MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
January 14, 2016
Next meeting: February 4 (1:30-3:00 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: December 2, 2015
NEW BUSINESS:
OLD BUSINESS:
OTHER ITEMS:
ADJOURN
_________________________________
Schedule for next meetings: February 4 (1:30-3:00), March 3 (1:30-3:00), April 5 (2:00-3:30), May 3 (1:30-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
February 4, 2016
Next meeting: March 3 (1:30-3:00 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: January 14, 2016
Policy on Transfer of Credit from Other Institutions
Graduate credit taken in residence at an international institution or at a regionally accredited U.S. institution may be transferred when recommended by the student’s major professor, advisory committee, graduate coordinator, and when also approved by the dean of the Graduate School. Such transfer credit must fall within the time limits of the degree. Students seeking transfer credit must provide documentary evidence showing that the course is comparable to similar graduate courses at Auburn University and relevant to the student’s plan of study. Students must also provide an official transcript showing credit earned for the course. No prior commitment is made concerning whether transfer credit will be accepted. A student must earn at least 24 semester hours, or half of the total hours required for a master’s degree, whichever is greater, at Auburn University. A program that requires 30 hours of credit will be limited to 6 semester hours of transfer credit. The total number of credit hours that may be transferred from another accredited institution towards a doctoral degree varies by program but must be less than 50% of the credit hours listed on the Plan of Study. Such transfer credit 1) must fall within the time limits of the degree; and 2) must be approved by the advisory committee and the dean of the Graduate School. In the case of graduate degree programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortial agreements, the student must earn a majority of credits from the participating institutions. No transfer credit will be approved without an official transcript. No course on which a grade lower than B was earned may be transferred. Additionally, credit will not be allowed if the combined GPA on graduate work taken at other schools is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, nor may transfer credit be used to improve the GPA on courses taken at Auburn University.
Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program may use a limited amount of course work taken at another accredited university to meet certificate requirements, with the approval of the program faculty and the Graduate School.* The total number of credits transferred shall not exceed 40% of the total required for the Certificate. Total credits allowed to transfer may be less as determined by the Certificate Program. Such transfer credit must fall with the time limits of the certificate program. Students must provide an official transcript showing credit earned for the course and documentary evidence that the course is comparable to similar graduate courses in the certificate program at Auburn University. No course on which a grade lower than B was earned may be transferred.
*A student may not use the same graduate course for both undergraduate and graduate credit.
Schedule for next meetings: March 3 (1:30-3:00), April 5 (2:00-3:30), May 3 (1:30-3:00).
(1:30-3:00 PM)
None
No
Name
Title
Department Name
Reviewing Class
Apt. Type
1
Anwar Ahmed
Professor
Aerospace Engineering
2
ReAppointment
Stephen Bullard
Assistant Professor
Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
3
Victoria Cardullo
Curriculum and Teaching
Initial Appointment
4
Jesse Chappell
Associate Professor
5
Charles Chen
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences
6
Claire Crutchley
Finance
7
F Dobson
Biological Sciences
8
John Feminella
9
Kevin Fitzsimmons
Affiliate Associate Professor
10
Debbie Folkerts
11
Jatunn Gibson
Human Development and Family Studies
12
Terrill Hanson
13
Paul Holley
Building Science
14
Erica Kierce
Nursing
15
Tin-man Lau
Industrial Design
16
Xiao Li
17
Robert Locy
18
William Malczycki
History
19
Rene’ Mceldowney
Political Science
20
Alan Meyer
21
Kevin Moore
Architecture
0
22
Anthony Moss
23
Dudley Nichols
24
David Paradice
Aviation and Supply Chain Management
25
Mary Peterson
26
Lauren Redden
27
Robert Richey
28
Tonia Schwartz
29
Marilyn Strutchen
30
Shuwen Tzeng
31
Daniel Warner
Course Number
College
Course Title
Type of Change
FINC 7696
Business
Advanced Financial Systems
Course Revision
PSYC-MS
Liberal Arts
Applied Behavior Analysis
Program Revision
MCP Course Substitutions
Master of Community Planning Course Substitutions
Substitution Request
. None.
