Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - February 6, 2023

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: Nathan Miczo, Sam Thompson, Kishor Kapale, Tawnya Adkins-Covert, Eric Sheffield, Sebastian Szyjka

Ex-officio Present: Mark Mossman

Others Present: Amanda Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Business Administration

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student explained that they received a job promotion and was overseeing numerous employees while working for the military. It was noted that the student would need to take additional steps to move forward successfully and was in communication with Dr. Feld. Dr. Babin added that the student has a good history of communication with professors.

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

2. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student unable to attend. Discussion held over submitted documents as well as statement from department. Student struggled with a specific course and is now trying to move into an internship position.

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

B. Communication

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

Student unable to attend. Dr. Miczo noted that the student is just barely below the required 3.0 graduate GPA and should be able to increase it this semester. Student plans to be better organized and cut back on other hours being worked outside of school and assistantship. Discussion held over grades earned and grade replacement.

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

C. Computer Science

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student in attendance. Dr. Hemphill asked about current status of medical condition. Student responded that the issue is resolved. Dr. Babu asked about academic integrity violation noted by the program. Student provided additional information in regards to the circumstances. Discussion held over grades received.

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

b. Student B

Student present and explained that this semester is going well so far but last semester was very difficult. Student has spoken with advisor about retaking some courses.

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

D. GIScience and Geoenvironment

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Student and Dr. Thompson in attendance. Student explained the situation and the mental health issues that were being dealt with at the beginning of the year. Student added that they have had communication with a different graduate program and potentially could switch to it. Dr. Hemphill asked for clarification on previous withdrawal. Student explained their living situation and how continuing their education was the only option at that point. Dr. Thompson noted that the course in question is a basic foundation course for the program so it must be completed successfully before a student can move forward with the graduate program. He has tried to help the student and cannot pinpoint what is going wrong. He has given step-by-step guide of how to complete the course, provided tutors, intervened with instructors on the student’s behalf, and more. Dr. Lough asked the student for their input on this. Student indicated that they do not have a good relationship with their advisor and disputed some of the information provided by Dr. Thompson. Dr. Hemphill asked about the issues with the specific course. Student indicated that they have issues with similar courses such as math because of the nature of the courses.

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

E. Physics

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. Kapale were in attendance. Discussion was held over documentation provided. Student described their situation over losing a family member and entering a difficult program. Dr. Hemphill asked about the incompletes on the transcript. Dr. Kapale stated that the student is beginning to work on them. Dr. Kapale added the department support for student and hopes that they continue seeking regular medical attention. The department will continue supporting the student as long as they continue to show progress in the courses and program.

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

II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Andrea Alveshere, Associate Professor, Sociology and Anthropology

Dr. Alveshere and Dr. Adkins-Covert were present. Discussion held over documents submitted with the application. Dr. Alveshere noted that she had not pursued previously because her area is Anthropology and there is not a graduate program here. There is starting to be an increase in students in the bridge programs from Anthropology to Museum Studies and to Liberal Arts and Sciences that are seeking her expertise out. Dr. Adkins-Covert added her support and confirmed that there is a growing need for her to be able to chair thesis committees.

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

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, December 2022 - January 2023 (29)

B. Temporary Graduate Faculty approvals for 2022-2023

Ms. Schulz noted that the list provided fulfills the requirement of the Operating Paper for the spring semester.

C. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund

Ms. Schulz reminded Council members that the applications for the fund are due to each department by February 15 and due to the School of Graduate Studies on or before March 1. The review sub-committee for this semester includes Dr. Babin, Dr. Di Carmine, Dr. Hyde, and Dr. Zhao.

D. Graduate Research Conference – March 3, 2023

Ms. Schulz reminded everyone that the conference is being held in-person at the University Union with abstract submission due on February 7.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Discuss definition of full-time enrollment for doctoral students

Current definition: Full-time enrollment is nine semester hours of credit during any regular semester (fall or spring) or six semester hours of credit during the summer term.

Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Szyjka were in attendance. The School of Education feels there is a need to change the current definition of full-time for doctoral students to either six semester hours plus an assistantship or six semester hours. Their Ed.D. program has historically served education professionals with a typical course load of six semester hours. The recently revamped option is growing and attracting international students. Requiring them to take nine hours while they are holding an assistantship is too heavy of a workload and is having them move through the program too quickly. Immigration requirements are based off of the University definition of full-time enrollment. Dr. Hemphill asked about a comparison to other institutions. Dr. Sheffield provided a couple of examples and also added that the other doctoral program at WIU is supportive of the proposed change as well. Dr. Hyde asked about limitation with the specific language change to the definition. Discussion was held over the next steps including standings with HLC and IBHE. Dr. Szyjka noted that there may not be as many students with assistantships in a few years so this may not be as big of an issue but still worth pursuing.

Dr. Hemphill requested that the School of Education bring forward a proposal to Graduate Council with the necessary input from other impacted areas including Financial Aid, Institutional Research and Planning, Immigration, HLC, IBHE, and any other areas that those areas suggest. Ms. Schulz will work with Dr. Szyjka and Dr. Sheffield on creating the proposal language.

V. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:41 p.m.