Graduate Studies Committee

Year-End Report

Academic Year 2001-2002

 

Significant Events

 

August 2001                Graduate Orientation

January 2002              Approval of doctorate program in Educational Leadership by State

Department of Education

February 2002             Graduate Open House

February 2002             Graduate Scholar Awards Ceremony

May 2002                     First Annual Graduate Research and Creative Presentation Day

 

Scholarship Awards

 

The committee awarded twenty (20) Graduate Academic Awards and three Outstanding Scholar Awards.  The outstanding graduate scholars were:

 

School of Education and Professional Studies                      Winifred Neville

School of Arts and Sciences                                                  Joan Sussler

School of Business                                                                 Trevor Jackson

 

The Graduate Student Association scholarship award was awarded to Steven Hard from the Psychology Department.

 

By-Laws Changes  (Appendix I)

 

Article IV, Section 1 was amended to more clearly define the functions and duties of the standing committees of the GSC.  (Ratified by the Senate).

 

Article I, Section 4 was amended to change the language from Deans of the Undergraduate Schools to Deans of the Academic Schools (Ratification by Senate required).

 

Other Resolutions Passed

 

*Digitizing Thesis:  When submitting their thesis to the library, all students will submit a hard copy and electronic form but have an option on how electronic submissions may be used.

 

*Mission Statement:  The Graduate Mission Statement and five tenets were approved

(Appendix II). 

 

Curriculum Process:  Voted in favor of endorsing the resolution to streamline the curriculum review process that was being considered by the University Curriculum Committee. (Appedix III). Note:  While the GSC voted to endorse the process, the resolution was subsequently defeated by the University Curriculum Committee. 

 

*Required Part Time Status for Students on Probation:  “Students on probation shall have part time status unless receiving permission from the Graduate Dean.”

 

*Drop and Withdrawal Policy:   Revised to discourage students to sign up for courses that they don’t have an intention to complete (Appendix IV).  (Requires Senate ratification).

 

Academic Dishonesty Policy:  An academic dishonesty policy very similar to the one adopted by the Faculty Senate was approved with modifications to account for the advanced status of graduate students.  For example, language regarding the attendance at an Academic Integrity Workshop was eliminated (Appendix V).  (Requires Senate Ratification)

 

*Appeals Process for Non-Graded Assessment:  Approved a 7-step process to address a student appeal on matters concerning non-graded assessments, e.g., comprehensives (Appendix VI). (Requires Senate Ratifications

 

Recognition of Professor George B. Miller:  Resolution to recognize Professor Miller for his outstanding service and dedication to the advancement of graduate education (Appendix VII). 

 

*Require Senate ratification

 

Graduate Student Association Activities

 

Held four Graduate Student Socials

 

Participated in volunteer activity at New Britain Museum of Art. 

Published a newsletter, The Graduate Gazette

Coordinated a Myers-Briggs Trait Indicator workshop for graduate students.

 

Awarded a $1500.00 scholarship.

 

Other Significant Facts

 

The Graduate School was awarded a Strategic Planning Grant for the promotion and development of graduate education at CCSU.

 

Appendix I

 

By-Laws Changes

 

Recommended By-Laws Changes

 

Current By Laws

 

Article IV. Subcommittee Structure

1. Standing subcommittees are established to effectively carry out the business of the GSC.  The subcommittees shall include:

a.      Appeals

b.      Curriculum

c.      Academic Policy

d.      Scholarship and Awards

e.      Dean’s Advisory council (Membership includes Chair GSC, subcommittee chairs, and immediate past chair of GSC.)

 

 

Recommended Changes

 

IV. Standing Committee Structure

1. Standing Committees are established to effectively carry out the business of the GSC.  The standing committees shall include:
1. Appeals

Definition:  The Appeals subcommittee will meet on an ad hoc basis to review any appeals of nongraded evaluations.  These include graduate admissions, comprehensives, or any other nongraded performance-based assessments.

2. Curriculum

Definition: The Curriculum subcommittee will meet at least one time per month during the academic semester to discuss changes in graduate curriculum to be forward to the Graduate Studies Committee.

3. Graduate Policy

Definition:  The Graduate Policy subcommittee will meet at least one time per month during the academic semester to discuss and forward changes in graduate policy as well as provide advice, input and feedback to the Dean of the Graduate School in a timely manner.

