Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - January 22, 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: Jessica Lin, J. Jobu Babin, Cheryl Westen, Tara Feld, Christopher Merrett, Dennis DeVolder, Sandy McFadden, Renee Polubinsky, Tammy Killian

Ex-officio Present: Kishor Kapale

Others Present: Amanda Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Accounting, Finance, Economics & Decision Sciences

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Dr. Babu asked about the student’s rationale that was provided. Dr. Lin noted that there are concerns within the program about the student’s capability to succeed.

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

b. Student B

Student present with Dr. Lin. Student provided clarification on the number of appeals that they have submitted.

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

c. Student C

Dr. Babin and Dr. Lin were in attendance providing clarification on the rationale and documentation submitted. Dr. Babu asked if it was possible for the student to join a different program. It was noted that the student would need a successful appeal to switch but they had not indicated an interest in switching programs.

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

d. Student D

Student and Dr. Lin were in attendance. Student added information regarding low grades earned and the timeline. Discussion was held over remaining requirements.

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

e. Student E

Student and Dr. Lin were present. Student explained additional circumstances. Discussion was held over remaining degree requirements.

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

f. Student F

Dr. Babin noted that the student claims they experienced health issues but did not communicate that during the semester nor provide documentation of that with the appeal.

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

g. Student G

Dr. Babu asked about the documentation mentioned in the appeal but not included. Dr. Lin responded that they had not received any additional documentation. She also noted that this is the most technically challenging course within the program.

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

h. Student H

Student and Dr. Lin were in attendance. Discussion was held over grade replacement opportunities.

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

i. Student I

Dr. Babu asked about status of grades on the transcript. Dr. Lin provided clarification.

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

j. Student J

Student and Dr. Babin were present. Dr. Babu asked about the lack of documentation submitted with the appeal. Student stated that they submitted a statement from Beu. Discussion was held over academic integrity issues.

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

k. Student K

Student and Ms. Westen were in attendance. Dr. Babu questioned the amount of withdrawals. Student explained that personal life issues caused several withdrawals earlier in their academic career. Discussion was held over finishing the degree.

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

l. Student L

Student and Dr. Lin were present. Dr. Babu asked about the initial low grade earned. Student provided clarification. Dr. Lin added information regarding the student’s performance.

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

m. Student M

Student and Dr. Lin answered questions from the Council. Dr. Lin noted that the department fully supports the student and that the initial two low grades were from a previous program that wasn’t the right fit.

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

n. Student N

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

o. Student O

Student and Dr. Lin were in attendance. Student provided information on academic integrity report and documentation regarding their illness. Discussion was held over a pending grade appeal.

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

B. Business Administration

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

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

b. Student B

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

c. Student C

Dr. Feld explained that the student is a working professional and has struggled with the work and education balance. Dr. Babu asked about the remaining degree requirements.

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

d. Student D

Dr. Feld noted that the department fully supports and the student only has one course remaining.

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

e. Student E

Dr. Feld explained that the student has personal tragedies recently that impacted their courses.

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

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

a. Student F

Dr. Feld noted that the student has a misunderstanding in a class and missed a major assignment bringing the overall grade down.

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

b. Student G

Dr. Feld stated that the student has done a great job as a GA but the last semester courses were in areas that were not the student’s strongest.

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

C. Chemistry

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/McQuillan)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Community and Economic Development

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Merrett were in attendance. Dr. Merrett provided full support and gave details on the responsibilities of the GA position. Dr. Babu asked about the change in programs during their undergraduate degree. Student explained that they had a major change in their personal interest and realized they were not in the right program.

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

E. Computer Science

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Dr. DeVolder explained that this student has a special skillset and teaching background. The student had to do undergraduate prerequisites so hasn’t had the opportunity to come off of probationary status. Dr. McQuillan added his support saying that the student is very motivated.

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

2. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student noted that this was their final semester and they experienced an emergency situation.

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

b. Student B

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. Discussion was held over the remaining courses including an incomplete.

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

c. Student C

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

F. Education

1. Request for a late withdrawal

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

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

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

G. Psychology

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student and Dr. McFadden were present. Dr. Babu asked about repeating the thesis hours. Dr. McFadden responded that yes, the student can take it again and that is all remaining to complete the degree.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/Zhao)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

H. Public Health

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

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

I. Public Safety Administration

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

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

J. Sociology

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

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

K. Theater

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

Ms. Killian provided clarification on the request. Mr. House added that the student had a very rough first five weeks but has completely turned everything around.

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

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:58 p.m.