STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE COUNCIL

MINUTES

APRIL 25, 2002

 

Meeting #7

 

Present:        Dr. David Jeffrey                        Dr. Pamela Roberson

                  Dr. Anna Bradfield                      Dr. Lauren Scharff

                  Dr. Janie Kenner                         Dr.  Aileen Smith

                  Dr. Larry King                           Dr. Molly Smith

                 

Absent:         Dr. Donald Beason                      Mr. Dennis Jones

                  Mr. Al Cage                              Dr. Patrick Mueller

                  Ms. Elizabeth Cook                     Dr.  Josephine Taylor

                  Dr. Michael Fountain

 

Visitor:         Dr. Dennis Gravatt for Dr. Josephine Taylor

 

The Graduate Council met at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2002 in Room 307, Austin Building.  Dr. Bradfield made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 28, 2002 meeting.  Dr. Scharff seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

 

I.               Announcements

 

A.   Library Resolution

 

On March 6, 2002, Dr. Jeffrey wrote a letter to Dr. Ashley of support in response to the Graduate Council Library Resolution for additional funds support for our new and expanding Graduate programs.  Dr. Ashley replied through an email response for Mr. Cage to prepare a conservative list of titles with cost figures that he would recommend to meet the above request by specifying exactly what the new funds would be used for we might be more successful in gaining approval for additional operating funds.

             

B.    Graduate Assistant Budget

 

Dr. Jeffrey wrote three different proposals which were submitted to Dr. Ashley.  One was to increase the stipend level of all graduate assistants to $7500.000 by the year 2003.  The second one was to increase the stipend and the number of positions. The third was to increase the stipend and increase the number of graduate assistant positions by ten.   Based on getting ten new assistantships in the Fall plus ten new students that would not have otherwise been here, over a period of a year with formula funding, tuition and fees that the students would cost the university $70,660.00 for ten new positions and the university would receive back over $90,000.00.  This proposal, which was well received, has been discussed with Dr. Ashley, Dr. Guerrero and Dr. Smith.  Tentatively we will have some additional graduate assistant positions along with an increase in the stipend level.  Proposal three will hopefully be implemented   in the new budget.

C.    Graduate Assistant Summer Money

 

There is a small amount of Graduate Assistant money, approximately $12,000 available for summer.                                

 

I.               Old Business

 

A.   Approval of Computer Science 580

 

On March 6, 2002 Dr. Jeffrey forwarded Dr. Craig Wood’s email to the Graduate Council.  He addressed the concerns expressed by the Council, including explaining why   a 575 number would not work.  He also suggested a change in title to “Applied Project” rather then “independent Studies Project”.  By March 7, 2002 Dr. Jeffrey had received six affirmative votes to approve the course with the new title, and no negative votes.  Therefore the course, as amended, was sent to the Vice President as recommended by the Graduate Council.

              

B.    Graduate Course Proposals and Changes

 

All course proposals and changes were sent to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs on March 8, 2002.

 

 

I.               New Business

 

A.   Graduate Faculty Applications

 

Dr. Jeffrey has reviewed and given administrative approval to the following Graduate Faculty membership application:

 

Name                    Department/Program           Membership Type

 

Wanda Mouton        Communication                 Associate

 

Dr. Bradfield made a motion to accept the membership as presented.  Dr. Scharff seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

B.    Graduate Faculty Renewals

 

The Graduate Council considered the following renewal applications:

 

Name                    Department/Program           Membership Type

 

Tim Cherry             Agriculture                       Associate to Full

Leisha M. Bridwell    Human Sciences                 Associate to Full

 

Dr. Kenner made a motion to approve the renewals as presented.  Dr. Molly Smith seconded the motion.

                                                                       

C.    Marilyn Odom Outstanding Graduate Student Award

 

There have been two nominations for the Marilyn Odom Outstanding Graduate Student Award.   The nomination packets were distributed to council members .  The  Student Affairs Committee will review and make its recommendation  to the council  at the April meeting when a vote of the whole council will be taken.

 

D.   William R. Johnson Outstanding Thesis Award 

 

There have been two nominations for the William R. Johnson Outstanding Thesis Award.  The theses will be put on reserve in the library.  Council members are asked to read the theses and nomination forms and be prepared to vote on their choice at the next meeting.

 

Dr. Pam Roberson made a motion to adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Dr. Molly Smith.  The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________      _______________________________

         Dr. David L. Jeffrey                              Lagena B. Carver

 

 

 

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