4. Scholarship and Awards

Definition:  The Scholarship and Awards subcommittee will meet on an ad hoc basis to determine the recipients of graduate academic awards and to organize and facilitate a graduate research day.

 

 

ARTICLE I Number 4.

 

Current language:  

 

The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the Deans of the Undergraduate Schools, ex officio.

 

Proposed language:

 

The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the Deans of the Academic Schools, ex officio.

 

Rationale:

 

The use of the word “undergraduate” is a misnomer since all schools have both graduate and undergraduate programs. 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix II.

 

GRADUATE MISSION

 

The graduate school is a community of scholars devoted to increasing human awareness and understanding through scholarly inquiry, research, and study in specialized disciplines.  The aim of graduate education is to provide students with the environment to develop knowledge and skills to make contributions to their discipline and to the rapidly changing world.  Through an atmosphere of intellectual and personal integrity, an attitude of excellence, and a spirit of creative independence, our graduates develop mastery in their field and become lifelong learners and leaders within their respective professions. 

 

GRADUATE TENETS

 

Community of Scholars

To facilitate active and ongoing participation, communication, and interaction of faculty and students around a shared commitment to the advancement of knowledge through innovation and research.

 

Scholarly Inquiry

To foster a spirit of intellectual curiosity, reflective thinking, and the application of rigor in the evolving formulation of knowledge.

 

Intellectual and Personal Integrity

To live according to personal and professional values and standards and to be cognizant of the consequences that one’s decisions and actions have on others and the environment.

 

Excellence

To strive for ongoing quality improvement through careful planning, innovation, and program evaluation.  

 

Leadership

To take initiative for shaping the direction of one’s discipline by modeling high standards of professional behavior, and inspiring and motivating others to do the same. 

 

 

Appendix III.

 

Recommended Change to the Graduate Curriculum Process

 

		Faculty Senate

 

 

 

 

Appendix IV

 

Drop and Withdrawal Policy Wording for Catalog

 

Dropping a Course

 

Current Wording

 

Dropping courses will be allowed up to a chronological mid-point in the course, with the exception that full time graduate students must maintain a minimum credit load of 9 credits.  Courses dropped by the deadline do not appear on the student’s transcript.

 

Graduate full time students for whom dropping a course would reduce their credit load to fewer than 9 credits must APPLY for withdrawal from the course.

 

Proposed Wording

 

Students are allowed to drop courses up to the last day of the third week of classes during a regular semester.  Courses dropped by the deadline do not appear on the student’s transcript.  Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office, Davidson Hall, or the Enrollment Center/Office of Continuing Education, Willard Hall.

 

 

Course Withdrawals

 

Present Policy

 

First three weeks:

Students can drop any class by going to Registrar’s Office or Enrollment Center.  If this causes load reduction below 9 credits, then student must change status from full-time to part-time.  There is no record of original enrollment on transcript.  The drop deadline coincides with the freeze date.

 

Fourth week to end of the semester: 

After posted deadlines for dropping courses pass, or if student status is otherwise affected (full time to part time), withdrawal from a course will be permitted only with the instructor’s approval, provided that there are extenuating circumstances.  Poor academic performance is not considered an extenuating circumstance.  If withdrawal, or early withdrawal is recommended a “W” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.  All withdrawals, including early withdrawals, are to be initiated by using appropriate course withdrawal forms.  These forms are available in the Registrar’s Office and the Enrollment Center/Office of Continuing Education. 

 

If a student stops attending and fails to officially withdraw from a course, a grade of “F” will be recorded on the student’s record.

 

Proposed Policy

First three weeks:

Students can drop any class.  If dropping below 9 credits, the student must change status from full-time to part-time.  There is no record of original enrollment on the transcript.  The deadline to drop coincides with the freeze date.  Requests fro dropping a course will be in writing and a confirmation copy of this will be given to the student.

Fourth week to end of eighth week:

Students, full-time or part-time, can withdraw from any class by going to Registrar’s Office or Enrollment Center and completing a two-part withdrawal form (see previous paragraph).  No approval is necessary.  A “W” will appear on the transcript in all cases of withdrawal; no exceptions.

 

After eighth week:

Withdrawals are only permissible under extenuating circumstances after recommendation of instructor and chair, and approval of appropriate dean(s).  Poor academic performance is not considered an extenuating circumstance.  A “W” appears on the transcript.

