MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
January 15, 2014
Next Meeting: February 6, 2013
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Anwar Ahmed (2014), Cynthia Bowling (2014), Salman Azhar (2015), Henry Fadamiro (2015), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Frank Sturm (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: December 12, 2012
NEW BUSINESS:
Annual Evaluation of Graduate Teaching Assistants and Doctoral Students
Policy: Effective beginning Fall 2014, the Graduate School will require that each department conduct–at least on an annual basis–an evaluation of the progress of each Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and each graduate student enrolled in a doctoral program.
Reporting: Annually, each department will report to the Graduate School, confirming that the evaluation of all GTAs and doctoral students has been completed. In addition, the department will provide the Graduate School with a summary report of all instances in which a GTA or doctoral student has received an unsatisfactory review.
Expectations: Each department will be responsible for developing procedures (if not already in place) for the annual evaluation of the progress of GTAs and doctoral students. Following guidelines for best practices, the review should include at least the following:
OLD BUSINESS:
Credentials committee recommendations for appointments and reappointments:
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Curriculum Committee recommendations for program proposals and modifications:
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Next meetings: January 15, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7
MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
February 5, 2014
Next Meeting: March 5, 2014
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates:
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Anwar Ahmed (2014), Cynthia Bowling (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Joe Pittman (2014), Salman Azhar (2015), Henry Fadamiro (2015), Bernhard Kaltenboeck (2015), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Leane Skinner (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Frank Sturm (GSC). APPROVE MINUTES: January 15 , 2014
The Graduate Council approved without opposition 3+2 programs proposed by the following departments:
Types of Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)
A Graduate Teaching Assistant must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member. The GTA’s primary responsibility is to support the instructional mission of the University. The GTA’s responsibilities may include, for example: classroom or laboratory teaching*; advising or mentoring of students; proctoring exams; grading papers, homework, and/or projects; preparing instructional materials; or providing other general assistance in the instructional process. A GTA may also be assigned primary responsibilities in an extension, outreach, or service role for which those responsibilities support the instructional mission of the university. GTAs may not be given duties to support faculty research or duties primarily clerical in nature. Whatever their instructional responsibilities, GTAs must be supervised by a faculty member who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating their performance at least on an annual basis. GTAs who have no prior teaching experience must be given some form of training before being allowed to teach. Any GTA with primary responsibility for a course must have a minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate course credit in that field of instruction.
*GTAs are not permitted to teach courses numbered 6000 or above, although they may assist with laboratories for such courses. Additionally, they may not teach or assist with a course in which they are enrolled.
Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs)
A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member. The GRA’s primary responsibility is to provide general support to the University’s research mission. Services provided by a GRA may include, for example: assisting faculty members in a research or creative activity; performing degree-related professional or administrative services that support the research, instruction, professional development, or outreach missions of the University; performing research related to the objectives of an extramural grant or contract; developing and evaluating instructional materials or curricula; or assuming responsibility for designated scholarly endeavors. Since many GRA’s assist with projects funded by external grants or contracts, the GRA’s responsibilities may or may not be related directly to the student’s thesis or dissertation. The faculty supervisor determines the students’ specific duties and is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the GRA’s performance at least on an annual basis.
“Performing degree-related professional or administrative services” does not include jobs that are outside of the student’s field of study.
Graduate Extension Assistants (GEAs)
A Graduate Extension Assistant must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member or extension agent. GEAs are responsible for various kinds of extension work and interaction with the public. The various branches of the Extension Service award these assistantships. A faculty member or extension agent should be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the performance of GEAs at least on an annual basis.
Graduate Assistants (GAs)
Graduate Assistants must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by a faculty member, administrator, or other appropriate university employee. GAs are responsible for duties other than teaching, research, or extension. Tuition waivers for graduate assistants not engaged in teaching, research, or extension are subject to taxation and income tax withholding. These responsibilities can be varied and could include performing administrative duties not related to the GA’s field of study or the instructional or research missions of the university. Whatever their responsibilities, GAs should be supervised by a faculty member, administrator, or other appropriate university employee who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating their performance at least on an annual basis.
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Next meetings: March 5, April 2, May 7
MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
March 5, 2014
Next Meeting: April 2, 2014
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Anwar Ahmed (2014), Cynthia Bowling (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Joe Pittman (2014), Salman Azhar (2015), Henry Fadamiro (2015), Bernhard Kaltenboeck (2015), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Leane Skinner (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Frank Sturm (GSC). APPROVE MINUTES: February 5 , 2014
Next meetings: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6
MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
April 2, 2014
Next Meeting: May 7, 2014
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Anwar Ahmed (2014), Cynthia Bowling (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Joe Pittman (2014), Salman Azhar (2015), Henry Fadamiro (2015), Bernhard Kaltenboeck (2015), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Leane Skinner (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Brandon Fincher [for Frank Sturm] (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: March 5, 2014
None.
