Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - December 6, 2021

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: C. Anderson, C. Blackinton (Vice Chair), J. Hammersley, H. Hemphill (Chair), S. House, A. Hyde, K. Keefe

Members Absent: S. Ghimire

Guests Present: T. Feld, C. Westen, J. Lin, L. Oden, M. Bezold, N. Miczo, M. Owens, M. Lukkarinen, T. Lough, J. Johnson, J. Brown, E. Sheffield, K. Daytner

Ex-officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEAL

A. Request for a late withdrawal

1. Business Administration

Student and Dr. Feld were in attendance.  Student experience personal health issues while also caring for a family member from a significant distance during the several initial lockdowns of the pandemic. Student acknowledges that they did not accept their limitations and should have withdrawn during the semester. Dr. Feld added that the student is an amazing student and she is confident that they will complete the work successfully.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hammersley/Keefe)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

1. Accountancy

Student, Dr. Lin, and Ms. Westen were present. Student explained that they are retaking one course and currently have a solid B in it plus are on track to have a great final semester. Unfortunately the pandemic played into the difficulties. Ms. Westen added that the student has shown capabilities to complete the degree while making strides to get things taken care of. Dr. Lin noted that the student has the department’s full support.

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

2. Health Sciences

Student, Dr. Bezold, and Dr. Oden were in attendance. Student explained that the pandemic made the courses difficult to keep up with. Dr. Hyde asked about retaking a course. Discussion was held over the documentation provided.

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

C. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

1. Psychology

Student unable to attend with Dr. Hammersley representing the department. Dr. Hammersley noted that the position became available mid-semester due to another student deciding to resign. The department committee selected this student as a replacement. The student’s GPA is very close and could be slightly lower due to transfer work in their undergraduate courses.

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


II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Danyang Zhao, Assistant Professor, Communication

Dr. Miczo attended as a representative of the department. He noted that Dr. Zhao has taught numerous graduate courses elsewhere but not WIU yet. He did state that Dr. Zhao is on an exit option committee already. Discussion held over research.

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

B. Megan Owens, Assistant Professor, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

Dr. Owens and Dr. Lukkarinen were in attendance. Dr. Owens stated that she has been working with graduate students through teaching and with the assistantships. She has already served on about thirty committees and would like to serve in a more direct manner as the chair of committees. Dr. Hemphill asked about current projects. Dr. Owens provided additional information on her current research. Dr. Lukkarinen added that she has the full support of the department and goes above and beyond with her interaction internally and externally. Discussion was held over current research work.

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


III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, November 2021 (0)

B. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund

Ms. Schulz announced that six applications were received for the fall and the subcommittee was able to at fund all of those applications. The hope is that more students will submit applications for the spring.


IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

1. Request for post-baccalaureate certificate program

a. Community Engagement and Public Safety Leadership Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Dr. Lough explained that the first graduate program that their area offered was a post-baccalaureate certificate that is still actively on the books. The plan is to phase that certificate out and replace it with this one that will be more effective for their students. The request includes a letter of support from the Recreation, Park and Tourism Department.

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

b. Emergency Management Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Dr. Johnson provided information to the Council. The goal is to accentuate the undergraduate degree with this certificate after they completely overhauled the program. They have tested out the idea of the certificate and the only negative comments were that the students may want a full master’s degree. The hope is that this certificate will also appeal to more international students as it has global implications. The department wants to stay ahead of the momentum and continue with the positive feedback they are receiving. Dr. Keefe asked to clarify that no additional resources are needed. Dr. Johnson responded that was correct and it can be covered as is.

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

B. Music

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. MUS 444, Music Entrepreneurship for 21st Century Musicians, 2 s.h.

Dr. Brown explained that the content of this course has rapidly changed and they want to expand it to make it available to graduate students. The course was recently approved to change from the 300 level to the 400 level.

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


V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Graduate Council meeting format for Spring 2022

Ms. Schulz asked Council members if they preferred meeting in a virtual format or going back to in-person if University Covid-19 protocols allowed. Dr. Hemphill noted that his preference is the virtual format. Dr. Hammersley agreed that it is more convenient for faculty and students with items on the agenda. Dr. Keefe added that it allows for equal integration between the campuses and online only students. Discussion was held over whether this should be a permanent change or just the spring semester.

Motion: To continue with a virtual format until such time as the Council deems it necessary to move back to in person. (Hyde/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Proposal to change assistantship enrollment requirement for doctoral students

Dr. Sheffield explained that there is a higher uptick in the Educational Leadership doctorate program, specifically for one option. There is a larger number of these students that are interested in holding assistantships but this change would apply to all doctoral students with assistantships.

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

C. Proposal to change the number of allowable transfer hours into doctoral programs

Dr. Sheffield clarified that this is a doctoral program issue where only twelve credit hours are currently allowed to transfer. The programs are sixty hours so increasing the allowable amount to eighteen would put it at about 30%.

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


VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:05 p.m.