April Minutes

• U of A
• Graduate School and International Education
• Graduate School
• Faculty and Staff
• Committees and Councils
• Graduate Council
• Meeting Minutes
• 2021 Minutes
• April Minutes

Print this page

April 15^th, 2021

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Chair J. Gigantino.

1. Minutes for the March 18, 2021 Graduate Council meeting stand approved, as no changes were suggested. (Graduate Council Minutes.)
2. Announcements:
   • The Council was notified that graduate applications have increased by nearly 30% versus last year
   • The Council was notified that May Commencement will be on Thursday May 6, 2021. There will be two ceremonies. The first will be at 2:00PM and recognize all students in degree programs in the College of Education and Health Professions. The second, at 4:30PM, will recognize students in degree programs in all other colleges. Faculty will not be able to attend on the floor due to social distancing restrictions.
3. Dean’s Report: Dean Koski reported that Graduate MicroCertificates will be available in more areas in the future and the Graduate School is hoping to generate more interest in these non-degree options. UITS will send “phishing” email to faculty, staff, and students to educate them about avoiding such real phishing emails. Dr. Gigantino is working on smoothing the readmission process for students returning to a degree program after a short absence. Dr. Koski wanted the Council to be aware that the Graduate School has formed a Graduate Student Mental Health Advisory Committee to support awareness of mental health issues and available campus resources. Finally, Dr. Koski reported that Mayor Jordan visited with the Graduate Dean’s Student Advisory Board on April 14 and announced that City Hall will reopen on Monday April 19.
4. The following program proposals were approved unanimously and will go next to the Faculty Senate (the name of the presenter is in parentheses):
   1. College of Engineering
      1. Proposal to modify the Master of Science in Engineering degree (ENGRME) by altering admission requirements and making technical changes (Presented by Professor N. Dennis)
   2. Graduate School & International Education
      1. Proposal to create a new Graduate MicroCertificate in Preparing for the Professoriate (PROFGM) (Presented by Professor J. Gigantino)
         Program change proposals and new program proposals may be viewed on The Registrar's Office Program and Unit Changes page. or in Attachment A
5. New Business: The Council approved a policy change to extend semesters of Graduate Assistantship Eligibility (Attachment B) with a vote of 16 in favor and 1 abstention.
6. New Business: The Council discussed a policy change prohibiting retaliation for filing grievances. Dr. Koski motioned to amend the proposed policy by changing the definition of retaliation from “who file grievances” to “for filing grievances.” The amendment was unanimously adopted. The amended policy (Attachment C) was unanimously approved.
7. The course change reports contained in Attachment D were approved unanimously.
8. The graduate faculty recommendations were approved with 16 in favor and 1 abstention and are listed in Attachment E.
9. The Council discussed the future of Graduate Council Meetings and the possibility of continuing to meet remotely for Fall 2021 and/or longer.
10. Professor Gigantino thanked members of the Council whose terms will be expiring this June for their service. This includes Professors Kerr, Anand, and Dennis and Student Representatives Mr. J. DiLoreto-Hill, Ms. K. Dzurilla, Mr. W.E. Sebree, and Ms. N.B. Evans. While not announced, it should also be noted that long-time Graduate Council secretary, Terri Fisher, will also be retiring this summer.
11. Dean Koski presented the results of the Council of Graduate Schools Ph.D. Career Pathways Survey

There being no other business, the Council adjourned at 3:15 p.m. The Council will meet next on August 19, 2021.