Graduate Academic Council
2003 – 2004
Minutes of the Council meeting of March 11, 2004
Approved by the Council on April 1, 2004
In attendance:
A. Pomerantz, A. Ticano, C. Smith, D. Farr, D. Byrd, H. Charalambous (Chair), H.
Meyer, J. Mumpower, J. Bartow (staff) & L.-A. McNutt
Unable to attend: F. Cornet, L. Trubitt, M. Casserly, R. Geer, S. Friedman, S. Shahedipour, S. Chen (on
leave), S. Ramanathan & S. Lee
Guests:
R. Fortune (School of Social Welfare) & I. Lurie (Rockefeller College)
1.
Daniel Farr, new graduate student GAC member and GSO President was welcomed to the
Council.
2.
Minutes from the meeting of 2/12/04 were unanimously (8-0-0) approved as presented.
3.
Dean’s Report – J. Mumpower
Enrollment – School of NanoSciences enrollment numbers will be detailed like those
for other schools/colleges in forthcoming enrollment reports.
Peoplesoft – The issue of late fees for international students following PS
implementation has been resolved. However, there is a group that is continuing to
look at similar implementation issues.
Graduate Study Applications – The pattern as reported in the February GAC meeting
still holds. This includes a sharp drop in the number of international applications and
an increase in domestic applications. Overall grad study application numbers are off
compared to a similar point last year. Some of this may be explained by processing
delays. A report on graduate study applications will be forwarded to Council
members.
4.
Chair’s Report – H. Charalambous
Assessment Reports – The Curriculum and Instruction Committee has been
reviewing and discussing the assessment reports received to date. A summary report
to the Council will be forthcoming.
An announcement has been received that some German courses (but not programs)
will again be offered in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Provost Santiago will be leaving the University following Commencement, to
become Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
Elections for next year’s Senate will be underway shortly.
5.
MSW/MPP
Professors Lurie and Fortune introduced the proposal to create this dual degree program.
Discussion of the credits/courses that will count toward both programs led to an amendment of
table 2 in the proposal to show 21 credits as having dual applicability. As amended the proposal
was approved for recommendation to the Senate by a vote of 9-0-0.
6.
MSW/MS Bioethics with Albany Medical College and the Graduate College of Union University
Professor Fortune introduced this proposal for a jointly registered dual degree program and
reviewed its curricular structure with the Council. After a brief discussion the Council voted to
approve the proposal/recommendation for Senate approval by a vote of 9-0-0.
7.
Committee on Admissions & Academic Standing – J. Bartow for S. Shahedipour
The committee recommends action on one grievance as reported under separate cover. After a
brief discussion of the report, the Council voted 9-0-0 to accept the report and approve the
recommendation contained therein.
8.
Committee on Educational Policy & Procedure – A. Pomerantz
Prof. Pomerantz summarized prior Council actions aimed at implementing a revised dissertation
policy effective with students admitted in Fall 2004 and thereafter. She tracked approval &
support from the Library and its Interactive Media Center in regard to the preparation of PDF files
for dissertation submittal. A policy revision has been drafted that will separate policy allowing or
requiring digital dissertation submittal from that of procedures to be followed. This will allow for
changes to procedures as warranted over time without a major shift in policy. A suggestion was
noted that it might be worth specifying that review of dissertation drafts in programs/departments
may be subject to (local) program regulations. The proposal for policy change is to be enhanced
with informational digital dissertation submittal procedures to be drafted within the Graduate
Office and will return to the Council when these are ready.
9.
Committee on Curriculum & Instruction
Prof. Charalambous reported that the Committee has reviewed eight assessment reports. No major
red flags have been identified. A summary of these review activities will be forthcoming.
10.
GAC Charge per the new Senate Charter
The Council considered again the wording of the authority of its Committee on Curriculum &
Instruction as contained in the Senate Charter. A motion was made to replace:
SX.4.6.1The committee shall consider all revisions in existing graduate degree programs.
SX.4.6.2The committee shall review proposals for new graduate courses and changes to
existing graduate courses.
SX.4.6.3The committee shall submit all recommended changes and new courses to the
Council for final approval.
with:
SX.4.6.1The committee shall consider all revisions to existing graduate degree programs
and shall submit all recommended changes to the Council for final approval.
SX.4.6.2The committee shall review new graduate courses and substantive changes to
existing graduate courses, as approved within the schools and colleges.
SX.4.6.3The Council shall have final authority pertaining to graduate courses.
By a vote of 9-0-0 the Council approved this change for introduction to the Senate for action.
11.
Ombudsperson – H. Meyer
Prof. Meyer reiterated his assertion that a graduate ombudsperson could be a valuable asset for
students at the University. Council members were generally supportive in their reaction. Prof.
McNutt and Dean Mumpower volunteered to work with Prof. Meyer in developing a specific
proposal for action.
12.
D.A. Humanistic Studies
The proposal to discontinue the D.A. program in Humanistic Studies will be discussed at the next
GAC meeting.
13.
Future GAC Meetings:
4/1/04 at 8:30am in CC 370
4/22/04 at 8:30am in CC 367
5/6/04 at 9:00 am in CC 367
END OF GAC 3/11/04 MINUTES
