GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES
Friday, May 6, 2005-10:00 a.m.
325 Graff Main Hall
Members Present: R. Dixon (Acting Chair), T. Blumentritt, T. Krueger, D. Reineke,
W. Schwan, S. Simpson, T. Staloch, and I. Wilson (Student Rep.)
Members Excused: R. Rada, M. Thorman
Members Absent: C. Angell, D. Sutherland, and A. Von Dollen (Student Rep.)
Consultants Present: C. Martin-Stanley, B. May, and D. Schumacher
Consultants Excused: K. Mc Lean
Consultants Absent: G. Arimond
Others Present: Ronald Rochon
1. The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Rob Dixon, Acting Chair.
2. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the minutes of April 29, 2005.
(7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstaining)
3. Academic Initiative-Learning Community-Ron Rochon: On March 4, 2005
Dr. Rochon met with the Council to speak about learning Communities and how the culture, language,
etc. are different from those of the traditional graduate programs. Dr. Rochon developed a plan for
use of Academic Initiative resources, a draft of the plan was sent to members of the Graduate Council
last week (please refer to handout “University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Graduate Student Grant
Program.) This was a first reading of the plan; Dr. Rochon gave the council an overview of the plan
which included elements of research/service and travel/professional development. He informed the
Council of what it would take to integrate their needs into those of existing grant programs of Graduate
Studies/Graduate Council and awarding of grants. The Council discussed the plan with
Dr. Rochon, and offered suggestions regarding language. The Academic Initiative-
Learning Community will be on a future agenda.
4. Rob Dixon informed the Graduate Council that UW System Legal approved the Appeals Process for
Academic Dismissal. It has not been approved by UW-L Faculty Senate.
5. A motion was made, seconded and passed to move to closed session for a student appeal.
(8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstaining)
The student was a Graduate Special and earned a grade of D in a 4 credit graduate
course. The Graduate Catalog states “Repetition of courses-repeating graduate courses is not allowed;
even when the recorded grade is lower than “C”. The student requested a waiver of the policy to be
allowed to retake the course. A packet was distributed to Council Members, including a letter from the
student, and one from the course instructor. The student brought his/her undergraduate
transcript and distributed them to members. The student gave a review of what he/she believes is
responsible for his/her dismissal. The student was excused and the appeal was discussed
by council members. A motion was made, seconded and passed to allow the student
to return to UW-L as a graduate student. (6 yes, 2 no, 0 abstaining). A roll call vote
was taken (6 yes, 2 no, 0 abstaining).
A motion was made, seconded and passed to allow the student to retake the course
where he/she received a “D”. (7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstaining)
A motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn the Graduate Council Meeting at 11:04 a.m. (8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstaining)
Respectfully submitted,
Fran Temp
c: Graduate Council Members
Department Chairs
Graduate Program Directors
Faculty Senate
Graduate Council File