Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - February 5, 2024

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: P.K. Babu, Roberta Di Carmine, Niyazi Ekici, Hoyet Hemphill (Chair), Steven House (Vice Chair), Todd Lough, Jim McQuillan, Danyang Zhao

Guests Present: Christopher Merrett, Dave Hunter, Amy Carr, Sandy McFadden, Renee Polubinsky, Matthew Beck, Dan Atherton, Andy Baker

Ex-officio Present: Kishor Kapale

Others Present: Amanda Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Community and Economic Development

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Dr. Merrett provided additional information regarding the student’s past academic experience and noted that they have a unique skillset for the assistantship position.

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

B. Engineering Technology

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Dr. Hunter was in attendance. Dr. Babu asked about the student’s timeline to graduation. Dr. Hunter responded that the student is on track for this semester. Discussion was held over remaining courses.

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

C. Liberal Arts & Sciences

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student and Dr. Carr were present. Student experienced significant health issues during the Fall 23 semester. Dr. Babu asked about continuation plans. Dr. Carr noted that the student still needs to register for the semester and will do that if approved.

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

D. Psychology

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Dr. McFadden was in attendance. Discussion was held of the student’s expectation and skillset. Dr. Babu asked about future plans for the student. Dr. McFadden responded that the student has potential but may not be in the correct program for that potential.

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

E. Public Safety Administration

1. Request for a late withdrawal

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


II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Carrie Alexander-Albritton, Professor, Counselor Education & College Student Personnel

Dr. Polubinsky answered questions regarding teaching history and research publications. Dr. Babu asked about the current research. Clarification was given on the timeline.

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

B. Matthew Beck, Associate Professor, Counselor Education & College Student Personnel

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

C. Haley Wikoff, Assistant Professor, Counselor Education & College Student Personnel

Dr. Polubinsky responded to questions regarding service activities.

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

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, December 2023 – January 2024 (1)

B. Temporary Graduate Faculty approvals for 2023-2024

Ms. Schulz provided the list of instructors that were approved for temporary graduate faculty status.

C. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund

Ms. Schulz reminded the Council of the sub-committee to review the student fund awards. Committee members for the spring semester are Drs. Babu, Ekici, Hemphill, and Zhao.

D. Graduate Research Conference – March 29, 2024

Ms. Schulz announced that the Graduate Research Conference will take place on March 29 in the University Union. Volunteers are needed to serve as judges and moderators throughout the day.

IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Agriculture

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. AGTM 471, Agricultural Remote Sensing, 3 s.h.

Dr. Atherton and Dr. Baker presented the course proposal. Dr. Hemphill noted that there was a good distinction between the undergraduate and graduate expectations.

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

b. AGTM 472, Agricultural Analysis & Decision Making, 3 s.h.

Dr. Babu asked about the abbreviated title. It was noted that it has to exactly match the undergraduate catalog.

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

B. Engineering Technology

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Engineering Technology

Dr. Hunter explained that this is a proposal to add a new emphasis to the current degree. Dr. Hunter stated that he is excited for the opportunity to be agriculture students into their graduate programs.

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


V. NEW BUSINESS

A. Student appeal procedure review.

Dr. Hemphill began the discussion comparing our process to the current CAGAS process for student appeals. Dr. Kapale noted that the process could be more objective with proper documentation and that it would eliminate the emotional pull of the appeal. Dr. Polubinsky asked about the notification of the students after the department makes a recommendation. Dr. Kapale stressed the importance of communication between students and programs.

Motion: To consider for further review. (Babu/House)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 3:49 p.m.