GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES
550th Meeting
March 7, 2005

MEMBERS PRESENT: Arado, Biswas, Blickhan, Bose, Campbell, Carnahan, Changnon, Factor, Fernald, Gowen, Gupta, Hurych, Jackson, Karonis, Lockard, Miranda, Richgels, Sells, Russell, Swanson, Waas, Willis

MEMBERS ABSENT: Abdel-Motaleb, Cole, Darrah, Harris, Johnson, Lim, Muskievicz, Nuzzo

OTHERS PRESENT: Arntz (Secretary), Stoddard (University Council), Van Mol (Catalog Editor/Curriculum Coordinator)

Rathindra Bose, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
The February 7, 2005 minutes were moved for approval by Jackson, and seconded by Gowen. Two minor changes were required. Russell should have been listed as absent rather than present. Also, the statement that “These students are being sponsored by their employers” in the discussion regarding English proficiency requirements for MBA programs should read “The vast majority of these students are being sponsored by their employers.” The motion carried unanimously with these corrections.

Committee Reports

Graduate Council Standards Committee

New Business
Search for Coordinator of Assessment Services: Changnon reported that 25-30 applications have been received for the position of Coordinator of Assessment Services. As a member of the selection committee, Changnon invited members to forward to him any particular concerns regarding qualifications of the individual selected for this position.

Old Business
Retirement of Van Mol as Curriculum Coordinator: Willis reported that she spoke to the Provost regarding the committee’s concern about Van Mol’s replacement. The committee decided that a letter to the Provost from the Graduate Council is warranted to express the importance of this position. Willis will draft letter, solicit members’ feedback, have chair and assistant chair sign, and send to the Provost’s Office.

Announcements
Research and Artistry awards – summer 2005: Bose thanked the Research and Artistry Committee, chaired by Gowen, for their work in reviewing and choosing proposals to be funded. Bose reported that $150,000 was allocated by the President’s Office this year. Summer salaries of $4,000 will be awarded to 25 individuals, with additional funding of up to $2,000 for others items requested by the researcher.
Graduate School advising of Student-At-Larges (SALs): Bose reported that the Institutional Research Office is currently compiling data on NIU’s SALs, in terms of how many are accepted into graduate programs, how many graduate from NIU, how many leave NIU, etc., in order to determine whether or not SALs are receiving adequate advising. Factor stated that many SALs end up taking to the graduate directors of the programs they are interested in. It was noted, however, that we have no “pro-active” mechanism in place for advising these students. Carnahan suggested that perhaps the application process could be modified to include inquiring as to whether or not a SAL intends to apply to a specific program so that the respective departments can then be involved in advising these students. Miranda and Richgels both expressed their beliefs that SALs in the College of Education are receiving adequate advising from the various departments. Data on this issue will be reported at the next meeting.
Evaluation of Acting Associate Dean: Bose reported for Swanson (who had to leave the meeting earlier) that the committee has met and devised guidelines for conducting the evaluation of the acting associate dean. The committee’s recommendation to extend the acting appointment for an additional year has been forwarded to the University Council for discussion at their next meeting.

The committee next discussed the issue of the recent cancellation of summer graduation ceremonies. Willis advised, that if appropriate, the departments have students apply for August graduation and write a letter to the Graduate School requesting to be allowed to walk in the May graduation. For masters’ degrees, if a student has submitted the final copy of his or her thesis then departments may recommend that they be allowed to walk in the May graduation. For doctoral degrees, if the candidate has defended successfully then departments may want to allow them to participate in the May graduation. Willis stressed the importance of being lenient given the relatively late announcement of the cancellation of this year’s August graduation ceremony.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.