Task Force to Reexamine Independent Work Rules

The Faculty is likely to change its legislation on independent work credits as a result of Faculty Council action responding to complaints that the present regulations are vague and possibly too permissive.

The council yesterday asked its subcommittee on academic policy and the coordinating committee of the dean's task forces to clarify what members of the University staff may sign students' study cards for the pass-fail credits.

The present legislation, passed in 1971, allows anyone with a Corporation appointment to supervise work study.

But Francis M. Pipkin, a member of the academic policy committee, said last night that the definition of the Corporation appointment is now much broader than it was in 1971, allowing more people to sign for independent work.

The issue arose when Faculty members complained that the undergraduate instructor of a non-credit course at the Women's Center asked faculty members to sponsor students who wanted to receive credit for the course.

The instructor, who asked not to be identified, said last night she wrote to about 70 faculty members. About 15 responded favorably, she said.

The council did not discuss that course in particular yesterday.

Charles P. Whitlock, associate dean of the Faculty and coordinator of the task forces, said last night he does not consider it likely that the task forces will recommend changes in the legislation about the content of independent works.

Out of about 500 independent work credits given last spring, 200 were for extensions of regular academic courses, while another 100 were for music lessons. The others were on various topics, including one course on auto mechanics and another on gourmet cooking.

But Whitlock said, "If a member of the Faculty signs for something and it's silly, there isn't much anyone can do about it."

However, he said, like the academic policy committee, the task force will probably recommend limiting the supervision of independent work to faculty members.

Although the Faculty purposely allowed a wide interpretation of the work study program in 1971, Whitlock said, "the tenor of the times has changed."

Edward T. Wilcox, director of the General Education program, was unavailable last night for comment.