The Faculty Senate approved legislation yesterday giving students a greater number of late drop credits.

Next fall, baccalaureate degree students will be allowed to drop up to 16 credits instead of 10. The limit for associate degree students will be increased from six to 10 credits.

Course drop deadlines will also be changed, shortening the early drop period from 21 to 10 calendar days and extending the late drop period from the tenth to the twelfth week of the semester.

Several senate members said they believed the change might promote student irresponsibility.

Robert Heinsohn, faculty senator from the College of Engineering, said the change would reduce academic standards and lessen the University's prestige.

"It will simply keep (poor) students in school longer and at greater expense," Heinsohn said.

R. Scott Kretchmar, chairman of the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Instruction, said the cost of extending higher education careers and the "withdraw-while-failing" designation on transcripts will still discourage misuse of the late drop system.

Other senate members favored the change because of increased opportunities for students.

Margaret Cody, faculty senator from Allentown campus, said the current late drop limits "place a limit on what we can offer." Cody said she is often reluctant to advise students to drop courses at Commonwealth campuses because of possible future academic problems at University Park.

Terrence Wagner, student representative from the College of Arts and Architecture, said the rules place extra limits on students in some majors with five- and six-credit courses.

In other legislative action, the senate reaffirmed opposition to the combining of faculty tenure and promotion decisions, a position supported by the University administration.

However, the senate voted to support early tenure decisions in conjunction with promotions prior to the sixth-year tenure review.

University Executive Vice President and Provost William Richardson said administrators favor the connection of the two decisions. He said administrators understand the two decisions are separate actions.

During an informational report, Archie J. McDonnell said Penn State's role in transferring knowledge and technology outside the University, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurial and commercial development.

McDonnell served as chairman of a University task force which was commissioned in May 1987 by the University Board of Trustees. The task force's responsibility was to recommend policies that would balance and safeguard the University's internal interests in conjunction with entrepreneurial activity.

The task force recommended that the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School develop a continuing program to counsel faculty members, staff and administrators on issues related to technology transfer, conflicts of interest and entrepreneurial activity.

In order to protect University personnel from conflicts of interest, the task force recommended the University develop flexible employment policies and provide assistance for developmental work.

When exploring conflicts of interest, McDonnell said the task force attempted to protect three important areas or issues of concern -- the free and open exchange of information, students' rights and faculty and staff obligations.

"Students have a right for their educational goals to not (be) delayed because of entrepreneurial aspirations on the part of their teachers," he added.