.The Graduate Council approved without opposition a revision to the Policy on Transfer Credit from Other Institutions, with regard to transfer credit for graduate certificate programs. The complete approved policy is shown below.
. The Graduate Council reviewed a student appeal for a third attempt of the General Oral Examination. The Graduate Council denied the appeal without opposition.
The Graduate Council discussed sexual harassment and boundaries in the faculty/graduate student relationship.
strong=”mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;”> Title
William Batchelor
Biosystems Engineering
Lauren Beckingham
Civil Engineering
Claude Boyd
Lynn Brown
Jason Bryant
Educational FLT
Caleb Clark
Larry Crowley
Oladiran Fasina
Robert Finkel
Paul Harris
Wi-Suk Kwon
Consumer and Design Sciences
Brittany Larkin
Kevin Mossholder
Management
Kenneth Noe
Dylan Piper-Kaiser
Geoffrey Silvera
Courtney Windham
College of Agriculture
ANSC 7400
Ruminant Nutrition
Course Change
College of Education
ERMA 8210
Prep Research for Publication
ERMA 8216
TBD-EDS
EdS Library Media Program
New Distance Program
GCRT
Instructional Leadership
New Program
Reading Instruction
College of Human Sciences
HDFS 6300
HDFS and Social Policy
HDFS 7010
Child and Adolescent Development in Context
HDFS 7020
Adult Development in Context
HDFS 8010
Relationship Development and Process in Childhood and Adolescence
HDFS 8020
Relationship Development and Process in Adulthood
College of Liberal Arts
TBD-MS
Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
School of Nursing
TBD-MSN
MSN NURSING, HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS LEADER
MSN NURSING INFORMATICS
School of Pharmacy
MDCH-MS
MS Pharmaceutical Sciences – Medicinal Chemistry Option
Program Change
MDCH-PHD
PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences – Medicinal Chemistry Option
PYCE-MS
MS Pharmaceutical Sciences
PYCE-PHD
PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences – Pharmaceutics Option
PYHO-MS
MS Pharmaceutical Sciences – Health Outcomes Research and Policy Option
PYHO-PHD
PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences-Health Outcomes Research and Policy Option
PYPH-MS
MS Pharmaceutical Sciences – Pharmacology Option
PYPH-PHD
PhD Pharmaceutical Sciences – Pharmacology Option
MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
March 3, 2016
Next meeting: April 5 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: February 4, 2016
. The Graduate Council approved without opposition a revision to the Master’s Accelerator Programs (MAP) offered through Auburn Global to include a three semester option (MAP3).
. The Graduate Council had further discussion regarding sexual harassment and boundaries in the faculty/graduate student relationship. Kelley Taylor, Director of the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity was a guest at theis meeting and providing information on University policies and training options related to this topic.
The Graduate Council discussed the curriculum revview process and possible approaches to streamline that process. A survey will be sent to Graduate Council members for them to provide feedback on specific items for which the process might be streamlined.
The Graduate Council approved without opposition a revision to the Policy for for the Master’s and Doctoral Advisory Committees, with regard to explicitly identifying that the policy refers to members of the Auburn University Graduate Faculty. The complete approved policy is shown below.
Revised Policy for the Master’s and Doctoral Advisory Committees
Doctoral Degrees
Advisory Committee and Plan of StudyAfter the student has enrolled in the doctoral program, an advisory committee should be selected by the student, major professor and department/program head or chair. The advisory committee is responsible for developing the student’s Plan of Study and conducting the doctoral general and final examinations. It should consist of at least four members of the Auburn University Graduate Faculty. Additional voting members may be appointed to the committee (including no more than one non-Auburn University faculty member, who must hold the terminal degree in the field). A majority of the Auburn University affiliated committee members, including the major professor, must be members of the Graduate faculty at Level 2. The major professor must also be a graduate faculty member in the department/program granting the degree. The formal appointment of the advisory committee occurs when the Plan of Study is approved by the Graduate School.The Plan of Study should be prepared by the student and the advisory committee and filed with the Graduate School at least one term prior to the term in which the student plans to graduate. The Graduate School recognizes that changes may be warranted, and a form is available for amendments as required by student needs, research interests and course availability.
