MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
January 12, 2011
Next Meeting: February 9, 2011
Participating Members of the Council and Retirement Dates:
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Jeff Sibley (Associate Dean), Zongyang Cheng (August 2011), Miriam Marty Clark (August 2011), Lori Eckhardt (August 2011), Joe Pittman (August 2011), Curtis Shannon (August 2011), Yucheng Feng (August 2012), Scott Kramer (August 2012), Maria Witte (August 2012), Juming Zhong (August 2012), Anita All (August 2013), Astrid Keel (August 2013), Karen Rogers (August 2013), Salisa Westrick (August 2013), Nidhi Segal (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES : December 8, 2010
NEW BUSINESS:
None.
OLD BUSINESS:
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Next meetings: February 9, March 2, April 6, May 4
MINUTES OF THE SECONDMEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
February 9, 2011
Next Meeting: March 2, 2011
APPROVED MINUTES : January 12, 2011
The Graduate Council requests that a new grade, “GP” (for “Graduate Project”) be created so that non-thesis students engaged in research will be eligible for financial aid, in the same way that thesis and dissertations students are currently eligible for financial aid.
The new grade would permit students enrolled in graduate project courses, CIVL 7980 (Engineering Project) for example, to enroll concurrently in GRAD 7@@0 and thus be eligible for financial aid, because they are enrolled in a graded, credit-earning course.
The new grade, “GP” (grade mode = “G”) would function in Banner similar to the “TD” grade (grade mode = “T”), for students enrolled in (a) 7990 (Research and Thesis) and GRAD 7@@0 (Thesis Completion); or (b) 8990 (Research and Dissertation) and 8@@0 (Dissertation Completion).
At the course level, at the discretion of the unit, other valid grading modes, such as “S” (Standard: A, B, C, D, F) and “P” (Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory), would still be options for the Graduate Project courses (7980).
If approved by the Academic Standards Committee, the proposal will be submitted to the University Senate for review and approval.
This proposal was approved by the Graduate Council without opposition.
From Page 115
A graduate student may carry a maximum course load of 16 hours per semester (14 in the summer term). This includes undergraduate courses, but does not include 7980 Project, 7990 Research and Thesis , and 8990 Research and Dissertation when required of all graduate students in a department each semester. Graduate student s must carry nine hours per semester or enroll in GRAD 7AA0/8AA0 with concurrent enrollment for a minimum of one hour of 7980/ 7990/8990 to be classified as full-time students. Enrollment in GRAD 7AA0/8AA0 requires the completion of a certification available at the Graduate School or on the Web at www.grad.auburn.edu.
From page 216
GRAD 7AA0 THESIS OR PROJECT COMPLETION (0) IND. Coreq., MIN. One (1) hour 7980 or 7990. Open to thesis option graduate students and non-thesis students engaged in research for special projects. Coreq., maximum of three semesters. Students may not enroll for additional course work but must be engaged full-time in the completion of research, the thesis, or the special project. No grade.
___________________
Next meetings: March 2, April 6, May 4
MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
March 2, 2011
Next Meeting: April 6, 2011
APPROVED MINUTES : February 9, 2011
The Graduate Curriculum Committee recommends approval of the following items:
Next meetings: April 6, May 4
MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
April 6, 2011
Next Meeting: May 4, 2011
APPROVED MINUTES: March 2, 2011
Hansen
Stoeckel
Next meetings: May 4, June 8, July 13, August 3
MINUTES OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
May 4, 2011
Next Meeting: June 8, 2011
APPROVED MINUTES: April 6, 2011
Next meetings: June 8, July 13, August 3
MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
June 8, 2011
Next Meeting: July 13, 2011
APPROVED MINUTES: May 4, 2011
Next meetings: July 13, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 9, December 7
MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
July 13, 2011
Next Meeting: August 3, 2011
APPROVED MINUTES: June 4, 2011
Next meetings: August 3, September 7, October 5, November 9, December 7
MINUTES OF THE EIGHTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
August 3, 2011
Next Meeting: September 7, 2011
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Jeff Sibley (Associate Dean), Zongyang Cheng (August 2011), Joe Pittman (August 2011), Yucheng Feng (August 2012), Scott Kramer (August 2012), Maria Witte (August 2012), Juming Zhong (August 2012), Anita All (August 2013), Astrid Keel (August 2013), Karen Rogers (August 2013), Salisa Westrick (August 2013), Nidhi Segal (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: July 13, 2011
The change will be effective for students applying for admission in Spring term 2012 or later.
Further details of the approved proposal can be found in the Appendix below.
Next meetings: September 7, October 5, November 9, December 7
Appendix
Use of Standardized Test Scores for Admissions
On August 1, 2011, the Educational Testing Service will launch the GRE revised General Test. As a result, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores will be reported on a new score scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments (the current score scale: 200-800 in 10-point increments). With this scoring change, the Graduate School will necessarily make some changes to receive test scores from students who complete the revised test.
