April 13, 2005

The April meeting of the Graduate Council was called to order by Dean David Wittrock, at 8:30 a.m., April 13, 2005, in the Plains Room in the Memorial Union.

In Attendance: Mark Aune, Canan Bilen-Green, Joe Brennan, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, Qun Huo, Jake Glower, Ayanava Majumdar, Judy Pearson, Rodney Traub, Charlene Wolf-Hall

The minutes for the March 9, 2005 meeting were considered, Judy Pearson made a motion to approve the minutes, and Joe Brennan provided the second. Motion carried.

COURSE PROPOSALS

• Charlene Wolf-Hall reviewed the procedure used by the Academic Affairs committee of the Graduate School to review and approve new course proposals. Joe Brennan questioned titles like Technology and Post World War II, presumably it means in terms of Architecture, but it's vague. Dean Wittrock explained that there is a limited to the number of characters that may be used in course title. It is assumed it is about Architecture because it is offered in that program.
  
  Charlene Wolf-Hall made a motion to approve the course proposal as reviewed and approved by the Academic Affairs committee of the Graduate School. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti provided the second. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

• Dean Wittrock presented a Graduate Teaching Waiver request from HNES for Jay Albrecht and Kara Haring to teach HNES courses fall and spring semester of the 2005-06 school year. Joe Brennan asked what their special skill is that we are utilizing, or are they being asked to teach because we don't have enough staff. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti suggested it is the latter as that has been an issue in the past. Dean Wittrock questioned that Jay Albrecht has no research experience and Kara Haring has written an abstract, presentation and a small grant. Judy Pearson expressed concern that one of the courses they would be teaching is a 700 level class and neither has a Ph.D. Dean Wittrock pointed out that 700 level courses are not doctoral courses; just courses undergraduates may not take.
  
  Pam Hansen from HNES arrived to answer questions regarding this proposal. She explained that the courses they would be teaching need to be taught by a certified athletic training of which both are. This program is an entry-level master's program and the national organization would like to replace all bachelors' programs with this entry-level master's in which 1800 competencies must be taught. There is no research component to the courses they would be teaching.
  
  Joe Brennan asked what the long-term plans are for Jay Albrecht and Kara Haring. Both are working on their doctoral programs. They have been hired by NDSU as instructors with the stipulation that they complete their doctoral degrees with in five years.
  
  Judy Pearson asked how does it fit into this plan with no research experience. Pam answered that Jay Albrecht is working on a publication, but it has not been documented yet.
  
  Joe Brennan made a motion to approve the Graduate Teaching Waiver for Jay Albrecht and Kara Haring for one year. Jake Glower provided the second. Judy Pearson stated that she is speaking out against this proposal because doctoral students should be concentrating on their studies and research, not teaching courses. Motion carried.
  
  
• Pam Hansen also presented a proposal from HNES to lower the number of credits needed for their programs from 35 to 30. When compared to other Master of Science programs at NDSU, most have 30 credits. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti said that the comparison should be against other similar programs, not other NDSU programs. Pam said Dr. Brad Strand did the research regarding the credits of other programs. Dean Wittrock suggested the issue be tabled until Dr. Strand was available to answer questions. Judy Pearson asked if tabling the issue presented problems for the department. Pam said no because the plan was to start fall semester, but no announcement has been made. Joe Brennan made the motion to table this issue. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti provided the second. Motion carried.
  
  
• Kristi Wold McCormick presented a grid outlining scenarios of undergraduates having dual careers. Jake Glower asked if it still holds that students need 30 credits at the graduate level. Dean Wittrock stated that this does not change the policy, just the options. Kristi Wold McCormick said she tried to keep the grid simple. She asked if undergraduates in graduate courses need Graduate School permission to take a course or just instructor permission. Dean Wittrock stated that he understood that Graduate School permission is needed, but that is not happening. He has mixed feelings about this, as he does not want to have to sign these permission slips. He would like to know about any course that has more than two undergraduates registered. Krisit Wold McCormick said she thought PeopleSoft has a query for these situations. Canan Bilan-Green asked how many are preparing for a graduate career. Dean Witrrock said there is no way to know. Kristi Wold McCormick said this would be possible in PeopleSoft because it allows for dual careers.
  
  Dean Wittrock expressed concern that someone could fall below GPA and take undergraduate courses to raise their GPA. How can we keep GPA clear of these? Kristi Wold McCormick said if you are in dual careers, your GPA cumulates separately. Joe Brennan asked if 400-level or below courses could be counted separate from 500 and above. Kristi Wold McCormick said this is not possible in PeopleSoft. Jake Glower said it would make sense for all graduate students to have dual careers, but Kristi Wold McCormick said they would have to apply to be an undergraduate. She asked if a graduate has to take an undergraduate course as a prerequisite, should they be dual career. Dean Wittrock said yes, but there is an issue with tuition waivers.
  
  Joe Brennan said the Mathematics department Ph.D. program requires a foreign language and sometimes remedial work at the undergraduate level is needed. It seems two types of credit would be best. Dean Wittrock said if we do what he is suggesting it would show up at a different spot on the transcript.
  
  Dean Wittrock asked if it would be possible the fourth column of the grid removed. Kristi Wold McCormick said no because the option is always there. Dean Wittrock suggested the Graduate School could work with the undergraduate admissions office to streamline the process. Kristi Wold McCormick asked if the Graduate School needs to issue permits and how do the electronic permits fit in. They are out there, but people don't know about it.
  
  Canan Bilen Green said students should be allowed to take a course and then told how it counts in a degree program. Dean Wittrock said students need to be educated up front.
  
  
• Kristi Wold McCormick also presented information about options, tracks and sub plans. In PeopleSoft, people can be put in sub plans. These options may be printed on transcripts. Do we want to have them printed on transcripts and diplomas, or should it be up to the department? Joe Brennan asked how many options exist. Kristi Wold McCormick did not have the information with her. Dean Wittrock said departments should have the opportunity to decide, but we do need an official list of the options.
  
  
• Dean Wittrock requested the council meet again next week to discuss the two items left on the agenda: graduate assistant committee report and Plan C option for master's students. A meeting was set for Wednesday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m.

At 9:55, Dean Wittrock adjourned the meeting.

Submitted by,

Melissa Selders-Ortez, Student Services Associate