Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - January 24, 2022 - Special Appeals Meeting

3:00 p.m., Virtual

Members Present: C. Anderson, C. Blackinton (Vice Chair), S. Ghimire, J. Hammersley, H. Hemphill (Chair), S. House

Members Absent: K. Keefe

Guests Present:  J. Lin, K. Man, S. Hum, T. Davis, N. Miczo, D. DeVolder, L. Oden, M. Bezold, J. Robinett

Ex-officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEAL

A. Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student unable to attend. Dr. Lin and Dr. Man were in attendance and explained that the student had family issues. The department believes that the student can finish the program.

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

B. Biology

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

a. Student A

Student and Dr. Hum were present. Dr. Hum explained that the student only took one graduate level course last semester and it was one of the most difficult. Department is confident that the student will be successful this semester.

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

b. Student B

Student and Dr. Hum were in attendance. Student explained that they have an incomplete in a course that once the grade is submitted, should increase the GPA above a 3.0. Dr. Hum noted that this semester will be a lighter course load. Ms. Blackinton asked for clarification on the request and the previous semester. The student responded that this is the second request of this nature but would not be needed if the incomplete grade change had been processed.

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

C. Business Administration

1. Request for a late withdrawal

a. Student A

Student and department not able to attend. Council reviewed information submitted and noted that there were numerous military obligations that prevented the student from withdrawing on time.

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

b. Student B

Student was in attendance. Dr. Hammersley asked about timeline for starting back to classes. Student responded that they are hoping to enroll this semester to get back on track.

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

c. Student C

Student and department not able to attend. Council reviewed documents submitted with the petition.

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

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

Student and department not able to attend. Discussion was held over courses taken and the assistantship position.

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

3. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student in attendance. Student stressed that her intention is to finish her degree and just needs one course to make it happen. She added that she wears multiple hats and overcommitted herself but is dedicated to finish.

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

D. College Student Personnel

1. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

Student and Dr. Davis were in attendance. Dr. Davis noted that a faculty member from the student’s undergraduate program also submitted a letter of support and it would be emailed to Council members. Discussion was held over the level of support from the program.

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

E. Communication

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

a. Student A

Student and Dr. Miczo were present. Student explained that he struggled previously but has worked hard to continue to improve grades. One early semester has made it difficult to bring the GPA up where it needs to be. This should be the last semester for his program and with the assistantship. Dr. Miczo added that he is confident that the student will be able to finish out the degree. Discussion was held over the GPA requirement for degree completion and the remaining courses.

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

b. Student B

Student and Dr. Miczo were in attendance. Dr. Hemphill asked for clarification on the location of the assistantship. Student provided the information and added that he has worked with his supervisor and advisor to form a plan for moving forward. He is stepping back from some of his social responsibilities so he can focus on courses. Dr. Miczo added that the department chalks it up to the transition from undergrad to grad school and is very supportive of the student.

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

c. Student C

Student and Dr. Miczo attended. Student plans to take a full course load this semester but has shown that she could handle it previously. Dr. Miczo added that one course appeared to be an anomaly but brought the entire GPA down. Student confirmed that the one course was the problem but the assistantship has helped with time management skills.

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

d. Student D

Student and Dr. Miczo were present. The student expressed discontent with one course during the fall semester. Dr. Miczo added that the adjustment to graduate school played a role but feels confident that the GPA can increase. Discussion was held over the process of the appeal and the overall GPA.

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

F. Computer Science

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student and Dr. DeVolder attended. The student’s family got covid right after he arrived in the U.S. and one passed away. He explained that his first low grade was earned while taking a course from his home country in the midst of a natural disaster. Discussion was held over courses.

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

b. Student B

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. Student provided significant medical documentation while indicating that she feels better and hopeful about this semester. Dr. DeVolder added that the student was reasonably successful previously and that the spring semester should be better.

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

c. Student C

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student provided medical documentation. Dr. Ghimire asked if the student planned to take courses this semester. The student responded that yes, he plans to if approved. Dr. Hemphill asked about the remaining courses for the program. Dr. DeVolder stated that they could enroll him in enough courses for a full load this semester to keep him on track for the program.

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

G. Health Sciences

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Student, Dr. Bezold, and Dr. Oden were present. Student explained that it was a struggle to balance grad school and everything that she had going on in her personal life. She did not adjust to remote learning well at all during the beginning of the pandemic but this is supposed to be her last semester. Dr. Oden added that the department fully supports her and thinks that this last semester will go very well.

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

H. Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration   

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

Student and Dr. Robinett attended. Dr. Robinett stated that this is the student’s first semester with significant cultural challenges but they should not continue to be an issue moving forward. The primary issue was a difference in citing sources but they have been addressed.

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

 

Meeting adjourned: 5:20 p.m.