11-12-2012 GAC Minutes
Minutes of the Council meeting for November 12, 2012
Approved by the Council on December 21, 2012
In attendance: J. Baronner (staff), J. Bartow (staff), F. Bolton (staff), P. Caban,
T. Groves (Chair), L. Jome, A. Krause, D. Mancini, P. Terpelets,
K. Truby, M. VanUllen, K. Williams, R. Yang, A. Zemel
Unable to attend: S. Commuri, B. Dieffenbach
Guest: Diane Dewar, Associate Professor and Associate Dean Academic Affairs, Health
Policy
The meeting was called to order by Chair Groves at 2:05 PM.
1. Consideration of minutes for the 10/15/2012 GAC meeting
The Council approved the 10/15/2012 minutes unanimously with 10 votes.
2. Dean’s report – K. Williams
The Strategic Plan Working Groups continue to work on implementing Year 1 and Year
2 priorities. Of relevance to graduate education are plan to implement university-wide
assessment, increase support for graduate research, and improve graduate student
mentoring and professional development opportunities.
Relevant to support for graduate student research Dean Williams held two grant writing
workshops this fall for graduate students. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Program grant had a deadline this month, and the NSF Doctoral Dissertation
Improvement Grant program is the second grant. Since Graduate student submissions
to federal sponsors have historically been low on campus, we hope to create a culture
where most students are submitting grant proposals. There has been recent success with
the NSF GRFP. Previously no fellows but the last three years resulted in one new fellow
each year. Dean Williams mentioned that departments should be encouraging students
to submit proposals.
The University has been engaged in an “Online Teaching and Learning (OTL) strategic
conversation”. The Provost started this conversation, and she believes the time has come
to engage in systematic thinking regarding online learning on campus. The Middle
States self-study disclosed our interest in increasing online teaching and learning. Three
of the strategic plan implementation working groups have included elements of online
learning. However, we are a little behind other Universities in terms of offerings and
infrastructure. Several working groups are being formed, and it is important that the
graduate education perspective be considered. Dean Williams is on the steering
committee and suggested that Council members encourage everyone interested to
participate in the conversation as it moves forward.
3. Chair’s Report – T. Groves
Due to the large amount of business, the Chair informed the Council that he would not
provide his report today but would relay it via e-mail.
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November 12, 2012
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4. GAC Committees
CAAS – R. Yang, Chair
Two cases were reviewed by CAAS. The Council approved the first case with nine
approvals and one abstention. The second case was approved by the Council with ten
approval votes.
CC&I – P. Caban, Chair
Council member P. Caban provided a report for CC&I. No discussion ensued. The
report was approved by Council with ten approval votes.
Jon Bartow mentioned that an “Addition of Distant Education Format to a Registered
Program for an Institution Approved through the Institutional Capability Review”
form arrived today from the School of Ed. He then realized the form should have been
attached to the School of Education’s request to update its MS in Reading program as
considered by the CC&I and referenced in its minutes.
CEP&P – S. Commuri, Chair
No business was conducted by CEP&P.
5
Old Business
Regarding updating academic integrity language in both the Undergraduate and
Graduate Bulletins, Chair Groves stated that he had met with UAC Council Chair
Richard Fogarty. A joint proposal will be generated in the near future to update
language in both the graduate and undergraduate bulletins. The Committee on
Educational Policy & Procedures (CEP&P) will be reviewing the report. It was
mentioned that both Undergrad and Grad Bulletins have differing policies on dropping
classes which causes student confusion.
The Chair discussed the need to finalize the academic assessments project. He will
access the wiki site, forward information to Council members, and then request
volunteers.
6. New Business
Proposal for a Graduate Certificate Program in Global Health Studies – D. Dewar
Diane Dewar, Associate Professor and Associate Dean Academic Affairs, School of
Public Health addressed the Council regarding the proposal for a Graduate Certificate
in Global Health Studies. The certificate requires 15 credits and can be a stand-alone
or be part of a Master’s plus program. At the moment there are no electives. Professor
Carol Whittaker initiated the certificate and has taught courses at Grad level. No
additional resources are required. Library access is on line and through interlibrary
loan. Administration of the certificate has a both a coordinator and faculty advisor. It
is sensible to market the certificate program since there is an international connection
with the School and many international educational partners through courses and
internship experiences. The SPH plans to have 3-5 students at first and expect an
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November 12, 2012
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increase of 10 or 15 students. Faculty have taught certificate classes or similar classes
related to the certificate.
A discussion followed. Will students have access to both the University Library as well
as access to the Public Health Library at the Department of Health? It was pointed out
that non-Public Health students are unable to access the Public Health Library.
Students off campus are able to access the Public Health Library but only via their own
computers and through interlibrary loan. Professor Dewar will follow-up with this
problem and will determine how other course instructors deal with this issue at the
SPH. It was mentioned that many master students desire additional credits for a
certificate. Many non-degree students are searching for electives. The certificate will
add more in-depth international experiences. Global issues are not just domestic (US
and Canada) but are across the globe. There is no language requirement. An on-line
MPh program is a great addition to our University. A MPh impact results in students
accessing classes on-line and continuing with a Master’s program. A student can
receive a certificate before obtaining a Master’s degree. The certificate can be
completed part time within a 2.5 year time horizon. Professor Dewar mentioned a
previous question raised was that Professor Carol Whittaker did not possess a doctoral
degree. Professor Whittaker’s qualification is ABD. She has taught Master’s level
courses and is knowledgeable on global issues and has permission of the Dean to teach
at the introductory graduate level. Professor Dewar co-teaches courses. Other faculty
have taught classes in their individual specialty. Also, Professor Whittacker has the
rank of Associate. Professor Dewar mentioned that the certificate proposal was
presented to UPPC last week and was approved.
Council passed the proposal with 11 votes (a late comer added another vote to the
original 10 votes). Jon Bartow will prepare the bill for Senate and will send copies to
both Chair Groves and Diane for review.
Future Meetings:
Friday, December 21, 9:00 – 10:30 AM, MSC 102 Conf. Rm.
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Groves at 3:00 PM.
END OF GAC 11/12/2012 MINUTES
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