Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - March 30, 2020

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Virtual

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

Members Absent: J. Hammersley

Guests Present: T. Davis, B. Birnbaum, J. Myers, T. Lough, R. Mann, S. Hum-Musser, G. Woodruff, V. Baramidze, S. Thompson, J. Lin, L. Oden

Ex-officio Absent: Mark Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Request to hold an assistantship as a probationary student

1. College Student Personnel

Student unable to attend. Dr. Davis provided information. Student has experience and the program felt that the student interviewed very well. Dr. Hemphill asked about the last semester GPA. Dr. Davis noted that the student has significant life experience and that the faculty felt confident in being able to mentor her.

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


II. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Barry Birnbaum, Associate Professor, Education

Dr. Birnbaum informed the Council that he had taken out the pieces that were not relevant and elaborated on his undergraduate and graduate work. Dr. Hemphill asked about refereed publications. Dr. Birnbaum provided that information and noted that a book previously listed as peer reviewed is now available.

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


III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, February 2020 (0)

B. Requests to serve as a reader/chair on exit option committee, February 2020 (0)

C. Graduate Council Nomination and Election Update

Ms. Schulz stated that election ballots for those colleges that had more than one nomination would be handled via email and Google Form submission. The elected representatives would be invited to the final meeting of the 2019-2020 academic year for introductions and election of the chair and vice chair positions.


IV. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Biological Sciences

1. Request for a new graduate (500 or 600-level) course

a. BIOL 580, TA/TSA Science Teaching Training, 0 s.h.

Dr. Hum-Musser stated that the department is requesting this course as a 0 credit class to provide required training for those with assistantships. They have previously used a 500-level course that was taken for credit. Dr. Hemphill asked if it will be graded S/U. Dr. Hum-Musser replied that yes, that is the intent so that it does not take away from the required credit hours of the program. Dr. Locke complimented the proposal.

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

B. Earth, Atmospheric, and GIS

1. Request to change post-baccalaureate certificate program requirements

a. Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in GIS Analysis

Dr. Thompson explained that it is becoming more common for employers in Community and Economic Development to look for backgrounds in GIS and graduate students are starting to ask more frequently for this certificate. The proposed changes were done in cooperation with Dr. Merrett.

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

C. Economics & Decision Sciences

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. ECON/AGEC 430, Environmental Economics, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin stated that there would be a more intensive project for graduate students that would be consistent between the Ag and Econ sections. Dr. Locke asked about the grading scale and wanted to know the breakdown for projects. Dr. Lin replied that the project is pass/fail and not necessarily worth more points. Discussion was held regarding the grading scale. Some members of Council would like to see the breakdown and coordinating grading scales.

Motion: To postpone the request. (Locke/Blackinton)
MOTION FAILED 3 YES – 4 NO – 0 AB

Discussion continued regarding the requirement on course requests and providing adequate grading scales for comparison between undergraduate and graduate work.

Motion: To approve the request pending email submission of the grading scale and subsequent vote via email. (Anderson/Locke)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. ECON 479, Microfinance in Action, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin noted that the graduate grading scale is available on this form. Dr. Locke stated that it was a more tangible scale.

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

c. ECON 488, Experimental Economics, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin stated that this request has a very intensive project for graduate students that is graded on a pass/fail basis but does not have a breakdown of the points. Dr. Lin was able to share additional information from the syllabus that included the specific additional work requirements for graduate students.

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

d. ECON 490, Introduction to Health Economics, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lin explained that this is her own course and that there is a data analysis section for graduate students.

Motion: To approve the request pending email submission of the grading scale and subsequent vote via email. (Locke/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Science in Quantitative Economics

Dr. Lin noted that this request adds a course to the core requirements and reduces the electives by one course. The total program hours remain the same.

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

D. Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

1. Request for a 400-G level course

a. LEJA 431, Organized Crime, 3 s.h.

Dr. Lough stated that the program needs a graduate option over the summer and this is offered once a year. The graduate students will do a large paper in addition to the undergraduate requirements. Ms. Blackinton asked about the relationship between this course and other graduate level courses. Dr. Lough noted that there is some overlap but this is largely an independent topic.

Motion: To approve the request pending email submission of grading scale breakdown and relation to the discipline. (Locke/Blackinton)
MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

E. Mathematics

1. Request for multiple-title approval

a. MATH 656, Advanced Perspectives of Topics from Secondary School Mathematics, 3 repeatable to 6

Dr. Baramidze and Dr. Mann explained that this course is part of the new program that is being requested and will be built upon online courses.

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

2. Request for a new graduate program

a. Master of Science in Teaching Mathematics

Dr. Mann explained that no other new courses are required for this program. Minor changes to a few existing courses have already been approved. This online program was created to encourage more Math teachers. Dr. Szyjka asked about competition with the Curriculum and Instruction degree. Dr. Mann noted that this program is for secondary level whereas the C&I program is for K-8.

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


V. OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Hemphill stated that the idea of alternative grading options is still being discussed and moving forward for the Spring 2020 semester. Discussion was held regarding the value in turning lower grades into a P or S grade while still having the option to keep the grade as is. This would need to be done in consultation with advisors with the advising kept with the faculty and graduate coordinators. Would there need to be a required sign-off by the advisors? Will continue the conversation moving forward.

Dr. Locke noted that it might be worthwhile to look at the 400-G level request form and update the language to ask for the grading scale breakdown.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:49 p.m.