Master’s Degrees Advisory CommitteeThe student works under the direction of an advisory committee composed of three members recommended by the appropriate department/program head or chair. Two must be members of the Auburn University graduate faculty. The committee chair (or one of the co-chairs) must be a graduate faculty member in the department/program granting the degree. This committee will approve the student’s program of study, conduct required examinations and direct the required field project or thesis. 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.
No.
Lee Ann Alderman
Rehabilitation and Special Education
Achilles Armenakis
Professor Emeritus
Lakami Baker
Onikia Brown
Nutrition, Dietics, and Hospitality Management
John Cochran
William Dozier
Poultry Science
Eva Dubois
Hubert Field
Christopher Ferguson
Thomas Gallagher
Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
Lester Hollans
Elise Irwin
Adjunct Assistant Professor
John Jahera
Marlin Jensen
Ann Lambert
Beverly Marshall
Rebecca Mcmillan
Justin Miller
Ann Beth Presley
Bonnie Sanderson
Joseph Tomasso
minute
Chih-Hsuan Wang
Sarah Zohdy
ANSC 7010
Stocker Production
New Course
CSES 6966
Special Problems
FDSC 6660
Food Microbiology
FDSC 7950
Graduate Seminar
FDSC 7970
Special Topics in Food Science
POUL 7950
POUL 7960
Special Problems in Poultry Science
POUL 7970
Special Topics in Poultry Science
ADED 7050
Methods of Teaching in Adult Education
ADED 7056
ADED 7060
Curriculum and Program Planning in Adult Education
ADED 7066
Curriculum and Program Planning
ADED 7670
Adult Education in Cooperative Extension
ADED 7676
ADED 7680
Learning Styles in Adult Education
ADED 7686
CTRD 6036
The Reading of Adolescents
CTSE 7976
Special Topics
EDLD 8320
Curriculum Leadership in Organizations
EDLD 8326
EDMD 7130
Administration of Media Technology Services
EDMD 7136
EDMD 7200
Applied Instructional Design
EDMD 7310
Evaluation of Media Technology Programs
EDMD 7316
EDMD 7920
Clinical Residency
Pre-Requisite
EDMD 7926
EDMD 7980
Field Project
ERMA 7320
Applied Quantitative Research
ERMA 7326
AESG-PHD
Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education
ASCG-PHD
Administration of Supervision and Curriculum
College of Engineering
ELEC 6670
Electric Power Engineering Topics
HDFS 6200
Applied Research and Evaluation Methods
Course Title Change
HDFS 7040
Family Processes
HDFS 7970
Special Topics in HDFS
Course Renumber
HDFS-MS
HDFS-PHD
HDFT-MS
Marriage and Family Therapy
NHRM-MS
Nutrition-Hotel and Restaurant Management Option
ENGL 7020
Pedagogy in Writing Studies
ENGL 7090
Topics in Writing Studies
CPLN-MINOR
Minor in Community Planning
College of Architecture Design and Construction
ARCH 7010
Studio I: Project Initiation
ARCH 7020
Studio II: Project Development
ARCH 7030
Studio III: Project Completion
ARCH 7110
Seminar in Collaborative Design Methods and Process
ARCH 7120
Seminar in Design Tectonics
ARCH 7130
Seminar in Project Communications
ARCH 7210
Executive Issues I
ARCH 7220
Executive Issues II
ABM
Environmental Design/Community Planning
Elimination
INDC-MIDC
Integrated Design and Construction
Master of Science in Architecture, Option in Public Interest Design
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
GSEI 6150
Spatial Statistics for Natural Resources
NURS 7126
Quality Improvement/Process Management for APNs
PYDI 9510
Geriatric Care
Auburn Global
GLOB 0900
Schedule for next meetings: April 5 (2:00-3:30), May 3 (1:30-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
April 5, 2016
Next meeting: May 3 (1:30-3:00 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: March 3, 2016
None.
