Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - August 22, 2022

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: J. Jobu Babin, P.K. Babu, Roberta Di Carmine, Hoyet Hemphill (Chair), Steven House (Vice Chair), Andrea Hyde, Todd Lough, Danyang Zhao

Guests Present: Ranessa Cooper, Tara Feld, Sebastian Szyjka, Peter Jorgensen, Dennis DeVolder, Rafael Obregon, Dave Hunter, David Banash, Randy Hyllegard, Sandy McFadden, Jeremy Robinett, Renee Polubinsky

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: Amanda Schulz

 

I. Graduate Council Member Responsibilities Overview

Dr. Hemphill provided Council members with an overview of the process for student appeals and reminded them that their role is to act on the information provided to them and not in an advisory capacity.

II. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Biology

1. Request to transfer more than 9 s.h. hours into a master’s program

Student and Dr. Cooper were in attendance. Student provided information on the topic of their research and that the specific courses are not offered at WIU so taking them at a different institution to transfer them into WIU’s program made the most sense. Dr. Babu asked for more information about the courses already taken elsewhere. Dr. Cooper provided additional details about the specific courses.

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

B. Business Administration

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

Student, Dr. Feld, and Dr. Szyjka were present. Student wants to continue their education and complete the degree. Dr. Feld added that the student plans to do grade replacement and has confidence in their ability to be successful. Dr. Szyjka represented the hiring area and noted that personal issues played a significant role in the lower grades.

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

2. Request for a late withdrawal

a. Student A

Student unable to attend. Dr. Feld stated that the student works full-time and had been very ill. She noted that the student has been in contact with instructors but failed to go into STARS and officially withdraw from the courses that semester.

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

b. Student B

Student not in attendance. Dr. Feld noted that the student thought they dropped the course but never officially did it. The grade reflects that they never attended the course.

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

3. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student unable to attend. Dr. Feld stated that the student planned on switching concentrations within the program because initial one was not a skillset suited for them and can switch to a better suited field. The previous courses taken are very technical in nature and the student did not have the right background. Student has been advised as to what needs to happen now to be successful moving forward.

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

b. Student B

Student and Dr. Feld present. Student explained that it was their first semester as a new international student and a family member had significant health issues back home. Student had a hard time adjusting and was very distracted throughout the semester. Dr. Feld added that as an international student, they cannot withdraw so plan is to do grade replacement if request is approved.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

c. Student C

Student and Dr. Feld were in attendance. Student experienced significant medical issues during the last two semesters and felt that they would have done better if circumstances had been different. Dr. Feld fully supports the request and the student has met other requirements for the program.

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

d. Student D

Student and Dr. Feld present. Student explained that they retook the course but continued to struggle with the material and now plans to take a different course to satisfy the degree requirement. Dr. Feld added that there was a miscommunication about the content of the course when the student retook it but feels that taking a different course is a better solution.

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

e. Student E

Student unable to attend. Dr. Feld stated that the student should graduate this fall if approved and is already enrolled in the remaining courses needed.

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

f. Student F

Student and Dr. Feld in attendance. Student explained that a family member passed away during the semester and is still grieving the loss. Dr. Feld noted that the student has the full support of the department.

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

C. Communication

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. Jorgensen present. Dr. Jorgensen noted that the student finished other courses with high grades and meets other degree requirements.

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

D. Computer Science

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student provided medical documentation stating that they were impacted by covid. Dr. DeVolder supported the request based on the medical documentation.

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

b. Student B

Student unable to attend. Dr. DeVolder noted that there were significant family and medical issues and the department supports the request. Discussion held over timeline of events.

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

E. Education

1. Request for a late withdrawal

a. Student A

Student unable to attend. Dr. Szyjka explained that the student became a caregiver for another adult during the pandemic and the workload became unmanageable for the student. Discussion was held regarding the timing of the appeal.

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

b. Student B

Student unable to attend. Dr. Babu questioned the incomplete for a previous semester. Dr. Szyjka noted that it was the result of a communication error between the instructor and the student. Discussion held over the student’s standing if appeal is approved.

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

c. Student C

Student unable to attend. Dr. Szyjka stated that the student didn’t realize they were enrolled in the courses still. There was a transition in advising within the program during the summer session and the steps to withdraw were not communicated to the student. Discussion held over the registration process.

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

d. Student D

Student unable to attend. Dr. Szyjka explained that the student overcommitted themselves during the semester.

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

2. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student unable to attend. Dr. Szyjka stated that the student experienced personal difficulties during their undergraduate career but the program feels confident that they are on the right path and can be successful with an assistantship.

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

F. Engineering Technology

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student unable to attend. Mr. Obregon and Dr. Hunter attended. Mr. Obregon stated that the student experienced difficulties with different instructors throughout the semesters but is a hard worker and diligent in their coursework. The student does struggle in classes and completed their undergraduate degree with the department as well. Dr. Hemphill asked about remaining courses for the program. Dr. Hunter responded that he is working with the student on remaining requirements and is close to being done.

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

G. English

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student unable to attend. Dr. Banash explained that the student has had ongoing medial issues and has no intention of continuing the program at this time but would like a clean slate should they decide to come back to the program. Department fully supports and would support a return to the program once the student feels they are able to come back.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/House)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

H. Kinesiology

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student and Dr. Hyllegard in attendance. Student provided additional information about the plan moving forward should the request be approved. They have a planner and is receiving assistance from several campus resources.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Di Carmine)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. Student B

Student unable to attend. Dr. Hyllegard was present. Discussion was held regarding remaining coursework to complete the degree.

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

I. Psychology

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. McFadden were in attendance. Student is retaking course that was failed previously and added that their family circumstances have improved. Student also stated that the content of the course is not their strong suit but feels better prepared to take the course. Dr. McFadden stated that she is the instructor and is confident in the student’s ability to pass the course.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Lough)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 2 AB

J. Quantitative Economics

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student unable to attend. Department supports request if student enrolls in appropriate coursework for the degree.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 2 AB

K. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Robinett were in attendance. Student explained that they recently completed their undergraduate degree and was hoping for financial support from an assistantship to be able to continue into the master’s program. Initial low grades during the undergraduate program brought down the overall GPA even though the student was able to finish the degree strong. Dr. Robinett added that the student is uniquely qualified for the position within the RPTA department.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/Lough)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 2 AB

L. Sport Management

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

a. Student A

Student and Dr. Polubinsky were in attendance. Student explained that they were overloaded and struggled with time management. They have honed time management skills through the end of their undergraduate experience. Dr. Polubinsky added that the department is completely confident in the student’s ability to be successful.

Motion: To approve the request. (Lough/Babin)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 2 AB

b. Student B

Student and Dr. Polubinsky were present. Student stated that they struggled the first few years of college and took awhile to realize that they needed to take their academics seriously. Student has had a lot of life experience that motivates them now. Dr. Polubinsky added that the department fully supports the request.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/House)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 2 AB

 

Meeting adjourned: 5:43 p.m.