GRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 

Friday, December 3, 2004-9:50 a.m.

325 Graff Main Hall

 

Members Present:    R. Rada, (Chair), C. Angell, T. Blumentritt, R. Dixon, T. Krueger,

                                    D. Reineke, B. Schwan, S. Simpson, T. Staloch, D. Sutherland,

M. Thorman, and Ivan Wilson (Student Rep.)

 

Members Absent:     B. Erickson, (Student Rep.), and A. Rotar (Student Rep.)

 

Consultants                G. Arimond, B. May, K. McLean, C. Martin-Stanley, and

Present:                      D. Schumacher

 

Others Present:         Doug Swanson

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by Ron Rada, Chair.

 

  1. Approval of the minutes of November 19, 2004.

            M/S/P to approve the minutes of November 19, 2004.  (10 yes, 0 no)

 

  1. Subcommittees:  Ron asked for 6 volunteers—three for each of two sub-committees: 

 

  1. Student Travel Grants:  Because the Office of Graduate Studies has already allocated all of the GSO/Graduate Studies resources (~5300) for student travel, Ron asked for support from the Graduate Council to allocate other Graduate Studies resources (5,000.00) to support additional student travel to conferences.

 

            M/S/P Recommend to allocate money from other Graduate Studies resources for

graduate student travel.  (11 yes, 0 no)          

 

  1. Academic Initiative:  Doug Swanson (Director, Academic Advising) gave an update on the focus groups and a hand-out of a preliminary draft summary of the discussion of the first two focus groups.  Doug informed the council one of the main concerns of the graduate students was the area of research; the students feel there is not enough money to support research.  Students also feel there is not enough time for faculty to advise.

 

Some graduate students also stated that they do not feel connected to the University.  The Physical Therapy Department has a general orientation for all new graduate students that could be used as an example of a successful orientation program.

 

  1. Graduate Student Organization.  Ron discussed the importance of an active Graduate Student Organization, i.e., a voice for graduate students on important campus issues.  Ron again requested that members of the Graduate Council work with their graduate program directors to identify students who would participate in the Graduate Student Organization (GSO).  Students willing to participate should send an email indicating their interest to Ian Wilson who is assuming a leadership role in the GSO.

 

  1. Graduate Student Research Grant applications—review committee report (Dave Reineke).  Dave, Tracie Blumentritt, and Steve Simpson reviewed 27 applications and recommended that all but one be funded (the one not recommended for funding did not meet the criteria).

M/S/P Recommend to award 26 grants as recommended by the review committee. 

(11 yes, 0 no)

 

Ron distributed a summary of the amount awarded for Graduate Research Grants for fall and spring 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, and 2004-05.

 

Dave distributed a handout of thoughts and recommendations of the review committee regarding the process.  Item included the ranking process, whether feedback should be provided for students, and the amount of funding per application (presently limited to $600).  The council will review the thoughts and recommendations of the review committee and will continue the discussion at a later meeting.

 

Continuous Registration Policy—GRC 799 was discussed briefly; discussion will continue at the next meeting.

 

Review of Graduate Faculty Applications:  Process began but was not completed; therefore, review will continue at the next meeting and will be reported in the minutes upon completion of all reviews and actions

 

 

Meeting adjourned:      11:06 a.m.

 

C:         Graduate Council Members

            Department Chairs

            Graduate Program Directors

            Faculty Senate

            Graduate Council File