 

If a student stops attending and fails to officially withdraw from a course, a final grade of “F” will be recorded on the student’s record. 

 

 

Appendix V

 

Graduate Policy on Academic Misconduct

 

At Central Connecticut State University we value personal integrity as fundamental to our interactions with each other.  We believe that one of the purposes of a University education is for students to learn to think critically, to develop evaluative skills, and to express their own opinions and voices.  We place special weight on academic honesty in all of our intellectual pursuits because it is a value that is fundamental to academic life and scholarly practice.  All members of the University community are obligated to uphold high standards of academic honesty in their scholarship and learning.  Therefore, we expect students to take personal responsibility for their intellectual work and to respect and acknowledge the ideas of others.  Academic honesty means doing one's own work and giving proper credit to others whose work and thought one may draw upon.  It is the responsibility of each student to become familiar with what constitutes academic dishonesty and plagiarism and to avoid all forms of cheating and plagiarism.

 

The CSU code of conduct, Guidelines for Student Rights and Responsibilities and Judicial Procedures, defines academic misconduct as including, but "…not limited to providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation including papers, projects and examinations (cheating); and presenting, as one's own, the ideas or words of another person or persons for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgement (plagiarism)." 

 

Cheating may take many forms.  It includes, but is not limited to, the following actions, unless explicitly authorized by the instructor:

 

Exams:

 

• Copying from another person's paper or receiving unauthorized aid from another person during an examination;

 

• Use of unauthorized materials or devices during an examination or any other form of academic evaluation and grading; e.g., use of signals, notes, books, or calculators during an examination when the instructor has not approved their use;

 

• Knowingly allowing another person to copy from one’s paper during an examination;

 

Improper Behavior:

 

• Use of another person as a substitute in any form of academic evaluation or acting as a substitute for another person in any form of academic evaluation, e.g., a student cannot have another person take an examination for him/her;

 

• Acquisition or distribution of improperly acquired examinations; e.g., stealing examinations before the test period or taking a copy of an examination from a testing room without the permission of the instructor; (Examinations which have been distributed by an instructor are legitimate study tools);

 

• Submission of another's material as one’s own for academic evaluation;

 

• Preparation of work for another student to submit for academic evaluation;
• Unauthorized collaboration in the preparation of materials to be submitted for academic evaluation; e.g., working with another student on an assignment when the instructor has not authorized working together;

 

• Submission of the same work, or substantially similar work, in more than one course without prior consent of the evaluating instructor(s);

 

• Disruption in classroom, lab, or research and study areas; any conduct or actions that grossly or persistently interferes with the academic process.  (See the CSU, Rights and Responsibilities, "Proscribed Conduct," No. 7, CCSU Student Handbook.)

 

Falsification or Misuse of Academic Information:

 

• Falsification or misrepresentation of one’s own academic record or that of anyone else; e.g., altering a transcript for admission, hacking into the University's computer system and changing a grade, having another student take an examination in one’s place, signing someone else's name to an attendance sheet.

 

• Unauthorized use of information in University computer records or the computer files of other students (see Computer Use Policy);

 

• Using unauthorized materials or fabricated data in an academic exercise; e.g., falsifying data in a research paper or laboratory activity; conducting research on human or animal subjects without review by the appropriate panel or supervisor.

 

Plagiarism:

 

• Copying sentences, phrases, paragraphs, tables, figures or data directly or in slightly modified form from a book, article, or other academic source without using quotation marks or giving proper acknowledgment to the original author or source.

 

• Copying information from internet websites and submitting it as one's own work;

 

• Buying papers for the purpose of turning them in as one's own work;

 

• Selling or lending of papers for the purpose of violating academic honesty policies; (this may also be an academic crime, see Connecticut General Statutes, §53-392a.)

 

Understanding Plagiarism:

 

Plagiarism is presenting another person’s work without acknowledgements, whether in the same or in slightly modified form.  In academic practice this is regarded as theft, intended to gain undeserved credit.  Like other forms of academic dishonesty, plagiarism is cheating.  To academicians, a well-documented paper is more impressive than one which arouses the suspicion of a reader familiar with the student's work and alert to echoes from other writers.  The proper use of outside sources does not necessarily mean that a paper is lacking in originality, nor does the presence of quotation marks in the text.  In fact, the purpose of research and documentation is to share useful information with the reader.  The penalties for plagiarism greatly exceed the unlikely reward of gaining credit by getting away with it.

