Graduate Academic Council
2003 – 2004
Minutes of the Council meeting of October 9, 2003
Approved by the Council on November 13, 2003
In attendance:
A. Pomerantz, A. Ticano, H. Charalambous (Chair), H. Meyer, J. Mumpower & L.-A.
McNutt, M. Casserly, R. Geer, S. Friedman, S. Chen, S. Shahedipour
J. Bartow (staff), S. Lee, S. Ramanathan & J. Koehler
Unable to attend: F. Cornet, C. Smith & L. Trubitt
Guests:
N. Persily and S. Saleh, School of Public Health
1.
Introduction of new members: Prof. Susanne Lee, Physics; Sujatha Ramanathan, student member
(Epidemiology); and Justin Koehler, student member (Counseling Psychology)
2.
Minutes from the meeting of 9/11/03 were unanimously approved without amendment.
3.
Dean’s Report – J. Mumpower
Dean Mumpower distributed an updated enrollment report, as of the 15th day of classes.
The graduate enrollment of 5154 is about 4% below that specified in the campus
enrollment plan. Enrollment shifts have significant budgetary impact, especially in this
year when tuition rates were increased without additional funding for the tuition
scholarship pool.
4.
Chair’s Report – H. Charalambous
Chair Charalambous reported that there had been one Senate meeting and that
concern had been expressed at this meeting about GAC membership balance across
the disciplines. An additional GAC member from the College of Arts & Sciences
has been appointed and one more may be forthcoming.
Chair Charalambous raised the issue of the posting of minutes to the Senate website.
There was agreement among the council members that posting of draft Council
minutes would be fine. An issue of the inclusion of committee reports to the GAC
minutes, especially those referencing student grievances, surfaced as a secondary
issue. Jon Bartow was asked to explore the matter with University Counsel.
5.
Committee on Education Policy & Procedures – A. Pomerantz
Professor Pomerantz introduced the written report of the Committee (appended to the end
of these minutes) and led a discussion about University at Albany movement toward
electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). The Committee proposes that the record
reflect action on the Committee’s recommendation that the GAC resolve to move toward
requiring ETDs from students admitted in Fall 2004 or thereafter to programs that require
theses or dissertations (or provide an option for theses). Further, students admitted prior
to Fall 2004 should be provided an option for digital submission. Before policy is
revised, however, it is requested that the University Libraries be consulted for technical
advice and with regard to the feasibility of implementation. Concern for the type of
digital format was expressed by Council members. The Council voted unanimously (14-
0) to accept the report and in doing so approve the ETD resolution.
6.
Committee on Curriculum & Instruction – H. Meyer
Professor Meyer briefly reviewed the matters contained in the Committee report
(appended to the end of these minutes) and offered to answer any questions. The council
approved the report by unanimous vote (14-0) and doing so approved the items contained
therein.
7.
Committee on Admissions & Academic Standing – S. Shahedipour
Professor Shahedipour briefly reviewed the matters contained in the Committee report
(appended to the end of these minutes). The council approved the report by unanimous
vote (14-0) and doing so approved the items contained therein.
8.
Certificate in Public Health – Fundamentals & Principles
School of Public Health Associate Dean Nancy Persily and Professor Shadi Saleh
introduced the Proposal to the Council. (Council members had been provided the
opportunity to review the written Proposal in advance.) Drs. Persily and Saleh
highlighted that the Certificate curriculum would be the 6 core courses in the MPH
program, some (and eventually perhaps all) to be delivered via distant learning
technology as an option. Admission standards will be similar to those required for MPH
admission. Only one course will be allowed for transfer in toward Certificate
requirements. The Council voted (11-0-1) to approve the Program and, contingent upon
similar approval within EPC, to introduce and recommend the Certificate Proposal to the
Senate for consideration and approval action.
The GAC meeting was adjourned with notation that the next scheduled meeting of the Council is
November 13, 2003 at 9:30am in CC370.
End of GAC 10/9/03 Minutes
To:
Graduate Academic Council
From:
Anita Pomerantz, Chair
GAC Committee on Educational Policy & Procedures (CEP&P)
Date:
September 30, 2003
Subj.:
Report and Recommendations
The CEP&P met on 9/24/03. In attendance were: A. Pomerantz (Chair), C. Smith, C. Bischoff, H. Straif-
Taylor, J. Bartow (staff), R. Irving & R. Toseland. Unable to attend were: B. Spanier, M. Casserly & R.
