University Faculty Senate adopted legislation to assign academic advisers to students in the division of undergraduate studies (DUS) at its monthly meeting yesterday, and members said they would look into the increasing issue of grade inflation.

Art Miller, chairman of the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education, said the lack of academic advisers is troublesome to some DUS students when scheduling classes and pursuing a career path.

"All students should be given a counselor at the completion of their application process," Miller said.

This legislation passed by a unanimous vote from the assembly.

The Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education also reported that 55 percent of students received a 3.0 to 3.99 grade point average in 2005. Since 1992, this has increased by 9.9 percentage points. The committee will further look into grade inflation and its causes, Miller said.

He added that while the university may be accepting more qualified students, professors' expectations for students are lower, which contributes to increasing grade inflation.

Penn State President Graham Spanier said at the meeting he is not optimistic about Gov. Ed Rendell's budget message, which will be released next week and affect state appropriations given to the university. "Our highest priority is appropriation for a tuition freeze," Spanier said. "There will be an increase in funding for higher education but probably not the level we ask for."

Spanier said progress is being made on finding new deans for the Dickinson School of Law of Penn State University and the Smeal College of Business. In the Schreyers Honors College, the finalists are undergoing their last interviews for the open dean position, he added.

In another report, Graduate School Dean Eva Pell said international graduate student enrollment dropped last year but is expected to improve next year.

The next Faculty Senate meeting is scheduled for March 14.