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Next meetings: May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6
MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
May 7, 2014
Next Meeting: June 4, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES: April 2, 2014
Next meetings: June 3, July 9, August 6
MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
June 4, 2014
Next Meeting: July 9, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES: May 7, 2014
The Graduate Council approved without opposition a revision to the Academic Standing Policy. The approved policy is shown below.
Only grades in Auburn University courses approved for graduate credit will be used in determining the overall GPA for continuation in the Graduate School. If at the end of any semester the cumulative graduate GPA (CGGPA) falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. If the CGGPA remains below 3.0 after the next eleven credit hours of graduate enrollment (both graded and ungraded) or two consecutive terms (whichever comes first), the student will be placed on academic suspension.* Students on academic suspension may not hold a graduate assistantship. The student may be readmitted only after completion of a remediation plan recommended by the academic unit and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Course work taken as part of the remediation plan must be completed within two consecutive terms and may count toward both the student’s degree and CGGPA with the recommendation of the department head and the approval of the graduate dean.* Upon completion of the remediation plan, the student must have addressed academic deficiencies and have a CGGPA of 3.0 or above. Once approved by the graduate dean, remediation plans may not be amended or extended beyond the original deadline. If a student fails to complete the remediation plan as approved or if the student earns a grade of C or below while completing the remediation plan, the student will be dismissed from the Graduate School and the designation ACADEMIC DISMISSAL will be placed on the student’s official record.
*The summer term is counted as one of the consecutive semesters only if a student is enrolled during the summer term.
The Graduate Council approved without opposition a revision to the Final Examination Policy. The approved policy is shown below.
After the dissertation has been completed (except for minor revisions) and has been approved by the student’s advisory committee, it is submitted to the Graduate School. A University Reader (a member of the graduate faculty [Level 1 or2] who serves to represent the university’s graduate faculty and the Graduate School) will be appointed to review the dissertation. However, the student’s advisor may request appointment of the University Reader at any time rather than waiting until after the dissertation is drafted. When the Graduate School has received an approved evaluation from the University Reader, the student may apply for the final examination on a form sent by the graduate School. The application must be filed with the graduate School at least one week in advance of the final examination. The examination is administered by the student’s advisory committee. The University Reader also attends and participates. The examination, which generally is oral but may be both oral and written, includes the major and minor fields and a defense of the dissertation. Successful completion requires unanimous support of all members of the committee, including the University Reader. Any member of the Graduate Faculty may attend.
Next meetings: July 9, August 6, September 3, October 8, November 5, December 3
MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
July 9, 2014
Next Meeting: August 6, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES: June 4, 2014
Next meetings: August 6, September 3, October 8, November 5, December 3
MINUTES OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
August 6, 2014
Next Meeting: September 3, 2014
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Salman Azhar (2015), Henry Fadamiro (2015), Bernhard Kaltenboeck (2015), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Chris Rodger (2016), Leane Skinner (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Ana Franco-Watkins (2017), David Umphress (2017), Leonard Towns (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: July 9, 2014
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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
AND
BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE, SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & URBAN PLANNING
TO ESTABLISH
SIX-YEAR MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMS
THIS AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO BETWEEN:
THE SCOOL OF ARCHITECTURE & URBAN PLANNING AT BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE, Beijing, People’s Republic of China hereinafter called “BUCEA ARCITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING,”
THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Auburn Alabama, U.S.A, hereinafter called CADC
Hereafter jointly called “the Parties.”
INTRODUCTION
The Parties–after their long, fruitful and amicable relationships and partnerships– wish to provide new impetus for further collaboration, with the aim of creating a BUCEA–AUBURN SIX-YEAR MASTER of LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DEGREE PROGRAM for Chinese students. Participants will complete the BUCEA Bachelor’s degree with a year of study at Auburn. A second year of study will lead to a Master of Landscape Architecture Degree (MLA) from Auburn University. The overall goal is to prepare the students for successful careers in the global economy by developing their scientific, language, and practical skills, as well as their leadership abilities and cultural awareness.
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 1. PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Jointly designed by BUCEA and AUBURN, this six-year graduate degree program model provides sound educational experiences for BUCEA students in selected fields of study.
1.1 The six-year program is comprised of three components:
1.2 Hereinafter this program shall be known as 4+2 STUDY PROGRAM.
1.3 An initial pool of up to five BUCEA students will selected by BUCEA faculty as potential participants in each degree program or as otherwise specified by the specific degree program agreement.
ARTICLE 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 4+2 STUDY PROGRAM
The implementation of this program will take three stages as indicated below:
2.1. Stage one (Years 1-4, in China): BUCEA PARTICIPANTS will successfully complete the first four years of undergraduate study at BUCEA.
