Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - February 3, 2014

3:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC Campus 114

Members Present: J. Averbeck, V. Diehl, J. McQuillan, A. Mossman (Chair), J. Myers, W. Polley (Vice Chair), M. Stinnett, T. Walker

Guests Present: Angela Lynn, Dale Adkins, Gordon Pettit, Thomas Cody, Janet Wigglesworth, Mark Cole, Carrie Alexander-Albritton, Charles Lydeard, Russ Morgan, Pete Jorgensen

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic Integrity Incident Reports Filed in the School of Graduate Studies, December 2013 (6)

1. Resolved at instructor level (4)
2. Resolved at department level (1)
3. Pending department level appeal (1)

B. Spring Graduate Committee Chairs Meeting

Dr. Mossman announced that the meeting is scheduled for February 26 in the Capitol Room of the Union from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

C. Graduate Research Conference

Dr. Mossman reminded the Council that the first Graduate Research Conference will be held on Friday, February 7 in the Union. Podium presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. and poster presentations begin at 11:00 a.m. The keynote will be held at 3:30 p.m. followed by an awards reception at 4:30 p.m.

D. Research and Professional Development Award Deadline

Dr. Parsons reminded the Council that the deadline for students to submit their applications to the department is February 15. Departments must then submit up to five applications to the Graduate School by March 1.

II. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Biological Sciences

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. BIOL 425G, Conservation Biology, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lydeard described the course and stated that it is currently taught at the undergraduate level. It is a course that graduate students could benefit from as well. Motion: To approve the request. (Mossman/Walker) MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


B. Counselor Education

 1. Request to Change Program Requirements

Dr. Alexander-Albritton was present via CODEC. The department asked for the request to be changed to only add the exit examination. The request to require CN 515 in place of EIS 500 was withdrawn. Dr. Mossman asked if CN 515 would be offered as an elective, and if EIS 500 met the program’s accreditation standards. Dr. Alexander-Albritton responded that the course would not be offered at all and that EIS 500 meets the accreditation standards. Motion: To approve the request with amendment. (Diehl/Averbeck) MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Philosophy & Religious Studies

1. Request for a 400-G Level Course

a. PHIL 405G (Cross-listed with REL 405), Philosophy of Religion, 3 s.h.

Dr. Pettit was present and noted that he is also the instructor of the course. This course is the last 400-level course in Religious Studies to receive “G” status. Prof. Myers asked if there should be any prerequisites in Religious Studies. Dr. Pettit answered that no, only prerequisites in Philosophy were needed. Motion: To approve the request. (Polley/Myers) MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

III. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Alisha White, Assistant Professor, English and Journalism

Dr. Diehl stated that she would like to see more evidence of independent research. Dr. Mossman spoke as a colleague stating that she knew that the nature of Dr. White’s research was very focused on collaboration. Dr. Polley noted that he was hesitant to approve applications with fewer publications than required for tenure and no first authorship. Dr. Mossman stated that she knew there was a need in the department for Dr. White’s area of expertise to direct student exit options. Dr. Stinnett noted that there was a lot in progress but not published yet and recommended waiting to apply again after more articles are published. Motion: To deny the request. (Myers/Averbeck) MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 1 NO – 0 AB

B. Mark Cole, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology

Drs. Cole and Wigglesworth were present. Prof. Myers asked if Dr. Cole had been a committee reader before. Dr. Cole responded that yes, he had been for two in the fall and has another two currently. Motion: To approve the request. (Myers/Polley) MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

IV. OLD BUSINESS

A. Policy Review: “D” Grades, Repeatable Courses

Dr. Polley presented the amendments made to the proposed policy. Dr. McQuillan handed out an addition to the grade replacement policy. Dr. Parsons questioned the benchmarking used. Dr. Polley provided the information. Dr. Parsons asked for clarification on the number of hours that can be replaced. Dr. Polley responded that 6 hours may be repeated under the policy and no course may be taken more than twice using grade replacement. Motion: To approve the policy. (Diehl/Averbeck) MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Expanding Potential Roles of Temporary Graduate Faculty

Dr. Mossman reported on the status of the temporary Graduate Faculty. She stated that after meeting with Drs. Neumann and Parsons, it was recommended that a petition be created to grant permission to serve on exit option committees as a separate process from the application for temporary membership in the Graduate Faculty. She also provided examples of support that could possibly be required to accompany the petition. Dr. Polley noted that once this system is in place, he would like to see the number of petitions submitted reported to the Council on a monthly basis as an information item. Dr. Mossman stated that the sub-committee would meet soon and hopefully have a draft of the petition for the March Council meeting.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Developing an Academic Workload Statement for the Graduate Catalog

Dr. Mossman reported that this item was withdrawn from the agenda and will be added to the March agenda.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

No other business reported.

VII. STUDENT APPEAL

A. Communication

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

The student and Dr. Jorgensen were present. The student explained his situation and that he kept extracurricular activities as a stress reliever. Dr. Stinnett asked what changes the student has made. The student responded that he has dropped all outside activities and employment to solely focus on coursework. Discussion was held by the Council. Motion: To approve the request. (Myers/Polley) MOTION CARRIED 8 YES –0 NO – 0 AB

Meeting adjourned: 4:08 p.m.