Adrienne Angelo
Foreign Languages and Literatures
Charles Bruce
Ryan Earley
Glenn Fain
Horticulture
Charles Gilliam
Dana Griggs
Bernard Hill
Adjunct Professor
Joseph Kemble
Jane Kuehne
Ronald Lewis
Geology and Geography
Juan Lopez-Bautista
N. Narayanan
Computer Science and Software Engineering
Iulia Pittman
Carolyn Robinson
Mark Schall
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Jeffrey Sibley
James Spiers
Eric Wetzel
Floy Woods
Amy Wright
MAg in Food Science
MS in Food Science
PhD in Food Science
College of Business
BUSI 7140
Organizational Leadership, Ethics and Change
Title and Description
BUSI 7146
BUSI 7150
Operational Excellence Through Supply Chain and Quality Management
BUSI 7156
BUSI 7160
Advanced Professional Development
BUSI 7220
Information Technology for Competitive Advantage
Title and Expansion
BUSI 7226
BUSI 7250
Global Business Experience
BUSI 7256
BUSI 7310
Integrated Business Project and Case Analysis
BUSI 7316
ISMN 6040
Telecommunications Management
Description
ISMN 6046
ISMN 6360
Application of Geospatial Information Systems for Business
ISMN 6620
Information Systems Architecture in the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise
ISMN 6626
ISMN 6650
Application Development with Emerging Technologies
ISMN 6656
ISMN 6730
Security and Information Assurance
ISMN 6736
ISMN 6740
Information Risk Analysis
ISNM 6746
ISNM 6750
Information Technology Auditing
MBA
Master of Business Administration
MBA – Executive Option
Master of Business Administration – Executive Option
MBA – Physicians’ Executive Option
Master of Business Administration – Physicians’ Executive Option
MS in Information Systems Management
ADED 7640
Workforce Education
ADED 7646
COUN 7340
Group Counseling
COUN 7360
Advanced Counseling Practice
ERMA 7400
Mixed Methods Research
HIED 7236
Student Services Administration in Postsecondary Education
RSED 6150
Elementary Teaching Methods in Special Education
RSED 6156
RSED 6160
Framework for Collaboration in K-12
RSED 6166
MS in Biology Education
Program Deletion
MS in Chemistry Education
MS in Mathematics Education
MEd in Clinical Mental Health
MS in Physics Education
MS in General Social Science Education
PhD in Educational Psychology
PhD in Kinesiology
CIVL 7986
Engineering Project
Schedule/Credit
CSES 7976
ELEC 6220
Information Networks and Technology
ELEC 6250
Computer Aided Design of Digital Logic Circuits
ELEC 6760
Solid State Sensors
ELEC 6810
Computed Imaging Systems
MATL 6720
Biomedical Applications of Polymeric Materials
MS in Aerospace Engineering
MS in Computer Science and Software Engineering
MS in Electrical Engineering
MS in Materials Engineering
FORY 6240
Watershed Management
FORY 6620
Forest Finance and Investment
FORY 7450
Forest Sector Economics
FOWS 6220
Landscape Ecology
FOWS 7480
Advanced Natural Resource Policy
WILD 6880
Wildlife Habitat Assessment and Management
WILD 7650
Introduction to Bayesian Modeling in Natural Resources
CADS 6300
Hospitality Design
MS in Consumer and Design Sciences
CPLN 6040
Land Use Planning
CPLN 6050
Land and Urban Economics
CPLN 6400
Historic Preservation Planning
CPLN 7200
Urban Design Studio
CPLN 7600
Synthesis Studio 1
Title/Department
CPLN 7610
Synthesis Studio 2
CPL –Master of Community Planning
MCP Community Planning
HIST 6640
History of Islam
PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences
PhD in English
PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
NURS 7240
Advanced Pharmacology
Schedule for next meetings: May 3 (1:30-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
May 3, 2016
Next meeting: July 12 (1:30-3:00 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: May 3, 2016
. None
Credentials committee recommendations for graduate faculty criteria, appointments and reappointments:
. The Graduate Credentials Committee recommends approval of the following appointments and reappointments:
Bryan Beckingham
Chemical Engineering
Justin Benefield
Terry Byrd
Shiladitya Chaudhury
Selen Cremaschi
Anne Gordon
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Lei Huang
Zhihua Jiang
Monique Laney
Guillaume Laurent
Physics
Angela Love
Jeremy Mackey
Laura Plexico
Communication Disorders
Allison Plumb
Giovanna Summerfield
Aurora Weaver
Laura Willis
Curriculum Committee recommendations for program proposals and modifications:
AGEC 6090
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics I
PLPA 6200
Mycology
RSED 7920
RSED 7926
MATL 6726
PSYC 7120
Teaching of Psychology
CPSY-PhD
Phd Clinical Psychology
PSYC GDE Policy
Psychology General Doctoral Examination Policy
Revise Policy
ABM-Nutrition
Accelerated Bachelor’s Master’s Plan
Revise ABM plan
Schedule for next meetings: June 7 (1:30-3:00), July 12(1:30-3:00), August 2 (1:30-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
June 7, 2016
Next meeting: June 7 (1:30-3:00 PM)
. The Graduate Council discussed a proposed Graduate Assistant Termination Policy. A revised policy proposal will be considered by the Council at its July meeting.