2.2 Stage Two (May * –May, Year 5, at AUBURN):
2.4 Stage Three (May –May, Year 6, at AUBURN):
2.5 4+1 Programs:
ARTICLE 3. FIELDS OF STUDY
3.1 A specific agreement detailing courses, prerequisites, and other requirements must be established for each academic department’s degree program.
3.2 The number of fields of study may be increased by mutual agreement established for cooperating departments.
3.3 For the first academic program year, AUBURN will accept up to five BUCEA PARTICIPANTS in selected fields of study.
3.4 Under the terms of this agreement, specific field of study agreements are established between academic departments and approved through respective AUBURN and BUCEA institutional processes.
ARTICLE 4. NUMBER OF BUCEA PARTICIPANTS
4.1 For the first program year at AUBURN (beginning in August), AUBURN will accept up to five PARTICIPANTS per field of study.
4.2 The exact number of BUCEA PARTICIPANTS to be accepted during each successive year of the program will be based upon the availability of academically qualified and financially able students. The number of students accepted will be limited by the capacity of the program to enroll students as determined by the Dean of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction and the Dean of the Graduate School at Auburn University.
ARTICLE 5. SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS
5.1 By the end of November of each year, BUCEA will provide AUBURN with a list of prospective BUCEA PARTICIPANTS.
5.2 A SELECTION REVIEW COMMITTEE, comprised of representatives from BUCEA and AUBURN will conduct interview sessions to select potential PARTICIPANTS from among the nominated students.
5.3 Basic student requirements:
5.4 Funding of students:
5.5 Year 6 graduate students may be eligible for (but are not guaranteed) graduate assistantships as per departmental needs, the needs of extramurally-funded principal investigators, or the availability other sources of support.
ARTICLE 6. RESPONSIBILTIES OF AUBURN
6.1. AUBURN will provide BUCEA with a list of contact persons in each field of study listed in ARTICLE 3 above for further communication on the curriculum.
6.2 PARTICIPANTS enroll as graduate students at AUBURN completing courses and other requirements leading to the B.S. degree from BUCEA, normally at the end of Year IV.
6.3 AUBURN will provide the necessary documents (I-20 forms, invitation letters, etc.) to allow each BUCEA PARTICIPANT to apply for an F-1Student visa.
6.4 Following departmental review at the end of Stage Two, PARTICIPANTS advance to full-time Master’s degree students for the final three semesters of the MLA program, beginning with the Summer semester.
6.5 The overall (two-year / six-semester) cost of education (tuition 2014-2016) and living support (including other costs such as health care, and transportation) is estimated at US$120,450 for each PARTICIPANT. http://graduate.auburn.edu/prospective-students/international-instructions/l
6.6 AUBURN will assist PARTICIPANTS in arranging accommodation in University Residence Halls, apartments, or other suitable arrangements and will provide appropriate assistant and counseling in matters of health, language, cultural understanding as needed.
6.7 AUBURN will send BUCEA an official grade transcript for each PARTICIPANT in the end of Stage Two of the program at AUBURN.
6.8 AUBURN is responsible for reviewing, approving, and monitoring any BUCEA materials describing the relationship between BUCEA and AUBURN to ensure conformity with the disclaimer statement required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, as supplied in Article 7.06.
ARTICLE 7. RESPONSIBILITIES OF BUCEA
7.1 BUCEA will send AUBURN the curricula and a list of contact persons for each field of study selected for this program.
7.2 BUCEA will facilitate the articulation of course prerequisites for AUBURN courses as per the requirements of each field of study degree program.
7.3 Selection of students:
7.4 BUCEA will provide a venue for the selection committee to interview students.
7.5 BUCEA will make its personnel and facilities available to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in connection with its periodic review of Auburn’s accreditation status.
7.6 BUCEA will use the following mandatory SACSCOC disclaimer statement in its materials describing or advertising this program:
“Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist and Doctor’s degrees. BUCEA is not accredited by SACS Commission on Colleges and the accreditation of Auburn University does not extend to or include BUCEA or its students. Further, although Auburn University may agree to accept certain course work from BUCEA to be applied toward an award from Auburn University, that course work may not be accepted by other colleges or universities in transfer, even if it appears on a transcript from Auburn University. The decision to accept course work in transfer from any institution is made by the institution considering the acceptance of credits or course work.”
ARTICLE 8. PROTOTYPE SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM
8.1 Selection of the first pool of students by BUCEA will begin in the fall semester 2014 upon approval of the Auburn University governing body.
8.2 Selection of the first pool of BUCEA PARTICIPANTS, from the above pool of students, by a BUCEA-AUBURN COMMITTEE, will take place at BUCEA in November.
8.3 In December, final admission decisions are made by the receiving AUBURN academic departments.
8.4 The first group of BUCEA PARTICIPANTS will arrive in AUBURN in the term established as their respective starting semester as per section 2.02, d, and continue on to the subsequent stages of the program.
