects on HCoB, and on other colleges, departments, or programs. These perceived effects may be viewed as the following potential scenarios that have likelihoods as follows.

I. Very few students get into HCoB: Very unlikely. Students will be informed of the requirements when they register for their first classes at freshmen orientation in June 2009. Parents will also be informed. Evidence based on historical GPA’s suggests about 80% of freshmen will succeed. Those who are motivated to study business are likely to strive to meet the requirements and gain entry, resulting in possible effect II.

II. Everyone gets into HCOB upon admission: Unlikely. In this scenario, forewarned students are expected to easily meet the requirements, resulting in more students than ever before gaining admission to HCoB. However, as many freshmen enjoy their independence and struggle with time management during their first semester (or first year), this scenario is unlikely. The average GPA for freshman is 2.81; thus, historical evidence across the university suggests that most incoming students will have a 2.75 GPA after their first year. However, those who are motivated to study business are likely to strive to prove themselves, earn the benefit of a solid GPA base, and enjoy a more secure “good standing” status as they tackle more challenging 2nd year coursework. Motivated students and higher GPA’s bode well for retention.

III. Everyone gets in to HCoB eventually: Possible but ill-advised. Students who do not achieve a 2.75 after 26 credit hours may simply retake classes (up to 3 times) until they achieve the necessary grades. A student who earns a “D” could retake it and raise a lagging GPA. Advisors who become aware of a student repeating more than one course might initiate a discussion on the student’s interest and motivation for the program. In this scenario, the HCoB enrollment might increase briefly in 1000-level courses as students re-enroll to raise their GPA’s. However, such an increase would be temporary, modest, and have little effect on other colleges.

Students who have to retake a number of courses to meet the 2.75 GPA may experience difficulty attaining the four requisite “C” grades in ACTY 2100 & 2110, ECON 2010 & 2020 & STAT 2160, all of which are required courses that many students regard as “more challenging.” We believe it is more appropriate to narrow the applicant field early to those students who are more likely to succeed than to allow more students to continue to enroll and spend limited resources on a program that is not well suited for them.

IV. Approximately 21% (about 130) freshmen are denied admission to HCoB: Very likely, as shown by historical (static) data. Based on the GPA’s of Fall 2007 pre-Business students, 20.9% would not meet the 2.75 GPA requirement after 26 credit hours, although they would meet a 2.5 GPA (HCoB’s current admission standard; see table and methodology at end of proposal). However, such data are only accurate at a given point in time; we cannot predict what a motivated student who is forewarned of the higher GPA requirement would do. In fact, the decrease in students could be notably less than 21%, due to potential implications of both effect III and IV. Static data of actual business students’ past performance is the best indicator we have that 20.9% will pursue an alternate major, and could be helped to find a major at WMU that is not currently over-enrolled, and could take a business minor that helps them fill a unique job market niche (see Effect on Departments or programs, below). The increased grade requirement of 2.5 in three freshman business courses is not expected to make the GPA more difficult to achieve and could have the opposite effect of improving students’ study habits early to earn the required grades.

If the students do not meet the requirements, instead of leaving the university, we believe it most likely that the majority of the expected 21% of students who do not earn a 2.75 GPA will stay at WMU and either repeat the courses (as in III above) or pursue a major in another college, as they will have spent their first year learning what WMU has to offer, forming bonds with other students, and enjoying Kalamazoo. While it is outside the college’s purview to tell these latter students what major they should pursue, HCOB Office of Advising and Admissions can encourage students who are struggling with the coursework to identify a major that better fits their interests, personality, and values. Students could save time and resources by identifying their major at this early stage of their academic careers with the resources available through the Career & Student Employment Services in Ellsworth Hall, or by enrolling in a one-credit hour elective to help them interpret their results and find their “best fit” career (i.e., UNIV 1020).

The above scenarios would vary in their effect(s) on other colleges. We will focus here on effect IV, which would have the most impact on other colleges. Students who obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 but 2.749 will be able to apply the admission-requirements proposed above and shown in 1B toward other university requirements: