Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - March 8, 2021

3:00 p.m., Virtual

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

Guests Present: R. Di Carmine, PK Babu, C. Merrett, A. Lynn, M. Owens

Ex-officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. English

1. Request for a late total university withdrawal

Student unable to attend but Dr. Di Carmine provided information. Student is part-time and works full-time. Only took the one course during the semester in question and cannot retake the course to try to earn a better grade because it is not offered. Student also was not in the program when the course was initially taken. Dr. McQuillan asked about any extenuating circumstances during this specific semester. Dr. Di Carmine responded that the student’s work schedule changed at that point and conflicted with the class.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Physics

1. Request for a late total university withdrawal

Student and Dr. Babu were in attendance. Student explained medical circumstances as the basis for this request and the reason for the poor performance during the semester. Discussion held over courses that may need repeated. Dr. Babu added that the department fully supports this student’s request and that the courses from that semester are not needed to complete the degree.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, January 2021 (0)

B. Graduate Council Nomination and Election Procedure

Ms. Schulz announced that petitions would be emailed to full members of the graduate faculty in the near future. Vacant seats will be from the College of Business and Technology and the College of Fine Arts and Communication. New members will be invited to the April 26, 2021 meeting. Dr. Hyde noted that she will be on sabbatical during the Spring 2022 semester so a replacement will be needed. Ms. Schulz provided Council members with the procedure for filling a temporary vacancy due to a sabbatical.

C. Summary of Assessment of Student Learning for 2019-2020

Drs. Baker-Sperry and Mossman presented the report to the Council. Dr. Mossman commended Dr. Baker-Sperry for all of her hard work on the reports and stated that the documents look great. The report was submitted to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as part of the accreditation visit and they have not had questions yet. Dr. Baker-Sperry added that this is an information item for Council and that they are still working with one program to complete their information. It is a working document. Dr. Locke asked for clarification as to if this document was finalized or not. Dr. Baker-Sperry stated that it was locked in and submitted to HLC but assessment is a continual process so they can continue to add information as needed. She also added that they continue to see improvement each year and they hope to continue in the direction. Dr. Locke noted a minor typo on the first page of the report. Dr. Baker-Sperry responded that she would make that correction.


III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs

1. Request for a new graduate (500 or 600-level) course

a. IIRA 601, Comprehensive Exam, 0 s.h.

Dr. Merrett was in attendance and explained that the program needs to give more flexibility to the students in the program regarding their exit option choices because several are working full-time while completing this program. Their stage in life is not always conducive to an internship, thesis, or applied project. He added that they are not requesting to reduce the required hours and will still be able to assess skills. Dr. Merrett looked at other WIU programs for similar courses and somewhat modeled this after a similar course in the MBA program. Dr. Locke noted that he like the very structured design of this course. Dr. Ghimire asked if any meetings with the students will take place. Dr. Merrett responded that yes, they will periodically meet with students to go over the learning objectives. Dr. Locke asked when students will select their exit option. Dr. Merrett stated that they will work with students from the beginning and while students would need to decide fairly early, there would be flexibility as they move through the program. Discussion held regarding courses in the program. Dr. Roberts asked if the other exit options required proficiency in all the learning objectives as opposed to the two identified for this exit option. Dr. Merrett responded that the larger change in program requirements also being proposed would address any imbalance by adding the research methods course that is pending. Discussion held regarding credit hours required for comp exam and program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. IIRA 696, Research Methods in Community Economic Development, 3 s.h.

Dr. Merrett explained that the program did not originally have a research course because six hours of thesis or applied project was required and the research methods component was built into those hours. The program is being revamped due to growth and to be more systematic in the approach. Students would have a literature review and possible proposal for thesis or applied project at the end of this new course. Requiring the course will be more effective and a standardized way for students to get through the program while giving them more flexibility with their exit options. Dr. Hyde commended the illustrations included with the proposal.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in Community and Economic Development

Dr. Merrett noted that the proposal takes the approved course changes and implements them into the degree requirements. Dr. Locke noted that the directed electives section is more specific now. Dr. Merrett responded that it outlines the differences in the exit options for clarification purposes.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


B. Management and Marketing

1. Request to change post-baccalaureate certificate requirements

a. Supply Chain Management Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Representatives from the program were not able to attend. Dr. Locke noted the changes in directed electives. Discussion was held over the repetition of courses listed in Supply Chain Management electives and directed electives.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Anderson)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Academic Integrity Policy proposed changes

Drs. Lynn and Owens presented the proposed changes. Dr. Owens noted that last year a significant update was made to the policy but a recent situation regarding uploading resources to sites that paid the students for the uploads occurred prompting a revisit to the policy. CAGAS has updated the policy to include specific explanations and examples of what constitutes cheating. Language was also added under “complicity in cheating” to clarify what that means. Dr. Locke applauded the diligence and foresight to implement these changes. Dr. Hammersley asked how these policies are enforced after a course ends. Dr. Owens responded that enforcement can take place through the Student Judicial Program and they determine the appropriate consequences if a violation occurs after a course is over or after the student graduates. Discussion was held over the interpretation of sharing information. Dr. McQuillan asked if the terms “his/her” could be updated to “their”. Dr. Owens will make that update.

Motion: To approve the policy changes. (McQuillan/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


V. OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Locke informed Council members that he was named the Distinguished Faculty Lecturer for 2021 and the virtual session will take place on March 24, 2021 at 7 p.m. via the University’s YouTube channel. It will be available there after that date as well.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:25 p.m.