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College of Liberal Arts & Sciences news

KU says goodbye to professor Wallace Johnson Jr.
New grading scale proposed

 

 

KU says goodbye to professor Wallace Johnson Jr.

Professor Wallace Johnson died suddenly Oct. 23 from a heart attack at the age of 74. Johnson taught within the department of East Asian languages and cultures, along with the Center for East Asian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. One of the courses he taught, “Myths, Legends and Folk Beliefs in East Asia,” was one of the most popular classes offered at KU, and many of his students remember him as one of their favorites.

“In the student evaluations, you would often see people say it’s the best class they took at KU and the best professor,” Keith McMahon, chairman of the East Asian languages and cultures department, told the Lawrence-Journal World after Johnson’s death.

Wallace Johnson’s dedication and passion for his profession shone through his long-lived career and continues to reflect upon his impact at the University, and he will be remembered in that light.

“He was a very energetic presence,” McMahon said. “He wanted to teach as long as he could.”

 

 

New grading scale proposed

Joseph Steinmetz, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recently proposed a change in the grading scale for fall 2008.

Currently, the College’s grading policy allows for “A”, “A-,” “B+,” “B,” “B-,” “C+,” “C,” “C-,” “D+,” “D,” “D-” and “F.” The requested change calls for an “A+” to appear on transcripts rather than just an “A,” allowing students to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. Because KU operates on a 4.0 grading scale, the college has proposed that the “A+” be a grading option, but not have it factor into grade point averages. Steinmetz and other proponents hope the change will help reward those students who push a little harder.

Steinmetz sent a memo to University Governance at the beginning of September requesting that the University Senate change its rules and regulations to allow the new plus/minus scale. If University Governance rejects the requested change, the College still can use the plus/minus grading scale without including “A+” as a possible grade.

The University Senate Academic Policy and Procedures Committee must make a recommendation to the University Senate Executive Committee by Jan. 25, 2008. The Senate Executive Committee then returns a recommendation to the Senate after they have spoken about the topic in two separate and required meetings before making a decision. Finally, the Chancellor decides whether to approve the measure.

Visit the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Web site for more information.