Graduate Council

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In attendance: Dave McShaffrey (Chair), Laura Little, Mark Sibicky, Jim Fry (substituting for Gloria Stewart), Cathy Brown, Sue DeWine, Dan Huck, Sharon Douglass.

Last week’s meeting minutes were approved without corrections.

Items:
Cancellation of graduate programs: Sibicky stated that departments need to be aware that canceling graduate programs requires the approval of Graduate Council prior to the program being cancelled.

New forms: DeWine expressed her appreciation of Council’s work on these forms and to McShaffrey for coordinating with affected committees on campus.

Form: Graduate Programs Grant Application: Fry suggested editing changes of the form to correct for grammar and syntax. Council members discussed the context of the language included in the form in regards to authorship and collaboration. Little suggested separating the criteria and process sections of the form. McShaffrey stated that some of the content was taken from the undergraduate application form. Sibicky explained that committees give priority to students presenting at conferences and advise others to maintain receipts for expenses for possible reimbursement from funds remaining at the end of the term. DeWine asked if graduate students should not apply for funds from Investigative Studies in the future and McShaffrey confirmed. Douglass suggested revising the expenses part of the form to have a section detailing transportation costs. Fry will take corrections/comments to Stewart for revision. Revisions and discussion on this form will continue at the next meeting.

Form: Proposal for new graduate course/change to existing graduate course: DeWine stated concern of developing a “graduate faculty” as a result of section 5f: “The qualifications of the instructor to offer the course and any impact the course may have on the instructor’s professional growth.” DeWine stated that having Council question one’s credentials can be seen as an insult to the proposer. Sibicky said this statement is on the undergraduate form too and has been a point of discussion in Curriculum Committee. Huck stated the department chair can ably determine the instructor’s capabilities and Fry suggested amending the form to include verification from the department chair of the proposer’s credentials as an instructor for the proposed course. Revisions and discussion on this form will continue at the next meeting.

Form: Proposal for permanent enhancement of existing course to graduate level: DeWine stated the minimum grade requirement may need correction. Brown stated this information came from information already printed elsewhere and will clarify. Fry asked if both 300 & 400 level undergraduate courses can be enhanced and Brown confirmed.  Revisions and discussion on this form will continue at the next meeting.

Graduate Council Constitution: DeWine suggested amending section VI.B.5.c, Composition, bullet 3, “a member of the administration appointed by the president” to designate the Director of Graduate Programs and Continuing Education. Douglass proposed amending the same section, bullet 1, to appoint an equal number of faculty to the number of directors/coordinators of graduate programs. McShaffrey expressed a similar opinion. Revisions and discussion on this matter will continue at the next meeting.

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2003, 12 noon, 207 McDonough.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm.
 

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