August Minutes

August 16, 2018

Members Present

Voting

Professors J.R. Chimka, R. Costrell, J. Gigantino, V.H. Hunt, R. Kali, J.W. Murry, K.L. Needy

Non-Voting

Professors P.R. Koski, K. Mamiseishvili

Members Absent

Voting

Professors T.P. Cronan, N.D. Dennis, P.K. Dowe, J.B. Kerr, K. Korth, J.C. Rupe, A. Zajicek; two representatives from the Graduate Student Congress

Non-Voting

Professors A.E. Ellstrand, L.L. Lennertz, L.J. Robertson; Dr. L.L. Lander; one representative from Fulbright College

Secretary

Terri M. Fisher

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

  1. Professor Koski amended the agenda to include a new item on a grade appeal process.
  2. Minutes for the May 17th, 2018, Graduate Council meeting stand approved, as no changes were suggested.  (Graduate Council Minutes).
  3. Professor Koski announced that the only new member of the Council is Brinck Kerr, who will represent Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
  4. Professor Koski stated that we will need to determine committee assignments.  Bob Costrell has agreed to remain on the Academic Appeals Committee, while John Murry will remain as the graduate faculty representative; both are representing the College of Education and Health Professions.  Jim Gigantino has agreed to remain on the University Calendar Committee. Other assignments will be discussed at the next meeting of the Council.
  5. Professor Koski also announced that:
    • We had a very successful set of orientations earlier in the week – the Teaching Assistant Orientation on Monday and the First Year Graduate Student Orientation on Wednesday. She commended Amanda Cantu for her work organizing these events.
    • We completed our inaugural week of the Razorgrad Institute for Success and Engagement (RISE), a bridge program for underrepresented and first-generation graduate students; the program was very well received.  Professor Koski thanked Vicky Hartwell and Laura Moix for organizing this program.
    • We completed our inaugural week of the Razorgrad Institute for Success and Engagement (RISE), a bridge program for underrepresented and first-generation graduate students; the program was very well received.  Professor Koski thanked Vicky Hartwell and Laura Moix for organizing this program.
  6. Dean Needy told the Council that the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Dr. Dan Sui, will be on campus October 1, 2018.  Dr. Sui will be a Distinguished Professor in Geosciences.  Dean Needy also told the Council that we are watching fall enrollments very closely. 
  7. There was no old or new business.
  8. The Council discussed a possible change to our current conflict-of-interest policy.  Following discussion, the Council agreed to solicit feedback from their constituencies about Attachment A.
  9. The Council discussed a proposal for a new graduate student grade appeal process.  Following discussion and suggestions for this proposal, the Council agreed to solicit feedback from their constituencies about Attachment B, which shows both the proposed policy and the existing policy.
  10. The course change report from the University Course and Programs Committee was unanimously approved (Attachment C).
  11. The graduate faculty recommendations contained in Attachment D were unanimously approved.

There being no other business, the Council adjourned at 3:06 p.m. The Council will meet next on Thursday, September 20th at 2:00 p.m., in the Upchurch Conference Room of Bell Engineering.