.The Graduate Council approved without opposition a Policy for Sexual and Gender Based Conduct Policy Training for Graduate Assistants. The complete approved policy is shown below.
Policy on Sexual and Gender Based Conduct Policy Training for Graduate Assistants
The Graduate School requires that all Graduate Assistants (including Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, and Graduate Extension Assistants) have approved AU Sexual and Gender Based Misconduct policy training as a condition for continued appointment.
The specific form of the required training will be determined in consultation by the Graduate School and the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity.
This policy is effective for all Graduate Assistants whose new appointments begin on or after August 1, 2016.
Jaena Alabi
Affiliate Assistant Professor
Auburn University Libraries
Mark Barnett
Vinicia Biancardi
Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology
Lindsey Boone
Clinical Sciences
Harry Boothe
Lee CHiba
Animal Sciences
C. Clark
Drug Discovery and Development
Jack Deruiter
William Gulsby
Jacob Johnson
Kendon Kuo
Mahmoud Mansour
Douglas Martin
Rachel Moon
Francine Parker
John Schumacher
Annette Smith
Steven Swidler
Jennifer Taintor
Amanda Taylor
Amelia White
Keven Yost
Jocelyn Zanzot
AGEC 6010
Farm Management
AGEC 6030
Agricultural Prices
AGEC 6100
Agricultural Business Management
AGEC 6210
Advanced Agribusiness Management
FISH 7960
Special Problems in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences
Schedule Type/Credit
FISH 8960
University College
IDSC 7950
Graduate Food Systems Seminar
New Course Proposal
ABM in Psychology (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
Accelerated Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree Program
Schedule for next meetings: July 12(1:30-3:00),August 2 (1:30-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
July12, 2016
Next meeting: August 2 (1:30-3:00 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: June 7, 2016
. The Graduate Council discussed a proposed Graduate Assistant Termination Policy. The policy proposal will be considered further by the Council at its August meeting.
The Graduate Council discussed a proposed revision to the Definition of Graduate Assistantships Policy. The policy proposal will be considered further by the Council at its August meeting.
Brigitta Brunner-Johnson
Communication and Journalism
Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
Nathaniel Hardy
Entomology and Plant Pathology
Michael Heitzman
Director
Iryna Johnson
James Lindner
Timothy Moore
Daniel Petrolia
Jayachandra Ramapuram
Stephanie Schleis
Vishnu Suppiramaniam
Graduate School
GRAD 8970
Evidence‐Based Teaching in STEM Seminar
New course
Harrison School of Pharmacy
Course Codes
PYPC and PYPS
Course Subject Code Revisions
ELEC 6676
New distance course
ECE FEEDER agreement
New consortium
Schedule for next meetings: August 2 (1:30-3:00), September 6 (1:30-3:00), October 4 (1:30-3:00), November 8 (1:30-3:00), December 6 (1:30-3:00).
MINUTES OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
August 2, 2016
Next meeting: September 6 (2:00-3:30 PM)
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Wi-suk Kwon (2017), Chris Rodger (2017), David Umphress (2017), Ana Franco-Watkins (2017), David Umphress (2017), Yaoqi Zhang (2017), Ash Bullard (2018), Charlene (LeBlue (2018), Leane Skinner (2018), Yaxiong Tao (2018), Nancy Noe (2018), Eva DuBois (2019), Salisa Westrick (2019), Brian Bourdeau (2019), Tenchi Smith (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: July 7, 2016
Types of Graduate Assistantships
Approved by the Graduate Council August 2, 2016
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. For a student to be classified as a GTA, at least 50% of the student’s responsibility as a teaching assistant must be devoted to the direct instruction of students, typically in a classroom or laboratory setting.* The GTA’s responsibilities may also include, for example: 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. 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 serve as instructor of record for 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 duty is to engage in original, professional-level research under a faculty member’s supervision in the course of obtaining a graduate degree. 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.
