skip to main content ISU bar University Faculty Senate Approved April 7 2009 March 24, 2009 Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2008-09 GC#14 Present: W. Barratt, S. Barton-Bellessa, M. Boyer, B. Corcoran, B. El-Mansour, E. Hampton, M. Haque, L. O’Laughlin Absent: Stan Buchanan Speaking Seats: D. Collins (COE), S. Gick (Registrar), April Hay (SoGS), H. Hudson (CAS), G. Maugham (Technology), R. McGiverin (Library), P. Terpelets (Graduate SGA), T. Sawyer (Senate Liaison) Guests: S. Anderson (Art) 1. Call to Order: M. Boyer called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM. 2. Agenda: The agenda was adopted by acclamation. 3. Minutes: E. Hampton moved approval of minutes from 03.03.09; L. O’Laughlin seconded. Minutes were approved. Vote: 7-0-1. 4. Old/Unfinished/Ongoing Business a. Regarding updating catalog copy on announcing dissertation defenses, J. Gatrell states: “I am writing to explore the possibility of "updating" the catalog copy surrounding notification in light of the fact that Academic Notes is no longer the primary means of communicating with the campus (hence, two weeks is not necessary as two weeks corresponded to the old "blue paper" schedule), Notes has a much diminished readership, and Global Email (or its equivalent in the future) may be more effective. Further, I am increasingly finding that students and faculty schedules seldom coalesce nicely within the 2-week frame. Additionally, the current catalog copy is ambiguous about who submits to Notes causing additional confusion. To that end, I would propose a required 1-week notification to SoGS.” E. Hampton moves approval; W. Barratt seconds. Vote: 7-0-1. CURRENT TEXT The time and place of the examination, together with the names of the student, the doctoral committee and chairperson or dissertation director, and the title of the dissertation must be published in Academic Notes at least two week prior to the event. 5. The student defends the thesis or dissertation at an open meeting; the time and place of which are announced in Academic Notes at least two weeks in advance of the defense. PROPOSED TEXT The time and place of the examination, together with the names of the student, the doctoral committee and chairperson or dissertation director, and the title of the dissertation must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at least one week prior to the defense. The School of Graduate Studies will post notification to the campus community. 5. The student defends the thesis or dissertation at an open meeting, the time and place together with the names of the student, the committee and chairperson or director, and the title must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at least one week prior to the event. b. The first Thesis/Dissertation Chairing training session will be held April 1, 2009, 3:30 in Tirey, hosted by SoGS and GC. This will accommodate people who already have been chairs. New faculty must attend. 5. New Business a. Curriculum Items from Program Development Committee i. Geology 1. The Program Development Committee approved GEOL 571, 607, 682, 683, and 690. 2. S. Anderson speaks about Geology’s Masters in Earth and Quaternary Sciences proposal, saying that it appears to be a well balanced program integrating geography, geology, and anthropology. Vote: 6-0-1. ii. Criminology 1. The Program Development Committee approved the CRIM MA/MS program revision and the following new courses and course revisions in Criminology: CRIM 540, 603, 608, 609, 621, 630, and 635. Vote: 7-0-1. 2. S. Barton-Bellessa notes that Criminology has not revised its program for thirty years. Many courses are cross-listed as 400-500 and the program sought to make a more dedicated master’s program. iii. Technology 1. Added course changes for Technology passed through the Program Development Committee. Vote: 7-0-1. iv. Education 1. ELAF program change: Vote: 7-0-1. 6. Reports: a. Chairperson (M. Boyer): i. The GC meeting with the Stratus consultants will occur Thursday, March 26, at 3:00 in the university state room. G. Maugham states that GC should have a strong statement in support of graduate education to share with the consultants. He suggests that we might integrate into the university’s strategic plan a more direct and substantive role for graduate education. There is also the suggestion that the GC establish an ad hoc committee to find opportunities for us to interject an emphasis on graduate education into the reports, though there is concern about the timing/belatedness of the formation of such a committee as well as its staffing. The President argued that faculty have been involved in the discussions, but faculty have not been involved explicitly as graduate faculty. 