Students must be careful to avoid plagiarism and are responsible for learning how to present the ideas of others in their own work.  For current documentation practice, consult the instructor and a style manual.  When material is borrowed from another person, the source must be indicated.  There are three ways in which another writer's material may appear:

 

1.      By putting quotation marks around short passages borrowed verbatim (word for word); or by setting off from the text, without quotation marks, for longer quotations.

2.      By précis; condensing part of a writer's argument.

3.      By paraphrase: interpretation of a writer's ideas.

 

All three must be acknowledged either in footnotes or informally in the text.

 

Consequences of Academic Misconduct:

 

• There are significant consequences when a graduate student engages in academic misconduct. 

 

• In each case the faculty member will initiate a conference with the student, after which the faculty member who believes that misconduct has occurred must complete a University Academic Misconduct Report, which is the record of a faculty member’s determination that the student identified in this report has engaged in academic misconduct.  The content of a University Academic Misconduct Report shall include all items indicated in the form attached to this Policy.

 

• A copy of each University Academic Misconduct Report will be sent to the student, the Department chairperson, the Dean of the Graduate School, and the University Judicial Officer. 

 

• Upon receipt of the University Academic Misconduct Report, the University Judicial Officer or the Graduate Dean, in consultation with the faculty member, may initiate further proceedings, which may result in sanctions, including disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion from the University.

 

• The sanctions for academic misconduct available to a faculty member include any or all of the following: 

 

1.      A grade of “F” for the course.

2.      A grade of “F” for the material being evaluated.

3.      A reduced grade for the material being evaluated.

4.      The assigning of additional course work.

 

When Graduate Students are Suspected of Academic Misconduct:

 

1)      When a faculty member reasonably believes that there is sufficient information to demonstrate that a student may have engaged in Academic Misconduct:

 

a)      The faculty member will discuss the incident with the student, in the presence of the department chair if the faculty member or student so desires. 

b)      At this time the faculty member shall outline the possible penalties specified in the CCSU Student Handbook. 

c)      The faculty member will indicate that the matter may be referred to the Graduate Dean or the University Judicial Officer for possible disciplinary action.

 

2)      Based on the available documentation, the response offered by the student, if any, and any other relevant information:

 

a)      The faculty member will, within a reasonable period of time, reach a determination whether the student has engaged in Academic Misconduct. 

b)      Should the faculty member determine that Academic Misconduct has occurred, the faculty member shall retain evidence of the said misconduct.

 

3)      If the faculty member determines that Academic Misconduct has not occurred, no University Academic Misconduct Report need be prepared.

 

4)      If the faculty member determines that Academic Misconduct has occurred, the faculty member shall:

 

a)      Impose an academic sanction and,

b)      Prepare and forward to the Graduate Dean, a University Academic Misconduct Report indicating the determination reached and sanctions imposed and, 

c)      Inform the student that additional University Academic Misconduct Reports may result in more severe penalties.

 

5)      The faculty member:

 

a)      May contact the Graduate Dean or the University Judicial Officer to request a conference with the student to further explain the act leading to the University Academic Misconduct Report.  The conference will be facilitated by the Graduate Dean and include the University Judicial Officer, a Graduate Studies Committee member not affiliated with the graduate program of the student, and the graduate student.  This meeting will not be a disciplinary hearing, but consultation with the student to further explain the misconduct. 

b)      May request a disciplinary hearing with the Graduate Dean and the University Judicial Officer in cases of serious forms of academic misconduct.

 

6)      In accordance with the “Student Records and Disclosure Policy,” “Data from academic, disciplinary, and counseling files shall not be available to unauthorized persons on campus or to any person off campus without the express consent of the student involved, except under legal compulsion.” (CCSU Student Handbook.)

 

Subsequent Violations of the Academic Misconduct Policy:

 

When the University Judicial Officer or the Graduate Dean has multiple University Academic Misconduct Reports filed on a particular student, a "Pre-Hearing Investigation" may be conducted in anticipation of disciplinary action, which may result in disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion from the University.  If the University Judicial Officer or the Graduate Dean determines that a formal hearing is warranted, a faculty member or members may be requested to provide information.

