Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - November 3, 2014

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60

Members Present: J. Averbeck, P.K. Babu, V. Diehl, J. McQuillan (Vice Chair), K. Pawelko (Chair), M. Stinnett

Members Absent: S. Sanders, J. Stegall

Guests Present: J. Engel, A. Shouse, D. Yoder, M. Lukkarinen, A. Mossman, R. Morgan, E. Woell, D. DeVolder

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic Integrity Incident Reports Filed in the School of Graduate Studies, September 2014 (1)

1. Appealed at Department Level – 1 (Denied)

Ms. Schulz reported that one report was filed with the Graduate School and that it was appealed and denied at the department level. It is possible that it will be appealed at the college level.

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, September 2014 (3)

1. Chemistry (3) – Approved

Ms. Schulz reported that three requests had been approved by Dr. Parsons for a Chemistry faculty member to serve as a reader on exit option committees. She added that the Graduate School is tracking these requests to make sure faculty members are not overloaded.

II. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Biological Sciences

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirement

Dr. Engel was present. He explained that the program currently has a thesis and non-thesis plan available. The department is proposing a third plan that would be all coursework. The non-thesis plan would be renamed the project plan. Dr. Engel added that the all coursework plan would have an increase in the total program hours as well. Dr. Diehl asked if it was important to complete some type of project/thesis in a science discipline. Dr. Engel responded that it depended on what the person wanted to do with the degree. All coursework would be beneficial to those that want to go into teaching at a community college, etc.

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

B. History

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. HIST 483G, Topics in the History of Science & Technology, 3 s.h.

Dr. Woell was present to answer questions. Dr. Diehl questioned the prerequisites listed. It was noted that the prerequisites have to match in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.

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

C. Liberal Arts and Sciences

 1. Request for Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program

Dr. Mossman presented the proposal to the Council. She explained that several MLAS students come out of the African American Studies and Women’s Studies programs. This would give the high performing students an opportunity to plan out their graduate degree earlier. Dr. Shouse added that students could take 400-G Women’s Studies courses earlier in their programs. Dr. Babu asked how many students are expected. Dr. Mossman responded that they did not expect a lot but the programs would not use additional resources and could increase graduate numbers in the MLAS program. Dr. Diehl questioned the 500-level courses in African American Studies. Dr. Mossman noted that they were created for the post-baccalaureate certificate in that department but can be taken as part of the MLAS program as well.

Dr. McQuillan asked if it made sense to have the students take more focused courses in the MLAS program. Dr. Shouse responded that the expectation is that these students will take more courses from their undergraduate area. Dr. Averbeck asked if they anticipated the higher level students to move quickly through the program. Dr. Mossman stated that this would allow them to complete two degrees in five years as opposed to six. It would also alleviate some financial concerns for some of the students because they would eliminate an entire year. Dr. Babu questioned if these programs could potentially help with recruitment of undergraduate students. Dr. Shouse responded that yes, that is what they are hoping.

a. B.A. in African American Studies/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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

b. B. A. in Women’s Studies/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences

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

III. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Deborah M. Lee, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Lee was not able to attend the meeting. Dr. Pawelko noted that this was a revised submission from a previous Council meeting and identified the areas that had been clarified.

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

B. Michael Lukkarinen, Associate Professor, Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

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

IV.OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Averbeck informed the Council that there would hopefully be a report from the sub-committee on full graduate faculty status requirements at the next Council meeting.

V. STUDENT APPEAL

 A. Computer Science

1. Request to waive the 6-hour “C” rule

The student was not present. Dr. DeVolder was in attendance to answer questions and provide background information on the appeal.

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

Meeting adjourned: 3:45 p.m.