Graduate Studies Committee Meeting for September 25, 2003
 

K. Beyard, G. Claffey, R. Cohen, M. Davis, J. Delaura, J. DiPlacido, K. Farrington, G. Fitzgerald, B. Greenfield, R. Kalder, B. Kjell, P. Kyem, C. Marshall, G. Mejia, D. Mitchell, D. Mulcahy, J. Nicoll-Senft, C. Parr, S. Seider, M. Shelton, J. Turner, V. Rajaravivarma, L. Zidani-Eroglu

Guests/ex. officio:

P. Lemma, C. Pudlinski, P, Alteri

G. Mejia called the Graduate Studies Committee to order at 2:34 pm. The meeting began with introductions of the members. G. Mejia called attention to the handout of GSC calendar, listing full committee meetings and GSC curriculum committee meetings. (See attachment A.)

1. Approval of Minutes
   A. Members present approved the minutes of April 24, 2003, with no edits.

2. Announcements from Dean Lemma (written as part of agenda)
   P. Lemma expressed gratitude to everyone for agreeing to serve on the Graduate Studies Committee.
   
   A. Enrollments
   P. Lemma confirmed new full-time students at 212 for the fall semester. New part-time students were confirmed at 453. As of the freeze date of September 23, 2003, 504 students had enrolled as new and continuing students. The Graduate School’s enrollment target for fall 2003 had been for 510 students. Part time numbers are listed in Attachment A, section 2B. Full time credit hours for the fall total to 11,670, part time credit hours total to 8,917.
   
   B. Strategic Planning Committee has been formed for the Graduate School. It will meet through December 2003. P. Lemma has assembled a committee of nine to help create this strategic plan. The committee’s focus will be to create a vision for the Graduate School for the next five years and to look at processes and procedures. The committee will bring information back to the GSC for feedback. The proposal is due in December 2003.
   
   C. Graduate Open House and Graduate Forum
   
   P. Lemma was able to hold two possible dates for the fall Graduate Open House. A motion was called to vote on date that would allow most faculty participation. The date of November 18 received 6 votes, whereas November 20 received 9 votes. The Open House will be from 4-7pm on November 20, 2003 in Alumni Hall in the Student Center.
   
   Two Graduate Forums will be held this academic year. The agenda will be forthcoming. Statistical data from fall 03 and fall 02 will be available to departments for comparison purposes.
   
   D. The Policy Committee can expect to have a busy year, since there are many issues to be dealt with.
   
   E. P. Lemma reports that there have been problems with the processing of the “Change of Major Form.” The correct procedure is enclosed on page 2 of the agenda. She stressed that department chairs/coordinators should not sign the form until they review the student’s file that will be sent to them from Graduate Studies. The form should then be sent to Graduate Studies for the Dean’s signature.
   
   F. Academic Awards packets (see attachment B-H) were distributed. P. Lemma reminded everyone that each program may nominate one student. She reminded us that last year some departments did not have a winner, due to lack of nominations. She urged all departments to participate. P. Kyem, chair of the Scholarship and Awards committee reiterated that the nominations have all the necessary paperwork attached to help the committee evaluate nominees. He stressed that the nomination letter for the student being recommended for Outstanding Scholar is very important and to be as specific as necessary. He requested that the departments get the nominations to the Graduate office in a timely manner, since last year tardiness was a problem.

3. Graduate Student Association
   M. Shelton called attention to the GSA Social Schedule for the year. (Attachment I) She reported that the GSA has commenced a mentoring program for undergraduates. The GSA will be voting on a new registration process for Graduate Societies on Oct. 1, 2003. This will allow them to have accurate records and a way of keeping in touch with the officers. The finance committee meeting dates are September 30 and October 14, both at 5pm.

4. Reports from the Committees
   
   A. Curriculum
   G. Mejia presented the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Curriculum Committee for chair, J. Kovel. (See attachment J) V. Rajaravivarma concurred with the committee that the course revision changes for the Department of Computer Services be tabled pending signatures. The full GSC will vote on these changes in October.
   
   Course Addition of IELP 499 was passed as amended to be changed to IELP 500 with grading of satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
   
   B. Policy
   S. Seider announced that the Policy Committee will meet next Thursday. She requested that any requests for program admission changes be sent to her via email, one week prior to the scheduled meetings, to enable her to distribute the materials to her committee.
   
   A. Scholarship
   P. Kyem passed having reported earlier.
   
   B. Appeals
   G. Claffey announced Appeals Committee has not met yet. There are currently three cases pending. He will report back at the next meeting.

5. New Business
   
   1. R. Kalder requested that the Capstone Project Committee get load credit as well as the capstone advisor. P. Lemma remarked that it needed to be taken to the Council of Deans, but that it may be contractural and might need to be in the next contract negotiation. J. DiPlacido requested that thesis cover sheets list all committee members similar to a doctoral program. J. Turner suggested that the department could include this information in the DEC section “service to department.” It was agreed that students could list all the committee members on their capstones. P. Lemma mentioned that even though the whole thesis committee might be listed on the thesis, that in the commencement booklets only the primary advisor would be listed due to space limitations.
   
   2. K. Beyard distributed the new brochures for the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. (see attachment K) She reported that doctoral dissertation committees were forming now.
   
   3. G. Claffey requested that the Bylaws of the GSC and the Tenants be distributed at the next meeting since there were many new members this year.
   
   4. P. Lemma mentioned that the Graduate office has had a student working over the summer on the graduate web site (www.ccsu.edu/grad). She requested the faculty look at the website and if they see any parts of their programs that need editing to let her know.
   
   5. The Graduate Catalog is available on the web. So to keep costs down, students will be given one in their acceptance packet. If they require a second copy, copies would be available at the bookstore for a fee. Prospective students receive view books, in lieu of the full catalog. When J. DiPlacido commented that lower income students would be discriminated against, since they might not be able to afford a computer, the Dean said if requested, her office would give the students a catalog.

6. Adjornment – 3:32pm