MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
January 15, 2015
Next meeting: February 12 (2:00-3:30 PM)
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: January 15, 2015
NEW BUSINESS:
None.
OLD BUSINESS:
________________
Next meetings: 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)
MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
February 12, 2015
English Proficiency Admissions Requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit: 1) TOEFL scores of at least 550 on the written test (213 on the computer-based test); 2) 79 on the Internet Based Test with at least 16 in each section; 3) IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or 4) demonstrate English proficiency during an oral examination (interview) satisfactory to the examining committee and approved by the graduate dean.
Resolution Regarding Graduate Faculty Status for Lectuerers
Section 3.5.1.A of the Auburn University Faculty Handbook currently states that “Lecturers and senior lecturers are not eligible for graduate faculty status.”
As a result of this policy, faculty who hold appointments at the Lecturer level are forbidden from contributing to the graduate programs in their departments by teaching graduate level classes or serving on graduate committees, even if they are highly qualified to do so and approved by the faculty in that department.
We feel that that this inappropriately restricts qualified faculty from contributing to our graduate programs.
Accordingly, we request that the University Senate consider removing the sentence “Lecturers and senior lecturers are not eligible for graduate faculty status” in Section 5.1.A and allow Lecturers and senior Lecturers to be considered for appropriate graduate faculty status for teaching graduate classes and serving as members (not chairs) of graduate committees.
Next meetings: March 12 (2:00-3:00 PM), April 2 (2:00-3:00 PM), May 7 (2:00-3:00 PM)
MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
March 12, 2015
Next meeting: April 2 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: February 12, 2015
The minimum cumulative GPA for admission and continuation in the Accelerated Bachelor’s / Master’s program is changed from 3.4 to 3.0, with the understanding that individual departments may set additional or higher standards for eligibility and continuation in their programs.
Next meetings: April 2 (2:00-3:00 PM), May 7 (2:00-3:00 PM)
MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
April 2, 2015
Next meeting: May 7 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: March 12, 2015
The Graduate Council approved without opposition the following Curriculum Committee recommendations for course proposals and modifications:
Next meeting: May 7 (2:00-3:00 PM)
MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
May 7, 2015
Next meeting: June 4 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: April 2, 2015
OTHER ITEMS:
ADJOURN
Next meetings: June 4 (2:00-3:00 PM), July 9 (2:00-3:00 PM), August 6 (2:00-3:00 PM)
MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
June 4, 2015
Next meeting: July 9 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: May 7, 2015
Next meetings: July 9 (2:00-3:00 PM), August 6 (2:00-3:00 PM), September 3 (2:00-3:00 PM), October 1 (2:00-3:00 PM), November 12 (2:00-3:00 PM), December 2 (2:00-3:00 PM)
MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
July 9, 2015
Next meeting: August 7 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: June 4, 2015
_________________________________
Next meetings: August 6 (2:00-3:30 PM), September 3 (2:00-3:30 PM), October 1 (2:00-3:30 PM), November 12 (2:00-3:30 PM), December 2 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
August 7, 2015
Next meeting: September 3 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: July 9, 2015
Next meetings: September 3 (2:00-3:30 PM), October 1 (2:00-3:30 PM), November 12 (2:00-3:30 PM), December 2 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
September 3, 2015
Next meeting: October 1 (2:00-3:30 PM)
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2014), Brian Bourdeau (2016), Wi-suk Kwon (2016), Chris Rodger (2016), Leane Skinner (2016), Barbara Wilder (2016), Ana Franco-Watkins (2017), David Umphress (2017), Ash Bullard (2018), Charlene (LeBlue (2018), Leane Skinner (2018), Yaxiong Tao (2018), Nancy Noe (2018), India Napier (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: August 3, 2015
Horticulture
Next meetings: October 1 (2:00-3:30 PM), November 12 (2:00-3:30 PM), December 2 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE TENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
October 6, 2015
Next meeting: November 12 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: September 3, 2015
Graduate Assistantship Satisfactory Performance Policy
Graduate assistant appointments are temporary. Continuation depends upon availability of funds, level of enrollment, research needs, and satisfactory performance.