The scoring change also provides an opportunity for the Graduate School and units across campus to determine whether or not to use the GRE revised General Test (or other standardized tests) as a tool for evaluating candidates for admission to graduate degree programs.
Upon the recommendation of the Graduate Council, the Graduate School will no longer require standardized test scores for admission to the Graduate School; instead, departments will decide whether or not to require the GRE (or other standardized tests) for admission to its degree programs.
By no later than November 1, 2011, departments should report to the Graduate School, for each degree program offered, whether or not a standardized test score is required to be considered for admission. For example:
Degree Program Degree Standardized Test Score Required
Landscape Arch. MLA None
English M.A. GRE
English M.T.P.C GRE
English Ph.D GRE
Business Admin. M.S. GMAT
Business Admin. M.B.A. GMAT
Business Admin. Ph.D. GMAT
For prospective students seeking admission in Spring term 2012 or later, the Graduate School will no longer require the GRE (or other standardized) scores for admission to the Graduate School. As a result, an application may be considered complete, at the Graduate School level, with or without standardized test scores.
The Graduate School will continue to provide standardized test scores to departments that require them; however, individual units that require standardized test scores will be responsible for determining whether or not an application is complete based on the receipt of these scores.
MINUTES OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
September 7, 2011
Next Meeting: October 5, 2011
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Yucheng Feng (August 2012), Scott Kramer (August 2012), Maria Witte (August 2012), Juming Zhong (August 2012), Anita All (August 2013), Astrid Keel (August 2013), Karen Rogers (August 2013), Salisa Westrick (August 2013), Cynthia Bowling (2014), Anwar Ahmed (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Sareen Gropper (2014), Steven Clontz (GSC)
APPROVED MINUTES: August 3, 2011
The change will be effective immediately.
The enrollment deposit requirement will be effective for students seeking admission for the Fall 2012 semester and later.
Ø College of Liberal Arts
Ø Political Science
Next meetings: October 5, November 9, December 7
Item #1
Academic Probation
Upon the recommendation of the Graduate Council, The Graduate School has revised the probationary period for graduate students with grade point averages below 3.0–effective immediately.
The probationary period is now limited to two semesters (excluding the summer term) or the next nine credit hours of graduate enrollment (whichever comes first). Previously, the summer term was included in the two-semester count. Note, however, that credit hours earned during the summer term, if attempted, will still be counted toward the nine credit hour total.
Thus, if a graduate student’s grade point average remains below 3.0 after the next two semesters (excluding the summer term) or after the next nine credit hours of graduate enrollment (including credit hours earned during the summer term)–whichever comes first–the student will be placed on ACADEMIC SUSPENSION.
This policy change stems from the recognition that graduate course offerings may be limited during the summer term.
Proposed Item #2
Graduate Enrollment Deposit
Proposal
An increasing number of applicants to the Graduate School accept offers of admission and financial aid and then fail to matriculate without notifying the Graduate School or the programs into which they were admitted. When admitted students fail to show up at the beginning of the semester, there is usually not enough time to fill these empty seats with other well-qualified applicants. Faculty who have recruited students to fill assistantships or fellowships are also at a disadvantage when students accept offers but then do not enroll. International students, who require additional documentation for admission, add even more to the cost of admission processing when these students fail to enroll.
To reduce the number of “no-shows” and the cost of processing applications, the Graduate School, upon the recommendation of the Graduate Council, proposes to require a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $300. Auburn’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment has already adopted this successful strategy for undergraduate admissions. Similarly, many graduate schools at peer institutions also require an enrollment deposit.
Admitted students who pay the enrollment deposit by the deadline established by the Graduate School will be guaranteed a seat in the incoming class of students. Once a student is enrolled, the deposit will be applied to the student’s tuition bill. Admitted students who pay the deposit but do not enroll will forfeit their enrollment deposit.
Forfeited deposits from domestic students will be used to offset application processing costs incurred by the Graduate School. Similarly, forfeited deposits from international students will be used to offset processing costs incurred by the Graduate School and the Office of International Education.
MINUTES OF THE TENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
October 5, 2011
Next Meeting: November 7, 2011
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Maria Witte (August 2012), Juming Zhong (August 2012), Astrid Keel (August 2013), Karen Rogers (August 2013), Salisa Westrick (August 2013), Cynthia Bowling (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Sareen Gropper (2014).
Not Present:
Yucheng Feng (August 2012), Scott Kramer (August 2012), Anita All (August 2013), Anwar Ahmed (2014), Steven Clontz (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: September 7, 2011
Further details of the approved proposal can be found in item # 1 of the Appendix below.
Further details of the approved proposal can be found in Item # 2 of the Appendix below.
Further details of the approved proposal can be found in Item # 3 of the Appendix below.
Next meetings: November 9, December 7
Academic Standing
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 [excluding the summer term] (whichever comes first), the student will be placed on academic suspension. 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 semesters (excluding the summer term) 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.
