Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - September 8, 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), S. Sanders, J. Stegall

Members Absent: M. Stinnett

Guests Present: E. Woell, V. Auger, M. Mossman, R. Morgan

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic Integrity Incident Reports Filed in the School of Graduate Studies, April-August 2014 (5)

1. Resolved at the instructor level – 5

Dr. Parsons reminded the Council that an Academic Integrity Incident form must be filled out and filed with our office. The grade for the course must remain an “I” until the incident is resolved.

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, August 2014 (1)

1. Biological Sciences – Denied

Ms. Schulz reported that this is a new item to be reported each month. The request was denied because the applicant was not a WIU employee which is a requirement.

C. Graduate Committee Chair Fall Semester Meeting - September 24, 2014

Dr. Parsons provided background information about the meeting. She stated that topics to be included at this meeting are recruitment plans and prospective student communication plans. Everyone in the department should have a copy of the department’s recruitment plan. The meeting will be held in Horrabin Hall 1 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Save the Date emails have been sent.

D. Temporary Graduate Faculty Approvals for 2014-2015

Ms. Schulz distributed a list of those that have been approved as temporary graduate faculty for the 2014-2015 academic year.

II. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Political Science

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

Dr. Auger was present. Dr. Pawelko asked if the department anticipated any problems with the change in procedure. Dr. Auger responded that no, they did not and the language allows for the graduate committee to make exceptions if needed.

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

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

a. B.A./M.A. in Political Science

Dr. Auger responded to questions from the Council. Dr. Diehl asked for clarification on #12 on the request. Discussion was held to clarify the wording of #12 on the form.

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

III. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

Dr. Sanders asked about the criteria used to grant full membership. Dr. Pawelko stated that the applicant should demonstrate being in sync with tenure track. Dr. Babu asked if there are a minimum number of publications required. Dr. Averbeck responded that no, not at this time but a sub-committee will be reviewing the criteria.             

A. Catherine Miller-Hunt, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences

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

B. Boh Young Lee, Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction

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

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

Dr. Diehl questioned the conference presentations, how they are refereed and if the order of authorship is known. Dr. McQuillan asked for more information regarding the refereed book and proceedings for the conference presentations.

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

IV. OLD BUSINESS

A. Full Graduate Faculty Status Requirements – Sub-committee

Dr. Averbeck presented the history of the formation of the sub-committee last academic year. Dr. Pawelko asked for volunteers to serve. Members of the sub-committee are Drs. Averbeck, Babu, Diehl, and McQuillan.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Sub-Committee for Fall 2014

Ms. Schulz requested a sub-committee of one member from each college be formed to review the fall applications for the Graduate Student Research and Professional Development award recipients.

Sub-committee for fall will include Graduate Council members Babu, Pawelko, Sanders, and Stegall; spring will include members Averbeck, Diehl, McQuillan, and Stinnett. A date in mid-October will be established for the fall selection meeting. Ms. Schulz will provide copies of the applications and evaluation forms. She will also schedule a location for the meeting and notify all involved.

B. Grade Point Average Requirements – Sub-committee

Dr. Parsons provided the background of the request. A department has a student that does not have a 3.0 but has taken all courses within the department. The student is taking courses from other departments to achieve a 3.0 to graduate. The current policy is that a student needs a 3.0 overall to graduate but doesn’t state that a 3.0 is also needed on the degree plan. The Council is being asked to consider forming a sub-committee to review this policy. Dr. McQuillan stated that he sees this as somewhat related to the “C” rule. Dr. Averbeck noted that he could see some financial implications to the students as well as logistical issues if there was a change in policy. Discussion was held regarding the new grade replacement policy and its role in this situation.

Motion: To postpone the discussion to the October meeting. (Averbeck/Diehl) MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

VII. STUDENT APPEALS

A. English

1. Request for a late withdrawal

The student and Dr. Mossman were present. The student indicated that technical errors and miscommunication about credit and financial aid led to some of the problems over the summer. Dr. Pawelko asked about the choice of courses taken. The student answered the department was not offering any courses that he could take so he looked for ones that aligned with his interests. Dr. Mossman provided support for the student stating that the student has a stellar record.

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

2. Request to hold an assistantship with less than 3.0

This petition was withdrawn by the student.

B. History

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

The student and Dr. Woell were present to answer questions. The student explained that medical issues prevented her from doing her best work. She has sought out resources to rectify the situation and feels confident in her abilities. Dr. Diehl asked if she would need to retake the courses. Discussion was held regarding grade replacement. Dr. Woell provided support for the student.

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

C. Instructional Design and Technology

1. Request for a late withdrawal – Student A

The student was not in attendance. Discussion was held. The Council would have liked more information explaining extenuating circumstances.

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

2. Request for a late withdrawal – Student B

The student was not in attendance. Discussion was held.

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

Meeting adjourned: 4:25 p.m.