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. Continuation is contingent upon satisfactory performance.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs)
A Graduate Teaching Assistant must meet eligibility requirements (including English proficiency requirements) and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member. The GTA’s primary responsibility is to support the instruction 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 natures. Whatever their instructional responsibilities, GTAs must be supervised by a faculty member who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating performance (including English proficiency) at least on an annual basis. Continuation is contingent upon satisfactory performance. 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.
Next meetings: November 12 (2:00-3:30 PM), December 2 (2:00-3:30 PM)
MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
November 12, 2015
Next meeting: December 2 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: October 6, 2015
Proposed Policy for Consideration by the University Senate
Lecturer Class Faculty and the Teaching of Graduate Courses and Serving on Graduate Student Committees
The Auburn University Faculty Handbook states, “Lecturers and senior lecturers are not eligible for graduate faculty status.” However, Lecturer-class faculty who otherwise meet graduate faculty criteria (level 1) for the department may be granted permission to teach graduate-level courses and/or serve on graduate student committees on an exceptions basis under the following conditions: a Lecturer-class faculty member desiring to teach a graduate course or serve on a graduate student committee should make a written request to the department chair.
Procedures for Securing Background Reports for Graduate Student Employees Before Hiring
8.1 An approved background report will only be required once for any graduate student employee appointment. Exceptions to this include Background Report results with “Please Review” for the ID Trace or Driving Records with Descrepancies that are “Conditional” or “Watch.” Graduate Student employees with these results will be required to complete a Background Report annually while employed until the Background Report is clear of such conditions. Approved background reports for graduate student employees will be valid for all future semesters from the date of the report.
Tentative schedule for next meetings: January 14 (2:00-3:00 PM), February 3 (2:00-3:00), March 2 (2:00-3:00), April 6 (2:00-3:00), May 5 (2:00-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE TWELVTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2015
December 2, 2015
Next meeting: January 14 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: November 12, 2015
Auburn University
Graduate School
Strategic Diversity Plan
Approved by the Graduate Council
Mission: Establish diversity and inclusiveness as core values in the Graduate School.
Definition of Diversity: Diversity at Auburn University encompasses the whole of human experience and includes such human qualities as race, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, and veteran status. These and other socially and historically important attributes reflect the complexity of our increasingly diverse student body, local community, and national population.
Auburn University recognizes and values the considerable educational benefits emanating from diversity as we prepare our student for life and leadership in a multicultural world. Students who interact with and learn about people from a variety of backgrounds are more apt to understand, appreciate and excel in the community they inhabit. In this context, diversity is aligned with Auburn University’s land grant mission of providing its students with a superior education in service to the needs of Alabama, the nation, and the world.
Goal 1: Foster an environment that respects differences and encourages inclusiveness.
Strategy 1: Foster an environment that encourages inclusiveness.
Tactic 1: Encourage graduate faculty, graduate students, and staff to participate in diversity activities across campus.
Measure: Documentation how faculty, students, and staff are encouraged (emails, newsletters, etc.).
Tactic 2: Ensure that the Graduate School continues to be represented on the Diversity Council meetings. The Associate Dean or a representative from the Graduate School is expected to attend all meetings.
Measure: Representation on the council and attendance at all meetings will be documented.
Goal 2: Increase the recruitment, retention, and representation of people of color, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented students, faculty, administrators, and staff at Auburn University to a level that reflects the appropriate relevant pool of availability for the target population.
Strategy 1: Develop and implement strategies to recruit underrepresented students.
Tactic 1: Continue to support or participate in off-campus and on-campus recruiting events that encourage underrepresented students to apply to Auburn University graduate programs.
