November 14, 2007

The November meeting of the Graduate Council was called to order by Dr. Wittrock, at 8:30 am, November 14, 2007, in the Lake/Agassiz Room in Memorial Union.

In attendance: Allan Ashworth, Ann Burnett, Mac Butler, Bill Berzonsky, Jacob Glower, Verlin Hinsz, Eakalak Khan, Samudra Kugel, Marjorie McCullagh, Renee Magnan, Brandy Randall, Seth Rasmussen, Rodney Traub

The minutes for the October 10, 2007 meeting were considered. Ann Burnett made a motion to approve the minutes. Bill Berzonsky provided the second. Motion carried.

Requests for Associate Faculty Status/Teaching Waiver

Dr. Wittrock announced that the HNES request for a teaching waiver for Lisa Wojahn has been withdrawn. The department has found a faculty member to teach the course.

The Council considered a request from the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials for Associate Graduate Faculty status for Dr. Dante Battocchi. Ann Burnett made a motion delay action to find out more specific information regarding Dr. Battochhi's degree. Allan Ashworth provided the second. Motion carried.

Course and Program Changes

Jacob Glower made a motion to approve the course proposals listed below as reviewed by the Curriculum committee. Eakalak provided the second. Motion carried.

ABEN 478/678 Machinery Analysis & Design

AGEC 791 Community and Regional Economics

COMM 714 Marriage and Family Communication

CM&E 460/660 Infrastructure Management

CM&E 465/665 Bridge Engineering and Management

CM&E 470/670 Information Technologies for Construction Managers

ECE 796 Computer-Aided Verification?

HIST 499/696 The Late Ottoman Empire?

IME 411/611 Human Factors Engineering

IME 451/651 Logistics Engineering and Management

Dr. Wittrock commented on a 499/696 course proposal is coming for his review. The difference between the graduate and undergraduate requirements is for graduate students to take one additional topic of two choices. There is no information on how the student will be evaluated. This may be the time when the Curriculum Committee to make recommendations regarding what should be required for graduate students in the 400/600 courses. After some discussion, Dr. Wittrock asked the committee to look at developing some guidelines.

STEM Ph.D. program

The Curriculum committee hasn't had a chance to review this new program proposal. Dr. Wittrock suggested the committee invite Dr. Martin to the next meeting to discuss the program.

Additional Items

Posthumous Degree

Recently a master's student was killed in an automobile accident. The student had completed all course work and collected data for the thesis. The department has requested the student be granted the master's degree posthumously. Ann Burnett made a motion to grant this degree. Brandy Randall provided the second. Motion carried. Dr. Wittrock will look into how this degree will be counted. The final decision will be made by the Provost.

Continuous Enrollment

The Council has previously agreed that students should be continuously enrolled between the defense and the final copies. The issue at hand is regarding students who step out during their program. After discussion, Dr. Wittrock determined that the Council is comfortable with the way the policy currently stands. Students who step out of their program without a leave of absence must register for one credit for each semester missed, up to four credits. After two years, the student must reapply.

Full Time Status

Brandy Randall checked with her college regarding the certificate attesting to full time status. Students who have a practicum, internships or field experience are required to register for a certain number of credits when the work hours they are putting in is far more than required for the number of credits. After discussion, Dr. Wittrock determined the Council is comfortable with the current procedure. He will ask Registration and Records if there is a way to determine how many students use the certificate for internships versus disquisition credits.

Refusal Reasons in Embark

Dr. Wittrock asked the Council for feedback regarding the common refusal reasons for applicants. The Council asked that the TOEFL and GRE be separated with regard to low test scores. The Council also asked number 1.5 be rephrased to say "Student background or interests do not match the program." Dr. Wittrock will present this information today at the department chair's meeting for feedback.

At 9:50 a.m., Dr. Wittrock adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Melissa Selders-Ortez