Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - April 24, 2023

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: J. Jobu, Babin, P.K. Babu, Roberta Di Carmine, Hoyet Hemphill (Chair), Steven House (Vice Chair), Andrea Hyde, Todd Lough, Danyang Zhao

Guests Present: Shawn Meagher, Jessica Lin, Antonio Cardenas-Haro, Nilanjan Sen, David Johnson, Jim LaPrad, Renee Polubinsky, Martin Maskarinec, Jamie Johnson, Gordon Chang, Kishor Kapale, Casey LaFrance, Jim McQuillan, Rafael Obregon, Kasing Man, Ta-Teh Ku, Peter Cole, Nathan Miczo, Leigh Ann Fisler, Dave Hunter, Rose McConnell, Anjum Razzaque, Leslie O’Ryan, Tara Feld, Dennis DeVolder

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: Amanda Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Biological Sciences

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student and Dr. Meagher in attendance. Dr. Meagher confirmed the student’s health situation and provided additional information over the delay in pursuing the degree.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Business Administration

1. Request for a late withdrawal

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

II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Haritima Chauhan; Assistant Professor; Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences

Dr. Lin provided additional information regarding Dr. Chauhan’s research.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babin/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Antonio Cárdenas-Haro; Assistant Professor, Computer Sciences

Discussion held over graduate courses being taught and the submitted publication list.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Anjum Razzaque, Assistant Professor, Computer Sciences

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/House)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Nilanjan Sen, Assistant Professor, Computer Sciences

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Lough)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

E. David Johnson, Assistant Professor, English

Discussion over teaching experience at the graduate level. Dr. Allison added that the department fully supports the request and he was hired with intention of leading graduate students.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Zhao)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

F. Ashley Beardsley, Assistant Professor, English

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Lough)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Introduction of new Graduate Council members for 2023-2024

College of Arts and Sciences – Dr. Roberta Di Carmine, English
College of Business and Technology – Dr. Jim McQuillan, Computer Sciences
College of Education and Human Services – Dr. Niyazi Ekici, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

Dr. Di Carmine and Dr. McQuillan were present for the introduction from Dr. Hemphill. The Council welcomed the new members and thanked outgoing members Dr. Hyde and Dr. Babin for their service.

B. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2023-2024

Dr. Hemphill and Mr. House were nominated and elected by acclamation for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

C. Graduate Council meeting dates for 2023-2024

Ms. Schulz announced that the meeting dates for 2023-2024 will be posted on the School of Graduate School’s website, wiu.edu/grad/gcmeetings. She reminded those present that meetings will continue to take place in a virtual format.

D. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, April 2023 (1)

IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. ACCT 477, Professional Ethics & Regulations, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin explained that the learning objectives for graduate students are a little bit different as they are heading to become CPAs. This course will also draw students for licensure purposes. Dr. Babu asked about enrollment projections. Dr. Lin noted that the graduate student population is much smaller and wouldn’t be able to consistently offer the course as a new grad level course but the undergraduate enrollment is stable so having this as a 400G course will allow it to be offered regularly.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Lough)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

b. DS 421, Data Visualization for Decision Making, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin stated that this is a way to keep the undergraduate course available while adding another layer for graduate students since there is a more advanced graduate course on this topic.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Di Carmine)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

c. DS 423 Management Science Techniques & Business Analytics, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin and Dr. Man provided additional information on the need for this course and how this will impact the graduate program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Lough/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

d. DS 480, Predictive Analytics, 3 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

2. Request to change post-baccalaureate certificate program requirements

a. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Analytics

Dr. Lin explained that they are adding the option of the recently approved 400G level courses instead of some of the 500-level courses.

Motion: To approve the request. (Zhao/Lough)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

3. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Accountancy

Dr. Lin noted that they are proposing to swap out a course that is a better fit and making the internship a clear exit option to assist international students with completing the degree.

Motion: To approve the request. (Lough/Di Carmine)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

b. Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics

Dr. Lin stated that there is a need to integrate technical components and they are changing the 500 level courses to the recently approved 400G level courses. This does require them to increase the hours required to complete the program but still keeps them competitive with programs at other institutions.

