Graduate Academic Council
2004 – 2005
Minutes of the Council meeting of November 5, 2004
Approved by the Council on December 6, 2004
In attendance:
B. Joseph, F. Bolton (staff), J. Mumpower, J. Bartow (staff), L.-A. McNutt (Chair), M.
Jerison, M. Rodriguez, O. Ongiti, R. Henderson, S. Friedman & S. Shahedipour
Unable to attend: D. Byrd, H. Meyer, M. Casserly, & S. Maloney
Guest:
B. Daniel, Dept. of Economics
1.
Introductions – Members of the Council introduced themselves, again, to the group.
2.
Minutes from the meeting of 9/27/04 were amended to correct the spelling of Orpha Ongiti’s name
and then approved unanimously as amended.
3.
Dean’s Report – J. Mumpower
Enrollment – Graduate enrollments are down 199 (headcount) from the planned
figure, leading to an $800,000+ shortfall in the University’s budget. Including the
additional undergraduate declines, the overall campus budget shortfall due to
enrollments approaches $2 million. The shortfalls are broadly distributed over
enrollment categories.
The President is moving toward the appointment of a new, interim, Graduate Dean.
He is about to receive a short-list of recommended candidates from the search
committee.
4.
Chair’s Report – L.-A. McNutt
Brief update on the status of the Ombudsperson proposal was provided.
5.
A proposal to change the name of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies to the
Department of Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S.-Latino Studies, as recommended by the Dean
of Arts & Science, was unanimously approved by the Council.
6.
Committee on Curriculum and Instruction (CC&I) – M. Rodriguez
Professor Rodriguez reviewed the components of the CC&I written report, appended to the end of
these minutes. The Council voted unanimously to accept the report and in doing so, approve the
recommendations contained therein.
7.
Committee on Admissions & Academic Standing (CA&AS) – S. Shahedipour
Professor Shahedipour reported that the CA&AS had met and is currently considering one student
petition for reinstatement to graduate study. Additional information from the academic unit is
currently being solicited while the matter has been temporarily tabled. Additional student
petitions (2 known) are anticipated for review. The Committee brought none-action items to the
Council at this time.
8.
Graduate Certificate Program Proposal – Economic Forecasting
Professor Betty Daniel from the Department of Economics introduced the proposal to establish the
five course graduate certificate program, copies of which were previously distributed to Council
members. After a series of questions from members and answers from Prof. Daniel, the Council
voted unanimously (9-0-0) to approve the Proposal and recommended further review/approval by
the Senate.
9.
Proposal to Establish an Inter-Institutional Dual Degree Program:
MS Bioethics (Albany Medical College of Union University) / PhD Philosophy (UAlbany)
The Proposal, previously distributed to Council members, was discussed by the Council. It was
noted that both component programs are established and registered currently. Too, it was noted
that a similar dual degree program linked with Albany Med’s MS Bioethics program was
approved through GAC in 2003-04. After further brief discussion the Council voted (8-0-1) to
approve the Proposal and recommended further review/approval by the Senate.
10.
Certificate in Public Health Genetics Proposal
The Chair informed the Council that the School of Public Health had asked that the Proposal be
removed from the GAC 11/5/04 agenda. It will return for review and action by the Council later
this academic year.
A brief discussion about the need for courses comprising such a proposed program to exist and for
teaching faculty to be in-place ensued. The Chair took the opportunity to suggest that if many
graduate certificate proposals are forthcoming it would be worthwhile developing a standard set of
review questions.
11.
Mission Review II – Self-Description Draft
The Council discussed the draft document briefly, with members and the Graduate Dean noting
that attention should be especially paid to those sections which might impact graduate education
on the campus. Members present agreed to email comments about the draft to Jon Bartow by
Thanksgiving, who will then in turn pass them along to the Chair for the crafting of an overall
GAC comment.
12.
Ombudsperson
Chair McNutt indicated a proposal is in the works for a sustainable ombudspersons office. Minor
resources will probably be needed. This was acknowledged by Dr. Mumpower.
The Council agreed to meet again this semester during the week after Thanksgiving. Jon Bartow will
attempt to identify an optimal meeting date/time. There being no other business, the meeting was
adjourned.
END OF GAC 11/05/05 MINUTES
To:
Graduate Academic Council
From:
Monica Rodriguez, Chair
GAC Committee on Curriculum & Instruction (CC&I)
Date:
November 2, 2004
Subj.:
Report and Recommendations
The CC&I met on 10/25/04. In attendance were: B. Keough, D. Parker, F. Bolton (staff), F. Henderson, G.
Pogarsky, J. Bartow (staff), M. Rodriguez (Chair) & C. Doll (invited guest). Professors H. Meyer, L.
Smith & S. Friedman were unable to attend.