 

 

 

A Student's Rights When Suspected and or Charged With Academic Misconduct:

 

1)  A student has the right:

 

a)  To meet with the faculty member, in the presence of the Department Chair if so desired, before any determination has been made.

b)  To be informed during this meeting of the faculty member’s suspicions and have an opportunity to discuss the matter.

c)  To appeal a finding of Academic Misconduct made during the course of the semester, within 10 school days of being provided with a University Academic Misconduct Report.

 

A written statement of appeal must be provided to the faculty member, the Department chairperson, the Graduate Dean, and the University Judicial Officer, setting forth the basis of the student’s appeal.  Upon receipt of a student’s mid-semester appeal, the University Judicial Officer will consult with the faculty member, the Department Chair, and the Graduate Dean and communicate to the student within 10 school days the results of the student’s appeal. 

 

2)  Once a final grade is awarded, the student may file a grade appeal in accordance with the "Appeals for Grade Change Policy," (CCSU Student Handbook.) 

 

3)  If a student receives a final grade of “F” as a result of violating the Academic Misconduct Policy, and that grade is upheld by the grade appeal process, no retroactive withdrawal from the course will be permitted. 

 

4)  All end of the semester appeals must be made in accordance with the "Appeals for Grade Change Policy."

 

5)  In addition to academic sanctions provided by the faculty member, if disciplinary

proceedings have been initiated by the University Judicial Officer or the Graduate Dean, a student has the right to have such proceedings resolved in accordance with the CSU “Guidelines for Student Rights and Responsibilities and Judicial Procedures.”

 

Professor's Responsibilities when Academic Misconduct is Suspected During End of the Semester Grading:

 

If a faculty member reasonably suspects academic misconduct during end of the semester grading, a grade of Incomplete may be entered, to be replaced by an appropriate grade once the issue is resolved.  The grade of Incomplete allows a faculty member to complete end of the semester grading and still follow up on suspected violations of the University Academic Misconduct Policy. 

 

Academic Misconduct reported by a member of the University Community other than the relevant faculty member:

 

See "Academic Misconduct" in "Guidelines for Student Rights and Responsibilities and Judicial Procedures," (CCSU Student Handbook.) 

Academic Misconduct Report

 

 

Date Received by Graduate Dean:                                    ______________

Date Sent to the University Judicial Officer:        ______________

Date Sent to Student:                                              ______________

Date Sent to Department Chair:                             ______________

 

Student's name:________________________________________  SS# ____________________   Faculty Member’s name:__________________________________   Ext:____________________       Course Title:______________________________  Semester and Year:______________

 

Date(s) of faculty/student meeting(s)_______________.

 

Description of the incident:  

(Please copy and attach any necessary evidence)

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         The student has been informed of his/her rights as described in the CCSU Student Handbook, including the right to pursue a grade appeal.  Yes______  No______

 

·         The student acknowledges a violation of Academic Honesty. --  Yes____   No____

 

·         The Professor's sanction: 

 

 

 

Conference with the Graduate Student:  Yes/No                   Date:                     

 

Outcome:

 

 

 

Graduate Dean’s Signature ________________________Date_____________________

 

Judicial Officer’s Signature________________________Date_____________________

 

 

Appendix VI

 

Formalized Appeals Process for Non-graded Assessments

 

 

1.      The Appeals Committee will meet as a group to determine whether there is merit to an appeal of a non-graded, performance-based assessment. 

 

 

2.      The Appeals Committee will review the documents and records that are presented with the appeal.

 

 

3.      If the Appeals Committee believes that additional information is needed, the committee will request clarification from the department and/or the student.

 

 

4.      Once all materials that are relevant to the appeal are collected, the Appeals Committee will meet to assess the validity of the appeal.  The committee’s determination will be based on whether the student was denied due process.  The Committee will be reviewing the process, and not the decision.

 

5.      The Appeals Committee will render their decision in writing by notifying the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of Graduate Studies.

 

Appendix VII.

 

Resolution to Recognize Professor George B. Miller

 

 

Be it known that the Graduate Studies Committee recognizes Professor George B. Miller for his outstanding service and dedication to the advancement of graduate education at Central Connecticut State University.