Graduate Studies

Graduate Council Minutes - September 11, 2017

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall 60/QC 2203

Members Present: J. Ehrlich, H. Hemphill, A. Hyde, J. Jones, K. Kapale (Vice Chair), J. Laurent (Chair), M. Stryker, S. Szyjka

Guests Present: L. Baker-Sperry; D. DeVolder; K. Sears; T. Kaul; A. Ekanayake; K. Daytner; K. Mayborn; A. Simpson, Jr.; T. Davis; D. Ekanayake

Ex-Officio Present: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz, M. Bennett

I. STUDENT APPEALS

A. Computer Science

1. Request to waive the 6-hour C rule

a. Student A

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. The student noted that he had suffered illness due to the climate change but did not have documentation. He also stated that he took an extra heavy course load plus had numerous deaths in his family over a period of two years. The student stated that he is doing well so far this semester. Dr. Hemphill asked about treatment for his illness. Dr. Stryker expressed concern that there was no documentation.

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

b. Student B

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. The student explained that he suffered health issues relating to the difference in weather. He provided medical documentation and had issues adjusting to the U.S. education standards. The student added that he has had issues from his home country and couldn’t concentrate on mid-term exams. Dr. Stryker asked about current grades. Dr. Ehrlich asked about additional courses.

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

c. Student C

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. This is the student’s second petition for a waiver. The student explained that he suffered head injuries and provided documentation. He added that he suffered memory issues during the spring semester which led to the low grade. The student noted that his doctor recommended breaks during studying. Dr. DeVolder added that the course with the recent low grade was exam based as opposed to project based like the courses he was successful in. The student noted that treatment is ongoing for the head injury.

Motion: To approve the request. (Hyde/Ehrlich)
MOTION FAILED 3 YES – 5 NO – 0 AB

d. Student D

Student and Dr. DeVolder were in attendance. Student explained that a family member fell ill and passed away but he did not have the requested documentation yet. Dr. Ehrlich asked about the method of delivery of the course.

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

e. Student E

Student and Dr. DeVolder were present. Student explained that he was a transfer student and lost his passport plus had family issues adding to his stress. Documentation was presented to confirm situation. Dr. DeVolder added his support and confirmed the situation.

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


II. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic integrity incident reports filed in the School of Graduate Studies, April – August 2017 (19)

1. Resolved at the instructor level – 19

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, April – August 2017 (13)

1. Biology (10) – approved

2. Chemistry (1) - approved

3. English (1) - approved

4. Sociology (1) - approved

C. Graduate Committee Chair fall semester meeting – September 20, 2017

Ms. Schulz announced the date for the fall Graduate Committee Chair meeting and added that Council members would receive an emailed reminder notice about the meeting. Dr. Parsons provided a brief overview of some of the topics to be covered including social media use, international admissions GPA calculation, and recruitment strategies.

D. Temporary Graduate Faculty approvals for 2017-2018

Ms. Schulz provided Council members with the list of those approved to receive temporary graduate faculty status for the 2017-2018 academic year.

E. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Fund

Ms. Schulz requested a sub-committee of one member from each college be formed to review the fall applications for the Graduate Student Research and Professional Development award recipients. Graduate Council members will serve on the committees as follows:

Fall 2017 semester: Dr. Hemphill, Dr. Kapale, Dr. Stryker, and Dr. Szyjka
Spring 2018 semester: Dr. Ehrlich, Dr. Hyde, Dr. Laurent, and Dr. Stegall

A date in mid-October will be established for the fall selection meeting. Ms. Schulz will provide copies of the applications and evaluation forms. She will also schedule a location for the meeting and notify all involved.

F. Student Learning Assessment Committee

Dr. Parsons announced that a representative from the Graduate Council needs to serve on the Student Learning Assessment Committee. Dr. Kapale volunteered to serve in this role.


III. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Economics

1. Request to change post-baccalaureate certificate program requirements

a. Business Analytics

Dr. Kaul explained that the change is the addition of an assessment course, DS 603. Dr. Hyde asked if it was typical to have an exam in a PBC program. Dr. Kaul stated that it was used for feedback for the program.

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

B. Educational Studies

1. Request to change graduate program requirements

a. College Student Personnel – Higher Education Leadership

Dr. Davis explained to the Council that the request is to remove the choice of EIS 503 or EIS 504 with CSP 552.

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

Per a suggestion made by Dr. Laurent, Dr. Kapale made a motion to reorder the agenda and review full membership requests for the graduate faculty next.

Motion: To reorder the agenda. (Kapale/Hyde)
MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB


IV. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Amy J. Ekanayake, Associate Professor, Mathematics & Philosophy

Dr. A. Ekanayake and Dr. D. Ekanayake were in attendance. Dr. Parsons asked if work has been done on thesis committees. Dr. A. Ekanayake responded that yes, she has served on four or five committees.

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

B. Kathy McGuire, Assistant Professor, Psychology

Dr. Sears was present to represent Dr. McGuire. Dr. Parsons asked for clarification on the CV as to if Dr. McGuire served as a member on committees or the chair. Dr. Sears responded that it was as a member.

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

V. OLD BUSINESS

A. Graduate Degree Options sub-committee

It was approved at the April 3, 2017 for a sub-committee of the Graduate Council to be formed to explore and create definitions for options at the graduate level. The Council was asked for volunteers to take on this task. Dr. Ehrlich, Dr. Kapale, and Dr. Hemphill volunteered to form the sub-committee.


VI. NEW BUSINESS

A. Number of hours allowable to transfer into doctoral programs

Dr. Parsons brought forth a proposal to allow up to 12 s.h. of transfer work for the doctoral programs. Any request for more than 12 s.h. would need to be reviewed by the Graduate Council.

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


VII. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

 

Meeting adjourned: 4:51 p.m.