The regular meeting of the Graduate Council was held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 in the Forum Room of the Ferguson Center.

MEMBERS PRESENT:               

Dr. Natalie Adams, Dr. Martin G. Bakker,

Dr. Bruce E. Barrett, Dr. Sharon E. Beatty,

Dr. Barbara Fischer, Dr. Timothy A. Haskew,  

Dr. Marsha L. Houston, Dr. D. Jeff Jackson,

Dr. Laura G. Klinger, Dr. Richard G. Lomax,

Dr. Yorgo Pasadeos, Dr. Martha J. Powell,

Dr. Eric E. Roden, Dr. Nancy J. Rubin,

Dr. Edward J. Schnee, Dr. Forrest R. Scogin,  

Dr. Stephen J. Thoma, Dr. Harold M. Weber,

Dr. John M. Wiest, Dr. Elizabeth K. Wilson,

Dr. Carol S. Drolen for Dr. Jordan I. Kosberg

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Dr. David W. Cordes, Dr. Jordan I. Kosberg, 

Dr. Michael D. Murphy, Dr. Sharon O’Dair,

Dr. David R. Roskos-Ewoldsen, Dr. Joyce B. Stallworth,

Dr. Marietta P. Stanton, Dr. Pieter B. Visscher,

Dr. S. Allen Wilcoxon

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS PRESENT:

Dr. Ronald Rogers, Dr. Tavan T. Trent

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT:

Mr. Enrique A. Gomez

 GRADUATE SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES  PRESENT:

Dr. Pat Harrison, Associate Dean,

Dr. John F. Schmitt, Associate Dean,

Ms. Louise Labosier, Admissions Officer

Dean Ron Rogers opened the meeting by asking if there were corrections to the February 25, 2003 Graduate Council minutes.  No corrections were noted, and the minutes were approved as written.

Dean Rogers called for the reports from various committees.

I.                   Reports from Graduate Council Committees

A.        Program and Degree Requirements

Chairman Dr. Steve Thoma reported that the new administration had expressed a desire to include performance indicators in the proposed graduate student exit survey.  The committee, in conjunction with the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, determined to table consideration of the survey until next fall in order to accommodate the new direction.

B.        Financial Aid

            Dr. Pat Harrison distributed handout materials to the Council members summarizing the committee’s activities for the year. Since the February meeting, Rounds 2 and 3 of Graduate Council Regular Fellowships were completed, resulting in 101 nominations, 39 fellowship offers, and 30 fellowships accepted.

She announced that some Graduate Council Fellowships are available for summer. Friday, May 02, 2003 is the deadline for nomination.

C.                  Admissions and Recruitment 

Dr. Ed Schnee reported that the committee, in compliance with the Graduate Council policy, had conducted a five-year review of the School of Music’s waiver of test scores as an admission requirement.  Statistical information provided to the committee was favorable, and the committee recommended the continuance of the waiver of test score as an admission criterion for the School of Music.

II.               Reports from the Dean’s Office and Academic Affairs

Dr. Pat Harrison announced that the number of applications for summer and fall 2003 are up, and the number of applicants admitted is very encouraging.  She reported that ETS (Educational Testing Services), at the request of the Chinese government, has temporarily suspended administration of both the TOEFL and GMAT tests due to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Dr. John Schmitt thanked Council members who had served on several Academic Program Review committees.  Dr. John Wiest chaired the review of Geology, Dr. Yorgo Pasadeos chaired the review of Philosophy, and Dr. Martin Bakker chaired the review of Physics and Astronomy with Dr. Tavan Trent as the Faculty Senate representative to the committee, Dr. Marietta Stanton chaired the review of Communication Studies, Dr. David Roskos-Ewoldsen and Dr. Harold Weber served on the review committee for Political Science, and former council member, Dr. Beverly Thorn, chaired the review committee for the doctoral program in Mass Communication.

Dr. Schmitt will be attending a June 9 orientation meeting in Atlanta for the reaffirmation of the University’s SACS accreditation.  He will post information on the Graduate School website as it becomes available.

Dr. Rogers reported that the meetings of deans and vice-presidents this year had focused more on budget reallocation rather than academic matters.  He feels that Dr. Robert Witt will have input into these matters in the upcoming months, but at this time has been requesting information from deans and vice-presidents in an effort to learn about the university community.

III.      Reports from Standing University Committees

Dr. Tavan Trent reported that the Faculty Senate had discussed reallocation, post-tenure review, and tax reform at its recent meetings.

IV.      Old Business

There was no old business.

V.        New Business

Dr. Rogers reported that John Kasberg, University Risk Management Analyst, has been able to locate a company that would provide dental insurance for graduate students.  Dr. Rogers indicated that the potential drawback is the mandatory nature of the policy.  He would like to have some feedback from graduate students regarding this possibility of having dental insurance.

A motion was made and seconded that Dr. Richard Lomax represent the Graduate Council on the University Committee for Merger and Discontinuance of Academic Programs. The motion passed.

Dean Rogers adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.