10-24-2016 GAC minutes
Minutes of the Council meeting of October 24, 2016
Approved by the Council on November 21, 2016
In attendance: J. Fossett, P. Atrey, J. Giboney, M. Larsen, K. Chan, E. Lasda-Bergman,
S. Hogan, V. Hall, S. Faught, K. Williams, J. Bartow (staff), J. Deden (staff),C. Davis (staff),
Tara Curley (staff), Jeff Trant (guest)
1.
Members present introduced themselves.
2.
Draft Minutes from the September 21, 2016 meeting were approved by the Council, without
amendment, by a vote of 10-0-0.
3.
Chair’s Report –
Chair Fossett discussed the need for 2 more teaching faculty members on the Committee on
Admissions & Academic Standing (CA&AS). Per the Charter, the committee must have a
minimum of five teaching faculty. Librarians and contingent faculty are also eligible.
Prof. Fossett has emailed some of the deans requesting their assistance in finding faculty to
serve on the Committee and is especially desirous of recruiting from departments of the various
sciences and the School of Public Health. If no members are found within 1-2 weeks, the GAC
acting committee of the whole, will consider the cases waiting to be heard by the CA&AS.
4.
Dean’s Report – Kevin Williams
Graduate Stipend Committee Report and Response
Dean Williams reviewed the Response to the Stipend Committee Report.
The aim of the Committee’s recommendations is to improve graduate student
funding so that departments can attract top-quality students and students can
complete their degrees in a timely manner.
Dean Williams explained the general nuts and bolts of how graduate student funding is
allocated at UAlbany, and how trends and the nature of the individual Department (e.g.
Humanities vs. Homeland Security) affect the amounts of funding.
Current national trends in graduate student funding and extramural research
opportunities were discussed; the funding environment is becoming much more
competitive and the number of students working as research assistants at UAlbany has
declined over the past several years.
Chair Fossett encouraged departments to record instances of missed opportunities for
admitting strong doctoral students due to non-competitive funding.
5.
Committee on Curriculum & Instruction Report – Justin Giboney
Prof. Giboney reviewed the Proposals set before the CC & I from the School of Education.
Mental Health Counseling MS and Psychology BA/Mental Health Counseling MS Combined
Program – Course replacement was reviewed by the CC & I and recommended to the GAC for
approval
Educational Psychology PhD Program
Increase the core course requirement from one course (EPsy630) to 5 other courses as
advised.
Add a Scholarly Writing course (to be created) to the program. A brief discussion with
Dean Williams regarding the need for this was concluded and Prof. Giboney made the
CC & I’s recommendation.
Reformat the Comprehensive Exam.
Prof. Giboney recommended the GAC approve all 4 changes.
The GAC approved all the changes by a vote of 7-0-0
Meeting was adjourned at 2:20 PM
END OF GAC 10/24/16 MINUTES
