MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-3:00 P.M. January 21, 1998
Next Meeting: February 4, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
Note: These minutes are subject to correction and approval at a subsequent meeting.
Members of the Council
with Retirement Dates:
John Pritchett(Chair), Mike Lisano (Vice Chair), Steve McFarland (Secretary), Bruce Berger (August 1998), Terry A. Byrd (August 1998), T. Gilmour Reeve (August 1998), Dennis Signier (August 1998), Alexander Magg (student 1997-1998), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999), James Weaver (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh(August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000).
Members Absent: Steve McFarland, Bruce Berger, Terry Byrd, Jim Sartin, Narendra Singh, Alex Magg.
Minutes of December 3, 1997, Council meeting approved without correction.
Dr. Gil Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of 48 candidates and recommended the appointment or reappointment of 47 of the nominees to the Graduate Faculty. Dr. Reeve moved acceptance and Dr. Teeter seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
After discussion, the Graduate Council will continue to evaluate requests for multilevel courses for graduate credit on a case by case basis.
The Council Semester Transition Committee will examine issues relating to Plans of Study. Dr. Pritchett charged the Committee to examine this and make recommendations.
The Graduate Council requests that the Dean of the Graduate School distribute a memo to the department heads of graduate programs explaining the problems associated with letter grading in some special topic, individual and variable hour courses and request that in the transition to semester, each department consider the appropriateness of assigning letter grades or S/U grade for each course.
Dr. Lisano informed the Council that a graduate student had to maintain a 3.0 grade point average on all 500, 600 and 700 courses to graduate. A graduate level course has to be retaken if a D or F is made. Dr. Lisano brought to the attention of the Council that as it is now, a graduate student can graduate with a D or F in an undergraduate course. Dr. Haney thinks this needs to be reviewed. An ad hoc committee will be established to study this issue.
Dr. Lisano shared with the Council that under OASIS, undergraduate courses will show the course title, number of hours attempted and the grade but it will not show the number of hours earned. It will show only the GPA of graduate courses.
The proposed plan was returned to the department for further revision.
Linda Hatchett
Secretary
MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-3:00 P.M. February 18, 1998
Next Meeting: March 4, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
John Pritchett(Chair), Mike Lisano (Vice Chair), Steve McFarland (Secretary), Bruce Berger (August 1998), Terry A. Byrd (August 1998), T. Gilmour Reeve (August 1998), Kai Chang (August 1998), Alexander Magg (student 1997-1998), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999), James Weaver (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh(August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000).
Members Absent: Berger, Magg, Brewer
Minutes of January 21, 1998, Council meeting approved as corrected.
Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of 28 candidates and recommended the appointment or reappointment of 27 of the nominees to the Graduate Faculty, with one returned to the department for additional information. Reeve moved acceptance and Heath seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
McFarland reported the Curriculum Committee had reviewed requests to delete BY/PLP626 and BY/PLP627, to change the prerequisites for EE523, 524, 530, 532, 533, 534, 547, 548, 581, 582, 585, 587, and 621, and to change the title of EE582 from “Application and Design of Power Electronic Systems” to “Power Electronics.” McFarland moved approval and Lau seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
Haney moved establishing 30 semester hours as a minimum for all master’s programs, recognizing that individual programs could set requirements above this minimum. Spencer seconded. Spencer called the question. The motion passed with 7 in favor and 5 opposed.
The new policy now reads:
Thesis Option
Majors and Minors Subjects: A student under the thesis option must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours, of which at least 21 semester hours must be in a major area of concentration.
The course entitled “Research and Thesis” is number 699 in all departments. The student must register for a minimum of four credit hours of this course but may register for as many hours as desired. No more than six hours may be counted toward the degree.
Stephen L. McFarland
MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-2:40 P.M. March 4, 1998
Next Meeting: April 8, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
John Pritchett(Chair), Mike Lisano (Vice Chair), Steve McFarland (Secretary), Bruce Berger (August 1998), Terry A. Byrd (August 1998), T. Gilmour Reeve (August 1998), Kai Chang (August 1998), Mike Foust (student 1998), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999), James Weaver (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh(August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000).
Members Absent: Lisano, Singh
Minutes of February 18, 1998, Council meeting approved.
Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of 5 candidates and recommended their appointment or reappointment to the Graduate Faculty. Reeve moved acceptance and Teeter seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
Brewer asked for the anticipated enrollment in the arrangement. Kaminsky replied that he expected many to apply, but that EFLT could handle only 15 to 20. Heath asked who would teach these classes. Kaminsky answered the regular Auburn faculty. Chang asked if there were any limits on the number of courses that would be offered. Kaminsky replied that there were none, but that Auburn did not have the faculty to offer more than 3 or 4. Brewer asked how the arrangement would be funded. Kaminsky answered that the US Army would bear all costs. Haney asked if the courses at Fort Benning could be counted toward meeting the residency requirement. Kaminsky answered “no.” Haney also asked what Fort Benning students would do for educational resources. Kaminsky answered that they would have to come to Auburn. Dane asked what conditions would be required to extend the arrangement beyond the 3-quarter trial period. Kaminsky replied such a decision would be based on viability, enrollments, and the relationship that was established. McFarland asked if these courses would be considered distance learning. Pritchett explained that the distance learning designation would only apply if the program were to use distance technology. Byrd asked if EFLT had the faculty resources to handle 15 to 20 additional doctoral students. Kaminsky replied that EFLT had room for 8 new doctoral students with no problem, as it has 85 to 90 now. Haney inquired if these students would have to meet regular Auburn admission standards. Kaminsky replied that they would. Reeve expressed concern about soldiers stationed at Fort Benning for 1 ½ years finishing a doctoral program. Kaminsky explained that the Army was working to have these soldiers stationed at Fort Benning for 3, 5, or 7 years. Haney asked if all the courses to be offered were already approved and in the Bulletin. Pritchett replied in the affirmative. Pritchett also announced that Dean Kunkel and Associate Dean Gorrell of the College of Education were fully supportive of the proposal and that it had been examined by University counsel. Reeve asked who controlled such sites in Georgia. Pritchett explained that a Georgia agency usually did, except when the sites were located on military reservations. Such an arrangement does not require ACHE approval.
Weaver moved approval of the arrangement, with the understanding that it would come back to the Graduate Council for reconsideration at the end of the three quarter experimental period. Brewer seconded the motion, declaring his desire for Auburn to make more of these kinds of arrangements. The motion passed without opposition.
Spring 1998 Graduate Council Meetings
April 8, 1998
April 29, 1998
May 20, 1998
June 3, 1998
MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-2:00 P.M. April 8, 1998
Next Meeting: April 29, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
Members Absent: Berger (Heidi Anderson-Harper substitute), Reeve, Foust, Mize, Teeter
Minutes of March 4, 1998, Council meeting approved.
McFarland moved the approval of a new Minor in Economic Development program. Brewer seconded. Robert Montjoy and Danny Lam from the Economic Development Institute presented a summary of the proposal. The motion passed without dissent.
McFarland presented a sample Auburn transcript and explained that it contained only a listing of degrees earned (without any indication of the field in which the degree was earned), a listing of any formal minors earned, a listing of the results of the preliminary examination, and a list of courses earned in the degree program at Auburn (but not including any transfer credits from other institutions). Pritchett stated that there were obviously cultural differences between the various doctoral programs at Auburn, with some demanding the completion of all requirements except for the dissertation before being admitted to candidacy, while others made no such requirement.
Sartin explained that the University of Alabama–Birmingham had specific requirements for course completion and an examination prior to candidacy, making the examination a defining point in the doctoral program. Other members of the Council shared their experiences with the issue. Pritchett asked Lisano to report back to the Council at a later date on the policies of Auburn’s sister institutions relative to this issue.
Weaver recommended Auburn begin posting the major field for doctoral degrees on its student transcripts. A general discussion of transcripts ensued, with some members revealing that Auburn never required them to submit a transcript when they were hired. Weaver pointed out that SACS requires universities to maintain transcripts for all faculty and that departments that do not collect and maintain them are in violation of SACS guidelines. Pritchett asked McFarland to discuss the issue of major fields with the Registrar and work toward getting such information posted on student transcripts.
MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-2:30 P.M. April 29, 1998
Next Meeting: May 20, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
John Pritchett(Chair), Mike Lisano (Vice Chair), Steve McFarland (Secretary), Bruce Berger (August 1998-Heidi Anderson-Harper substitute), Terry A. Byrd (August 1998), T. Gilmour Reeve (August 1998), Kai Chang (August 1998), Mike Foust (student 1998-Carol Chancey substitute), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999-David South substitute), James Weaver (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh(August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000).
