Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - October 6, 2014

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 1

Members Present: J. Averbeck, P.K. Babu, V. Diehl, J. McQuillan (Vice Chair), K. Pawelko (Chair), S. Sanders, J. Stegall

Members Absent: M. Stinnett

Guests Present: B. Locke, C. Harbke, R. Morgan, G. Woodruff, D. DeVolder, B. Bellott

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic Integrity Incident Reports Filed in the School of Graduate Studies, September 2014 (0)

Ms. Schulz reported that as of the agenda deadline, there had been no academic integrity incident reports received for the month of September.

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, September 2014 (0)

Ms. Schulz noted that no requests to serve as a reader had been received as of the agenda deadline.

C. Graduate Committee Chair Fall Semester Meeting - September 24, 2014

Dr. Parsons provided a recap of the Graduate Committee Chair meeting that was recently held. She also reminded everyone to make sure that their departments were signed up for an individual program meeting. The next Graduate Committee Chair meeting will be in January with another in April. This is a change from previous years where only one was held per semester.

D. Student Learning Assessment Committee

Ms. Schulz noted that an email sent out to Council members had not resulted in a representative for the Student Learning Assessment Committee and one must be named at this meeting. Dr. Averbeck volunteered to serve as the Graduate Council representative.

E. Summer School Committee

Ms. Schulz also asked for a representative for the Summer School Committee. Dr. Diehl volunteered to serve as the Graduate Council representative.

II.  GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Music

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. Music 567, Seminar in Jazz Improvisations, 3 s.h.

Dr. Locke was present. He stated that this course was developed out of a need from the jazz studies track within the master’s degree. MUS 508 had been developed as a catch-all course in 2007. More interest from students for a specialized course led to this course.

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

2. Request for Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program   

a. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Music Performance

Dr. Locke presented the request. He stated that this has been discussed for a long period of time. The proposed post-baccalaureate certificate would be a one-year program taken either before or after the master’s degree. The department sees this new certificate as a potential recruitment and retention tool. The certificate requires a higher performance level for admittance. It also is more performance based with higher performance standards than the master’s degree. Dr. Babu asked how the department would determine the success of the program. Dr. Locke stated that students competing in and winning regional to international competitions as well as acceptance into doctoral programs would be some indicators. Internal markers include grades and service to other areas in the department. Dr. Babu questioned how many students the department anticipated in a typical year. Dr. Locke responded that it would start as a small program but had the potential to grow very quickly.

Dr. Diehl asked why the survey included only had responses from graduate students when the department would also be targeting undergraduates. Dr. Locke responded that simply no one thought of including them on the survey and that they anticipated most students to be post-master’s degree students with only a small amount doing it prior to the master’s. Dr. Averbeck questioned the difference between the coursework in the master’s versus the post-baccalaureate certificate. Dr. Locke answered that the lesson courses are progressive and based on auditions. Dr. Stegall added clarification on the manner in which the courses are offered. Dr. Parsons asked how the department would take into account a student taking courses for the post-baccalaureate certificate at the same time as the master’s degree. Dr. Locke responded that the student would be at a higher level so the post-baccalaureate certificate courses would count toward the master’s degree but not the other way around.

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

B. Psychology

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. PSY 551, Structural Equation Modeling for the Behavioral Sciences, 3 s.h.

Dr. Harbke was present and explained that a student originated the request for this course. He stated that the course has been taught twice as an experimental course with significant interest both times. This is a common course offering at doctoral institutions. Dr. Harbke anticipates a minimum of 5-6 students each time it is offered. Dr. Morgan added that the dean’s office frequently receives requests for a higher level stats course. Dr. Babu asked if current Mathematics courses could fill this need. Dr. Harbke responded that those courses focus more on the theoretical and this focuses on the application.

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

III. OLD BUSINESS

A. Grade Point Average Requirements – Sub-committee

Dr. DeVolder provided the background on the request. A student was close to completing their degree but did not have the required 3.0. The student took courses outside of the department that were not approved electives to attempt to raise their GPA. The department was concerned that the student would graduate without a 3.0 in their major but a 3.0 cumulative and it would be a misrepresentation of education. The department is asking the Graduate Council to form a sub-committee to investigate the need to change policy and require a 3.0 on the degree plan as well as cumulative. Dr. Parsons stated that several other universities have similar policies. Dr. McQuillan noted that he sees this as related to the C rule and thinks it is worth exploring. Dr. Averbeck voiced concern that students would still find a way to get around the system and asked if it could be done on a departmental level or if it had to be university-wide. Dr. Sanders added that he knew of a similar case in his own department.

Motion: To create a sub-committee. (McQuillan/Sanders) MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

Drs. McQuillan and Sanders volunteered to serve on the sub-committee and will ask for volunteers from other graduate faculty.

IV. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

Meeting adjourned: 4:05 p.m.