Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - November 1, 2021

3:00 p.m., Virtual

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

Guests Present: PK Babu, K. Kapale, J. Lin, K. Daytner, K. Sonkeng, E. Sheffield, J. Robinett, R. Polubinsky

Ex-officio Present: M. Mossman

Others Present: A. Schulz

 

I. STUDENT APPEAL

A. Request for a late withdrawal

1. Physics

Dr. Babu and Dr. Kapale were in attendance as the student was not available. Student didn’t realize that he had not withdrawn from the requested semester. Dr. Kapale stated that this student was a nontraditional student that received his undergraduate degree and continued into the graduate program but wasn’t fully committed to continuing. Dr. Babu added that the student had withdrawn from the summer session but forgot that he was also registered for the fall semester.

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


II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, October 2021 (0)

B. Graduate Committee Chair fall semester meeting recap

Dr. Mossman provided a summary of the meeting that took place at the end of September. The meeting provided attendees with updates on enrollment, international and domestic recruitment, and information about committees formed to work on action items from the strategic plan. Dr. Mossman also commended the staff of the School of Graduate Studies for their relentless work to process the increasing number of applicants to graduate school.


III. CURRICULUM

A. Accounting, Finance, Economics & Decision Sciences

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

a. ACCT 501, CPA Review for Industry Professionals, 0 s.h.

Dr. Lin explained that this course is a sister course to one that was approved last semester. While the previous course is proving to be successful, they discovered that there are significant differences between students that are already working or have a job offer in hand versus those that are not as far along with school. This new course will be for the students that are already working professionals or have a job offer. Dr. Ghimire asked if there would be a chance for a student to have to take both. Dr. Lin responded that no, they will know before registration which one is the appropriate course to take.

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


B. Education

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. Master of Arts in Teaching: Alternative Teacher Licensure

Dr. Sheffield presented the request stating that a new focus area in early childhood education is being added which is driven by the teacher shortage as well as pressure from the state. He is working with an early childhood consortium that is developing programs in response to the shortage. Legislation was proposed to allow junior colleges the ability to award four-year degrees in early childhood education but was put on hold to give universities an opportunity to address the need first. This focus area is WIU’s response.

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


C. Kinesiology

1. Request for integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program

a. Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration/Master of Science in Sport Management

Dr. Polubinsky, Dr. Robinett, and Dr. Sonkeng were in attendance. Dr. Polubinsky explained that the two programs view this as a way to assist both with recruitment. The plan would include the students taking at least one summer course in order to complete the master’s degree in only one additional year. She also noted that there was an accidental omission in the Sport Management core courses. Dr. Hemphill questioned the title listed for SM 555 in the proposal. Dr. Polubinsky stated that SM 555 should have the title of Sport Marketing and SM 558 should be added with the title of Organizational Theory in Sport. Dr. Keefe asked to clarify the number of allowed bridge courses and the total number of hours for the master’s program. Dr. Polubinsky responded that they will allow six hours of bridge credit and the total program is 42 hours.

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


IV. OTHER BUSINESS

Ms. Schulz notified Council members that they would need to vote at the next meeting on whether to hold the spring semester meetings in person or virtually. The decision will be subject to University policy in place at the time of the meetings.

 

Meeting adjourned: 3:26 p.m.