Members Absent: Anderson-Harper, Mize, South, Byrd
Minutes of April 8, 1998, Council meeting approved.
Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of 6 candidates and recommended their appointment or reappointment to the Graduate Faculty. Reeve moved acceptance and Haney seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
Reeve explained the problems with current policies for calculating graduate grade point averages that counted grades earned in undergraduate courses. These courses do not carry graduate credit, but have been used in retention decisions. Reeve also presented the report of the committee that recommended eliminating grades for undergraduate courses taken as a graduate student in calculating the GPA. Chancey asked if graduate students could still enroll in undergraduate courses and was informed they could. Haney and Weaver questioned the implementation date and the effect this implementation would have on current graduate students who have already taken undergraduate courses and would take such courses prior to implementation. Haney moved the following motion, seconded by Reeve:
For students enrolled in Graduate School (classifications 06, 07, 08, 09, 13), grades earned in undergraduate courses (400-level and below) will not be used in calculation of the grade point average (or honor points) for either retention or graduation. This policy will be in effect with the posting of grades fall quarter 1998. As of fall 1998 no undergraduate grades (earned before or after implementation) will be used in the calculation of graduate grade point averages. For courses taken before fall 1998, students will be granted the maximum grade point average possible under the old or new policy for retention purposes.
The motion passed without opposition.
Reeve explained that because of the implementation of a new student information computer system in fall 1998 (OASIS), all grade point averages would be computer-generated. He moved that beginning fall 1998, except for students enrolled prior to fall 1997, the honor point system of determining retention and graduation grade requirements be dropped. Heath seconded. The motion passed without opposition. Reeve reminded the Council, however, that policies concerning minimum hours for full-time enrollment and the maximum hours allowed would still be determined by the total number of undergraduate and graduate hours in which the graduate student was enrolled.
McFarland moved the approval of a request to transfer CCP635 (Placement Services in Rehabilitation Counseling) to RSE648 (Placement Services in Rehabilitation Counseling) and raise the credit hours from 3 to 4. Singh seconded. The motion passed without opposition. McFarland moved the approval of a request to raise RSE610 (Introduction to Rehabilitation) from 2 to 4 credit hours. Heath seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-2:18 P.M. May 20, 1998
Next Meeting: June 3, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
Members Absent: Weaver
Minutes of April 29, 1998, Council meeting approved.
Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of 5 candidates and recommended their appointment or reappointment to the Graduate Faculty. Reeve moved acceptance and Heath seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
1) Haney reported that the Semester Transition Committee had examined the Specialist in Education and Doctor of Education proposals for the semester transition. He explained that the significant changes made to the previously existing programs were the dropping of the foreign language requirement and the adoption of the Graduate School minimum credit hours for a doctoral degree. Gorrell explained that the core courses required for these degrees would be maintained, but they would be administered by the departmental advisors.
Brewer inquired about the rule that students holding a master’s degree from Auburn not be required to submit GRE scores for entry into the specialist in education program. Gorrell and Lisano explained that this was consistent with Graduate School policy. These students will have already taken the GRE for entry into a master’s program and the policy in question therefore did not require them to take the exam again. Haney accepted a friendly amendment to change the policy to students not being required to “resubmit” GRE scores.
Haney moved that the approval of the amended proposals (see Attachments 1 and 2). Spencer seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
2) Haney presented the Semester Transition Committee report on satisfying residency requirements during summer terms under the semester calendar. Some Auburn schools or colleges, especially the College of Education, will be using sessions shorter than the ten-week university summer term and would therefore not meet the spirit of academic residency for master’s (thesis) and doctoral programs. Haney explained that the Committee’s proposal included the phrase “one 10-week term or its equivalent” because the College of Education was proposing a 7-week term. Byrd asked why there was a residency requirement for thesis students and not non-thesis students, because the requirement drove more students away from the traditional thesis programs into non-thesis programs. Reeve explained that the thesis program was research-driven and required a period of direct supervision by the professor. Brewer argued that the residency requirement was to insure a continuous relationship between student and professor rather than a part-time relationship, and that residency should therefore be required of all non-thesis and thesis programs.
