GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES 587 th Meeting April 5, 2010

Transcription

1 Minutes Approved at 588 th Meeting May 3, 2010 GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES 587 th Meeting April 5, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Arado, Bauer, Bond, Frank, Gowen, Holt, Kim, Konen, Liu, Osorio, Sagarin, Smith, Smith-Shank, Sunderlin, Umoren, Walker, Zittel Barrett, Chown, Eckdahl, Erman, Fallahi, Harris, Johnson, Lazovsky, Macdonald, Naraharisetti, Schlichter Wright (Secretary), Yusko (Manager, Technology Transfer Office) Lauriece Zittel, Assistant Chair of the Graduate Council, called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. Approval of Minutes Konen moved approval of the March 1, 2010 minutes, Gowen seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Committee Reports Dissertation Completion Fellowship Committee: Bond reported that there were 23 applications received from eight departments. There were six full-time awards, seven half-time awards, and 10 alternates. The six full-time awards granted represent six different departments. Fellowship Committee: Bond reported that 44 applications were received from 22 departments. There were six full-time awards and alternates. The six awards granted represent five different departments. Bauer questioned the explanation behind the decrease in dissertation fellowship applications and the increase in university fellowship applicants. Bond responded that doctoral numbers are up and masters numbers are down, so he is not sure. Standards Committee: The Standards Committee presented the following catalog changes: Admission to Graduate Study Termination of Admission; Retention

2 If a student has been admitted to a graduate degree program, and does not complete any course work applicable to that program for consecutive months, then, at the discretion of the department, the student s admission to that program may be terminated. Similarly, if a student is enrolled in a given term, but not in any course work applicable to his or her degree program, then, at the discretion of the department, the student s admission to her or his program may be terminated. (Course work applicable to the program is defined by the requirements on the student s program of courses for that degree, plus any deficiencies listed on the program of courses or in the student s official letter of admission to the program.) Readmission/Reentry ^ TOP If a student who was previously enrolled in a. A degree-seeking student who does not register for course work in a 12-month period must submit a reentry application and a new program of courses, as well as and obtain permission from the program to reenter. Requirements for Graduate Degrees Graduation Requirements for the Degrees Masters Degrees Section Credit Requirements Students in master s degree programs must earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit with a minimum GPA of This average must be earned over all NIU graduate courses required in the student s program of courses (excluding deficiency courses taken for graduate credit) as well as over all graduate work taken at NIU. The minimum number of required semester hours is greater than 30 in some programs, as indicated in the respective major department sections. Limitation of Time If an NIU course taken to complete the requirements for the master s degree examination or other assessment if available from the department. Otherwise, the outdated course work must be deleted from, and other course work must be substituted in, the program of courses. Transfer courses falling outside the limitation of time cannot be used in a graduate program.

3 Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit With the approval of the student s major department and the office of the dean of the Graduate School, a maximum combined total of 15 semester hours of credit for courses taken for graduate credit that are accepted in transfer from other accredited or recognized institutions, plus NIU graduate courses taught outside the United States, may be counted toward meeting the requirements for an advanced degree. Some degree programs also have limitations on the amount of credit from courses taken at NIU as a student-at-large, and/or on the combined total of student-at-large, study-abroad, and transfer hours, that may be applied toward meeting degree requirements; such limitations are described below or in individual program descriptions in this catalog. The above semester-hour limits may be exceeded on a progr.am of courses only by the use of transfer courses and only if the total number of semeer hours required on the program of courses exceeds the minimum requirements for that major (and specialization, if any) by at least the same number of hours. Course Number 699 A student who has formally begun the thesis or its equivalent must register in course number 699 upon recommendation of the major department, the student s admission to the degree program will be terminated. After a student has registered for the maximum number of hours of credit that can be earned in a course numbered 699, he or she should register as an auditor in 699 each term until the thesis receives final Graduate School approval. Requirements for the Degrees Doctor of Education Doctor of Philosophy Credit Requirements Graduate students working for a doctoral degree must complete at least 90 semester hours of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree. Departments may waive 30 semester hours for students holding a masters degree in the same field or a related one, allowing the doctoral degree to be completed with 60 semester hours. with a minimum GPA of This The hour requirement for a doctoral degree will includes formal course work, independent study, research, and the dissertation, as specified on the student s program of courses. Some doctoral programs require more than 90 semester hours. The minimum GPA requirement applies to all graduate courses required on the student s program of courses (excluding deficiency courses taken for graduate credit) as well as to all graduate course work taken at NIU and applicable to the degree. Transfer credit will be allowed at the discretion of the department concerned and the office of the dean of the Graduate School., subject to the limitations described below. For a student applying graduate work from another institution.

4 Limitation of Time Except as indicated below, the student must fulfill all requirements for a doctoral degree within nine consecutive years immediately preceding the date of the student s graduation from that degree program. At the discretion of the student s major department, the nine-year limit need not apply to some or all of the earliest 30 postbaccalaureate semester hours of credit included in the student s doctoral program of courses. The time limit applies to enrollment in all graduate course work applicable to the doctoral degree, on the student s program of courses for the doctoral degree, excluding deficiency courses and hours waived because a student holds a relevant masters degree, but including work for which transfer credit is allowed. If any such NIU course does not fall within the time limit defined above, the student s major department may require the student to retake the course for credit or may allow the student to demonstrate current knowledge of the subject matter. In the latter case, the student must demonstrate competency in the course material currency must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department offering the course through successful completion of an appropriate examination or other assessment if available from the department. Otherwise, the outdated course work must be deleted from, and other course work must be substituted in, the program of courses. Transfer courses falling outside the limitation of time cannot be used in a graduate program cannot satisfy degree hour requirements. unless exempted by the department as part of the earliest 30 semester hours under the provision above. Study-Abroad and Transfer Credit (Doctoral) Up to a total of 30 semester hours of transfer credit from master s degree programs completed at other accredited institutions may be applied to meeting the credit-hour requirements of the doctoral degree. A grade of B- or better must have been earned in each such graduate course accepted in transfer from a master s-degree program, and the overall GPA for all such master s work accepted must be at least In addition, w With the approval of the student s committee chair, major department, and the office of the dean of the Graduate School, up to 15 semester hours of credit for NIU graduate study-abroad courses, plus courses taken subsequent to the master s degree and completed with grades of B or better from departments offering graduate programs above the master s level at other accredited institutions, may be accepted as credit toward a doctoral degree at NIU. For any other student, the total credit transferred from accredited institutions, plus credit for NIU graduate study-abroad courses, may not exceed 30 semester hours. The above semester-hour limits may be exceeded on a program of courses only by the use of transfer courses and only if the total number of semester hours required on the

