skip to main content ISU bar University Faculty Senate Approved February 17 2009 February 3, 2009 Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2008-09 GC#10 Present: W. Barratt, M. Boyer, B. Corcoran, B. El-Mansour, E. Hampton, M. Haque, L. O’Laughlin Absent: S. Barton-Bellessa, Stan Buchanan, Speaking Seats: W. Barratt (Administrative Fellow, SoGS), D. Collins (COE), April Hay (SoGS), S. Gick (Registrar), H. Hudson (CAS), A. Jamison (Graduate SGA), D. Mallory (Nursing), G. Maugham (Technology), R. McGiverin (Library) Guests: 1. Call to Order: M. Boyer called the meeting to order at 8:07 AM. 2. Agenda: The agenda, with modifications, was adopted by acclamation. 3. Minutes: W. Barratt moved approval of minutes from 01.20.09; L. O’Laughlin seconded. Minutes were approved. Vote: 3-0-2. 4. Old/Unfinished/Ongoing Business a. Preliminary Exam instructions (see 5b) 5. New Business a. Curriculum Items from Program Development Committee regarding Mental Health Counseling program and Communication program. i. Mental Health Counseling: the request is to change the name of the program for accreditation purposes. This action is coming from committee. Vote: 5-0-2 ii. Communication program: this action involves the banking of older concentrations (Comm Studies, Comm Ed and RTV programs) and the reconfiguring of the program by creating two new courses and strengthening their core courses. Vote: 6-0-1. b. Graduate Catalog “Front Matter” copy revisions. GC examines text for awkward, unclear, or inaccurate language. (Discussion) i. H. Hudson mentions that we may have to consider GPA numbers throughout the catalog with the move to minus grades. [3.0 is B-] Programs can make requirements higher if needed. S. Gick suggests that programs review whether their GPA requirements were designed for a 4-point system or in terms of a grade system. ii. On Guest Student Admission: W. Barratt suggests that we remove the Guest Student category entirely. M. Boyer reminds GC that there was wrangling over removing this some years ago. If it is used in some disciplines, then it might be kept. iii. It will be important for the Dean to align the new Assistantship Policy with the current catalog. iv. April Hay asks about policy for admission as an ISU senior; this was passed by the GC on 01.20.09. v. Correspondence Study: it might be time to add a clarification or remove this short section. The Registrar is asked if there are any correspondence classes today; they are exceedingly rare. Web-based distance education has largely subsumed this kind of course delivery. GC recommends that the Dean remove this language. vi. Grading: W. Barratt asks whether a C- counts towards graduate credit; S. Gick says that C- does not count towards graduate credit. D. Collins asks about the value of including descriptions of graduate grades: “excellent,” “above average,” etc. We might also add the statement that C-/1.7 GPA does not count towards graduate credit. vii. Preparation of Theses and Dissertations: electronic thesis and dissertation policy will be included in this section and accurately aligned with current policy language. viii. Student Withdrawal: Dean will need to align this section with recently approved Graduate Assistantship Policy. ix. Transfer Credit: there is awkward phrasing in section #3. There is a question about having Transfer Credit mentioned at various points throughout the overall document . D. Collins suggests that the Dean compile all references to Transfer Credit in a single Transfer Credit Section. x. Doctoral Committee: we need to adjust language from “major program” to “major area.” xi. Research Proficiency: there is a recommendation to change “no longer requires” to “does not require.” xii. Dissertation: there is a question about summer registration for course 899 if graduating in the summer. SoGS requires continuous enrollment. The language about 899 may not be necessary. Also, all language about hard-copy theses and dissertations needs to be aligned with EDT policy. Clinical PhD candidates, who only have internships remaining, may participate in May commencement ceremony. 6. Reports: a. Chairperson (M. Boyer): i. The SoGS Dean left several announcements regarding the official count that will be emailed. ii. ETD policy passed in Senate. Library has a new digital thesis librarian. b. Faculty Senate Liaison’s Report (T. Sawyer): i. No Report c. Registrar’s Report (S. Gick): i. With titles of theses and dissertations now appearing on transcripts, mention of this change may need to be added to the catalog. ii. Check that departmental links are live. d. Administrative Report (J. Gatrell, SoGS Dean): i. As reported by email: 1. “The official count as reported in the Registrar's memo for Monday, January 19, was that ‘Graduate enrollment decreased 1.12 percent, 22 students, from 1,958 in 2008 to 1,936 in 2009.’ Having said this, SoGS received registration forms for the IU-School of Medicine, Terre Haute, only today (1/26). In the future, efforts will be made to ensure that these students (44 students enrolled in 12 credits each) are included in the official count. 2. ETD: “The ETD policy was approved by the Senate and Dr. Will Barratt will be working with OIT and Library on implementation (i.e., workflow, technical issues, website, etc...). If any members of GC (or graduate faculty) are interested participating in this more technical process, I encourage you to contact Will.” e. Graduate Student Report: (A. Jamison) i. Question: is there a change of grade request form? These policies and forms are located in the college. 7. Upcoming Business a. Next meeting will be scheduled for Feb. 17, unless the Dean needs a meeting. b. Master’s thesis incomplete grading challenges: report from Task Group c. Graduate Assistant Compensation Issues d. Degree concentrations on transcripts: report from Registrar review e. Multiple Graduate Careers (Registrar) f. Midterm Grades for Graduate Students g. Joint BA/MA programs 8. Adjournment – 9:15 AM Respectfully submitted, Brendan Corcoran Secretary Last modified: March 03, 2009 Copyright © 2007 by Indiana State University.