Two major changes in student policy made by the 27th Student Undergraduate Council, One Step, are the course retake policies and student union fees. Significant steps have been achieved through the student council’s activities and were finalized such that the policy changes were put into effect this very semester.

Course retake policies, which have been in the spotlight of attention for many students in KAIST, were subject to many revisions in the past. Since 2009, the maximum grade that could be received by a student retaking a course was a B+. However, the student council proposed a revision in this regulation and raised the bar to an A-, and successfully effectuated the policy this semester.

Starting in the spring semester of 2014, retakes will only be permitted in previous courses with or below a C+. Yet, this current fall semester of 2013 provides an opportunity for students who were caught off-guard due to this sudden revision. This current semester will leave open an opportunity to retake courses without the permitted C+ limit, and will also be eligible to receive the maximum grade of A-. The maximum limit for course retakes has been raised from three to five courses within the undergraduate study period. Many students are expected to retake courses this semester during this policy transition period. Retake registration fees have been reduced to 50,000 Korean Won per academic unit (AU), where payment must have been completed by September 24 for this semester.

Retakes in courses has been shrouded in controversy not only in KAIST, but in many universities in Korea. Lax retake policies have resulted in academic grade inflations in other universities and thus, poor trust in evaluating the academic performances of graduates. The recent changes in KAIST retake policies are in sync with universities to prevent grade inflation. Retakes are also limited to courses with or below a C+ in many universities. With the exception of Seoul National University, which has no restrictions on the maximum receivable grades, most universities set their maximum eligible grades to an A- or an A0. Universities similar to our policies include Yonsei University, Korea University, and Hanyang University.

The payment method of the student union fee has been changed as well. Due to the controversy raised in forced payments of students to their student councils in other Korean universities, the government enforced regulations to all universities to separate union fees from university tuition fees. At KAIST, the union fee will now be collected by taking 15,000 Korean Won from the monthly scholarship funds given to KAIST students at the start of the semester. Students will have the choice to not pay the union fee by filing a refund registration form to the student council at the start of the semester.

However, certain disadvantages may apply for students when receiving a refund for the student union fee. Some student rights will have to be surrendered, such as not being eligible to run for student council election and heads of student-run organizations. Also, for student welfare programs and events, waivers will not be able to receive special student discounts and will be applied with non-student member fees.

The student council has made active interactions and attempts to increase awareness with KAIST students on campus issues and also on social issues outside campus through online polls. Student opinions in school-related issues, such as course retake regulations, dual degree programs, and English lectures have been actively gathered through individual polls by e-mail. Student opinions were effectively used in successfully putting changes in the course retake policy to action. Also, for social issues outside, student polls were run to gather opinions on controversial issues. Polls for deciding whether the KAIST student council should involve itself in social issues were taken, such as the National Intelligence Service involvement in last year’s elections, or the Korean National Assembly Congressmen Seok-ki Lee’s treason case.