Graduate Studies
Graduate Council Minutes - August 21, 2017
3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2203
Members Present: A. Hyde, J. Jones, J. Laurent (Chair), M. Stryker, S. Szyjka
Members Absent: J. Ehrlich, H. Hemphill, K. Kapale (Vice Chair)
Guests Present: G. Woodruff, W. Polley, C. Merrett, D. DeVolder, D. Banash, L. Oden, M. Bezold, K. Boeckelman, K. Pawelko, E. Mannion, A. Hart, C. Blackinton
Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons
Others Present: A. Schulz
I. STUDENT APPEALS
A. Accountancy
1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule
Student and Dr. Woodruff were present. Student took bridge courses and received low grades but did not realize that the grades would count towards the C rule. Dr. Woodruff offered support and indicated that he was confused by the rule in regards to integrated programs as well. Dr. Stryker asked for clarification on the bridge credit courses.
Motion: To approve the request. (Jones/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
B. Business Administration
1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule
Dr. Polley represented the student as he was unable to attend. The student had provided substantial documentation to support his medical issue that played a part in the situation. Dr. Polley stated that he fully supported the appeal.
Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
C. Communication
1. Request for a late withdrawal
Student was present and explained that she had a lot of demands on her time as she was also the primary caregiver to a family member. The student added that it has taken a lot of time to get to the point where she wants to come back and finish her degree. Dr. Jones asked about the circumstances around one of the low grades. Dr. Szyjka inquired as to the remaining courses for her to complete her degree.
Motion: To approve the request. (Szyjka/Jones)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
D. Community and Economic Development
1. Request for a late withdrawal
Dr. Merrett represented the student as he was unable to attend. The student had indicated personal issues that impacted his students. Dr. Merrett added that the student has attended several schools over the years but seemed to be settling in at WIU. The student had gone above and beyond to find a relevant internship but then stopped communication.
Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
E. Computer Science
1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule
a. Student A
Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. The student stated that he had adjustment issues coming to the United States and then had a family member fall ill back home. Dr. DeVolder noted that a recent course taken with a satisfactory grade was a follow up to the previous course with the low grade. Dr. Hyde asked about registering for the course that was already taken as a retake versus a grade replacement. The student stated that he thought grade replacement was automatic. Dr. DeVolder added that the course is offered each semester so the student could do grade replacement in the spring. Dr. Stryker asked if the personal issue has been resolved. The student replied that he has had time to process the situation.
Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
b. Student B
Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. The student explained that he had a family member become ill and was distracted by that. He noted that he is responsible for his family and didn’t know how to cope. Dr. Stryker asked about the situation and his current enrollment. The student responded that things are better and that the provided enrollment schedule is what he would like to keep. Dr. Szyjka asked about grade replacement at the graduate level.
Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Jones)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
2. Request for a late withdrawal
Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. The student stated that he suffered a head injury during the previous semester. Documentation was provided regarding the head injury. Dr. DeVolder shared his experience working with the student after the head injury and noted that the student has been communicating with his advisors. The student added that he has been slowly progressing but it is taking time. Dr. Stryker asked for clarification on the timeline of events.
Motion: To approve the request. (Jones/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
F. Educational Leadership
1. Request for a late withdrawal
Council members reviewed the provided documentation.
Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
G. English
1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student
Dr. Banash represented the student as she was unable to attend. Dr. Banash provided a letter of support from the hiring department and added that the letters of recommendations for the student were very strong plus she has an excellent writing sample. He also added that the position would be an advantage to the student to be mentored in the assistantship program. Dr. Jones asked for clarification about enrollment and admission standards for the program.
Motion: To approve the request. (Szyjka/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
H. Health Sciences
1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule
Student and Drs. Bezold and Oden were in attendance. The student stated that she had ongoing medical issues and provided documentation supporting that. She stated that it began in the fall semester and she became very ill in November. Dr. Bezold added that she had the student as an undergraduate and was a very strong student. Dr. Jones asked about current treatments and the student stated that they are helping and she is feeling better. Dr. Stryker asked about the student’s employment situation. The student responded that she has lightened her workload to focus on her studies.
Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
I. Law Enforcement and Justice Administration
1. Request for a late withdrawal
Council members reviewed documentation that was provided.
Motion: To approve the request. (Jones/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
J. Political Science
1. Request for a late withdrawal
Dr. Boeckelman represented the student as she was unable to attend. The student had undergone medical treatment from a condition that originated while serving as a Peace Corps Fellow. The treatments initially made the condition worse before they were able to find something that worked.
Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
K. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student
Student and Dr. Pawelko were in attendance. The student indicated that she struggled with academics as an undergraduate student. She read a statement that she had prepared for the meeting. Dr. Pawelko added that the student has demonstrated maturity and is acknowledging her areas of weakness. A letter of support from the hiring agency was also noted. Dr. Pawelko stated that she hopes that past deficiencies will not hold back the student’s potential. Dr. Hyde asked about the job responsibilities of the position and the student responded that there was flexibility based on her academics.
Motion: To approve the request. (Jones/Stryker)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
L. Sociology
1. Request for a late withdrawal
Student was in attendance. Dr. Mannion was not able to stay for the duration of the meeting. The student provided medical documentation and stated that she did not realize that the healing process would take as long as it did. Dr. Stryker inquired as to the timeline and the method of delivery for her courses.
Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
M. Sport Management
1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule
Dr. Hart represented the student as he was unable to attend. The student has completed the requirements but exceeded the C rule at the end so could not receive his degree. Dr. Hart noted that his GPA is high enough to meet graduation requirements. The student had considered appealing a low grade received but opted to go this route instead.
Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Szyjka)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
N. Theatre
1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student
Student and Ms. Blackinton were in attendance. The student explained that he came back to school after a lengthy break. Once he was back and was able to complete his undergraduate work with high grades but mistakenly thought that the previous undergraduate grades would not factor into the GPA calculation for graduate school. The student noted that the assistantship will give him the opportunity to focus solely on the graduate program and not have to take on outside employment. Ms. Blackinton added that she met him when he first attended as an undergraduate and he was very enthusiastic. She also stated that she selects him to work on productions with her over other students. Dr. Jones asked about the responsibilities of the assistantship.
Motion: To approve the request. (Stryker/Szyjka)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB
II. Graduate Council Member Responsibilities Overview
Dr. Laurent covered the responsibilities of Graduate Council members. He noted that the meeting and agenda deadline dates are available online. Curriculum changes are reviewed and approved by the Graduate Council or by Dr. Parsons depending on the type of change requested. Another responsibility is to serve on a subcommittee each year for the Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund. Dr. Laurent added that Council members should read materials prior to the meeting. Graduate Council is the final decision on graduate-level business.
Meeting adjourned: 5:09 p.m.
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