Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - March 4, 2024

3:00 p.m., Virtual

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

Member Absent: Niyazi Ekici

Guests Present: Tara Feld, Renee Polubinsky, Ritchie Gabbei, Randy Hyllegard, Andrea Hyde, Leaunda Hemphill

Ex-officio Present: Kishor Kapale

Others Present: Amanda Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Education

1. Request for a late withdrawal

Dr. Hyde explained that the student was caught up in the confusion with changes in advising and enrolled without knowing for sure what they should be enrolled in.

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

2. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

Dr. Hyde noted that the student dealt with family health issues and only has two courses with C or lower but the hours for both courses together equals seven so over the six-hour limit.

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

II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Natalie Landowski, assistant professor, Music

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


III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, February 2024 (0)

B. Graduate Council Nomination and Election Procedures

Ms. Schulz announced that nomination petitions would be emailed to full members of the graduate faculty in the coming weeks followed by emailed ballots if needed. Vacant seats are in the College of Business and Technology and the College of Fine Arts and Communication. New members will be invited to the last regular Graduate Council meeting of the academic year.

IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Business Administration

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Business Administration

Dr. Feld explained the need within the industry to remove the option of MGT 540 and make DS 533 required.

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

B. Kinesiology

1. Request for a new graduate course

a. KIN 539, Instructional Strategies and Research in Physical Education, 3 s.h.

Dr. Gabbei presented the course to the Council. Dr. L. Hemphill asked for a slight modification to the title of the course so that it isn’t confused with courses in their discipline because of the word “instructional” in the title. Dr. H. Hemphill added that the term is specific to their field. Dr. Gabbei responded that there are instructional methods being taught and not research methods. UCEP was consulted and determined that a change was not necessary. Dr. McQuillan noted that there are a few other courses with the use of the term “instructional” in the title. Discussion was held over the content of the course. Dr. Zhao offered the suggestion of changing the order of the words in the title to “Physical Education Instructional Strategies and Research”. It was also noted that the frequency of the course should be changed to once per year.

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

b. KIN 555, Physical Education Content Knowledge, 3 s.h.

Dr. Babu noted that the letter “r” was missing in the catalog description at the end of “teachers”.

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

c. KIN 565, Physical Education Assessment and Evaluation, 3 s.h.

Dr. McQuillan noted that the abbreviated title is too long. Dr. Gabbei responded that they could remove “&Eval” to shorten the abbreviation.

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

d. KIN 577, Physical Education Curriculum Construction and Research, 3 s.h.

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

e. KIN 593, Physical Education Inclusion Strategies for Learners with Disabilities, 3 s.h.

It was noted that the catalog description was missing the “r” at the end of “teachers”.

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

C. Education

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in Teaching: Physical Education Licensure Track

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

b. Master of Arts in Teaching: World Languages Licensure Track

Request was withdrawn for further revisions by the department.

V. OLD BUSINESS

A. Student appeal procedure review.

Ms. Schulz provided information regarding the CAGAS model for student appeals. Dr. Hemphill asked if Council members had discussed possible changes within their own programs yet. Dr. McQuillan responded that a few from his area think that an anonymous process like CAGAS would be beneficial. They would also like to see a JotForm or Google form adopted for submissions. Mr. House indicated that some faculty in his area like the idea of students not attending and submitting everything in writing but also feel that the faculty attending added something to the appeals.

Dr. Polubinsky stated that she like the efficiency of the CAGAS model. Dr. Lough asked for more information on why Council is looking at the possible change. Dr. Hemphill responded that this would level the playing field for students by taking the emotional plea out of the appeals. Dr. Polubinsky added that programs have to be held to a standard and that communication between the program and student needs to be improved. Dr. Kapale added that changing the model eliminates the perception of subjectivity. This new process could also help educate the department about the process for the appeal and help them better communicate with the student clearly. There have been several inconsistencies with the type of paperwork submitted by the student and by the programs.

Motion: To form a sub-committee to review and draft a proposal. (House/McQuillan)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

A sub-committee was formed consisting of Dr. Hemphill, Mr. House, Dr. Lough, and Dr. McQuillan.

VI. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:01 p.m.