5 program of courses exceeds the minimum requirements for that major by at least the same number of hours. Dissertation Requirements A student who has formally begun the dissertation or its equivalent must register in course number 799 (doctoral dissertation)... A student who fails to complete this procedure will, upon recommendation of the department, have all accumulated hours in the dissertation course converted to audit (no credit). After the student has registered for the maximum number of hours of credit that can be earned in dissertation research (course number 799), he or she should register as an auditor in 799 each term until the dissertation receives final Graduate School approval. Bond explained that the program of courses language had to be removed from one additional location. In addition, the audit hours for 699 and 799 was removed by the Council last year because students do not qualify for financial aid when they audit courses. He explained that the only substantive change was removing the option of transferring study abroad hours. Instead of transferring the hours they will be waived. Gowen moved approval of the Standards Committee recommendations, Frank seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Graduate Council Curriculum Committee: Konen presented the Curriculum Committee minutes for approval. He explained that the Department of Geography has proposed a specialization that is contingent upon receipt of a National Science Foundation grant. In addition, a new one credit hour course is being offered, UNIV 595, Preparing Future Faculty. Bond explained that in the fall there is going to be a pilot project for preparing new faculty. It is an interdisciplinary program that students can apply to. Students will make a teaching portfolio that they can take with them. Smith questioned whether it was open to any doctoral student. Bond responded that yes, it is a pass/fail course that will result in a transcript notation, a portfolio, and a certificate of completion. They hope for 20 students to enroll in the course. Holt moved approval of the March 15, 2010 minutes, Umoren seconded the motion. The following new courses, course deletions, course revisions, and other catalog changes in the catalog copy were approved: INTERDISCIPLINARY ACADEMIC CENTERS, INSTITUTES, AND COURSES UNIV 595 (course addition) COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES IHHS 550 (course revision)

6 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES Department of Geography Page 222, Graduate Catalog Certificate of Graduate Study Geographic Information Analysis (16-18) (addition of GEOG 532) New Business Distance Learning/E-Course Intellectual Property Ownership Agreement: Yusko presented the Distance Learning/E-course Intellectual Property Ownership Agreement for Council approval. She explained that it is not a policy change, but rather simply adding a template. Holt asked whether any Intellectual Property faculty were involved in reviewing the document. Yusko responded that Jessica Reyman, Department of English, and Rebecca Butler, Educational Technology, Research and Assessment are on the Intellectual Property Committee and the sub-committee that created the template. Bauer questioned the relevance of the form when dealing with hybrid courses. Yusko responded that the original intent was for courses that are fully online. The form could be filled out for a blended course under Condition 1, but that would be at the discretion of the faculty member. After Council approval, this document will go to the University Council and will eventually appear in the APPM. Smith moved approval of the document, Sunderlin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Old Business Graduate Student Research Association Conference: Smith reported that the March 27 conference was a success. There were 79 people that registered in advanced. All four paper sessions and workshops were well attended. There was a high school jazz band that performed and lunch was great. They presented awards to students and received positive feedback. Bond encouraged all Council members to get their students involved next year. Update on Graduate Application Criminal Disclosure Question: Bond reported that a question regarding felony convictions will appear on the application in the near future. The ITS staff is currently working on it. Bond reminded the Council that he will need 5 or 6 Council members to serve on the advisory committee that will make decisions regarding applications that have criminal disclosure. He will contact individuals to serve personally at a later date. It will be a large committee that will meet infrequently on a scheduled day and time of the month. Announcements/Information Presidential Research Professor Awards 2010: Zittel reported that the Presidential Research Professor Select Committee met on March 5, 2010 and recommended three awards to the President. The President concurred and the 2010 Presidential Research Professors are Jeff Kowalski, School of Art; Amy Newman, Department of English; and

7 Zhili Xiao, Department of Physics. The award ceremony will be on Monday, April 19 from 3-5 p.m. All faculty members are encouraged to attend. Outstanding Graduate Student Recognition: Zittel announced that the annual Outstanding Graduate Student Recognition would be held on Wednesday, April 21 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom beginning at 3:30 p.m. with the award presentation at 4 p.m. She encouraged all faculty members to attend. Libraries Advisory Update: Sunderlin updated the committee on the issues that have been discussed at the Libraries Advisory Committee meetings. Currently, the library receives 2,000 linear feet of new materials every year and there is not enough storage space. As many faculty are aware, because of the lack of space and budget, the library has gotten rid of some paper journals that are now completely online. This has been an issue that has been discussed at the Faculty Senate Meetings and there has been some misinformation going around. The journals are all stored in multiple locations and could be accessed if absolutely necessary, but all of the information is easily accessible online. There was no other way at this time to deal with the space and money issue. Future deletions will involve a better dissemination of information to the faculty. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.