Meeting #4

Present:

Absent:
Mr. Al Cage
Dr. Raymond Eastman

The Graduate Council met at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2004 in room 307, Austin Building. Approval of the November 18, 2004 minutes will take place at the January 27, 2005 Graduate Council meeting. The January 27, 2005 will take place in room 301 Human Services Building.

I. Announcements

A. Role of a Graduate Dean

A handout written by Dr. Jeffrey was distributed from a report he made to the Dean’s Council regarding elements of the administration of the Graduate School at SFA as they are administered now and as they might be handled by a Graduate Dean. Elements discussed on the handout were admissions, degree plans, probation and suspension, admission to candidacy, appeals, comprehensive examinations, graduate assistants, thesis/dissertation requirements, new programs, advocacy/student support services, fund raising, and recruiting a new leader. A discussion of the merits of having a graduate dean were discussed. The Faculty Senate is discussing this issue now.

B. Faculty Workload

Discussion took place regarding the proposed faculty workload policy. Though the Graduate Council was not specifically asked to comment on the proposed policy, Dr. Jeffrey is on the Policies Committee which has been asked to look at this proposal and he wanted input from the Council on how the proposed policy might effect graduate education, especially in practicum and thesis courses. The discussion also included effects of the proposed policy on undergraduate faculty. It was concluded that some sort of open discussion on the proposal needed to be held before the Policies Committee made their final recommendation.

II. New Business

A. Graduate Faculty Applications

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

Name Department/Programs Membership Type

Cheryl Boyette Forestry Adjunct
Rosalind Rock Forestry Adjunct
Don Owens Geology Adjunct

Dr. Oswald made a motion to accept the membership applications as presented. Dr. Tinsley seconded the motion. The motion passed.

B. Graduate Faculty Renewals

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Gary Mayer Communication Associate to Full
Miles McCall Communication Renew as Full
Ernest Ledger Geology Renew as Full
Russell Nielson Geology Renew as Full
Clarke Proctor Mathematics/Statistics Renew as Full
Deb Scott Music Limited to Associate

Dr. Clack made a motion to approve the renewals as presented. Dr. Oswald seconded the motion. The motion passed.

III. Faculty Affairs Committee Report

Dr. Clack led discussion regarding criteria for Graduate Faculty membership. The criteria are too open-ended now and do not give the Graduate Council enough information to make an informed decision on whether a person should be renewed as an Associate member or moved to Full membership. There is also a question about criteria for renewing a person at the Full level when there is little documentation provided by the applicant. Dr. Pattillo suggested that an additional phrase might be added to the list of criteria such as: “ What impact have you made on your graduate program?”. Further discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

Dr. Weems made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Tinsley seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

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Dr. David L. Jeffrey

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Lagena B. Carver

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