Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - January 14, 2019

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2108

Members Present: H. Hemphill (Chair), K. Kapale, J. Laurent, B. Locke (Vice Chair), J. McQuillan, S. Szyjka

Members Absent: C. Blackinton, A. Hyde

Guests Present: D. DeVolder, G. Woodruff, R. Polubinsky, C. Cerullo, C. Piletic, K. Boeckelman, S. Haynes, D. Malachuk, E. Sheffield, L. Frey, L. Oden

Ex-Officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. Graduate Council Member Responsibilities Overview

Dr. Mossman reminded those in attendance of the responsibilities of Graduate Council members. He noted that Graduate Council is the final decision on graduate-level business and should not be seen as an advisory role.


II. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

1. Business Administration

Student was present. She explained that she took the CFA test on top of a full load of graduate courses. She took on too much for the semester and will not make the same mistake again.

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

B. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

1. Computer Science

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Dr. Laurent asked about the student’s undergraduate degree. The student noted that the transcript from his country did not convert as well as he hoped into our system. Dr. McQuillan provided additional information regarding deficiency courses within the program. Dr. Kapale asked about the responsibilities of the assistantship position and the required background. Dr. DeVolder stated that the student has the skills desired for this position.

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

C. Request for a late withdrawal

1. Accountancy

Student not present but Dr. Woodruff attended on her behalf. The student had a family situation that led to her driving home each evening and missing some classes. The student did not approach the department until close to the end of the semester.

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

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

1. Accountancy

Student and Dr. Woodruff were in attendance. Student explained that he took on too many responsibilities in the fall semester and had his priorities backwards. He realized too late that he was not putting his courses first. Dr. Hemphill asked about his planned involvement with organizations going forward. Student noted that he is going to step back from some of his positions. Dr. Woodruff added that the student has great potential, has learned from this mistake, and understands the necessary steps moving forward.

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

2. Kinesiology – Student A

Student was present with Dr. Polubinsky and Mr. Cerullo in support. Student stated that she took a course that was test/quiz based and she has a need for accommodation with test-taking because of struggles with memorizing. Dr. Locke asked about retaking the course. The student added that she is in the process of a grade appeal. Dr. Kapale asked about the other courses from the semester. Student responded that she is working with professors. Dr. Polubinsky added her support and knows that the student is following the correct steps. Mr. Cerullo added that she is getting experience required for her career through her assistantship.

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

3. Kinesiology – Student B

Student in attendance with Drs. Piletic and Polubinsky. Student explained that she took the course and requires accommodations but the instructor was not always willing to work with her. Dr. Hemphill asked about retaking the course. Dr. Piletic added that the student has been communicating with her as graduate advisor. She also had this student in class and did well with the work.

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

4. Political Science

Student and Dr. Boeckelman were present. Student stated that she was advised incorrectly regarding the number of courses that she needed to take during the semester in order to hold her assistantship. The extra course added more work than she could handle in her first semester of graduate school. Student added that she has a plan in place for the spring semester on how to handle her coursework and requirements of the assistantship. Dr. Boeckelman added that she is a strong student and it was a mistake for her to be enrolled in so many hours the first semester. Discussion was held regarding the credits that were already earned.

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

E. Request to use courses in a new degree program that were previously used in a completed degree program.

1. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Student and Drs. Haynes and Malachuk were in attendance. Student explained that she took the same course numbers during her previous degree as she took for her current degree but they were completely different topics and instructors. Dr. Hemphill asked if the courses were core courses. Student responded that they were electives and she only looked at the content when registering instead of paying attention to the course numbers. Dr. Haynes provided support noting that the student came into the MLAS program during a change in advisors. Dr. Malachuk added that the course content was not the same as can be seen in the syllabi provided. Dr. Mossman provided additional information regarding the specific courses and their content.

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


III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Request for a new graduate program

1. Master of Arts in Teaching: Alternative Licensure

Dr. Sheffield provided background on the proposed program and stated that there is a narrow path for alternative licensure. An example is a student is hired by a school district and begins the intensive program the summer prior to beginning work so the timing is a very quick turnaround admissions process. The program is being put together to help combat the teacher shortage but is a very restrictive program. It is the first one offered at a public institution in Illinois. Dr. Kapale asked about the EDUC 439G courses and the requirements for the mathematics track. Discussion was held regarding the mathematics track and then the special education track. Dr. Sheffield noted that student’s must have a bachelor’s degree and pass the content area exams before beginning the program. Dr. Laurent questioned the program title and that it doesn’t specify secondary education. Dr. Sheffield responded that the program title is broad to cover all areas because some are focused on K-12, others are secondary, and others are based on state licensure. Dr. Frey added that she has several letters of support that could be viewed. Dr. Sheffield added that this program was created based off of results from a survey that indicated special education, science, and mathematics were the primary areas of need in that order. Dr. Szyjka asked if there was potential for student’s to try to bypass the undergraduate education degree. Dr. Sheffield noted that the admission requirement has a gap of two-three years from the bachelor’s degree before they can begin this program.

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


Meeting adjourned: 4:41 p.m.