Five items of business were considered:
1.
M.S. Information Science (MSIS) – Curriculum Amendment and Updated Registration Request
Associate Dean of the School of Information Science & Policy, Prof. Carol Doll, introduced a
proposal to amend the MSIS program curriculum, particularly the School Media track within the MS
program leading to NYS School Library Media Certification. There are three primary changes:
a.
Replacement of RISP677 (Information Sources and Services for Children & Young
Adults) with RISP605 (Information Sources and Services) as a required course.
b.
Amendment to the required pedagogical core for students admitted who do not
possess NYS teaching certification. The pedagogical core amendments replace
specified education courses that are no longer offered with courses currently offered
that meet the newly proposed content area requirements. Examples of these were
requested by the Committee and subsequently provided by Prof. Doll:
Education Course alternatives for School Library Media Specialist Certification
Original courses
Content area
Approved courses and alternatives
ETAP 502 Social Concerns in
Schools
(no longer offered)
Human developmental
processes and social
concerns in education
EPSY 502 Educational Psychology
EPSY 521 Development in Childhood
EPSY 522 Development in Adolescence
ETAP 510 Program Development
Curriculum development,
instructional planning,
Multiple instructional
strategies
ETAP 510 Program Development
ESPE 560 Introduction to Human Exceptionality
ERDG 526 Language Acquisition
ERDG 625 Integrating Literacy
Instruction
Language acquisition and
literacy development
ERDG 526 Language Acquisition
ERDG 504 Literature for Reading Programs
ERDG 505 Language and Literacy Teaching and Learning, 5-1
ERDG 615 Teaching Writing B-6
ERDG 616 Teaching Writing 5-12
ERDG 625 Integrated Literacy Instruction
ERDG 638 Media Literacy
ERDG 655 Emergent Literacy
ERDG 656 Language and Learning to Read
ERDG 657 Reading in a Second Language
ERDG 677 Administering and Reforming School Literacy
Programs, B-12
ESPE 561 Integrating Students
with Disabilities in General
Education
Special needs and
learning
ESPE 560 Introduction to Human Exceptionality
ESPE 561 Integrating Students with Disabilities in
General Education
ESPE 562 Characteristics of and Methods for Teaching
Exceptional Secondary Students in Inclusive Settings
c.
An alternative model for fulfillment of school media certification practicum
requirements, particularly targeted for students currently working in school settings
is proposed.
Following a question and answer discussion with Prof. Doll, the Committee voted 5-0-0 to
recommend approval of the overall curriculum amendment proposal to the Council.
2.
M.A. & Ph.D. Latin American & Caribbean Studies – Curriculum Requirement
The department proposes to name LCS 691, Directed Readings, as a requirement of the M.A.
program, and LCS 781, Directed Readings, as a requirement of the Ph.D. program. It was noted
that a difference exists between the information set forth on the departmental website and the
information published in the Graduate Bulletin concerning the degree requirements of the
program. The committee felt that the answers to the following questions should be sought before
further action on this request could be taken:
Have courses LCS 691 and LCS 781 been offered in the past?
What curriculum changes for the M.A. and Ph.D. programs will now be needed because
of the
requirement of these courses?
The Committee voted 5-0-0 in favor tabling this Department of Latin American & Caribbean
Studies request until further information was obtained.
3.
M.S. Health Policy & Management – Curriculum Requirement
The department proposes to name HPM 550 (Financial Management of Healthcare Institutions) as
a requirement for M.S. Health Policy and Management students who are in the management area
instead of 511 (Economic Analysis). HPM 511 will be required for students who are in the policy
area. No changes are to be made to the number of credits or core requirements. As administration
of institutions often moves into either a management or policy area, the Committee unanimously
recommends approval of this curriculum requirement to the Council.
4.
M.S. Forensic Biology – Curriculum Requirement and Text Changes
The department proposes to add a new capstone course, BIO 627, Courtroom Testimony for
Forensic Scientists, one credit, to its required courses. The number of required biology course
credits will now become 29 (instead of 28) and the number of supporting course credits will now
change from 12 to 8-12 credits. The overall minimum requirement of 40 credits for the master’s
degree will remain unchanged. The addition of BIO 525, Molecular Biology of Development,
among the biology electives will offer students a course with strong molecular emphasis. The
Committee unanimously recommends approval of these changes for approval by the Council.
5.
M.S. Atmospheric Science – Curriculum Requirements
The department proposes to expand its listing of atmospheric courses as advised in fulfillment of
the M.S. program degree. It is believed that the required courses presently listed are too
specialized for some students and restricts their choice of the only elective available within their
first semester. Students would now have more increased flexibility to take courses offered by the
department once every two years. The Committee unanimously recommends approval of these
additional courses to this curriculum’s requirement to the Council.
