December Minutes

December 15th, 2022

The Council met in a hybrid format via TEAMS and in MAIN 523.

Members Present

Voting

Faculty representatives: Professors A. Alrubaye, J. Endacott, K. Hall, L. Hinrichsen, J. Lewis, J.C. Rupe, A. Stoverink, I. Tzanetakis, J. Whayne, J. Webb

Student representatives: Mr. K. Olatunde

Non-Voting

Professors A.E. Ellstrand, M.S. Ganio, A. Gonzalez, C. Hestekin, L.J. Robertson, S.R. Schulte

Provost’s Office representative: A. Griffin

Global Campus representative: S. Kenner

Members Absent

Voting

Faculty representatives: Faculty representatives: Professors T.P. Cronan, M.T. Miller A.P.G. Dowling, T. Murphy

Student representatives: Student representatives: Mr. A. Hatch, Mr. J. Cash and Ms. D. McGee

Non-Voting

Professors E. Goodstein-Murphree, L.M. Yingling

Secretary

Dr. C.N. Hestekin

Guests

Professors J. Wu, J. Pijanowski, T. Bennet, and C. Bradley

The meeting was called to order at 2:11 p.m. by Chair Christa Hestekin.

  1. Minutes for the November 17th, 2022 Graduate Council meeting stand approved, as no changes were suggested. (Please review Graduate Council Minutes)
  2. Announcements: Professor C. Hestekin began by welcoming the Council. Professor C. Hestekin informed the Council about the upcoming Commencement ceremonies taking place on Saturday, December 17th. Professor C. Hestekin reminded the council about the electronic records of progress for degree audits. Professor C. Hestekin then informed the Council that the Graduate School & International Education would be implementing changes to the admission process to give programs earlier input about student applications. A video will be coming out early next week and then the changes will be implemented at the beginning of January.
  3. Dean’s Report: Professor C.R. Rom began by welcoming the Council. Professor C.R. Rom discussed that is has been a year of transition for GSIE including changes in the Dean’s office and turn over within GSIE staff. Professor C.R. Rom then informed the Council that Testing Services was seeing an increase in administration of CEA tests by ~20%. Professor C.R. Rom also informed the council about the closure of Spring International (SILC) and the upcoming creation of an Intensive English Language Program (IEP) within GSIE which will include the hiring of up to 3 more faculty to serve the around 3 – 5 % of international applications that require additional English language proficiency before admission. Professor C.R. Rom expressed the need to grow the graduate and international enrollment which includes the EAB contact to look for programs that have the potential to be developed or to grow. Although there was a decrease in domestic applications (~5%) for Spring 2023, there was a large increase in international applications (~40%). In addition, applications for Fall 2023 are already up overall by 2% and for international by 46%. Professor C.R. Rom then mentioned the potential of looking into making the Fall commencement similar to the Spring commencements. Professor C.R. Rom also reported to the Council that many of the Deans had attended the Council of Graduate School meeting the previous week and that he had given a workshop in International Recruitment and Student and Support. Professor C.R. Rom made the council aware that GRAF funding was still available but that the requirements had changed and could be found on the website. Professor C.R. Rom related that GSIE has begun teaching a new class “Pathways to Graduate School” to generate interest within UA undergraduate of attending graduate school and is exploring creating a “Pathway for the Professions” course that would prepare students for non-academic careers. Professor C.R. Rom informed the council that GSIE is working with the World Trade Center to create a “study Arkansas” awareness campaign.
  4. The following were approved unanimously and will go to Faculty Senate (the name of the presenter is in parentheses):
    1. New Business, Program Changes, College of Engineering
      1. Proposal to modify Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering (ELEGPH) by changing admission requirements related to the GRE (Professor J. Wu)
    2. New Business, Program Changes, Walton College of Business
      1. Proposal to modify Master of Professional Accounting in Professional Accounting (ACCTMP) by changing academic standing and dismissal policy to align with other Walton masters programs (Professor A. Ellstrand)
    3. New Business, Program Changes, College of Education and Health Professionals
      1. Proposal to modify the Master of Education in Community College Leadership (CCLEME) by eliminating a course to decrease to 30 hrs (Professor M. Ganio)
      2. Proposal to modify Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDLEED) by updating admissions requirements and adding dissertation course (Professor J. Pijanowski)
      3. Proposal to modify Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership (EDLEES) by updating admissions requirements and coursework (Professor J. Pijanowski)
      4. Proposal to modify Master of Education in Educational Leadership (EDLEME) by updating admissions requirements and coursework (Professor J. Pijanowski)
      5. Proposal to modify Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy (EDPOPH) by updating admissions requirements related to GRE (Professor T. Bennet)
      6. Proposal to modify Master of Education hour requirement to either 24 course + 6 thesis hours or 30 course hours (Professor M. Ganio)
      7. Proposal to modify Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (NURSDP-FNPR) by adding language to clarify how required comprehensive physical exams are handled (Professor C. Bradley)
      8. Proposal to modify Master of Science in Nursing (NURSMS) by updating admissions requirements, updating course requirements, and adding language to clarify how required comprehensive physical exams are handled (Professor C. Bradley)
    4. New Business, Program Changes, Graduate School and International Education
      1. Proposal to modify Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology (CEMBMS) by updating application requirements including making GRE optional (Professor C. Hestekin)
      2. Proposal to modify Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Molecular Biology (CEMBPH) by updating application requirements including making GRE optional as well as adding program goals and objectives and learning outcomes (Professor C. Hestekin)
      3. Proposal to modify Master of Science in Environmental Dynamics (ENDYMS) by updating application requirements to make the GRE optional (Professor C. Hestekin)
      4. Proposal to modify Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Dynamics (ENDYPH) by updating application requirements to make the GRE optional (Professor C. Hestekin)
    Proposed changes, additions, and deletions to programs may be viewed on the Registrar's site or in Attachment A.
  5. Old Business: Change to Absence policy to align with UG policy contained in Attachment B was approved after discussion.
  6. Proposed course additions and changes contained in Attachment C were approved unanimously.
  7. The Council discussed and unanimously approved the Graduate Faculty recommendations for faculty, graduate faculty, and faculty renewals. (Attachment D).

There being no other business, the Council adjourned at 3:01 p.m. The Council will meet next in person on the 5th floor of Old Main and on Teams on January 19th, 2023.