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. 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.
*Tuition waivers for graduate assistants not engaged in teaching, research, or extension are subject to taxation and income tax withholding.
The complete approved policy is shown below.
Graduate Assistant Performance Improvement and Administrative Action Policy
FAILURE TO SATISFY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Performance Improvement Meetings – In addition to regularly scheduled performance reviews, when a supervisor determines that a graduate assistant is failing to meet satisfactory performance standards, the supervisor will meet with the assistant. Together, they will review the duties and responsibilities expected of the graduate assistant, and the supervisor will identify those areas in which the performance of those duties and responsibilities is judged to be unsatisfactory. The supervisor will then advise the graduate assistant that if his or her performance does not improve to a satisfactory level within a time period specified by the supervisor, the assistantship will be terminated. The time period established by the supervisor should provide a sufficient and reasonable time for the graduate assistant to demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance. In some instances, the graduate assistant’s failure to meet satisfactory standards of performance may be disruptive of the educational process (e.g., failure to appear for a teaching assignment, or failure to grade examinations in a timely fashion). In such instances, the graduate student should be advised that any subsequent failure to meet satisfactory performance standards may result in termination of the assistantship. As soon as possible following this meeting (generally within three working days) the supervisor will provide the assistant with a written summary of the meeting, including notice of areas of unsatisfactory performance and the time period specified for improvement to a satisfactory level. A copy will be sent to the department chair for review/approval and to the dean of the Graduate School.
Termination of an Assistantship — If a graduate assistant fails to meet acceptable standards of performance as prescribed in the performance improvement meeting, the supervisor will notify the department chair. The department chair will schedule a meeting with the supervisor and graduate assistant as soon as possible, generally within three working days. At that meeting, the graduate assistant’s performance will again be reviewed. If it is concluded that the graduate assistant has failed to meet acceptable performance standards, the department chair may terminate the graduate assistantship appointment. The department chair will provide a written notice summarizing the meeting and the action taken to the supervisor, graduate assistant, the dean of the college, and the dean of the Graduate School within five working days of the meeting.
ACTS OF MISCOUNDUCT AND UNPROFESSIONALISM – Acts of misconduct or unprofessionalism may require prompt action. Such acts may include, but are not limited to
Appropriate actions include termination of an assistantship, suspension of an assistantship for a specified period, and reduction of the FTE and/or benefits associated with that assistantship. If a supervisor believes a graduate assistant has engaged in such an act of misconduct or unprofessionalism, the following steps are to be taken.
For incident(s) of unprofessional acts or behavior which violate accepted norms of professional conduct, the supervisor will provide notice of the proposed administrative action to the graduate assistant and document the situation in a written report. In such cases, the graduate assistant may be placed on immediate administrative leave with pay from the assistantship duties, at the discretion of the supervisor. The report will be provided to the department chair to whom the supervisor reports, who will schedule a meeting with the supervisor and graduate assistant as soon as possible, generally within three working days. At that meeting, the incident(s) will be reviewed and the proposed administrative action may be affirmed, amended, or overturned by the department chair. The department chair will provide a written notice summarizing the meeting and his/her decision regarding administrative action to the supervisor, graduate assistant, the dean of the college, and the dean of the Graduate School within five working days of the meeting.
Additionally, for misconduct covered by the Student Code of Conduct or the Sexual Misconduct Policy, the case will also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Acts of misconduct may include, but are not limited to, theft, fraud, physical altercation, and sexual harassment, as defined in the Student Code of Conduct and the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Supervisors and students should be aware that termination or reduction of the FTE of an assistantship, will have large financial impacts, which can be particularly problematic for a student if termination or FTE reduction occurs before the last class day of a semester. A description of the rules regarding graduate assistant benefits, including tuition fellowships http://graduate.auburn.edu/current-students/guidelines-for-graduate-tuition-fellowships/#1460317892963-152df5d5-786c and health insurance http://graduate.auburn.edu/graduate-student-health-insurance-program/ at the indicated links.
