Graduate Academic Council
2006 – 2007
Minutes of the Council meeting of October 19, 2006
Approved (with slight amendment) by the Council on March 5, 2007
In attendance:
A. Pomerantz, F. Bolton (staff), G. Burke, J. Hayes, J. Gangolly, J. Bartow (staff), J.
Newman, L. Kranich, L. Scoville, M. Pryse, S. Friedman (Chair), & S. Saleh
Guests:
B. Goodale & M. DeRensis from Graduate Admissions
Unable to attend: L.-A. McNutt. & T. Wagtowicz
1.
Members of the Council and guests introduced themselves.
2.
Jon Bartow distributed a handout of GAC committee memberships that were approved by email vote
of the Council members concluding on 9/26/06
3.
Minutes of the GAC meeting of 4/28/06 were considered and approved without amendment (10-0-0).
4.
Dean’s Report – M. Pryse
The NRC Research Study of Doctoral Programs is underway. The submission of faculty rosters is
in process. Not all of our doctoral programs are included in the study. The next steps involve
questionnaires for each program and for program faculty.
Dean Pryse distributed two handouts having to do with a campus graduate student support awards
allocation model. The revised model attempts to move away from full allocation devolution to
school and colleges without accountability toward increased doctoral stipends and yield on offers.
Procedural revisions are intended to broker risk and increased yields via a central pool.
The Dean announced the establishment of the Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship Awards
program, distributing an informational handout and pointing members to the availability of the
same document on the Grad Studies website at
http://www.albany.edu/gradstudies/dissertationfellowship.shtml
The Dean raised the issue of international student graduate student admission standards, having
been alerted to international student language problems by staff in the University Writing Center.
She posed a question to the Council as to whether English language test score minimums should
apply to all international applicants. She asked GAC to consider this potential policy matter and
there was consensus among members that the Committee on Ed Policy & Procedures should
examine the question in detail and subsequently report to Council.
(Professor Saleh had to leave the meeting to teach.)
The Dean distributed a procedural information sheet pertaining to the Diversity
Teaching/Research Fellowship Awards program.
The Dean reported that the Graduate Ombuds Officers are advising students. She asked for
Council opinion regarding the chair’s appointment on the Ombuds committee. Chair Friedman
asked that the item be added to the agenda for the next GAC meeting.
Dean Pryse reported that approximately 400 new graduate students participated in the Graduate
Orientation Program on 8/31/06, labeling the event quite a success. GSO was a fine partner in
sponsoring the picnic at the end of the day. Photos of the event will be posted to the Grad Studies
website.
Dean Pryse reported that a Graduate Recruitment Fair was held on Columbus Day 2006, the first
such fair held on the UAlbany campus in ages. Faculty and staff from across the campus
contributed significantly and participated in this very successful event. 440 student participants
attended, including quite a few from other institutions.
5.
Chair’s Report – S. Friedman
Prof. Friedman reported on a bill going forth from UAC regarding Incomplete grade policy
revisions. There was a brief discussion among Grad Council members that enough differences
exist between grad and undergrad study levels that the UAC bill should go forward without joint
GAC sponsorship. Dean Pryse commented that graduate I grade policy might still be worthy of
GAC CEP&P consideration.
Prof. Friedman drew reference to editorial changes proposed in grad policy having to do with
residence study and doctoral study in residence requirements. The editorial changes were
prepared by the Graduate Office in order to bring the language up-to-date with previously
approved policy changes. Council members concurred with the implementation of the editorial
changes.
6.
Adjournment – There being no additional new business for the Council, the meeting was adjourned.
