Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - August 23, 2021 - Special Meeting

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: S. Ghimire, J. Hammersley, H. Hemphill, S. House, A. Hyde, K. Keefe

Members Absent: C. Anderson, C. Blackinton

Guests Present: S. Hum, H. Nikels, N. Miczo, C. Merrett, M. Sowinski, S. Szyjka, D. Banash, M. Allison, T. Feld, J. Robinett, A. Silberer, J. Cox, R. Polubinsky

Ex-officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. Graduate Council Member Responsibilities Overview

Dr. Mossman welcomed all Council members. Reminders were given regarding the procedures for student appeals and that the Council’s role is to act on the information provided to them in the specific request and not in an advisory role.


II. Election of Chair for 2021-2022

Ms. Schulz explained that the Council did elect a chair at the final meeting of the 2020-2021 academic year but Dr. Roberts needed to step down from the Council due to other department obligations for this year. Dr. Hoyet Hemphill was nominated and elected chair by acclimation.


III. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Biology

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

Student and Dr. Hum were in attendance. Student explained that the workload from the previous semester was overwhelming and he did not balance it well. Dr. Hum added that the student was a great undergraduate student that didn’t transition to graduate school as easily but seems to be on the right path now.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hammersley/Ghimire)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


B. College Student Personnel

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Nikels were present. Student stated that her undergraduate degree was not her true passion but did not realize it until the end of the program. She thinks that this master’s program is a better fit for her future goals. Dr. Nikels added that the student is highly recommended for the program by the supervisor of the assistantship position. Dr. Keefe asked for clarification on the amount of time the student has been in the program. Student replied that she is just beginning the graduate program but did complete her undergraduate at WIU as well.

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


C. Communication

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Miczo responded to questions. Student stated that he as adopted better study and organizational skills after his undergraduate program. He had to travel quite a bit during his undergraduate program because of his living situation but has moved closer to campus. Dr. Ghimire asked if this is the first semester of graduate school. Student responded yes.

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

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

Student and Dr. Miczo were in attendance. Student experienced hardships during the pandemic and had close family members fall ill. Dr. Hemphill asked about the timing of the personal issues during the semester. Dr. Miczo responded that he wasn’t aware of the specifics during the spring semester but knew something was going on and can attest to his capabilities as a student. Dr. Miczo believes that he can be successful this semester while working. Dr. Hyde asked about the specific job responsibilities with the position. Student responded that he has held this position before so could easily start it again.

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

D. Community and Economic Development

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student not in attendance. Dr. Merrett was present. Dr. Merrett explained that the student had courses that converted to a failing grade while handling numerous personal issues such as a new family and a new job. Dr. Merrett stated that he was a new graduate coordinator at the time so takes some responsibility for the lack of communication regarding the incomplete grades. Dr. Ghimire asked about a course that was repeated. Dr. Merrett noted that it is a repeatable course and that was why it was retaken. Dr. Hammersley asked about the timing of the degree completion. Dr. Merrett responded that he believes the student plans to complete the degree but is somewhat inconsistent with taking courses.

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


E. Computer Science

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student in attendance with supervisor Mr. Sowinski. Student explained that courses he took as an undergraduate were not in his field so he did not do as well. He also noted that the school operates on a different grading scale than those in the U.S. so it did not convert to as high of grades when his admission was evaluated. Mr. Sowinski added support for the student’s skill set relative to the position responsibilities and that out of numerous applicants, this student was far above in qualifications.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/House)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB


F. Counseling

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student and Dr. Nikels were available to answer questions. Student works full time and wants to start back in graduate school in a different area but similar area as before. Dr. Nikels noted that the student took the initiative to come to her and explain his situation. His current work gives him relevant experience that will help him transition back to being a student and is a good fit for his chosen program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Keefe)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB


2. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student unable to attend but Dr. Nikels was present. Student is at the very end of the program and has maintained the required GPA to finish the degree. Only the internship is left and Dr. Nikels feels that she can successfully complete it. Dr. Nikels added that the student does well as far as understanding course material but struggles with communicating needs in a timely manner. The department is working to correct this issue. Dr. Hammersley asked how the internship is graded. Dr. Nikels replied that it is a combination of the site and the graduate advisor. Discussion was held regarding the student’s progress through the program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

 
G. Curriculum and Instruction

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. Szyjka were in attendance. Student explained that she started to take classes towards an endorsement but decided to go for her master’s after already receiving a low grade in a class. She experienced personal struggles during covid. Dr. Szyjka added his support stating that she has shown proof of significant life challenges.

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


2. Request to transfer more than 6 s.h. to a master’s program

Student unable to attend but Dr. Szyjka attended. Student started at a school that is now closed and the courses taken there align with the courses at WIU. This would be three additional hours transferred in.

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


H. Educational Leadership

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student unable to attend but Dr. Sheffield was present. Student is in the newly revised option in the Ed.D. program that has students interested in assistantships for the first time. Dr. Sheffield noted that this student gave a very impressive interview and would be a great fit in the position.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/House)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB


I. English

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student, Dr. Allison, and Dr. Banash were in attendance. Student explained that she made some wrong decisions regarding her graduate school path. She started in a program significantly different from her undergraduate degree and then changed to another program that was also not a good fit. She realizes now that she should have continued into the master’s program in English. She also noted that she had a habit of putting other’s needs before her own and her schoolwork suffered because of it. Dr. Banash and Dr. Allison added that the program felt she was an excellent fit for them. Discussion was held regarding past academic performance.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/House)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 1 NO – 0 AB


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

Student, Dr. Allison, and Dr. Banash were present. Student stated that the financial assistance from the position was needed for her to be able to return to graduate school. Dr. Banash added that the assistantship site specifically requested this student for the position from their experience working with her previously. Dr. Ghimire asked about her current GPA and future assistantship positions. Ms. Schulz noted that a 3.0 GPA would need to be achieved for future positions if this request was approved.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Ghimire)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB


J. Quantitative Economics

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student unable to attend. Dr. Feld was present. Dr. Feld noted that the assistantship is in a different area on campus and not the academic department. The department is supportive and confident that he can do well. The student did his undergraduate program at WIU so they are familiar with his capabilities.

Motion: To approve the request. (House/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB


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

Student and Dr. Feld were in attendance. Discussion was held regarding the student’s incoming GPA and incomplete grades. Student plans to finish incompletes in the spring semester while taking additional classes this semester to boost his GPA. Student added that he experienced personal issues during a semester that lead to the incompletes.

Motion: To approve the request. (Keefe/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


K. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration   

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Robinett were available for questions. Student has started training as a student worker and is really fitting into the position. Her GPA is just below the threshold and not a good indicator of the type of work that she can do. Student added that she is very excited for this opportunity. Dr. Robinett noted that the department is aware of the struggles from her undergraduate program and has plans in place moving forward.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB


L. Speech Pathology

1. Request for a waiver of the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. Silberer were in attendance. Student explained that Covid played a role and gave her challenges when the courses were given in a different format. Dr. Silberer added that the student is a hard worker but the department has significant concerns specifically in the areas of application of knowledge. Discussion was held over program requirements and the student’s overall performance.

Motion: To deny the request. (Hammersley/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


M. Sport Management

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Polubinsky were present. Student indicated that he graduated with his bachelor’s a few years ago and played professional basketball overseas while raising a family. He is now ready to come back to school to get his master’s and feels that his experience from the last few years will help him be successful. Dr. Polubinsky added that the department fully supports this petition. Dr. Hyde asked where the assistantship was located. Student responded and it is an area directly related to his future goals.

Motion: To approve the request. (Ghimire/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

Meeting adjourned: 5:45 p.m.