Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - March 6, 2017

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC Complex 1420

Members Present: P.K. Babu (Vice Chair), J. Ehrlich, H. Hemphill, A. Hyde, J. Laurent, K. Pawelko (Chair), M. Stryker

Members Absent: J. Stegall

Guests Present: A. Shouse, K. Daytner, K. Kapale, K. Mayborn, G. Montalvo, L. Hemphill

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Computer Science

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Motion: To approve the request. (Ehrlich/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

B. Liberal Arts and Sciences

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

The student and Dr. Shouse were present. The student explained the circumstances that led to this situation and would like to come back to finish the degree. Dr. Shouse provided information regarding the remaining coursework and the timeline for completion.

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

II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, January 2017 (0)

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, January 2017 (0)

C. Graduate Research Conference – March 3, 2017

Dr. Kapale noted that this year comments were requested from the judges and that those will hopefully be shared with the students. The attendance this year was roughly the same as previous years and fifty-four faculty members volunteered as judges and/or moderators.

D. Graduate Council Nomination and Election Procedures

Ms. Schulz announced that petitions would be mailed to full members of the graduate faculty in the near future. Vacant seats will be from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, and the College of Education and Human Services. New members will be invited to the April 24, 2017 meeting.

III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Educational Studies

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Education: Educational and Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Montalvo was in attendance and explained that the department has done research in an effort to make the program more marketable. They have received feedback from former students and current educators that the program was outdated and too research oriented. The proposal offers options instead of tracks based on information from focus groups and interviews. Discussion was held regarding the marketing efforts for the program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

B. Engineering Technology

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology

Dr. L. Hemphill was present and noted that they are looking to align curriculum with workplace and student needs. The changes made are mainly with the exit options. Dr. Parsons asked about the portfolio option and the specific information that the students need to produce. Dr. L. Hemphill noted that they need to create two to three projects. Dr. Parsons expressed concern that the portfolio is a zero credit course. Discussion was held regarding the credits assigned to the portfolio and the amount of work required.  The program withdrew the request in order to make changes to the portfolio before resubmitting the program requirement changes.

2. Request to Change Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program Requirements

a. Educational Technology Specialist

Motion: To approve the request pending UCEP approval. (Hyde/Ehrlich)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

C. Physics

1. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Master of Science in Physics

Dr. Kapale was in attendance and stated that the request was for a small change to the coursework plan. The change gives the students a choice in courses to take.

Motion: To approve the request. (Laurent/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 7 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

IV. OLD BUSINESS

A. Integrated program continuous enrollment

Ms. Sullivan provided information regarding specific students impacted. Dr. Parsons noted that MBA and Accountancy students are the most impacted due to the GMAT requirement for admission. The question being asked is, should integrated students be required to start the graduate program immediately after completion of their bachelor’s degree or can they take time off? Dr. Laurent stated that the point of the integrated program is to complete the advanced degree earlier. Ms. Sullivan noted that for students to maintain cost guarantee, they must be enrolled in consecutive semesters. Dr. Hemphill asked about completion time if a semester is taken off. Dr. Ehrlich would like to maintain the current wording in the catalog. Council members asked for input from current integrated programs.

Motion: To postpone the discussion. (Babu/Hemphill)
MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Posthumous Degree

Dr. Parsons provided background information. There was already a policy in place for undergraduate students that has been reviewed and revised to include graduate students. Dr. Parsons read a letter addressing the need for the revision from Dr. Brian Locke, a professor in the School of Music that had a graduate student pass away last year. Dr. Parsons noted that most other universities have a similar policy in place. Dr. Laurent noted that he would like a modification to show an example of a graduate degree alongside the undergraduate degree in the policy.

Motion: To approve the policy. (Laurent/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED: 6 YES - 0 NO - 0 AB

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:25 p.m.