Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - January 22, 2018

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2203

Members Present: J. Ehrlich, H. Hemphill, A. Hyde, K. Kapale (Vice Chair), J. Laurent (Chair), J. Stegall, S. Szyjka

Members Absent: M. Stryker

Guests Present: W. Polley, E. Sheffield, J. Myers, T. Lough, D. Yoder, B. Locke, D. DeVolder

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Business Administration

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student in attendance via phone. Dr. Polley in attendance. Student explained medical issues related to immediate family member. Dr. Polley added that the student has a good GPA and that the program supports the request.

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

B. Educational Studies

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. Sheffield present. The student described multiple family medical issues that took place over multiple semesters. Dr. Sheffield added support from the department and stated that there was a misunderstanding regarding the C rule and courses taken outside of the program. The student provided additional documentation regarding the medical issues.

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

C. Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Drs. Myers and Lough were present. The student was originally enrolled in a post-baccalaureate certificate program without background knowledge in the area. The student also noted that there was a serious family situation taking place at home. Dr. Lough stated that the student’s record shows that she is capable of the work and that life circumstances obviously impacted that semester. Council members discussed a late withdrawal option and implications on a possible assistantship.

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

2. Request to hold an assistantship with less than 3.0 graduate GPA

Withdrawn by student.

D. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. Yoder were in attendance. Student explained head injury and the timeline of events both prior to the injury and after. Student added that he should have withdrawn but continued to push forward. He has submitted medical documents to other offices on campus and is working with those resources. Dr. Yoder noted that the department does not support this petition based on the student’s academic performance in a core course. The department needs to maintain its integrity and does not feel that this waiver will convey that. Discussion was held regarding the medical documentation and other options for the student.

Withdrawn by student.

E. Music

1. Request to hold an assistantship with less than 3.0 graduate GPA

Student and Dr. Locke were in attendance. Student stated that he had difficulty transitioning from undergraduate to graduate and will retake the course that received a low grade. Dr. Locke added that there is a plan in place for the student to meet with him on a regular basis during the semester.

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

F. Computer Science

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. Student experienced a traumatic event while visiting family that made it difficult to leave his apartment. Dr. DeVolder added his support.

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

2. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student explained that his family member was ill and ultimately passed away but no documentation was able to be provided. Dr. Hemphill asked for clarification on the timeline of events. Dr. DeVolder stated that the one bad semester lined up with the timeline of the family issues.

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

b. Student B

Student not in attendance. Dr. DeVolder present. Documentation was provided by the student showing that he is consulting with doctors regarding his health issues.

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

c. Student C

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. Student provided documentation regarding health issues during Spring 2017 semester. Student has had testing done and provided updates on his current treatment. Dr. Parsons asked for clarification on the timeline of events.

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

d. Student D

Student and Dr. DeVolder were at the meeting. Student experienced distractions from a family member’s health issues at home. Documentation was provided and Dr. DeVolder added support stating that the timeline of events was consistent with the student’s performance.

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

e. Student E

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student explained that he struggled with the basic background of the courses because of lack of preparation from his undergraduate institution. Dr. Ehrlich added that the style of courses area vastly different from what some students experience as an undergraduate with a lot of hands-on work done here.

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

f. Student F

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. Student explained that he is still struggling with family health issues and did not understand the grade replacement policy. Dr. DeVolder stated that grade replacement should have been done at the same time for both courses. The student would now have to retake an additional course to try to raise his GPA. Dr. Ehrlich added that students are advising each other and misinformation is being shared. Discussion was held regarding the courses and grade replacement.

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

g. Student G

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student indicated emotional distress for family members struggling at home. Documentation was provided. Dr. DeVolder added that at least one course would need to be taken to get GPA high enough to graduate.

Motion: To deny the request. (Hemphill/Szyjka)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 2 AB

h. Student H

Student and Dr. DeVolder attended the meeting. Student provided medical documentation and stated that he continued to have medical issues. Dr. DeVolder added that the student has utilized resources on campus but has had several ongoing issues.

Motion: To deny the request. (Kapale/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

Meeting adjourned: 5:47 p.m.