STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE COUNCIL

MINUTES

MARCH 27, 2003

Meeting #7

Present: Dr. David Jeffrey Dr. Brian Oswald

Mr. Al Cage Dr. Pamela Roberson

Dr. Janie Kenner Dr. Lauren Scharff

Dr. Darrel McDonald Dr. Aileen Smith

Dr. Joe Oliver Ms. Sherry Wells

Absent: Dr. Anna Bradfield Dr. Raymond Eastman

Dr. Jill Carrington Mr. Danny Irwin

Dr. Beatrice Clack

Visitor: Dr. Alexandra Van Kley

The Graduate Council met at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2003 in Room 307, Austin Building. Dr. Kenner made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Dr. Oswald seconded the motion. The motion passed.

I. Announcements

A. Application Fees

Thirteen (13) additional programs have asked to be allowed to charge an application fee. These additional programs are: Accounting, Art, Biology, Biotechnology, Communication, Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Environmental Science, History, Music, MBA and Psychology. This leaves fourteen programs that have asked that we not charge an application fee.

Disposition of Funds: It is the practice that $12.50 of each fee collected is returned to the graduate program to which the applicant is applying. Using figures based on the Fall of this year, there would be approximately 1157 applications which would produce $28,925. One half of that, or $14,462.50 would be distributed to the graduate programs listed above. This money could be used by the programs to offset their application processing costs and to improve their recruiting efforts. The remainder of the funds would be used by the Graduate School to fund a part-time office assistant, offset the increasing costs of postage, telephone, and other office expenses, and provide for more recruitment materials and activities.

Benefits:

· Encourage more serious applications to SFASU, thus reducing unnecessary processing time and expenditures for students who are not selecting SFASU as their primary school of choice,

· Continue prompt and accurate service to Graduate School applicants in response to increasing numbers of applications, and

· Providing on-going financial support to the Graduate School and graduate programs for the costs of processing applications and increasing recruitment efforts.

If approved by the Board of Regents the fee will be implemented for those applications for Fall 2003 and beyond, which are received on or after June l, 2003.

B. Assistantship Proposals to Dr. Guerrero

On March 19, Dr. Jeffrey sent Dr. Guerrero and Dr. Young a request for the budget for graduate assistantships. Three proposals were submitted. The first proposal was to maintain our current position. The second proposal was to move from the current stipend to the level of $7200. The third proposal was to move to $7500 by the Fall of 03. Graduate enrollment is at a high level and it is a priority to support the graduate assistantships.

C. Library Budget

Dr. Jeffrey wrote a letter to Dr. Guerrero on behalf of the Council to recommend that the Library be allowed to request resources to properly support the graduate programs. The letter was well received by Dr. Guerrero and hopefully the library will be receiving more support.

II. Old Business

Criminal Justice Courses

Dr. Oliver made a motion to approve the Criminal Justice Courses. Dr. Oswald seconded the motion. The motion passed.

III. New Business

A. Graduate Faculty Applications

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

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Roger Aker Social Work Adjunct

Terry Guinn Social Work Adjunct

Tina Rushing Social Work Adjunct

Daniel Foley III Forestry Adjunct

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

B. Graduate Faculty Renewal

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Linda White English Renew as Full

Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the renewal as presented. Dr. Kenner seconded the motion. The motion passed.

C. Marilyn Odom Outstanding Graduate Student Award

A vote was taken among the Graduate Council members with Ms. Dixie M. Morgan receiving the most votes to win the Alumni Association's Marilyn Odom Outstanding Graduate Student Award. The Department of Psychology nominated Ms. Morgan. Ms. Morgan will be presented the award at the Alumni Association banquet.

Dr. Oswald made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Dr. Scharff. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

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Dr. David L. Jeffrey Lagena B. Carver

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