Haney moved that the existing residency requirement for master’s and doctoral programs under the semester calendar be amended as follows:
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree student under the thesis option must spend one semester on campus as a full-time student. During a single summer, one 10-week term or its equivalent may count as one semester for residency purposes. This requirement concerns academic residency only; it has nothing to do with residency for fee purposes.
Doctoral Degree
A significant part of the Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Education program is the residency year. This can be satisfied by the student’s completing a minimum of 18 semester hours of on-campus course work at the 500-level or above during two consecutive semesters following classification as a doctoral student (09 designation). At least nine of these 18 semester hours shall be in graded (e.g., A,B,C) course work. During this residency year, the doctoral student shall enroll for a minimum of 9 hours each semester, no fewer than three hours of which shall be in graded (e.g., A,B,C) course work. During a single summer, one 10-week term or its equivalent may count as one semester for residency purposes.
Mize seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
3) Haney and McFarland updated the Council on continuing efforts to prepare plans of study for the semester transition. The general policy of the Committee is that all quarter hours converted into semester hours be rounded up to insure that no student will be affected negatively by the conversion. The Council discussed and critiqued a draft master’s plan of study form for the quarter to semester conversion. McFarland reminded the Council that a letter to all students from the Provost Office would advise students of the need to begin immediate preparation for the conversion and that major professors would begin mandatory meetings with their students during the spring quarter 1999 to complete plans of study that would include both quarter and semester courses.
Reeve moved that the Council extend the existing thesis-option policy to non-thesis examinations. Haney seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
Changes in application status (master’s to doctoral, doctoral to master’s) or enrollment status (master’s to doctoral, doctoral to master’s) must be requested by the applicant/student involved and endorsed by the department head for applicants or the department head, major professor, and advisory committee for enrolled students and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Current international students must re-certify full financial sponsorship for the issuance of a “new” I-20 form.
ATTACHMENT 1
THE SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION DEGREE
The degree is designed for professionals in education and human services areas who want increased competence or advanced credentials in a field of specialization. Areas of specialization are offered in the various departments in the College of Education.
ADMISSION
Scholarship, interpersonal orientation and potential for leadership are considered in the screening procedure. Appropriate experience in teaching or leadership position in education or a human services area is requisite. All work beyond the baccalaureate must have been of high quality with an average of at least 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 Scale. Students holding a master’s degree from Auburn University are not required to resubmit GRE Scores.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The student works under the direction of an advisory committee composed of three members recommended by the appropriate department head. This committee will approve the student’s program of study, conduct required examinations and direct the required field project. Students in a teaching field (e.g., music education, science education, foreign language education) work under a committee composed of at least two members from the College of Education and one member from a related academic field.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
A minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the master’s degree must be taken in a program approved by the student’s advisory committee. The plan of study should be submitted to the Graduate School no later than the second semester of study. Professional educators pursuing sixth-year certification are responsible for adapting their plans of study to requirements in the states in which they will seek advanced certification. A relevant field project, approved in advance by the student’s committee, must be completed under the supervision of the major professor. A final written report on the field project will be submitted to the advisory committee by the student. The advisory committee will conduct a final examination on the area of specialization and the field project. The student has five calendar years to complete the degree.
ATTACHMENT 2
THE DOCTOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE
The Doctor of Education is a professional degree conferred in recognition of ability and achievement in some special field or fields of education. This is shown by satisfactory completion of a prescribed course of study, application of scientific principles in classroom teaching, administration, the supervision of instruction, or other aspects of educational programs; preparation of a dissertation demonstrating ability to investigate an education problem with originality and independence of thought; successful completion of examinations showing a satisfactory grasp of a field of specialization and its relation to allied subjects; and recognized leadership in a specialty as shown by at least three years of successful experience.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The major is divided into general professional education, area of specialization and other approved courses. General professional education includes courses in such areas as research methodology and statistics; evaluation of learning, individuals, or programs; human behavior, development or learning; and social or political perspectives on education. The College of Education requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graded (e.g., A,B,C) graduate course work (7000-level and above) beyond the bachelor’s degree, at least 18 hours of which must be completed at Auburn University. A doctoral student must also complete 30 semester hours of additional course work (may include upgraded courses, 6000-level courses, 7990 and 8990). However, some programs require more, and requirements may vary according to a student’s background and interest. A maximum of four hours of 7990 (Research and Thesis) from a completed master’s program may be counted.
