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Graduate Council Minutes

February 16, 2012

MEMBERS PRESENT

Voting:            Professors M.S. Bradley-Engen, A.J. Dowdle, A.E. Ellstrand, V.H. Hunt, M.D. Richardson, F.M. Scheide, P.R. Selvam, T.G. Shields; Ms. Emilija Djurdjevic; Ms. Tamara St. Marthe

Non-Voting:     Professors P.R. Koski, M. Limayem, L.J. Robertson, J.R. Young; Ms. Harwood-Rom

MEMBERS ABSENT

Voting:            Professors R.M. Costrell, T.P. Cronan, P.M. Hewitt, T.W. Martin, J.D. Wiersma

Non-Voting:     Professors C.H. Adams, M.T. Miller

SECRETARY     Ms. T. M. Fisher

GUESTS            Professors K. Barta, E. O'Dell, E. Smith; Mr. T.S. Madry

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

  1. Minutes for the January 19, 2012, Graduate Council meeting stand approved, as no changes were suggested. (The minutes of the Graduate Council may be found at http://grad.uark.edu/dean/gradcouncil/minutes/index.php).
  2. Dean Shields informed the Council about two bills in front of the Associated Student Government (ASG) which are seeking to remove graduate and law members from the ASG.
  3. Reports for the Academic Appeals Committee and the Teaching Assistant Effectiveness Advisory Committee were distributed by e-mail prior to the meeting (Attachment A).
  4. The agenda item, Possible Old Business, Proposal to create a graduate certificate in Educational Psychology, was removed from the agenda. This proposal was approved by Faculty Senate and does not need to be considered again by the Graduate Council.
  5. New Business:
    1. Professors K. Barta and E. O'Dell presented a proposal to modify the requirements for the Nurse Educator Concentration of the MSN Program (NURSM) (Attachment B). Following discussion, the proposal was approved and will go next to the Faculty Senate.
    2. Professors K. Barta and E. O'Dell presented a proposal to allow nine hours of course work to count both toward the BSN (NURSBS) and the MSN (NURSMS) programs (Attachment C). Following discussion, the proposal was approved and will go next to the Faculty Senate.
    3. Professor E. Smith, Director of Field Placement for the College of Education and Health Professions, presented a proposal to institute a background-check policy for pre-service teachers and school counselors (Attachment D). Following discussion, this proposal was approved and will go next to the Faculty Senate.
  6. The Council again considered a potential policy of eliminating dual enrollment 4000 level classes in favor of a new policy requiring 4000/5000 dual enrollment. After discussion, the Council decided that there is not enough sentiment among our constituencies to pursue this change.
  7. The Council considered whether we should institute a policy requiring the Department/Program head/chair/director or graduate coordinator signature on the Doctoral Record of Progress, as it is now required on the Master's Record of Progress. Professor Koski asked the Council members to poll their constituencies on this issue.
  8. Each member presented the feedback from his/her constituencies with regard to the questions contained in Attachment E, re: growth in graduate enrollment. Discussion ensued.
  9. The Council approved the course change report from the University Course and Programs Committee, contained in Attachment F.
  10. The Council approved the course change report contained in Attachment G, pending approval by the University Course and Programs Committee.
  11. The Council approved the graduate faculty recommendations listed in Attachment H.

There being no other business, the Council adjourned at 3:27 p.m.

Submitted by:                                                      Approved by:

______________                                                ___________________

Patricia R. Koski, Chair                                       Todd G. Shields, Dean