Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - February 3, 2020

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2127

Members Present: C. Blackinton, J. Hammersley, H. Hemphill (Chair), K. Kapale, B. Locke (Vice Chair), J. McQuillan

Members Absent: C. Anderson, S. Szyjka

Guests Present: T. Feld, M. Bezold, L. Oden, S. Hum-Musser, L. Song

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz, D. Edwards

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Request for a late withdrawal

1. Business Administration

Student unable to attend. Dr. Feld present and explained the student left the university to accept a full-time position at another institution. He didn’t realize that he was still registered for a course. Dr. Feld also noted that it was during a time of transition for the program.

Motion: To approve the request. (Locke/McQuillan)
MOTION CARRIED 5 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

1. Health Sciences

Student unable to attend. Drs. Bezold and Oden present. Dr. Bezold noted that the student holds a full-time position in the area and is a single mom of three. The student missed the final exam due to scheduling issues which was detrimental to the overall grade. Dr. Bezold added that the student has done well in other courses. Discussion was held regarding remaining courses for the degree.

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


II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Barry Birnbaum, Associate Professor, Education

Discussion held regarding peer reviewed section, current research agenda, and vita format of the application. Council members had questions but a representative was not available.

Motion: To postpone the request to the March 2 meeting. (Locke/Hammersley)
MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, December 2019 (1)

B. Requests to serve as a reader/chair on exit option committee, December 2019 (8)

1. Biology (8) - Approved

C. Graduate Research Conference

Ms. Schulz notified Council members of the date of the upcoming Graduate Research Conference and that the submission site was now closed. Dr. Dinesh Ekanayake is the chair for the research conference this year. Faculty volunteers are needed to serve as judges and moderators. Dr. Hammersley, Dr. Hemphill, Dr. Kapale, and Dr. Locke all volunteered to serve.

D. Graduate Committee Chair spring semester meeting – February 19, 2020

Ms. Schulz announced the date for the spring Graduate Committee Chair meeting and noted that this year there would only be one meeting in the spring. She added that Council members would receive an emailed reminder notice about the meeting. Dr. Mossman provided a brief overview of some of the topics to be covered including recruitment and updates from admissions.

Dr. Mossman also noted that spring new graduate admits are up and we have seen an increase in international students this spring. An ongoing digital campaign has the prospects looking good for fall and Dr. Kapale has been a part of the process. There is a lot of positive momentum moving into the fall for graduate enrollment.

E. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund

Ms. Schulz reminded the spring sub-committee that they will need to meet prior to spring break to determine the recipients of the award. The spring sub-committee consists of Dr. Anderson, Dr. Hammersley, Dr. Hemphill, and Dr. Locke.


IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Biology

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Biology

Dr. Hum-Musser was in attendance and explained that the proposed removal of a course is due to the retirement of the faculty member that taught it. The course is no longer offered with no plans to offer it in the foreseeable future.

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

B. Chemistry

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. CHEM 453, Forensic Mass Spectrometry, 3 s.h.

Dr. Song was present and stated that the graduate students would complete a research presentation for additional points. There would also be added research elements to the lab portion of the course for the graduate students.

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


V. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

Meeting adjourned: 3:45 p.m.