skip to main content ISU bar University Faculty Senate Approved April 21 2009 April 14, 2009 Minutes Indiana State University Faculty Senate 2008-09 GC#16 Present: W. Barratt, S. Barton-Bellessa, M. Boyer, B. Corcoran, E. Hampton, M. Haque, L. O’Laughlin Absent: Stan Buchanan, B. El-Mansour Speaking Seats: D. Collins (COE), J. Gatrell (SoGS Dean), S. Gick (Registrar), H. Hudson (CAS), D. Mallory (Nursing), G. Maughan (Technology) Guests: 1. Call to Order: M. Boyer called the meeting to order at 8:07 AM. 2. Agenda: The agenda was adopted by acclamation. 3. Minutes: L. O’Laughlin moved approval of minutes from 04.07.09; W. Barratt seconded. Minutes were approved. Vote: 5-0-1. 4. Old/Unfinished/Ongoing Business i. Midterm Grades for Graduate Students - update from Registrar: S. Gick explains that graduate students would be folded into the normal midterm deficiency report. The challenge involves the variability of program requirements and definitions of deficiency. As this goes through the process, faculty will have input. 1. Discussion: H. Hudson comments that some programs such as English rarely give midterm exams, the bulk of the evaluated work coming at the end of the semester. B. Corcoran and L. O’Laughlin suggest that the possibility of a simple deficiency grade may be better. G. Maughan comments that this is a university-wide response to a few problem students and adds that this is not a good idea for many students in the College of Technology, especially those who are in a distance learning courses. Furthermore, the College of Technology is in a consortium of four other universities, which may add further complications to generating a uniform, university-wide plan. B. Corcoran expresses a fear of infantilizing graduate students by insisting on protocols for graduate education that fail to differentiate graduate education from undergraduate education. He also asks how many problem students are necessitating the change. S. Gick says that it is a small number of students, many of whom are late-registering students, and some of whom fail to realize that they are enrolled in a given course. M. Haque makes the point that in business courses, by the time of midterms, frequently only 25% of a course is complete and so the midterm grade wouldn’t reflect the true nature of the work. L. O’Laughlin urges the Registrar to consider a deficiency-only solution. D. Mallory concurs. W. Barratt suggests that instead of a technological fix, the faculty might be reminded to tell students of relevant deficiencies. M. Boyer recalls from the minutes that students were concerned that faculty do not inform students of deficiencies. S. Barton says that Criminology faculty are not supportive of the plan. L. O’Laughlin would encourage the development of a deficiency marking system. S. Barton asks if this will be complicated by the new minus-grade system. The GC asks that S. Gick continue looking at a deficiency-only solution. 5. New Business a. Proposal to change the name of the SOGS: W. Barratt moves approval of the proposal; L. O’Laughlin seconds. Vote: 5-0-1. i. J. Gatrell presents the argument for the name change and mentions that the switch to “college” will provide significant administrative clarity. The proposal from an informational email sent to GC: The Graduate Council and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies respectfully request the name of the current “School of Graduate Studies” be changed to the “College of Graduate and Professional Studies.” The proposed change acknowledges observed enrollment shifts over the past two decades as well as the historical strength of ISU graduate programs in the professional and applied fields, and is consistent with the vision of graduate education embodied in the mission statements of the university and the present School of Graduate Studies. Further, the proposed change serves to celebrate the many and diverse programs that make graduate education at ISU distinct. Finally, the transition from the “School” to “College” designation would clarify on-going discussions surrounding the definition of a “school” while simultaneously acknowledging the centrality of graduate education to the mission of the university. The following bullet points represent key facts surrounding graduate education that are useful when considering a name change. Since the Fall of 1996: · Graduate enrollment has increased from 13.2% of the ISU student population to 19.8% in 2008. Between 1996-2008, enrollment grew 43%. · Enrollment across the colleges has diversified. Additionally, the vast majority of students in all colleges now participate in fields that emphasize practice, applied research, and/or require clinical experiences. · Enrollment in professional programs has grown extensively. For example, Nursing grew from 36 students to 262. Likewise, the criminology MA/MS has expanded from 62 to 125. Similarly, CIMT programs have grown from 45 to 120. Finally, the use of the term “college” as opposed to “school” is consistent with structures found at recognized ISU peer institutions including: Bowling Green State University; Cleveland State University; Central Michigan University; and University of Northern Iowa. As such, the requested action is not extraordinary per se. 6. Reports: a. Chairperson (M. Boyer): i. Faculty Senate cancelled the reporting out of the year. b. Faculty Senate Liaison’s Report (E. Hampton for T. Sawyer): i. Senate has acknowledged the change in faculty size with a corresponding re-sizing of the Senate’s standing committees. GC size is not changed. c. Administrative Report (J. Gatrell, SoGS Dean): i. No Report d. Registrar’s Report (S. Gick): i. University to university transcripts are being developed. e. Graduate Student Report: (P. Terpelets) i. No Report 7. Upcoming Business a. Next meeting will be April 21, 2009 to discuss curriculum matters. b. Curriculum Items from Program Development Committee c. Wait listing for graduate classes - future discussion with Registrar - please forward questions/concerns to S. Gick. 8. Adjournment – 8:53 AM Respectfully submitted, Brendan Corcoran Secretary Last modified: April 27, 2009 Copyright © 2007 by Indiana State University.