Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - December 2, 2019

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

Members Present: C. Blackinton, S. Ghimire, J. Hammersley, H. Hemphill (Chair), S. Szyjka

Members Absent: C. Anderson, K. Kapale, B. Locke (Vice Chair)

Guests Present: T. Lough, K. Daytner, M. Bernards, C. Merrett, D. Ekanayake, A. Lynn

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Request to count 400-G course in graduate program previously used in an undergraduate program

1. Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

Student and Dr. Lough were in attendance. The student took a course while in high school for dual credit at a community college. The course transferred into WIU as a 400-level course. Student took the course as a graduate student and with the G added not realizing that it would not count in the program because it had been counted as an undergraduate course. Student provided examples of the differences in the work required and information from the courses. Copies of the syllabus for each course was also reviewed.

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


II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

1. Pending appeal (1)

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

C. Graduate Research Conference

Ms. Schulz announced that the Graduate Research Conference will take place on February 28, 2020. The call for proposals will go out soon. Volunteers are needed to serve as judges and moderators.


III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Education

1. Request to change post-baccalaureate certificate program requirements

a. Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL)

Dr. Daytner was in attendance to answer questions. The main change is adding EDS 447G instead of students taking EDS 547 and 548 together. Ms. Schulz noted that the effective date would be Fall 2020.

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

B. Instructional Design & Technology

1. Request to increase credit hours

a. IDT 500, Presimar, 2 s.h. to 3 s.h.

Dr. Hemphill noted that the increase would meet the standard of the core within the discipline. The course content warrants the increase to three semester hours and will allow students to maintain full-time status without picking up an unnecessary course.

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

2. Request to change graduate program requirements

Dr. Hemphill explained that peer institutions have dropped their program requirements to between 30 and 32 hours. Our program is currently on the high side and has not been as competitive especially among the online programs. Dr. Ghimire asked about the workload distribution among the different plans. Dr. Hemphill noted that the thesis plan has additional research hours.

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

C. Mathematics

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Mathematics

Dr. Ekanayake was in attendance. He stated that the program receives an average of 25-30 applicants but approximately 75% reject the admission offer. The program has the highest credit hour requirement in the state and currently takes students four semesters to complete while other institutions have programs that can be completed in two. Dr. Mossman asked about the course content and the strength of the courses. Dr. Ekanayake responded that the core courses would remain the same but the directed electives and focus courses would be reduced.

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

Motion: To add a request to change program requirements from Community and Economic Development to the agenda. (Ghimire/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

Motion: To review the newly added agenda item before continuing to item IV. New Business. (Hemphill/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in Community and Economic Development

Dr. Merrett was in attendance to answer questions. He provided a history of the program and stated that they have found that students desire a shorter program and also one that is face-to-face. The changes would allow the program to increase their recruiting efforts. The capstone options would remain the same. Ms. Blackinton asked about the meaning of “Group 2” courses. Dr. Merrett explained the difference between Group 1 & Group 2 and the extent to which the courses are connected to the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. The program is currently having discussions about a possible integrated program with Economics so this would help them align better with that possibility. Ms. Schulz noted that the effective date would be Fall 2020.

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


IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Student Academic Integrity Policy proposed changes

Drs. Bernards and Lynn were in attendance to present the proposed changes. Dr. Lynn provided the background on the edits that were made and approved by the Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards. There has been a noted decline in the number of reported incidents. These revisions are an attempt to clarify responsibilities and steps within the first couple of pages of the policy. Dr. Bernards noted that now there is consistency of abbreviations throughout the policy. Discussion was held about the reporting process and the number of incidents. Dr. Lynn added that there will be a flow chart available after the edited policy is approved. Dr. Hammersley asked about the timeline of reporting incidents. Dr. Lynn responded that it should be happening within the semester that the incident occurs during and that there are steps included on how to handle grades at the end of the semester.

Motion: To approve the changes. (Blackinton/Szyjka)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


V. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.


Meeting adjourned: 4:15 p.m.