1. G. Maugham’s draft statement produces significant conversation. 2. It is reminded that graduate education constitutes approximately 20% of enrollment. 3. Distance education fees are an issue for programs. Perhaps we might say something about the fee structure for distance education. 4. The current faculty/student ratio for graduate distance education classes is favorable but challenging. 5. Graduate education assists in undergraduate learning in various ways. It increases the professionalization of undergraduate education, places an emphasis on research, and serves as recruitment tool for both undergraduate and graduate education. Many support functions of the university could not be staffed without graduate students. Graduate students in clinical programs contribute many hours to the Wabash Valley community. 6. GC agrees that a written statement is useful. 7. J. Gatrell shared an article from the Chronicle of Higher Education by a Stratus consultant that may assist GC with its planning for the meeting with the consultants. Indeed the article has specific language concerning graduate education in times of economic stress. 8. The revised text of the Statement on Graduate Education at Indiana State University, proposed by G. Maugham with edits by M. Boyer and L. O’Laughlin is included below: VALUING GRADUATE PROGRAMS, THEIR STUDENTS, AND THEIR IMPACT ON INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY As the University Strategic Planning process moves ahead, the ISU Graduate Council would like to contribute the following: We believe the added value of master’s and doctoral students should be acknowledged and clearly integrated into any strategic plan for the university. * Graduate programming fulfills the ISU mission of providing graduate education as well as community service (e.g., graduate students in one department’s applied professional practice programs have provided more than 91,000 hours of service to the community in 2008-2009). * Graduate student enrollment accounts for 20% percent of ISU total enrollment * Graduate distance education classes provide favorable but demanding faculty/student ratios * Graduate programs provide a source for growth: There is need and demand in Indiana for select master’s and doctoral programs. * Graduate students play an important role in university staffing and research efforts * Graduate students and faculty provide extensive service to the community through service, experiential learning, and internship courses * Alumni of master’s and doctoral degree programs hold important positions in the state and nation * Several graduate programs have been awarded the status of ISU Program of Distinction recognizing national contributions * Graduate programs enhance undergraduate programs with fresh ideas, increase the visibility of future careers and advanced disciplinary study, and oftentimes serve as an indirect undergraduate recruiting technique * Vibrant graduate programs attract good faculty * Vibrant graduate programs provide a culture conducive to faculty grant-writing Therefore, we suggest thoughtful and intentional integration of graduate program features and futures in the strategic planning process, which will support specific opportunities to grow and develop graduate programs to assist ISU in meeting its enrollment and economic goals. b. Faculty Senate Liaison’s Report (T. Sawyer): i. Faculty Senate meeting is this Thursday, but there is no item regarding graduate education. c. Administrative Report (A. Hay for J. Gatrell, SoGS Dean): i. No report. d. Registrar’s Report (S. Gick): i. The Registrar is working on an interface between DARS and pre-requisite checking. A waiver capability is also being included. ii. Minus and IP grades are being instituted for the fall 2009. 1. There is a reminder that 3.0 is a 3.0. Faculty and programs need to make sure that C- is an F for graduate students, not passing. 2. There will be an announcement to students about the change this fall. e. Graduate Student Report: (P. Terpelets) i. On April 20, there will be a lunch hosted by GSA for graduate students in Dede II; elections will be held at this time. 7. Upcoming Business a. The next meeting will be April 7, 2009. b. Midterm Grades for Graduate Students - report expected in April c. Joint BA/MA programs d. Wait listing for Graduate Classes - future discussion with Registrar - please forward questions/concerns to S. Gick who is exploring this possibility for us. 8. Adjournment – 9:12 AM Respectfully submitted, Brendan Corcoran Secretary Last modified: April 27, 2009 Copyright © 2007 by Indiana State University.