ARTICLE 9. REVIEW, RENEWAL TERMINATION, ADMENDMENT
9.1 This agreement becomes effective upon the signature of both Presidents.
9.2 This program shall start in the fall semester of the year 2014, and will be reviewed by both PARTIES on an annual basis.
9.3 This agreement may be amended by the exchange of letters between the two institutions. Such amendments, once approved by both institutions, will become part of this Memorandum of Agreement.
9.4 This agreement may be terminated by either PARTY giving notice to the other PARTY, in writing, at least six months prior to the intended termination date. In such an event, all the PARTICIPANTS already selected for the program will be allowed to complete the degree program.
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Next meetings: September 3, October 8, November 5, December 3
MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
September 3, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES: August 8, 2014
Academic and Professional Progress
Monitoring the academic progress of graduate student and graduate teaching assistants on a regular basis is important to their success and to the success of Auburn’s graduate programs. The Graduate School requires that each department conduct—at least on an annual basis—an evaluation of the progress of each graduate student enrolled in a doctoral program and each Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). Departments are also encouraged to monitor the progress of all other degree-seeking students. Annually, each department will report to the Graduate School, confirming that the evaluation of all doctoral students and GTAs has been completed.
The student’s advisory committee monitors each graduate student’s progress toward a degree, and issues of professional and personal development may be considered. While failure to maintain academic standards is reason for dismissal, a student also may be dismissed from the Graduate School if progress is unsatisfactory in other areas.
In such cases, the advisory committee will prepare a statement of grievance and discuss it in a meeting with the student. The statement must have the unanimous support of all members of the committee. The student will be warned that corrective measures must be taken within a specified time to avoid action that might result in dismissal. The committee determines the period allowed for correction. Copies of the statement of grievance and summary of the meeting will be provided to the student, the department head/chair, and the academic dean.
If the deficiency is not corrected within the time allowed by the committee, a statement reiterating the grievance and recommending dismissal should be sent to the graduate dean with copies to the student, the department head/chair, and the academic dean.
The graduate dean will give the student an opportunity to respond and will make a final determination. The student and the advisory committee will be notified.
The action taken will not appear on the student’s official transcript, and release of information is restricted under the University’s policy on the confidentiality of student records.
Next meetings: October 7 (2:00-3:30 PM), November 11 (3:00-4:30 PM), December 4 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE TENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
October 6, 2014
Next Meeting: November 11, 2014
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Salman Azhar (2015), Henry Fadamiro (2015), Bernhard Kaltenboeck (2015), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Wi-suk Kwon (2016), Chris Rodger (2016), Leane Skinner (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Ana Franco-Watkins (2017), David Umphress (2017), Leonard Towns (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: September 3, 2014
Conditional Admission Policy
First-time applicants to Auburn University’s Graduate School who hold the bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution (or who provide proof of equivalent training from a recognized academic institution outside the United States) and who are otherwise academically qualified but who do not meet certain other requirements for admission may be admitted on a conditional basis.
These other requirements include but are not limited to the following: 1) scores above the minimum required on standardized tests of English language proficiency, 2) scores above the minimum required on the GRE or GMAT, or 3) the submission of official documentation (e.g., transcripts).
Departments may set higher standards or may not consider students for conditional admission.
International students whose English language proficiency is marginally below the Graduate School’s required levels are required to enroll in Auburn University’s Intensive English Program and satisfy proficiency requirements before enrolling in graduate-level course work.
Other students who are admitted on a conditional basis are given an opportunity to demonstrate that they can perform graduate-level work and can be expected to make reasonable progress toward earning a graduate degree. They may also be required to remedy deficiencies in undergraduate preparation by taking upper-division courses.
Conditionally admitted students must demonstrate their ability to perform at the graduate level by obtaining a “B” grade point average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in their first 12 semester hours of graduate-level work. These 12 semester hours must be completed within the first three consecutive semesters following admission.
Students admitted on a conditional basis will be fully admitted to the Graduate School only when all conditions for admission have been met, including the completion of at least 12 semester hours of approved graduate-level courses at Auburn University with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
Students admitted conditionally who fail to satisfy all conditions for admission within the allotted time period will be dismissed from the Graduate School.
Next meetings: November 11 (3:00-4:30 PM), December 4 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
November 11, 2014
Next Meeting: December 4, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES: October 6, 2014
Next meetings: December 4 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2014
December 4, 2014
Next meetings: January 15 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: November 11, 2014
Next meetings: January 15 (2:00-3:30 PM), February 12 (2:00-3:00 PM), March 12 (2:00-3:00 PM), April 2 (2:00-3:00 PM), May 7 (2:00-3:00 PM)
Last modified: December 20, 2016