All doctoral students must complete a minimum of 10 hours of 8990. Enrollment in 8990 may take place at any time the student and the advisory committee deem appropriate. During any one semester, the number of hours of 8990 in which the student enrolls should reflect the amount of time being spent on the dissertation and the degree to which university resources are being utilized. Students may enroll, during any one semester, for a few as one hour or as many as 16 hours of 8990. The requisite 10 hours 8990 should be included in the plan of study. No grade is assigned.
DISSERTATION
A dissertation is required. It should be a critical study of a significant education problem, an original work in a significant field of education, or a creative work involving new and original procedures for the improvement of education. The student conducts the research and prepares the dissertation under the direction of the major professor.
The Graduate School will accept only dissertations prepared according to the Guide to the Preparations and Submission of Theses and Dissertations, available at the University Bookstore.
All doctoral dissertations must be microfilmed by University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, Michigan, which also publishes abstracts in Dissertation Abstracts. The student is required to pay for this service.
MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-3:00 P.M. July 15, 1998
Next Meeting: July 29, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
John Pritchett (Chair), Mike Lisano (Vice Chair), Steve McFarland (Secretary), Bruce Berger (August 1998-William Felkey substitute), Terry A. Byrd (August 1998), T. Gilmour Reeve (August 1998), Kai Chang (August 1998), David Promis (student 1998), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999), Tom Petee (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh(August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000).
Members Absent: Dane, Singh
Minutes of May 20, 1998, Council meeting approved.
Gropper explained his hope that the option would build on the successful MBA distance education program, reaching out to Alabama and regional executives. It would differ from the regular program by requiring more on-campus residencies in addition to the video-based instructional program.
Chang inquired as to the duration of the resident components of the program (five days of intensive lectures, case studies, and group projects for each of the resident periods). Brewer expressed concern about program duplication, citing the existence of a similar program at the University of Alabama. Gropper replied that Alabama’s executive MBA was not a distance learning program and that ACHE clearance had been obtained. Brewer asked if it would be a new degree program. Gropper and McFarland explained that different curriculum codes would be used for the two options, but that successful completion of either program would result in the awarding of a Master of Business Administration degree. Brewer expressed concern for a special program for older students. Gropper responded that the intent was to achieve a different educational experience aimed at a different type of student with different needs. The admissions criteria required eight to ten years of full-time professional work experience.
Reeve asked about admissions standards, questioning why they should not be the same for both options, with the decision about which to enter decided through an advising process after admission into the MBA program. Reeve also expressed a preference for a specific number of years of experience as the minimum requirement rather than a vague eight to ten years. Pritchett pointed out the need for common minimum admissions requirements. Heath suggested incorporating years of work experience into the standard Business admissions formula. Chang questioned the ability of full-time executives to register for ten hours of course work per quarter for six consecutive quarters.
McFarland explained to the Council that the proposal exempted applicants holding earned J.D., M.D., and Ph.D. degrees from the Graduate School GRE/GMAT requirement. Lisano pointed out that these exams were used not as predictors of success, but as evidence of minimal capabilities. Haney argued against exempting any student from Graduate School admissions requirements. Pritchett recommended removing this exemption, stating that the Graduate School had never exempted any student from taking the GRE or GMAT.
Gropper agreed to drop the exemption for first professional degrees and to submit a revised proposal to the Graduate School at a later date.
Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of two candidates and recommended their reappointment to the Graduate Faculty. Heath seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
McFarland reported on the actions of the Curriculum Committee and moved the approval of the following semester transition degree proposals:
Horticulture (MAg,MS,PhD)
Nutrition and Food Science (MS,PhD)
Agronomy and Soils (MAg,MS,PhD)
Agricultural Economics (MAg,MS)
Rural Sociology (MAg)
Fisheries (MAq,MS,PhD).
McFarland explained that because the PhD in Agricultural Economics and the MS in Rural Sociology were interdepartmental programs, consideration would be postponed until proposals from other departments participating in the interdepartmental programs were submitted. Reeve seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
McFarland moved the approval of a non-thesis option in the Master of Science Business Administration program in Finance, Management, and Marketing. He explained that the degree title would be the same as the thesis option program, but that the transcript and commencement program would carry the notation “non-thesis.” Petee seconded. The motion passed without opposition.