Geer
The Committee took up a continuing discussion (from last year’s CEP&P) of Electronic Theses &
Dissertations (ETDs) and whether campus policy should be modified to allow or require students to submit
such culminating works in digital format. Support for ETDs was expressed in terms of our students being
able to keep up with current practices at many institutions. A key underlying principle of increased
accessibility to these works published by our students in digital format drew the support of committee
members. Yet, significant questions exist regarding (1) potential multi-media parts of such works and (2)
archival/accessibility standards, procedures and costs. Questions were raised as to whether movement to
allow for ETDs would represent an opportunity for students or a burden. This led into a discussion of
whether digital submission should be required or optional. A concern was raised regarding the potential
impact that digital publication might have on future print publication opportunities for authors.
The Committee unanimously concluded that policy movement to allow and require digital submission of
theses and dissertations is desirable. It is the recommendation of the Committee that the GAC pass a
resolution identifying the desire for such policy movement, subject to the advice and feasibility for
implementation to be solicited in advance from the University Libraries. Further, it is proposed that the
resolution identify the policy shift to be such that, if feasible, digital submission be required for those
admitted to degree programs effective in Fall 2004 and that students admitted prior to Fall 2004 be afforded
an option for digital submission of the thesis or dissertation, as appropriate.
To:
Graduate Academic Council
From:
Heinz Dieter Meyer, Chair
GAC Committee on Curriculum & Instruction (CC&I)
Date:
October 1, 2003
Subj.:
Report and Recommendations
The CC&I met on 10/1/03. In attendance were: H. Meyer (Chair), G. Pogarsky, D. Parker, J. Bartow
(staff), R.-M. Weber, L.-A. McNutt, A. M. Cervantes-Rodriguez & S. Chen. Professors S. Friedman & F.
Henderson were unable to attend.
Three proposals were considered. Two (items 1 & 2 below) are recommended to the GAC for approval,
while the third was tabled for further inquiry.
1.
MBA Program – Curriculum Amendment
The faculty in the School of Business have proposed two changes within the existing MBA program.
In the HRIS concentration it is proposed that one elective course be removed and replaced with an
amended & required course, MGT610 – Human Resource Information Systems. In the MSI
concentration it is proposed that one elective course be removed and replaced with the required course,
MSI692 – Special Topics in Information Technology. The Committee unanimously recommends that
the GAC approve the curriculum amendment. Additionally, the Committee requests that the School of
Business be reminded to provide a complete rationale in support of proposed changes in the future.
2.
MBA Program – New Concentration in Information Assurance
The faculty in the School of Business have proposed a third concentration area in the full-time program
entitled Information Assurance. The Committee finds the rationale presented as compelling and the
structure, drawing upon existing courses, sound. One member expressed concern about the lack of any
required course in ethics within the MBA program, yet accepted counsel that such was not necessarily
germane to the specific proposal for this new concentration area. The Committee voted 6-0-1 to
recommend approval of the new MBA concentration by the GAC. (One member abstained, as she had not
had a chance to review the proposal in detail.)
To:
Graduate Academic Council
From:
Shadi Shahedipour, Chair
GAC Committee on Admissions & Academic Standing (CAAS)
Date:
October 8, 2003
Subj:
Report and Recommendations
The CAAS met on 10/7/03. In attendance were: C. Wagner, A. Ticano, F. Cornet, D. Peterson, S.
Shahedipour (Chair), J. Bartow (staff), L. Trubitt & S. Maloney. Members unable to attend were: A.
Boehm & K. Trent. Four items of business were considered and two are recommended for action by the
Council as specified below. The remaining two items, student academic grievances, are pending for further
review by the Committee.
1.
A student has petitioned the Council for exception to the policy on graduate transfer credit. The
request involves an individual who completed a graduate course during his last semester of
undergraduate study at another university. The course was in excess of his requirements for
completion of the undergraduate program and appropriate documentation certifying such was
submitted from the Registrar at that institution. The student’s UAlbany advisor is prepared to
recommend that transfer credit be awarded if the Council will authorize such. The Committee
recommends unanimously (6 – 0) that the request be approved by the Council.
2.
The UAlbany School of Social Welfare has proposed a transfer credit articulation agreement with
the SUNY Institute of Technology. The essential provisions of the proposed agreement are that
individuals who complete up to 12 credits of specified graduate course work at SUNY-IT and
subsequently meet normal admission standards for the MSW will be guaranteed that the course
credits will be transferred. The agreement simply provides for an expedited transfer credit process
with recruitment/enrollment advantages for both institutions. Provost Santiago had asked the
GAC to comment and potentially endorse the proposal. The Committee unanimously
recommends (7 – 0) that the GAC endorse the proposal and encourage that the Provost execute the
Agreement on behalf of the University.
The next meeting of the Committee will be on 10/21/03 at 3:00PM in CC370.
