Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - January 25, 2021 - Special Appeals Meeting

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: C. Anderson, C. Blackinton, J. Hammersley, A. Hyde, B. Locke (Chair), J. McQuillan (Vice Chair), T. Roberts

Members Absent: S. Ghimire

Guests Present: C. Westen, L. Oden, M. Bezold, G. Baldi

Ex-officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Accountancy

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Ms. Westen were in attendance. Student explained that they lost family members close to them and were recovering from their own illness but was ready to buckle down and finish the degree. Ms. Westen noted that the student had received approval for grade replacement already as well. She feels it is in the best interest of the student to continue and is very capable of completing the degree. Dr. Locke asked if any of the courses need to be retaken and how many semesters remain for the student. Ms. Westen responded that none of the courses are required so will not need to be retaken. The student has two more semesters. Student outlined the steps they plan to take to successfully complete the program.

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

B. Computer Science

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student was present and explained that they received low grades because the courses were taken online during a period of unrest in their home country. Student experienced several encounters with protesters and police that kept them from studying. Student is currently in the U.S. and out of the situation so can fully focus on courses now. Dr. McQuillan provided information on courses taken and those in progress for the spring. Discussion was held over requirements for course offerings.

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

C. Educational Studies

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student unable to attend. Dr. Hyde noted that the student was not aware that they were enrolled in a course from a previous program but it needs to be removed to allow the student to proceed with a new program.

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

D. Health Sciences

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student unable to attend due to work obligations. Dr. Oden explained that the student has struggled with courses during the pandemic due to the nature of their full-time employment. Student also had a brief period of time with significant personal issues happening all at once. The department fully supports this student. Dr. Locke asked how much is left in the program. Dr. Oden stated that only a few courses remained. Discussion was held over which semester the student should be withdrawn from and if it made sense. Council members requested to be able to speak with the student.

Motion: To table the request. (Hyde/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request to hold an assistantship with less than a 3.0 graduate GPA

Student, Dr. Bezold, and Dr. Oden were in attendance. Student explained that the assistantship is within a different department but that the skills learned there will benefit them in the future. Student is also switching graduate program to Health Sciences after realizing their original program was not a good fit for them. Dr. Bezold added that the department supports the student because holding an assistantship will eliminate some of the stress of graduate school and any time they can alleviate stress in a way that makes sense, they will support it. Dr. McQuillan asked about the challenge of the course that dropped the student’s grade point average below a 3.0. Student responded that they lost a family member and struggled with that during the course. Dr. Locke asked about the timing of changing programs. Student responded that they decided to change programs at the end of the semester. Discussion was held over low grades.

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

E. Political Science

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Baldi were in attendance. Student stated that they heard about assistantships from a friend as a great learning experience so reached out to the program for available positions. Dr. Baldi added that there is a clear need for the student’s position within the department. Dr. Locke noted that there is a significant lapse between degrees and asked the student’s plan for success in the master’s program. Student responded that they have the best support system possible with their family and is already working with faculty.

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

 

Dr. Locke brought agenda item D.1. back to Council members attention. Student was able to join the meeting to talk to the Council. Dr. Locke discussed the possible petition options that the Council could consider given the specific circumstances with this student. Dr. Bezold noted that the program also supports a request to waive the 6-hour C rule that was initially submitted by the student. Discussion was held regarding the two petitions and which one made sense to move forward.

Motion: To add item to the agenda that was submitted to the department on time but was not sent on to Graduate Council. (McQuillan/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

F. Health Sciences

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Motion: To discuss and consider both petitions from the student together. (Anderson/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

Student, Dr. Bezold, and Dr. Oden were in attendance. Discussion was held regarding the outcomes of both petitions. Dr. Locke asked the student if they wished to proceed with both petitions or only one. Student withdrew the petition for a late withdrawal. Council members continued discussion of the request to waive the 6-hour C rule.

Motion: To approve the request to waive the 6-hour C rule. (Hammersley/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


Meeting adjourned: 4:49 p.m.