Haney and McFarland explained the problem of requiring students who failed (earned a D or F grade) a course under the quarter system to retake the course under the semester system. The principles of the semester transition require that students not be required to extend their programs of study longer than what would have been required under the quarter system. A student earning a D or F in a four-hour quarter course, for example, would probably have to repeat the course as a three-hour semester course, which would translate as 4.5 quarter hours. Pritchett recommended dealing with such cases on a case-by-case basis. The Council expressed no opposition to the proposal.
Reeve expressed concern that too many 7000-level courses being evaluated for the semester transition consisted merely of an undergraduate 4000-level course plus a paper. He also stated that students should not be able to take both a 4000-level course and a piggybacked 7000-level course for credit. After brief discussion, Pritchett named a subcommittee of Brewer (chair), Teeter, McFarland, and Reeve to evaluate these concerns and issues and report back to the Graduate Council at a later date.
Summer 1998 Graduate Council Meetings
July 29, 1998
August 5, 1998
MINUTES OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-1:45 P.M. August 5, 1998
Next Meeting: October 7, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
John Pritchett (Chair), Mike Lisano (Vice Chair), Steve McFarland (Secretary), Bruce Berger (August 1998), Terry A. Byrd (August 1998), T. Gilmour Reeve (August 1998), Kai Chang (August 1998), David Promis (student 1998), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999), Tom Petee (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh (August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000).
Members Absent: Berger, Teeter, Spencer, Byrd, South, Sartin, McFarland, Promis
Minutes of July 15, 1998, Council meeting approved as corrected.
Heath moved the approval of semester degree proposals for Plant Pathology and for Business (Management, Finance, and Marketing and Transportation). The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
Reeve reported that the Credentials Committee had reviewed the applications of three candidates and recommended their appointment to the Graduate Faculty. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Fall 1998 Graduate Council Meetings
October 7
October 21
November 18
December 2
MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 1998
Graduate Council Room 1:10-2:20 P.M. October 7, 1998
Next Meeting: October 21, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
John Pritchett (Chair), Steve McFarland (Vice Chair), David Haney (August 1999), Jo Heath (August 1999), Jackie Mize (August 1999), Larry Teeter (August 1999), Tom Petee (August 1999), Wayne Brewer (August 2000), Fennechiena Dane (August 2000), Tin-Man Lau (August 2000), Jim Sartin (August 2000), Narendra Singh (August 2000), William Spencer (August 2000), Ajay Banga (August 2001), Charlotte Sutton (August 2001), Ralph Zee (August 2001), David Promis (student 1998).
Members Absent: Pritchett, Petee, Dane
Minutes of August 5, 1998, Council meeting approved as corrected.
David LaBand and John Jackson from Economics appeared before the Council to discuss the issue of semester degree programs that do not allow for elective courses within the minimum hours required for a graduate degree. Discussion centered on differences between undergraduate and graduate programs and on the value of elective courses. Semester transition guidelines currently require the inclusion of elective hours in the total number of hours required for undergraduate degrees, but not graduate degrees. The Graduate Council decided not to change this policy.
Terry Byrd of Management appeared before the Council to propose offering the Master of Management Information Systems degree as a video-based distance learning track. Byrd explained that the MMIS courses that would support the track are already available and being used to support the MBA video program. It would not require additional course work, additional faculty involvement, nor additional faculty. The distance learning track would use the same curriculum model used for the on-campus program. McFarland explained how Auburn identifies such courses and how degrees earned through distance learning appear on transcripts. Zee questioned how courses entitled “seminar” could be offered as video classes. Byrd explained these were misnamed and were actually classes. Brewer asserted the importance of one-to-one contact between an instructor and student. Through consensus, the Council approved the proposal.
McFarland presented the problem of students receiving incomplete grades in graduate seminars and non-thesis option master’s project courses. These seminars provide opportunities for graduate students to present their research to faculty and other graduate students. Often these students do not complete their research, resulting in the assignment of an incomplete grade for the course. Occasionally students are not able to present their research and complete the course until after the two-quarter deadline for clearing an incomplete. Similarly, students involved in capstone courses or non-thesis master’s projects must break the two-quarter deadline because of their special status as part-time students with full-time employment or off-campus distance education students. The businesses where they work to complete their projects often withdraw their support or force additional project changes.