Motion: To approve the request pending the approval of the Computer Science courses. (Lough/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

B. Art and Design

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. ARTE 437, Media, Methods, & Materials in Art Education, 3 s.h.

Dr. Ku explained the additional assignments and grading requirements that will be in place for the graduate students.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babin/House)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request for a new graduate (500 or 600-level) course

a. ARTE 560, Methods in Elementary Art, 3 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. ARTE 561, Foundations of Art Education, 3 s.h.

Motion: To approve the request. (Lough/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Computer Science

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. CS 433, Python for Data Exploration, 3 s.h.

Dr. McQuillan explained that the course has already been increased from a 200-level course to a 400-level course due to the content becoming more advanced. The department is working with the School of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences (AFED) to create courses that can benefit their students as well.

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

b. IS 455, Information Assurance, 3 s.h.

Dr. McQuillan and Dr. Razzaque explained this course will help students within AFED prepare for CPA exams. Dr. Babin noted that the objectives should be revised to replace the term “understand.”

Motion: To approve the request with amendments. (House/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

c. IS 467, Topics in Enterprise Systems, 3 s.h.

It was noted that the same amendments are needed to the course objectives.

Motion: To approve the request with amendments. (Lough/Zhao)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Counselor Education and College Student Personnel

1. Request for a new graduate (500 or 600-level) course

a. CN 530, Crisis and Response I, 3 s.h.

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

E. Education

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in Teaching: Art Education Licensure Track

Dr. LaPrad explained that they have worked with the Department of Art and Design to create new courses that will meet licensure requirements for an Art Education track in the MAT program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Lough/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

Motion: To consider agenda items E.1.b thru E.1.h, E.1.j, and E.1.k together. (Babin/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education Licensure Track
c. Master of Arts in Teaching: History Licensure Track
d. Master of Arts in Teaching: Math Licensure Track
e. Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Level Education Literacy Licensure Track
f. Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Level Education Mathematics Licensure Track
g. Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Level Education Science Licensure Track
h. Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Level Education Social Studies Licensure Track

i. Master of Arts in Teaching: Music Education Licensure Track

Dr. LaPrad noted that this change request is the addition of the term “or” as it was an error on the original paperwork that added MUS 539 as a required course. This request corrects that error and makes the course a choice instead of a requirement.

Motion: To approve the request. (Zhao/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

j. Master of Arts in Teaching: Science Licensure Track
k. Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary English Licensure Track

Dr. LaPrad explained that for agenda items E.1.b. thru E.1.h, E.1.j. and E.1.k. that they are requesting to replace SPED 552 to SPED 551 which was recently changed to a methods course and is a better fit for the program.

Motion: To approve the requests. (Lough/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

F. Engineering Technology

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. ET 468, Computer Aided Manufacturing Machining, 3 s.h.

Dr. Hunter stated that the program would like the course content available to graduate students, specifically international students. Mr. Obregon added that this course is heavily based on software.

Motion: To approve the request. (Lough/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

G. Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

1. Request for integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program

a. Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management/Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration

Dr. Lough and Dr. Johnson explained the need to have a clear pathway for the higher achieving students with the Emergency Management program to receive their master’s degrees.

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

H. Museum Studies

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in Museum Studies

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

V. OLD BUSINESS

A. Proposed change to Request to Enroll in Bridge Course form

Dr. Hemphill reported that a survey sent out to all of the departments with integrated programs by the School of Graduate Studies resulted in 93% of respondents stating they were in favor of making the change to the signatures required on the request to enroll in bridge courses form.

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

B. Proposed change to Integrated Program Admission Requirements

Dr. Hemphill reported that 94% of respondents to the survey sent out by the School of Graduate Studies to all departments with integrated programs were in favor of changing the admission requirements for integrated programs to only consider the WIU cumulative GPA instead of from all institutions attended.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babin/Di Carmine)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Proposal to remove D from graduate grading options

Dr. Hemphill reported that the results of a survey sent out by the School of Graduate Studies to all graduate programs showed 77% of respondents in favor of removing the grade of D from grading options for graduate students. Discussion was held over the impact of the grade on GPAs. Council members reviewed information from the Registrar and Financial Aid regarding the impact the D grade removal will have on each of their areas.

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

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:28 p.m.