Graduate Academic Council
2000 – 2001
Minutes of the Council meeting of March 9, 2001
- approved by the Council on 3/23/01
In attendance: L. Mullin (Chair), R. Irving, M. Brown, J. Mumpower, D. Abdel-Hady, D. Bernnard, L.
Trubitt, J. Bartow (staff), J. Monfasani
Unable to attend: A. Fortune, N. Johnson, M. Gallant, G. Harper
1.
Minutes of the meeting of 12/14/00 were reviewed & unanimously approved without amendment
2.
Old Business
a.
A proposal for graduate policy changes, previously introduced by the Committee on
Educational Policy & Procedures and tabled by the Council, received further
consideration. The proposal seeks to (1) amend the definition of certifiable full-time
status, (2) amend eligibility for leave of absence from doctoral programs and (3) clarifies/
revises enrollment expectations for graduate assistants. Questions had arisen at the
December 2000 meeting of the Council regarding the impact of the proposed graduate
assistant enrollment revisions. A report was requested and subsequently distributed to
Council members showing that over 80% of all graduate assistants are currently at the 9
credit per term threshold proposed by the new policy. In addition, Mr. Bartow met with
the Graduate Student Organization to review the overall proposal. Concerns were
minimized in light of the report and the consultation with the GSO.
The Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal and recommend its approval to
the Senate.
b.
A proposal from the Reading Department to authorize the provision of graduate
instruction by individuals who do not hold a doctoral degree or the rank of Associate
Professor received further consideration. The matter had previously been considered at
the December 2000 meeting of the Council, with action taken to provide authorization for
T. Walp, B. Walmsley, L. de la Luna & V. McCann to provide graduate instruction
approved for the Spring 2001 term only. The issue of a longer-term authorization for
these individuals returned to Council for further consideration.
Serious concerns were expressed by Council members regarding the provision of
graduate instruction on a long-term basis by individuals who do not hold a doctoral
degree. In regard to the establishment of a “stable” of practicing professionals to
supplement program offerings, there did not appear to be any clear distinction that such
individuals were uniquely suited to deliver the specific courses listed. It appeared that
some of the courses proposed to be taught by the candidates for exception would be
regularly taught by doctoral degree holding faculty. With this latter arrangement being
preferable, the Council did not find the argument for long-term authorization compelling.
It was suggested that co-teaching arrangements might be explored within the Department
as an alternative.
The Council voted unanimously to deny further (long-term) authorization for the
individuals proposed. They will be open to considering such requests in the future for
periods of a year or less.
3.
New Business
A Proposal for the establishment of a Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management and
Leadership was distributed to Council members. Existing practice has been for the Council to
consider proposals for new programs as a committee of the whole, without referral to one of its
standing committees. It was concluded that Dr. Judith Saidel should be invited to introduce the
Proposal for Council’s consideration at its next meeting.
4.
Report of the Dean of Graduate Studies – Jeryl Mumpower
a.
A special one-time allocation of funds ($450K) for enhancing merit based student awards
in select programs of excellence is forthcoming to the campus. It is envisioned that such
funds will serve to “top-off” three-year appointments.
b.
Organizational and procedural shifts are underway in the Office of Graduate Studies to
enhance support for graduate recruitment and enrollment. Many of the changes stem
from the movement to the Peoplesoft Integrated Administrative System Project.
c.
Dr. Betty Shadrick is being redeployed to focus attention on graduate recruitment and
retention issues, with special emphasis to be directed towards people of color. Dr.
Shadrick will operate out of the downtown campus, thanks to support from Dean Briar-
Lawson in the School of Social Welfare.
END OF 3/9/01 GAC MINUTES