Discussion focused on the unique nature of these two classes. Neither are traditional courses that produce a body of knowledge that must remain current. Haney moved and Sutton seconded a motion to exempt these courses (list attached) from the university’s two-quarter time limit for clearing an incomplete, but not from the requirement that all graduate work toward a master’s degree be completed within a period of five calendar years. The motion passed without opposition.
Courses to be exempted from the two-quarter incomplete clearance rule:
Graduate Council Room 1:10-2:20 P.M. November 18, 1998
Next Meeting: December 2, 1998, 1:10 P.M.
Members Absent: Teeter, Petee, Banga, Zee
Minutes of October 7, 1998, Council meeting approved.
McFarland moved and Spencer seconded the approval of the semester curriculum proposal with modifications and corrections from Zoology and Wildlife. The motion passed without opposition.
Haney moved and Heath seconded the approval of 22 appointments and 5 reappointments to the Graduate Faculty. The motion passed without opposition. Pritchett explained that two additional nominations had been held for further information. The Graduate School will contact all departments and request that they use the correct form when submitting nominations in the future.
Heath moved and Haney seconded a resolution honoring Mike Lisano’s thirteen years of service to the Graduate School as Assistant and Associate Dean. The motion passed without opposition. [See Attachment One]
McFarland explained that the University Academic Affairs Committee was currently discussing the issue of a policy restricting the time allowed to submit grade changes. Auburn currently has no such policy. Mize expressed support for such a policy and suggested the time period be kept “short.” Spencer suggested using the same time limit as exists currently for clearing incompletes (two quarters for graduate students) after the grade had been assigned. Haney suggested making the time limit longer than the time limit on the academic grievance policy (20 days after the start of the following quarter).
Spencer requested that the Graduate Council examine the formulas used in determining the admissibility of students into the Graduate School. He reported the EFLT experience that qualified applicants have not been able to meet the formula requirements for admission. Pritchett explained the rationale behind formulas, that they have allowed low GRE/GMAT scores to be offset by high undergraduate GPAs and have allowed departments to put heavier weight on GRE verbal or quantitative scores. Sutton felt the system had worked well in the past and allowed flexibility through the exception policy for applicants for whom the formula did not fairly represent their qualifications. Spencer and Haney explained how admissions formulas might not reflect quality for non-traditional students who had been out of school for years. Brewer favored a flexible formula or admission requirements focused on the qualities that would indicate a reason to believe an applicant would be successful in an Auburn graduate program. He also stated the need to apply any policy equally for all applicants.
Pritchett appointed an ad hoc committee to examine the issue of Graduate School formulas. Spencer will chair, with Sutton, Brewer, Mize, Pritchett, and Interim Director of Admissions Jackson serving as members. Pritchett suggested that the semester transition would be a good time to initiate any changes.
ATTACHMENT ONE
WHEREAS Dr. Michael E. Lisano has served as Assistant Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate School for more than thirteen years; and
WHEREAS Dr. Lisano during his tenure has provided exceptional service to the University’s graduate programs through his leadership in recruitment activities; and
WHEREAS Dr. Lisano has contributed significantly to new graduate program development at the University; and
WHEREAS Dr. Lisano has steadfastly worked to uphold the criteria and high standards for graduate education at Auburn University; and
WHEREAS Dr. Lisano, as Vice Chair of the Graduate Council, has contributed significant leadership to that body in establishing policies and procedures to improve the quality of graduate education at Auburn University; and
WHEREAS Dr. Lisano has now assumed a faculty position within the Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science so that he might direct his considerable gifts and talents to the instruction of the University’s students;
Therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Graduate Council of Auburn University expresses its deepest appreciation and thanks to Dr. Lisano for his selfless contributions to the Graduate School, the Graduate Council, and Auburn University’s graduate programs over the years and extends its sincere wishes for success in all of his future endeavors.
For the Graduate Council this 18th day of November, 1998
John F. Pritchett, Chair of the Graduate Council
and Associate Vice President for Academic
Affairs and Dean, The Graduate School
Last modified: November 2, 2016
