Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - April 24, 2017

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC Complex 1420

Members Present: P.K. Babu (Vice Chair), J. Ehrlich, H. Hemphill, A. Hyde, J. Laurent, K. Pawelko (Chair), M. Stryker

Members Absent: J. Stegall

Guests Present: T. Davis, J. Wigglesworth, C. Piletic, M. MacDonell, K. Kapale, S. Szyjka, D. DeBoeuf, L. Baker-Sperry, K. Mayborn, K. Rice, K. Daytner, K. Boeckelman, B. Witten, T. Kaul, B. Jennings, R. Greene, C. Anderson, H. Nikels, S. Chakravorti, W. Polley, L. Hemphill, J. Lee

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

Ms. Schulz announced that a curriculum change request was submitted after agenda packets were sent out. The request to change the graduate program requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Analytics was emailed to Council members prior to the meeting. The Graduate Council was asked to consider adding them to the end of the agenda.

Motion: To postpone the request until the first meeting of Fall 2017. (Laurent/Babu)
MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB


I. STUDENT APPEALS


A. College Student Personnel

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student was present and provided information regarding several personal issues that impacted her ability to concentrate on academics.

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

2. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Davis were present. The student explained that he applied to the program after a lengthy consideration period and does not feel that his undergraduate GPA reflects his work ethic and capabilities. Dr. Davis added that the student demonstrates perseverance and the program has taken a lot of points into consideration.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

B. Kinesiology

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student was in attendance as well as advisors. The student indicated that he made mistakes in his undergraduate program before finding his program and focusing on that area. Advisors added support regarding his unique skillset and desire to be in the program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ehrlich/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Introduction of new Graduate Council members for 2017-2018

1. College of Arts and Sciences – Dr. Kishor Kapale, Physics

2. College of Business and Technology – Dr. Hoyet Hemphill, Engineering Technology

3. College of Education and Human Services – Dr. Sebastian Szyjka, Curriculum and Instruction

Drs. Kapale, Hemphill, and Szyjka were present for the introduction. The Council welcomed the new members.

B. Election of Chair and Vice Chair 2017-2018

Dr. Laurent and Dr. Kapale were nominated and elected by acclamation for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

C. Graduate Council Meeting Dates for 2017-2018

Ms. Schulz announced that the meeting dates for 2017-2018 are posted on the Graduate School’s website, wiu.edu/grad/gcmeetings.

D. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, March 2017 (0)

E. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, March 2017 (6)

1. Biology (6) - Approved

F. Summary of Assessment of Student Learning for 2015-2016

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 provided an update to the information that had been previously sent out. Dr. Stryker asked about the program information on the matrix. Dr. Baker-Sperry noted that if you follow the previous reports, you can see that HLC requirements have increased. Reports received have been much improved and programs have become more diligent in reporting information.

III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Accounting and Finance

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. FIN 497, International Financial Management, 3 s.h.

Dr. DeBoeuf provided information on the course and stated that the requested G to the undergraduate course would allow the department to combine the undergraduate and graduate courses. This would eliminate the graduate level equivalent due to low enrollment in both.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hemphill/Laurent)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

B. Communication Sciences and Disorders

1. Request to Increase Credit Hours

a. CSD 535, Voice Disorders, 2 s.h. to 3 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES - 0 NO - 1 AB

b. CSD 547, Fluency and Fluency Disorders, 2 s.h. to 3 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ehrlich/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES - 0 NO - 1 AB

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

Motion: To approve the request. (Laurent/Babu)
MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES - 0 NO - 1 AB

C. Counselor Education

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

Motion: To consider items 1.a. – 1.c. together. (Laurent/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

a. CN 514, Foundations and Professional Orientation to School Counseling, 3 s.h.

b. CN 516, Data Driven School Counseling Programs and Practices, 3 s.h.

c. CN 518, Advocacy, Leadership, and Consultation in Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, 3 s.h.

Dr. Nikels stated that accreditation requires school counseling to move to a 60-hour program so new courses are being added with other courses are being split to accurately identify the two options with the program. Dr. Babu asked how many students are in the school counseling program. Dr. Nikels responded that there are approximately 50 students. Dr. Hemphill questioned the purpose of the new courses. Dr. Nikels noted that the department has updated the courses to meet standards. The change also allows current practicing counselors to come back and retake the courses.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hemphill/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

d. CN 592, Practicum: School Counseling, 3 s.h.

e. CN 595, School Counseling Internship I, 3 s.h.

f. CN 596, School Counseling Internship II, 3 s.h.

Motion: To consider items 1.d. – 1.f. together. (Ehrlich/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

Dr. Hemphill asked about the accreditation requirements and these new courses. Dr. Nikels responded that these courses are related to licensing requirements. Current practice has students taking all the same course number but different sections that are specific to their option. These new courses will allow the transcript to reflect the specific area.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Laurent)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Education in Counseling, School Counseling Option

Motion: To approve the request. (Hemphill/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

b. Master of Science in Education in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Option

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Babu)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

D. Curriculum and Instruction

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

a. SPED 515, Diagnostic Assessment for Individuals with Exceptionalities, 4 s.h.

