STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COUNCIL
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2003
Meeting #6
Present: Dr. David Jeffrey Dr. Janie Kenner
Dr. Anna Bradfield Dr. Darrel McDonald
Mr. Al Cage Dr. Joe Oliver
Dr. Jill Carrington Dr. Pamela Roberson
Dr. Beatrice Clack Ms. Sherry Wells
Mr. Danny Irwin
Absent: Dr. Raymond Eastman Dr. Lauren Scharff
Dr. Brian Oswald Dr. Aileen Smith
Visitors: Dr. Ed Dougal for Dr. Oswald
Dr. Keaton Grubbs for Dr. Smith
The Graduate Council met at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2003 in Room 307, Austin Building. Dr. Bradfield made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 24, 2003 meeting. Dr. Kenner seconded the motion. The motion passed.
I. Announcements
A. Budget Reductions
There are no reductions in Graduate Assistantships yet. Departments may keep summer appointments as planned but offer no new positions. It is too early to speculate about next year. Dr. Young and Dr. Guerrero are committed to maintaining the Graduate Assistant budget, but increases are not likely. On research accounts, there was a small amount of money retained for mini-grants but we had to give back 10-20%.
B. HB 484
Sec. 51.810. AUTOMATIC ADMISSION: GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE PROGRAMS. (a) Each institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, that offers a graduate or professional degree program shall admit to the degree program an applicant for admission to the program if the applicant graduates from an institution of higher education with a bachelor's degree and with a grade point average in the top 10 percent of the applicant's graduating class.
The house bill indicates that the only factor to consider for admission is a student’s g.p.a. The bill does not consider a variety of other reasons such as felonies, portfolios or music performance, nor does it allow for standardized test scores, interviews, letters of recommendation and so forth. Dr. Jeffrey has written e-mails to Texas legislators opposing this bill.
C. Library Budget Reductions
Discussion took place regarding lack of library funds as the result of budget reductions. The Graduate Council directed Dr. Jeffrey to write Dr. Guerrero on behalf of the Council and recommend that the Library be allowed to request additional resources to properly support the new graduate offerings, even increasing student fees if necessary. Dr. Bradfield made a motion to approve the recommendation. Dr. Clack seconded the motion. The motion passed.
II. Old Business
Graduate Course Proposals and Changes
Dr. Bradfield made a motion to accept all graduate course proposals and changes with the exception of the Criminal Justice Courses. Action on the CJC courses was tabled until additional information could be obtained from the department. Dr. Clack seconded the motion. The motion passed.
III. New Business
Graduate Faculty Applications
Dr. Jeffrey has reviewed and given administrative approval to the following Graduate Faculty membership applications:
Name Department/Program Membership Type
Jeffrey Magers Criminal Justice Associate
Dr. Bradfield made a motion to accept the membership application as presented. Dr. Roberson seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Name Department/Program Membership Type
Theresa Coble Forestry Full
Dr. Oliver made a motion to accept the membership application as presented. Dr. Roberson seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Name Department/Program Membership Type
Sheryl A. Wittenback Human Sciences Associate
Dr. Clack made a motion to accept
the membership application as presented.
Dr. Carrington seconded the motion.
The motion passed.
Name Department/Program Membership Type
Sanford Miller Kinesiology/Health Sci. Associate
Membership application was delayed until further information could be obtained.
Name Department/Program Membership Type
Judy De Trude Secondary Ed./EDLE Adjunct
Dr. Clack made a motion to accept the membership application as presented. Dr. Carrington seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Dr. Bradfield made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Clack seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
__________________________________ ______________________________
Dr. David L. Jeffrey Lagena B. Carver
DATE_____________________________