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GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES

April 17, 2008

MEMBERS PRESENT

Voting: Professors C.R. Geren, C.H. Banks, A.E. Ellstrand, D.W. Finn,  T.W. Martin, L.C. Purcell, F. M. Scheide, P.R. Selvam, M.R. Thomsen; Ms. S. Sweeney; Mr. P. Tomlinson

Non-Voting: Professors B. Hinton, P.R. Koski, J.R. Young

MEMBERS ABSENT

Voting: Professors D.A. James, L.C. Jones, A.R. Smith-Nix

Non-Voting: Professors C.H. Adams, W.P. Curington, D.L. Graham; Ms. S. Scott

GUESTS Professors L. Restrepo, R. Sonn; Ms. T. Fisher

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chair Patricia Koski

  1. Minutes for the March 13, 2008, Graduate Council meeting stand approved, as no changes were suggested. (The minutes of the Graduate Council may be found at http://www.uark.edu/depts/gradinfo/dean/gradcouncil/minutes/index.html.)
  2. Professor Koski announced a change in the agenda to add a discussion item (5.) after new business, to consider a proposal to eliminate the paper version of the Graduate Catalog. She then distributed a proposed change in Board Policy relative to graduate assistants, to be discussed at the May Council meeting. This proposed change was approved a few years ago by the Graduate Council and the Faculty Senate, but has never been approved by the Board of Trustees. The Graduate School is asking that we move this proposal forward again (Attachment A).
  3. There was no old business.
  4. New Business:
    1. Professor R. Sonn, Department of History, presented a proposal to eliminate the non-thesis option for the M.A. degree in History (HISTMA) (Attachment B). Following discussion and questions, this proposal was unanimously approved and will be sent next to the Faculty Senate.
    2. Professor L. Restrepo, Department of Foreign Languages, presented a proposal to modify the M.A. Degree in Spanish by requiring three new degree requirements: 1) a research seminar, SPAN 5803; 2) submission of a research paper using professional research methods and meeting professional standards; and 3) a comprehensive exam covering five historical periods (Attachment C). Following discussion and questions, the proposal was unanimously approved and will go next to the Faculty Senate.
  5. Professor Koski asked the Council members for their opinion on eliminating the paper version of the Graduate Catalog. After discussion and a straw vote, it was determined that there were 14 Council members voting against eliminating the paper catalog, one voting in favor with reservations related to the searchability of the current on-line catalog, and one person who abstained from voting. Dean Geren promised to send this information to Dr. Gearhart.
  6. The Council removed HESC 4683 from the agenda and then approved the course change requests contained in Attachment D which have previously been approved by the University Course and Programs Committee.
  7. The Council approved the graduate faculty recommendations listed in Attachment E.

There being no other business, the Council adjourned at 2:39 p.m.

Submitted by:

_______________________

Patricia R. Koski, Chair Approved by:

_______________________

                                                                        Collis R. Geren, Dean

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