Dr. Anderson joined the meeting via phone and provided additional information regarding the course. Dr. Laurent noted that there are similar courses to this within the Psychology Department but he does support this course. Dr. Parsons added that typically a letter of support from the department offering similar courses is typically included with the request. Dr. Witten noted that he would make sure to include those in future requests.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ehrlich/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

b. SPED 571, Differentiated Behavior Intervention, 3 s.h.

Dr. Anderson stated that they are combining two courses with overlap but it does not change the hours required in the program. Dr. Laurent voiced the same concern as the previous course but also supports the request for the course.

Motion: To approve the request. (Laurent/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Education in Special Education

Dr. Anderson noted that the program is changing to 37 credit hours for both tracks. Dr. Laurent asked for clarification on the graduate electives. Dr. Anderson stated that the elective could be in methods or other areas depending on the area of specialization.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hemphill/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

E. Engineering Technology

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology

Dr. L. Hemphill noted that the changes made to the program reflected the recent increase in credit hours of IDT 603. Dr. Hyde questioned the reason behind dropping EIS 500. Dr. Hemphill responded that the course material is being covered in other classes.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

F. Economics and Decision Sciences

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

a. DS 602, Department Research Seminar, 0 s.h.

Dr. Kaul stated that the department has seminars in other areas already and the addition of this course will follow that pattern. Dr. Stryker asked about the frequency of the class meeting. Dr. Kaul responded that it typically meets every other Friday with speakers and is an attendance only class. The Council requested that the total class hours listed on the request form be changed to “arranged”.

Motion: To approve the request with amendment. (Hemphill/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB


Motion: To consider items F.1.b-c. together. (Ehrlich/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

b. DS 603, Business Analytics Assessment, 0 s.h.

c. DS 604, Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics Assessment, 0 s.h.

Dr. Kaul noted that these courses follow the Economics program and meet the department’s assessment requirements. Council members requested that the total class hours listed on the request forms be changed to “arranged”.

Motion: To approve the requests with amendments. (Hyde/Laurent)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

d. ECON 581, Advanced Mathematical Economics, 3 s.h.

Dr. Kaul stated that the department has renumbered ECON 481G to a 300-level course making it necessary to offer a graduate-level course on this topic.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hemphill/Laurent)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

2. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. ECON 428, American Economic History, 3 s.h.

Dr. Polley provided information on the course and stated that this course was a combination of ECON 328 and ECON 528. The latter would be discontinued due to low enrollment. Dr. Stryker asked about the number of “G” courses available in the program. Dr. Polley noted that this would be offered as an elective, not a required course.

Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

3. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics

Motion: To approve the request. (Hemphill/Babu)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

b. Master of Arts in Economics

The Council asked to amend the effective date to Fall 2017.

Motion: To approve the request with amendment. (Ehrlich/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

G. Geography

The Council asked several questions regarding the proposed prerequisites for the courses. Dr. Greene withdrew all requests on behalf of the department and anticipates resubmitting them in Fall 2017.

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. GEOG 402, Advanced Cartography, 3 s.h.

b. GEOG 407, Social Applications of GIS, 3 s.h.

c. GEOG 410, Applied GIScience, 3 s.h.

d. GEOG 440, Connections: A Course in Transport Geography, 3 s.h.

2. Request to Change Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program Requirements

a. GIS Analysis

H. Management and Marketing

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. MKTG 411, Mobile Marketing, 3 s.h.

Dr. Chakravorti presented the content of the course and added that this is an elective for marketing technology option students. Undergraduate students will engage in developing a mobile app while graduate students will utilize the company’s product and take it a step further.  Dr. Stryker asked how the graduate students will be graded differently. Dr. Chakravorti responded that they will develop a strategic plan into the app itself and have to think more strategically while developing an advertising campaign. Dr. Laurent noted that there needs to be a distinction in the course request that is more specific than a higher standard of grading.

Motion: To approve the request pending revisions. (Hemphill/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

b. MKTG 441, Customer Relationship Management, 3 s.h.

The Council expressed similar concerns as to the grading scale for MKTG 411 and asked for more specific details.

Motion: To approve the request pending revisions. (Hemphill/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

c. SCM 470, Inventory Strategy, 3 s.h.

Dr. Jennings presented information regarding the request. There have been requests for the course material at the graduate level but not enough to justify a completely new course. Council members asked about the grading standards for graduate students. Dr. Jennings responded that the expectation is higher for interpretation and understanding of the material with different criteria. The Council noted that they would like to have revisions that include specific evaluation criteria that differentiate the work for undergraduate and graduate students.

Motion: To approve the request pending revisions. (Babu/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

I. Political Science

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. POLS 447, Administrative Law and Politics, 3 s.h.

Dr. Boeckelman presented the course and noted that it was a new course designed to be offered as a “G” course. Dr. Rice will teach the course and a greater emphasis will be placed on the paper for graduate students.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

b. POLS 484, Advanced Political Research and Analysis, 3 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Parsons thanked Dr. Babu, Dr. Hemphill, and Dr. Pawelko for their service to the Graduate Council.

 

Meeting adjourned: 5:20 p.m.