Measure: Number of events sponsored or attended.
Tactic 2: Continue to support programs, such as Auburn University Graduate Diversity Campus Experience and the Summer Bridge Program (School of Kinesiology) that bring underrepresented
students to Auburn for campus enrichment visits.
Measure: Attendance tracked, retention tracked over time, academic performance tracked for all participating students.
Tactic 3: Continue to welcome international students at Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport in Atlanta and provide transportation to the Auburn University campus upon arrival in the United States.
Measure: Number of international students welcomed and transported to Auburn.
Tactic 4: Conduct a regular survey among students to determine the needs, if any, of underrepresented students.
Measure: Survey conducted and results compiled.
Tactic 5: Develop and implement training programs to assist Graduate Program Officers and faculty with the recruitment of underrepresented students.
Measure: Number of training programs developed and offered. Number of participants participating in training programs.
Goal 3: Develop and implement a comprehensive system of education and training focused on effectively managing and leveraging diversity for students, faculty, and staff.
Strategy 1: Develop and implement campus-wide diversity educational programs and training initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.
Tactic 1: Have all supervisors participate in Just Be FAIR training conducted by Human Resources. Encourage all staff to participate.
Measure: Training participation tracked.
Goal 4: Build and strengthen partnerships with diverse communities, businesses, and civic community organizations to support diversity and multiculturalism in the university and in external communities.
Strategy 1: Build and strengthen partnerships with diverse communities.
Tactic 1: Continue to encourage underrepresented students to apply to serve as Graduate School Ambassadors.
Measure: Number of underrepresented students serving as Graduate Ambassadors.
Tactic 2: Continue to sponsor the International Wives Club, for the spouses of international graduate students and scholars. The International Wives Club provides the wives of international students and scholars with a way to meet new people, sample food from around the world, practice speaking English, and become more acclimated to life in Auburn.
Measure: Number of events sponsored and number of participants at each event.
Tactic 3: Continue to sponsor the InterConnect program, the goal of which is to enhance the experience of international students/post docs by help them become better integrated into the local culture.
Tactic 4: Develop and implement training programs focusing on best practices in retention for Graduate Program Officers and faculty to aid in the retention of underrepresented students.
Goal 5: Develop and execute a comprehensive Diversity Communication Plan.
Strategy 1: Develop and execute a Diversity Communication Plan for the Graduate School.
Tactic 1: Emphasize diversity and inclusion as core values through Graduate School media outlets (web pages, brochures, newsletters, magazines, videos, etc.).
Measure: Documentation of diversity within Graduate School publications.
Strategy 2: Continue to highlight achievements and contributions of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups.
Tactic 1: Continue to highlight minorities, women, and other underrepresented students, faculty, and staff in Graduate School newsletters and publications.
Measure: Periodic review of materials.
Tactic 2: Continue to monitor all recruitment materials for inclusion of diversity.
Measure: Documentation of review of recruitment materials.
Strategy 3: Regularly monitor and assess the Graduate School’s diversity efforts for effectiveness.
Tactic 1: Promote ongoing dialogue about diversity and inclusion in the Graduate School. Make timely revisions to the strategic diversity plan based upon stakeholder input.
Measure: Provide periodic updates to the Graduate Council on revisions based upon stakeholder input.
Tactic 2: Annually report to the Graduate Council on the effectiveness of the Graduate School’s diversity efforts.
Measure: Document the submission of the annual report.
Strategy 4: Disseminate and request feedback on the Graduate School’s strategic diversity plan to refine best practices and facilitate accountability.
Tactic 1: Annually perform a critical review of the Graduate School’s strategic diversity plan.
Measure: Revise the plan as appropriate.
Schedule for next meetings: January 14 (2:00-3:00 PM), February 4 (1:30-3:00), March 3 (1:30-3:00), April 5 (2:00-3:30), May 3 (1:30-3:00).
Last modified: February 2, 2021