MINUTES
Graduate School Administrative Board Meeting
July 23, 2007
3:30 pm Mendenhall Student Center Underground
Members Present: Martha Alligood, Susan Beck-Frazier, Sharon Bland, Stan Eakins, Linner Griffin, George Kasperek, Sharon Knight, Ron Newton, Belinda Patterson, Pat Pellicane, John Reis, and Heather Ries.
Members Absent: Denis Brunt, Margie Gallagher, James Holte, Gerhard Kalmus, John Kramar, Todd Nolan, Vivian Mott, John Placer, Art Rouse, Carmine Scavo, and Mark Taggart.
1) The minutes of the July 9th, 2007 GSAB meeting were approved.
It was pointed out that Gerhard Kalmus and Jim Holte are no longer GSAB representatives. Their replacements need to be determined.
2) Informational items
Patrick Pellicane reported on a meeting he attended regarding health insurance for graduate students. Jolene Jernigan, who is in charge of health activities on campus, was present. The discussions centered on providing this insurance for doctoral students. It was stated that we need to have an institutional policy in place whereby a granting agency and the university are both asked to provide health insurance. The officials present at the meeting represented a “brokering company,” and they were there to discuss the provisions that various insurance companies offer. Another meeting is being considered for the near future; the date will be determined, and various university representatives will be invited. This type of insurance has already been provided to students who now have the option to buy it themselves.
Ron Newton reported on Graduate School admissions data that have been generated using BANNER and BIC analysis. The data reflect a general trend that total admissions numbers are greater than those from last year. Furthermore, they reflect the fact that the processing of applications has accelerated, and that the GS admissions staff is “catching up.” It was pointed out that several graduate programs were missing from the report. The report is being provided through the help of ITCS, and the GS will be working with them to refine the process in collecting and accurately presenting the application and admissions data. The goal is to make these data available on a routine basis to each unit graduate program director and to other staff and faculty designated by the unit.
3) Continuation of the discussion of the definition of thesis/dissertations
A revised document was provided which had been discussed at the previous GSAB meeting. A thesis was defined as a “research” document for the master’s degree. We need to address the category for a “professional paper” and a “portfolio.” Susan Beck-Frazier agreed to work on the definition for “portfolio” and present it for consideration at the next meeting. Patrick Pellicane will likewise provide a working definition of a “professional paper.”
A question was posed: Should we call the professional master’s and the research master’s the same thing? Usually, a master’s research degree is in preparation for a doctoral degree.
4) Discussion of Graduate Faculty Status proposal
Patrick Pellicane provided a Graduate Faculty Status document that served as the basis for the discussion. It was stated that a new faculty member with a “fresh PhD” perhaps must somehow demonstrate that he/she has sufficient experience in order to teach and mentor graduate students.
It was stated that a faculty member may possibly teach a course without being a member of the Graduate Faculty. The discussion response revolved around the common practice that a faculty member must first be admitted to the Graduate Faculty before being permitted to teach a graduate course.
The discussion will continue on these issues and the document at the next GSAB meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:07pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald Newton
Recorder
