skip to main content ISU bar University Faculty Senate Approved October 31, 2008 October 24, 2008 Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2008-09 GC#5 Present: W. Barrett, Stan Buchanan, M. Boyer, B. Corcoran, B. Frank, M. Haque, B. El-Mansour, Absent: E. Hampton, L. O’Laughlin Speaking Seats: Will Barratt (Administrative Fellow, SOGS), D. Collins (COE), Jay Gatrell (Graduate Dean), S. Gick (Registrar), H. Hudson (CAS), G. Maughan (Technology), R. McGiverin (Library), P. Terpelets (Graduate SGA) Guests: 1. Call to Order: M. Boyer called the meeting to order at 10:03AM. 2. Agenda: The agenda was adopted by acclamation. 3. Minutes: B. Frank moved approval of minutes from 10.17.08; M. Haque seconded. Minutes were approved. Vote: 7-0-0. 4. Old/Unfinished/Ongoing Business a. B. Frank moves approval of GC statement on plagiarism; R. McGiverin seconds. Motion reads: “Graduate students are expected to abide by the University's Code of Student Conduct, which includes a statement about Academic Integrity. Further, issues of plagiarism discovered in a thesis, dissertation, or culminating project could result in withholding of the graduate degree.” i. Discussion: “or revoking” is added by friendly amendment to the motion. The motion reads: “Graduate students are expected to abide by the University's Code of Student Conduct, which includes a statement about Academic Integrity. Further, issues of plagiarism discovered in a thesis, dissertation, or culminating project could result in withholding or revoking of the graduate degree.” ii. This is a statement from the GC affirming SoGS and University policy and standards. Thus, due process for the student charged with an infraction is assumed; such students would go through the standard student judicial process. iii. Vote: 6-0-1. iv. This statement will be posted under student and faculty resources on the SoGS website. 5. New Business a. Program Development Committee Actions i. A number of items are pending. b. Discussion regarding Assistantship Job Descriptions (B. El-Mansour). i. There is no requirement that job descriptions be posted in official venues; Human Resources wanted this, but such is not presently the case. ii. Discussion: B. El-Mansour notes that some graduate assistants are viewed by faculty and administrative supervisors as workers not students. B. Frank suggests that this might be because the students are working out of their respective fields. J. Gatrell acknowledges that there are no formal mechanisms to match students with appointments outside of their home department. Professionally appropriate assignments cannot be guaranteed. H. Hudson notes that some supervisors may be requesting GAs to perform personal tasks. (The GC expresses universal opprobrium towards the inappropriate use of GAs.) M. Boyer says that a universal reminder the appropriate use of GAs might be very useful. J. Gatrell comments that there is an issue of authority in the situation as students may not be willing to complain about inappropriate requests. B. Frank says that some students have not been able to take the Jewish Holidays without penalty. M. Boyer suggests that a gentle reminder to supervisors would be useful. R. McGiverin comments that there is no pool of GAs to match students to their departments or their professional aims. M. Boyer notes that GAs are a great and necessary resource; she asks J. Gatrell to craft a notice/reminder to supervisors. c. Thesis/Dissertation Titles on Transcript (S. Gick) i. B. Frank moves that the GC ask the Registrar to include titles of theses and dissertations on graduate student transcripts; B. El-Mansour seconds. ii. Discussion: The trend nationally is to include this information on transcripts. S. Gick asks GC to start putting together a procedure to implement the inclusion of titles of theses and dissertations on transcripts. The degree and the project title would be posted at the same time. This will enhance the presentation of the student’s work and designate their expertise. iii. Vote: 6-0-1. 6. Reports: a. Chairperson (M. Boyer): i. Thesis and Dissertation Handbook changes, Graduate Assistantship adjustments, and a fast-track procedure for program proposals were all approved by the Faculty Senate on 10.23.08. ii. In Cunningham Memorial Library, on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at 8:00 am, a meeting will be held to discuss electronic theses and dissertations. b. Faculty Senate Liaison’s Report (T. Sawyer): i. No Report c. Registrar’s Report (S. Gick): i. A Red Flag Rule on identity theft will be implemented by Nov. 1, 2008. This was developed for places that extend credit, which we do. The Registrar’s office is requesting sufficient information from individuals to verify the validity of transcript requests. ii. Regarding the registering of midterm grades, 93.5% of the faculty participated. 1. B. Frank notes that she would like to see some midterm grade posting for graduate students. J. Gatrell says this would help with monitoring attendance of graduate program. 2. M. Boyer suggests that this would surely be a lively campus discussion. iii. B. El-Mansour asks about removing dropped students from Blackboard rosters. S. Gick says this is possible, but notes that we need to decide on the date this would occur. There are a number of issues to be fully thought through. d. Administrative Report (Dean J. Gatrell): i. Search for the Graduate Assistant Dean position: a half-day model of interviews will commence next week. 43 candidates applied for the job; 3 candidates are coming to campus over the next two weeks. ii. IP (in progress) grade implementation: J. Gatrell passed out a list of “in progress” courses, culminating experiences, etc. to chairs and others. This would be implemented for fall 2009. iii. ETD (Electronic Thesis and Dissertation) proposal is coming forward soon. Consultants are offering valuable information on issues such as identity theft. iv. Homecoming is this weekend. v. Student Research Awards amounts: J. Gatrell wants to revise the amounts and the approval process for the spring. The same priorities will be in effect. The aim is to give winning students the amounts they have actually requested. e. Graduate Student Report: (P. Terpelets) i. A new Graduate Student representative has volunteered to sit on the Graduate Council. ii. GSA discussion revisited the issue of compensation. J. Gatrell says that the building fee issue will be discussed with D. McKee. 7. Upcoming Business a. The next GC meeting will occur 10.31.08 at 10:00 am. b. Draft language on ETD will be considered. 8. Adjournment – 10:54 AM Respectfully submitted, Brendan Corcoran Secretary Last modified: March 03, 2009 Copyright © 2007 by Indiana State University.