Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - November 4, 2019

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2127

Members Present: S. Ghimire, H. Hemphill (Chair), K. Kapale, B. Locke (Vice Chair), S. Szyjka

Members Absent: C. Anderson, C. Blackinton, J. Hammersley

Guests Present: L. Oden, D. Barr, E. Sheffield, T. Roberts, J. Jones, J. Brown, B. Bellott

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Request for a late withdrawal

1. Health Sciences

Student was not able to attend but Dr. Oden represented the program. Discussion was held regarding the status of the student and remaining requirements for the program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Instructional Design and Technology

Student was not in attendance but Dr. Hemphill served as the program representative. Student had issues withdrawing through the STARS system.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Denny Barr, Assistant Professor, School of Education

Dr. Barr was present with Dr. Sheffield. Dr. Locke asked about the current research interests and if there are peer reviewed items in progress. Dr. Barr responded that yes, he is submitting one this week with two more following closely. They are all part of a larger study that will be tied together upon completion. Dr. Hemphill verified that several graduate-level courses have been taught. Dr. Barr confirmed and added that he has served on exit option committees as well.

Motion: To approve the request. (Kapale/Ghimire)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Pamela Rockwood, Assistant Professor, School of Education

Dr. Sheffield was in attendance on behalf of Dr. Rockwood. Dr. Locke noted that there were numerous publications listed as well as a variety of graduate-level courses taught.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, October 2019 (1)

1. Resolved at instructor level (1)

B. Requests to serve as a reader/chair on exit option committee, October 2019 (0)

C. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund Recipients – Fall 2019

Ms. Schulz announced that the sub-committee had met and awarded $3,000 for the fall semester. All applicants were notified via email.


IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

Motion: To reorder the agenda and move Chemistry to the end to allow for a representative to be present. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

A. History

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in History

Dr. Roberts was present and stated that the department wants to update the program to keep it competitive with similar programs. The main change is a decrease in required hours for each of the tracks as well as decreasing the methodology course. Dr. Locke asked about peer institutions and their total program hours. Dr. Roberts responded that our program tended to be on the high end of required hours. The department also compared the program with others within the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Locke asked about the thesis option and if the students went on to a Ph.D. Dr. Roberts noted that yes, the students typically go on to a Ph.D. program and that those in the coursework option typically go on to teach.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Mathematics

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Mathematics

Discussion was held regarding the proposed changes and the timeline. Dr. Mossman noted that the rationale was not academic based. Dr. Locke stated that he would like clarification on the removal of the thesis.

Motion: To postpone the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Music

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

Motion: To consider all new course requests together. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

a. MUS 551, Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation in Music Therapy, 3 s.h.

b. MUS 552, Foundations, Principles, and Theories of Music Therapy, 3 s.h.

c. MUS 553, Advanced Clinical Practicum in Music Therapy, 1-2 s.h. repeatable to 6

d. MUS 554, Advanced Research in Music Therapy, 3 s.h. repeatable to 6

e. MUS 555, Advanced Practice in Music Therapy, 2 s.h. repeatable to 6

f. MUS 556, Supervision and Teaching in Music Therapy, 2 s.h.

g. MUS 557, Clinical Supervision of Music Therapy, 1-2 s.h. repeatable to 4

h. MUS 558, Treatment Contexts and Music Therapy, 2 s.h.

i. MUS 559, Special Topics in Music Therapy, 1-2 s.h., repeatable to 4

Dr. Jones and Dr. Brown were in attendance to answer questions. Dr. Kapale asked about the number of proposed new courses and the required faculty to offer them. Dr. Brown explained that the feasibility study was completed two years ago but that they can complete the course rotation with their current staffing. The program may not be offered for another year as there is a very extensive accreditation process. Dr. Kapale asked about the length of the program. Dr. Jones responded that it depends on the student’s background but it would be either four or six semesters. Dr. Hemphill noted the flexibility of the courses in credit hours. Dr. Jones stated that it would make the completion of the program flexible for students by allowing them to split up course requirements into two semesters if they wanted. Dr. Kapale asked about the difference between practicum, advanced practice, and research in the proposed courses. Dr. Jones responded that practicum courses provide hands-on experience, advanced practice courses are theory-based in the classroom, and research covers the methodology. Discussion was held over the different course content areas.

Motion: To approve all new course requests. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request for a new graduate program

a. Master of Music Therapy

Dr. Jones explained that this is an entirely new program and is a 34 credit hour program, not counting any deficiency courses. Dr. Ghimire asked if it is currently an option in the Master of Music program. Dr. Jones replied that no, it is not currently an option. The Master of Music Therapy offers more flexibility. If approved, WIU would be the only public institution in Illinois to offer the MMT. Dr. Ghimire asked if 34 credit hours keeps the program competitive. Dr. Jones answered that yes, the window for other programs is 34-36 credit hours.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/Kapale)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Chemistry

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. CHEM 409, Current Inorganic Chemistry Topics, 2 s.h.

Dr. Bellott was present to answer questions and noted that this is an online course only. Dr. Locke asked how the “G” is articulated in the grading scale. Dr. Bellott noted that the points are outlined in the point distribution on the syllabus with 100 additional points for the graduate students. Dr. Mossman noted that the difference should be clearly articulated in the grading scale.

Motion: To approve the request with updated grading scale. (Kapale/Szyjka)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


V. OLD BUSINESS

A. Sub-Committee update on review of Section Two.II.A.1 of the Operating Paper of the School of Graduate Studies

No update at this time. Meeting will be scheduled soon.


VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.


Meeting adjourned: 4:06 p.m.