STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE COUNCIL

MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 27, 2001

Meeting #1

Present: Dr. David Jeffrey Dr. Patrick Mueller

Mr. Donald Beason Dr. Pamela Roberson

Dr. Anna Bradfield Dr. Lauren Scharff

Mr. Al Cage Dr. Aileen Smith

Ms. Elizabeth Cook Dr. Molly Smith

Mr. Dennis Jones Dr. Josephine Taylor

Dr. Larry King

Absent: Dr. Michael Fountain Dr. Janie Kenner

The Graduate Council met at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2001 in Room 307, Austin Building. Mr. Beason made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 26, 2001 meeting. Dr. Bradfield seconded the motion. The motion passed.

I. Announcements

A. New Graduate Council Members

Ms. Elizabeth Cook is this year’s student representative on the Graduate Council. Ms. Cook is a graduate student in the Communication Department. She received her BA in 2000 from SFA. She is now pursuing a Master of Arts degree. Dr. Larry King is representing the Faculty Senate. Dr. Janie Kenner was elected by the College of Education. Dr. Aileen Smith was elected by the College of Business. Dr. Lauren Scharff and Dr. Molly Smith were both appointed to represent the College of Liberal Arts.

B. Spatial Science

There is a new major that has been approved in Spatial Science which is part of the Master of Science in Forestry. The major was approved to begin in the Fall 2001 semester.

C. Public History

History is considering a new program in Public History. The History Department may be submitting a proposal at some point this year.

D. Certification Programs

The Music Education Program and Elementary Education Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs are almost entirely on line now.

E. Enrollment

Graduate Student enrollment has increased 48 students from Fall 2000, which is a 4% increase. The semester credit hours have increased 6% and the doctoral credit hours have increased 34%.

F. National Science Foundation Program

The Coordinating Board is hosting along with the University of Texas and Texas A&M a seminar which will describe two National Science Foundation Programs designed to provide international research opportunities for students. The seminar is in Austin, Tuesday, October 9th and is also going to be web cast by the University of Texas.

G. Association of Texas Graduate Schools

The Association of Texas Graduate Schools is meeting October 11 and 12 in Austin. Dr. Jeffrey will not be able to attend and asked for someone to volunteer from the Graduate Council to represent him. Dr. Mueller will attend for Dr. Jeffrey and submit a report at the next graduate council meeting.

II. New Business

A. Committee Assignments

1. Academic Affairs Committee

Dr. Anna Bradfield will chair the Academic Affairs Committee. Included on the committee is Mr. Donald Beason, Mr. Al Cage, Mr. Dennis Jones and Dr. Aileen Smith. The Academic Affairs Committee will be working on curriculum and program concerns along with reviewing selected Graduate School policies.

2. Faculty Affairs Committee

Dr. Patrick Mueller has agreed to chair the Faculty Affairs Committee with Dr. Janie Kenner, Dr. Larry King and Dr. Josephine Taylor. The committee will be doing graduate faculty review and reviewing graduate faculty regulations.

3. Student Affairs Committee

Dr. Pamela Roberson will be chairing the Student Affairs Committee with Ms. Elizabeth Cook, Dr. Michael Fountain, Dr. Lauren Scharff and Dr. Molly Smith. The Student Affairs Committee will be reviewing guidelines for graduate assistant selection, training and evaluation.

B. Graduate Faculty Applications

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

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Jan Lacina Elementary Education Associate

Alan Sowards Elementary Education Associate

Patricia Watson Elementary Education Associate

Elizabeth Witherspoon Elementary Education Associate

Carolyn Seig Forestry Adjunct

James Stamey Mathematics/Statistics Associate

William Rogers Psychology Limited

Dr. Bradfield made a motion to accept the new applications as presented. Dr. Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Thomas Caffery Human Services Associate

Peggy Gill Human Services Associate

Dixie Mercer Human Services Associate

Robin Rumph Human Services Associate

Tracy Skopek Political Science/Geo. Associate

Julia Ballenger Sec. Ed./Ed. Leadership Associate

Richard Jones Theatre Associate

Dr. Mueller made a motion to accept the new associate applications as presented. Mr. Beason seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Frankie Swift Human Services Limited

Shirley Watterston Music Limited

Mr. Beason made a motion to accept the new limited applications as presented. Dr. Scharff seconded the motion. The motion passed.

C. Graduate Faculty Membership Renewals

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Frank Brister Human Services Full

Dale Fish Human Services Full

Melanie Jephson Human Services Full

Dr. Mueller made a motion to approve the full membership renewals. Dr. Roberson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Name Department/Program Membership Type

Debra Bankston Human Services Limited

Gilbert Hanke Human Services Limited

Robert Patterson Human Services Limited

Anita Scoggins Human Services Limited

Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the limited membership renewals as presented. Dr. Roberson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Name Department/Program Limited

Roy Dean Alston Mathematics/Statistics Full

Mr. Beason made a motion to approve the full renewal membership application of Dr. Alston. Dr. Mueller seconded the motion. The motion passed.

D. Faculty Senate Resolution

The Faculty Senate Resolution was distributed to Graduate Council members:

That the Faculty Senate of Stephen F. Austin State University calls on the Graduate Council to develop a specific range of GRE scores to qualify students for clear admission into the Graduate School.

Discussion took place regarding the resolution which was tabled for further discussion at the next meeting. An adhoc committee of Dr. M. Smith, Dr. Scharff, and Dr. Mueller will research the request.

Mr. Beason made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Dr. Mueller. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

__________________________________ _______________________________

Dr. David L. Jeffrey Lagena B. Carver

DATE_____________________________