Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - April 4, 2016

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2108

Members Present: J. Averbeck (Vice Chair), P.K. Babu, V. Diehl, J. Ehrlich, L. Erdmann, K. Pawelko (Chair)

Members Absent: S. Sanders, M.Stryker

Guests Present: E. Woell, L. Baker-Sperry, S. Thompson, K. Mayborn, J. Wigglesworth, K. Daytner

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. History

1. Request for a late withdrawal

The student was not able to be present due to work obligations but Dr. Woell attended on the student’s behalf. Discussion was held regarding the different options for the student moving forward including grade replacement.

Motion: To approve the request. (Averbeck/Diehl)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies,  February 2016 (0)

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, February 2016 (1)

1. Chemistry (1) - approved

C. Graduate Council Election Status

Ms. Schulz announced that ballot for the College of Arts and Sciences was sent out and the deadline for voting is April 11. The College of Education and Human Services did not have any submissions so a new notice was sent out with the deadline for nominations extended to April 8. The College of Fine Arts and Communication only received one petition which was approved by the college dean. No ballot was necessary.

D. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Award Recipients

Ms. Schulz reported that the sub-committee had met and were able to fund 7 out of the 20 applications that were received for the Spring 2016 semester. A full list of the recipients can be found at wiu.edu/grad. Dr. Parsons announced that due to funding issues and a lack of state budget, this program is being suspended for at least one academic year beginning Fall 2016.

E. Graduate Committee Chairs Meeting

Ms. Schulz announced that the second meeting of Graduate Committee Chairs for the Spring 2016 semester will be held on Wednesday, April 13 in Horrabin Hall 1 with a CODEC connection to Quad Cities Complex 2108. The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude by 4:30 p.m.

F. Summary of Assessment of Student Learning for 2014-2015

Drs. Baker-Sperry and Parsons presented the report to the Council. Dr. Parsons provided an overview of how the assessment process works and that it is a requirement for the Higher Learning Commission. She stated that the focus is how programs use the data to improve student learning. Dr. Baker-Sperry noted that column titled “Evidenced Improvement Based on Data for Each Learning Outcome” is new this year. Dr. Diehl asked about programs that did not submit reports. Dr. Parsons responded that master’s programs will have a hold put on curriculum approvals until the reports are received. Dr. Baker-Sperry stated that now deans are involved and meetings are held with the programs that are not meeting requirements.

III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Geography

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

Dr. Thompson was present to answer questions. The department has identified two groups of students in the program and wants all students to have exposure to GIS before completing their degrees. They also are tweaking the professional program plan. Dr. Averbeck questioned why only two faculty members would be on the committee for the professional program plan. Dr. Thompson responded that they did not want it to be the same as a thesis committee and two committee members would be comprised of an advisor and a faculty member in the specialty area.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

B. Kinesiology

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. KIN 570, Psychology of Injury and Rehabilitation in Sport and Physical Activity, 3 s.h.

Dr. Wigglesworth was in attendance to answer questions and stated that the department had recently changed its mission statement. These changes reflect the new mission statement. Dr. Babu noted an omission of headings on the form. Dr. Parsons asked about any potential overlap with Psychology. Dr. Diehl stated that Psychology does not see significant overlap with this course. Dr. Babu asked about the frequency of offering. Dr. Wigglesworth stated that it fits into the program rotation of courses.

Motion: To approve the request pending letter of support from Psychology. (Averbeck/Babu)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

b. KIN 595, Critical Readings in Kinesiology, 2 s.h.

Dr. Wigglesworth stated that the purpose of this course is to have a reading/seminar course that will get the students reading current materials in the field.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

c. KIN 603, Independent Study in Grant Writing, 1 s.h.

Dr. Averbeck asked about the redistribution of teaching load. Dr. Wigglesworth noted that she would clarify the statement. Dr. Diehl asked if this course could be taken by itself. Dr. Wigglesworth responded that no, it must be taken with either HS 400G or IDT 525. Dr. Diehl suggested noting that a statement could be added specifying details that make it a graduate level course such as a literature review similar to one of a thesis.

Motion: To approve the request pending revisions. (Averbeck/Diehl)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

Dr. Wigglesworth presented the proposed changes to the program requirements. Dr. Diehl asked about a discrepancy in the name of an emphasis and the hours required for each section. Discussion was held regarding the proposed foundation courses and wording of the requirements. A directed electives section was noted as an option. A summary of the proposed changes to the request is to change the areas of study to twelve hours, and eliminate the foundations section and move it to directed electives.

Motion: To approve the request pending revisions. (Averbeck/Babu)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

IV. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Seyfi Turkelli, Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Dr. Turkelli was not in attendance. The Council noted that there were a few items that they would like clarification on before voting.

Motion: To postpone the request until the April 25 meeting. (Babu/Averbeck)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES   0 - NO  0 - AB

V. OTHER BUSINESS

Drs. Averbeck and Babu announced that they have been working on the subcommittee to review the School of Graduate Studies Professional Development Program that was proposed at the end of the previous academic year. Dr. Babu received feedback at the College of Arts and Sciences graduate committee meetings that the majority of faculty did not feel it would be a beneficial program. The subcommittee plans to bring a formal recommendation to the Council.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:41 p.m.