From Bulletin, p. 120
Item #2
Graduate Curriculum Model Change
When a graduate curriculum model is changed, the changes apply only to students who matriculate after the approval of the changes and to currently enrolled students who voluntarily choose to complete the requirements of the new curriculum model. In no case, for students who are continuously enrolled, will the changed curriculum compel them to accumulate additional hours and grade points to graduate. Curriculum model changes are to be implemented at the beginning of the semester in which the largest number of new students typically enroll (fall semester for most programs). Graduate students who have not been enrolled at Auburn University for two or more semesters and who are returning to the same curriculum may be subject to different university, college, school or departmental requirements than those which existed when continuous enrollment ceased.
From Bulletin, p. 118
Item #3
Plan of Study
Early in the graduate program, each student should confer with the appropriate departmental advisor or major professor to select courses and discuss research interests. Then a Plan of Study should be prepared and submitted to the Graduate School. The Plan of Study form is available on the Web at www.grad.auburn.edu. . The Plan of Study must be submitted at least one term prior to the term in which the student plans to Graduate. No student will be permitted to graduate who fails to submit a Plan of Study. Notification of all changes must be provided before the beginning of the final semester. One to three changes may be made by using the simplified “Change in Existing Plan of Study Form” available at the Graduate School or on the Web. Four or more changes require a new Plan of Study. The student is responsible for carrying out the planned program and for asking the major professor to make necessary changes.
From Bulletin, p. 122
MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
November 9, 2011
Next Meeting: December 7, 2011
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Maria Witte (August 2012), Juming Zhong (August 2012), Anita All (August 2013), Astrid Keel (August 2013), Karen Rogers (August 2013), Anwar Ahmed (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Sareen Gropper (2014).
Yucheng Feng (August 2012), Scott Kramer (August 2012), Salisa Westrick (August 2013), Cynthia Bowling (2014), Steven Clontz (GSC).
APPROVED MINUTES: October 5, 2011
Ø A change to the composition of advisory committees was discussed and approved without opposition. The revised policy requires that the committee chair (or one of the co-chairs) must be a graduate faculty member in the program granting the degree, for all graduate degrees. The revised policy also requires that a doctoral advisory committee should consist of at least four members of the Graduate Faculty. Previously, only three members of the graduate faculty were required.
The change will be effective starting Spring Semester 2011.
Ø A change to the Plan of Study requirements was discussed and approved without opposition. The revised policy requires that the total number of credit hours that may be transferred from another accredited institution toward a doctoral degree varies by program but must be less than 50% of the credit hours listed on the Plan of Study.
Further details of the approved proposal can be found in item # 2 of the Appendix below.
Next meetings: December 7, January 18, February 8, March 7, April 4, May 2
Advisory Committee and Plan of Study
Doctoral Advisory Committee and Plan of Study
After 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 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.
Bulletin, p. 123
Master’s Advisory Committee
The 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 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.
Bulletin, p. 121
Specialist Advisory Committee
The specialist student works under the direction of an advisory committee composed of three members recommended by the appropriate department/program head or chair. All must be members of the 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. Students in a teaching field (e.g., music education, science education, foreign language education) work under a committee composed of two members from the College of Education and one member from a related academic field,
Course Requirements
The minimum number of hours in a doctoral program is 60 semester hours earned through instruction beyond the bachelor’s degree, including 1) a minimum of 30 semester hours of graded (e.g., A, B) graduate course work (6000-level and above) and 2) a minimum of 30 semester hours of additional graduate course work (6000-level and above) that may include ungraded courses, 7990 and 8990 and must include at least 10 hours of 8990. Some departments require more than 60 semester hours, and requirements may vary according to a student’s background and interests.
The total number of credit hours that may be transferred from another accredited institution toward 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.. 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 instructional time being spent on the dissertation and the degree to which university resources are being utilized. Students may enroll, during any one semester, for as few as one hour or as many as 16 hours of 8990. Dissertation students submitting their dissertation, awaiting committee review and approval, or taking their final examination must register for 8990 Research and Dissertation in the semester(s) when these steps in the process take place. The requisite 10 hours of 8990 should be included in the Plan of Study. No grade is assigned.
The Dean of the Graduate School is authorized to approve alternatives to these course work requirements in exceptional cases and on an individual basis.
Bulletin, p. 125
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.
Bulletin, p. 120
MINUTES OF THE TWELTH MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL FOR 2011
December 7, 2011
Next Meeting: January 18, 2012
George Flowers (Dean), George Crandell (Associate Dean), Yucheng Feng (August 2012), Scott Kramer (August 2012), Maria Witte (August 2012), Juming Zhong (August 2012), Anita All (August 2013), Astrid Keel (August 2013), Karen Rogers (August 2013), Salisa Westrick (August 2013), Anwar Ahmed (2014), Cynthia Bowling (2014), David Mark Carpenter (2014), Sareen Gropper (2014), Steven Clontz (GSC). APPROVED MINUTES: November 9, 2011
Ø History
Next meetings: January 18, February 8, March 7, April 4, May 2
Last modified: December 20, 2016