Appealing Action Regarding an Assistantship — If a graduate assistant wishes to appeal a decision of administrative action regarding an assistantship, including termination, he/she may file a written appeal within five working days of receipt of the department chair’s written notice with the dean of that college. The graduate assistant will be notified in writing of the result of the appeal within five working days of the submission of the written appeal. The decision resulting from this process is final and not subject to further appeal.
Schedule for next meetings: Tuesday, September 6, 2:00-3:30
Wednesday, October 5, 2:00-3:30
Tuesday, November 8, 2:00-3:30
Tuesday, December 6, 1:15-2:45
MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
September 6, 2016
Next meeting: October 6 (2:00-3:30 PM)
APPROVED MINUTES: August 2, 2016
Schedule for next meetings:
MINUTES OF THE TENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
October 5, 2016
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 8, 2:00-3:30
APPROVED MINUTES: September 6, 2016
For a second master’s degree, the student fulfills all requirements applicable to any other master’s degree, including the thesis, if appropriate. The student may, on recommendation of the advisory committee, transfer a limited number of credit hours from the previous master’s degree. At least 24 semester hours, or 50% of the total hours required for the degree (whichever is greater) must be unique to each degree and be taken at Auburn University.
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MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
November 8, 2016
Next meeting: Tuesday, December 6, 1:15-2:45
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates: George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2016), 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), Tenchi Smith (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: October 5, 2016
MINUTES OF THE TWELFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2016
December 6 2016
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 17, 1:15-2:45
Participating
Members of the Council and Retirement Dates:
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Salisa Westrick (2016), 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), Tenchi Smith (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES:
Nicholas Howard
David Hughes
Robert Hunter
Jenny Koebernick
Junshan Lin
Mathematics and Statistics
Nancy Noe
J. Perkins
Mechanical Engineering
Daniel Silva
Gilad Sorek
Economics
Scott Thompson
Aleksandr Vinel
Michael Zabala
FISH 6250
Aquaculture Production
FISH 6520
Small Impoundment Management
FISH 6650
Fish and Seafood Processing Technology
FISH 7340
Fish Ecology
FISH 7360
FISH 7660
Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
PLPA 7930
Change Prerequisite
PLPA 8930
ABM Proposal
New ABM Proposal
Tentative schedule for next meeting:
Tuesday, January 17, 1:15-2:45
Tuesday, February 7, 1:15-2:45
Tuesday, March 7, 1:15-2:45
Tuesday, April 4, 1:15-2:45
Tuesday, May 2, 1:15-2:45
Appendix
Process to Streamline the New Program Submission Process
Rationale: Currently, the process occurs in many stages and the on-campus stages of the program approval process do not necessarily result in the submission of the same material that is needed for preparation of the Board of Trustees materials or the ACHE paperwork submission. Additionally, because of the amount of lead-time needed to get a proposal on the BOT and ACHE agendas, faculty may become confused about the length of time they need to allow as they are planning to begin offering a new proposal.
Proposal:
(2-3 sentence explanation of the program’s nature, content, and scope. Indicate clearly if creation of this program will constitute a Substantive Change notification to SACSCOC.)
(1-2 paragraphs: Why is the unit making the request now? Why is it a good idea for Auburn to offer the program?)
(1-2 paragraphs: How is the program beneficial to the state? Will it be one of its kind in AL? Does it meet the needs of a particular industry? Does it provide Alabamians with a kind of opportunity they haven’t previously had?)
(1-2 paragraphs: provide data where possible. What are the projected job placement opportunities?)
(1-2 paragraphs: estimate both the number of students who are likely to enroll in the program each year and the number of graduators per year you anticipate once the program is fully implemented. Don’t exaggerate.)
(1-2 paragraphs: What new resources will be needed– New faculty? Labs? Administrative time? Classrooms? Library resources? If no new resources are needed, explain how you will be able to create a new program without them.)
(This is the information the Provost needs in order to make a decision about whether the unit should be permitted to move forward with the full proposal development.)
Last modified: January 31, 2023
