skip to main content ISU bar University Faculty Senate Approved January 20 2009 December 4, 2008 Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2008-09 GC#8 Present: W. Barratt, M. Boyer, B. Corcoran, B. Frank, E. Hampton, M. Haque, B. El-Mansour, L. O’Laughlin Absent: Stan Buchanan Speaking Seats: W. Barratt (Administrative Fellow, SoGS), D. Collins (COE), S. Gick (Registrar), A. Jamison (Graduate SGA), R. McGiverin (Library) Guests: 1. Call to Order: M. Boyer called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM. 2. Agenda: The agenda, with modifications, was adopted by acclamation. 3. Minutes: E. Hampton moved approval of minutes from 11.14.08; R. McGiverin seconded. Minutes were approved. Vote: 5-0-3. 4. Old/Unfinished/Ongoing Business a. Revised Approval Form for Thesis/Dissertation i. J. Gatrell emailed a revised Approval Form to the GC for further comment. ii. B. Frank notes that an additional signature line for the Committee Chair might cause consternation because the role of the Committee Chair may not be fully understood at present. There is a suggestion about setting up SoGS workshops for faculty. iii. M. Boyer notes that there has been much discussion about this certificate and that we need this to be part of a larger process. iv. The new form will be included on the SoGS website in a week. 5. New Business a. School of Graduate Studies Revised Mission Statement: B. Frank moves approval of newly revised Mission Statement; E. Hampton seconds. i. The draft from 12/1/08 states: “The School of Graduate Studies facilitates student and faculty teaching, research, scholarship, creativity, and community engagement. The School provides leadership in quality graduate program development and the recruitment, education, and professional preparation of students throughout Indiana and the world.” ii. B. Corcoran notes the final line’s difference from the University’s Mission Statement that focuses on preparation of students “for Indiana and the world” as opposed to “throughout Indiana and the world.” The committee recognizes and accepts this shift in emphasis. iii. The new Mission Statement is approved. Vote: 7-0-1. 6. Reports: a. Vice-Chairperson (L. O’Laughlin): i. On the current assistantship policy for distance students, Assistantship/Fellowship Subcommittee Chair, R. Gonser notes by email to L. O’Laughlin that the subcommittee “is not suggesting a change to the current policy and feels that the current policy is sufficient to address the issue of scholarship/fee waiver for distance students.” ii. On the issue of assistantship hours, Assistantship/Fellowship Subcommittee Chair, R. Gonser notes by email to L. O’Laughlin that the subcommittee “is not suggesting a change to the current policy. The current policy allows for exceptions (going above the 9 credit hours a semester) with the approval of the Dean.” He continues, saying: “We determined there was adequate flexibility in the existing document that we did not want to make or add any explicit statements at this time.” b. Faculty Senate Liaison’s Report (T. Sawyer): i. No Report c. Registrar’s Report (S. Gick): i. Grade processing has started. ii. Registration is open. iii. Minus Grade structure will be incorporated into the system as soon as possible. Department Chairs may have to address catalog copy for programs to fit the new grade structure and numbers in GPA scale. 1. There will be a fall to fall comparison to gauge changes in grade percentages with adoption of the new system. iv. The Registrar’s Office will establish a new set of standard hours for 5 week sessions that will meet M-Th, given the proposed shift to this new format. Chairs need this information as soon as possible to organize summer schedules. d. Administrative Report (J. Barratt, SoGS Dean Rep.): i. Course Changes to Communications 570 are being moved forward on a fast-track basis. ii. A need to revise the current application form to take preliminary exams is considered. In the past there were a number of basic competency exams. There is interest in the committee to proceed with a revision. iii. On Feb. 2, 2009, with the aim to consolidate admissions in one place, two SoGS administrative assistants will move to the Admissions Office to handle SoGS admissions in the Admissions Office. SoGS will continue to send departments lists of applicants. There is a question as to whether programs still admit their own students. Yes. The GC strongly encourages the Dean to monitor this move very carefully so that we make sure that all applicants’ materials are handled expeditiously and that relevant information is shared with the appropriate people. 1. M. Haque asks about when acceptance letters will be sent out. SoGS is very flexible with this. iv. Report statements emailed from J. Gatrell: 1. “Graduation Rates/Retention/Time to Degree. I have asked OSPIRE to complete the first comprehensive review of graduate program data. To that end, the data are attached. These data have been sent to Deans, Department Chairs, and Program Coordinators. Will Barratt will be following up on a case by case basis as appropriate.” 2. “In response to GC action last week, I have worked with the GC Executive Committee and Associate Deans to develop a new form. The new form is discussed today. The new form will be effective January 2009.” e. Graduate Student Report: (A. Jamison) i. No Report 7. Upcoming Business a. The first meeting of the spring semester will probably be scheduled for the first week of classes. An agreed-upon time will require committee members’ flexibility. 8. Adjournment – 11:02 AM Respectfully submitted, Brendan Corcoran Secretary Last modified: March 03, 2009 Copyright © 2007 by Indiana State University.