Graduate Studies Committee Meeting for October 28, 2004 

Members Present: S. Adair, P. Anneser, J. Arena, P. Baumann, S. Cherolis, G. Claffey, K. Farrington, D, Fearon, G. Fitzgerald, J. Jarrett, R. Kalder, C. Marshall, D. Mitchell, D. Mulcahy, B. Nicholson, J. Nicoll-Senft, M. Nunn, C. Pope, V. Rajaravivarma, S. Seider, K. Tower, C. Verge, R. Wood

Guests/ex. officio: P. Lemma, A. Pautz, C. Pudlinski

G. Fitzgerald welcomed the committee and called the meeting to order at 2:35 pm. 

I.                   Approval of Minutes

A.     Members present approved the September 30, 2004 minutes with no edits.

II.                Announcements from Dean Lemma

A.     Enrollment Management

As per President Aebersold’s opening remarks, one focus of the University for this year will be enrollment management.  Several committees will be looking a various aspects of this subject.  The GSC has been appointed to oversee enrollment management in respect to the School of Graduate School.  Dean Lemma handed out two handouts reflecting the current enrollment figures for the Graduate School, broken down by gender, age and geographic location.  Future GSC meetings will focus on the broader vision of enrollment management to include:

a.       Recruitment of new students to CCSU Graduate Programs

b.      Admission process for Graduate Students

c.       Enrollment Experience

d.      Retention

e.       Graduation

To assist with the process of enrollment management, the Graduate Office has hired a new student worker.  Her job is to create databases that will allow access to different types of statistical data from Banner. 

B.     Graduate Forum

Enrollment Management will be the topic of the Fall Graduate Forum, to be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 12:30-2:30pm in Bellin Gallery, Student Center.  All GSC members are invited and each program may invite another representative as well.  A notice confirming the date and time will be forthcoming in the next week from the Dean’s office. 

C.     Survey of Current Students – G. Fitzgerald asked for input in creating a survey for current students. During the meeting, each table worked on drafting questions focused on one specific area, i.e.:  recruitment, admission, recruitment and experience. She will use the questions from this exercise and have a survey draft for the November 18 meeting.  Discussion ensued as to when the survey should be distributed. C. Pudlinski suggested that in the effort to get the broadest student participation, the survey could be attached to the class evaluations.  It was suggested that the survey could be posted online, but the GSA representatives felt that participation in an online survey would be limited.

      III.           Report from the Graduate Student Association 

S. Cherolis reported that because last year’s election did not yield a candidate for the Vice President of Finance, a special election to fill the position will be held in the next few weeks. Nominations are being sought; contact S. Cherolis (stephcherolis@comcast.net).

IV.              Committee Reports

A.     Curriculum Committee

J. Nicoll-Senft reported that the committee had met with the following recommendations:

Item #1: Department of Engineering Technology

a.       Course Revision of ET 497 Tabled by the Curriculum subcommittee for answer from full GSC committee

Question for the GSC:  Should courses that are part of the Gen Ed program also be included for Graduate Credit.

C. Pudlinski reported that there is talk about revamping the Gen Ed program.  If it diversifies, 400 level courses could become a reality.  P. Lemma stated that there was no precedent for Gen Ed level courses to be counted also as graduate credit. She also felt that there could be negative implications on NEASC accreditation if this is approved.  Discussion ensued.   D. Fearon made a motion stating that courses in General Education may not also be listed for Graduate Credit.  D. Mitchell seconded. Approved.

Re:  Course Revision of ET 497 – K. Tower motioned that if ET 497 is granted Gen Ed status then it would delete Graduate Status.  M. Nunn seconded.  Approved.  

Item #2: Department of Design

              a. Course Revision of DES 222 Graphic/Information Design I (and all other DES courses with prerequisites) Approved.

B.     Policy Committee

S. Seider reported that the policy committee passed additional content requirements for the Department of Art.  Format and wording were altered for clarity on admissions materials related to the portfolio.  The contents of handout with changes are as follows:

Art Department:  Addition of Content Requirements

Post-Baccalaureate Certification and Master of Science in Art Education:  Additional Application Materials

A.  Please submit your portfolio and essay directly to the Department of Art at the same time that you submit your application materials to Graduate Admissions for the School of Graduate Studies.

The Department of Art expects to review portfolios and essays for

            Fall acceptance:  February 12, April 12, July 1

            Spring acceptance: October 12 and December 12

You should note that all requirements specified by the School of Graduate Studies must also be met in order to be admitted into the graduate program to which you have applied.

B. Portfolio Format

1.         The portfolio must consist of 15-20 slides or digital images of your artwork in a variety of media that demonstrates your best studio practice. 

            For Slides: 

·        Write your name directly on each slide.

·        Number each slide.

·        Indicate “top” of the art piece.

·        Place slides in plastic sleeves.

            For Digital Images:

·        Images should be in JPG or JPEG format with a DPI of 72 – 95.

·        Give each image a name and number.

·        When opened, the image should be right side up.

·        Submit on CD and label CD with your name, date, and program for which you would like to be considered.  (Note:  Images will be viewed on a MAC)

2.         Enclose a typed list identifying each slide or image by number, title, dimensions, medium, date completed, and any additional information you wish to provide.

3.         If you would like your slides or digital images returned, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with appropriate postage.

                        C. Portfolio Content

1.         The portfolio should contain a variety of media that demonstrates your best studio practice. 

2.         It is important that no work submitted be copied from photographs or other works of art.

3.         Multiple views are recommended for original work in sculpture, ceramics, 3D design and/or crafts.

4.         When selecting artwork for the portfolio you should keep in mind that the portfolio should demonstrate:

·        what has been achieved thus far;

·        competence and understanding in the area of concentration of art;

·        and capability in aesthetic judgments in choosing the best work to present to the Department’s Review Committee.

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program

If you are applying to the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program, your portfolio must contain examples of all of the following.

1. Still-life drawings and/or paintings that illustrate accurate depictions of form and space. 

2.  Landscape and/or architecture (indoor or outdoor) showing successful descriptions of form and space.  These must be a drawing and/or painting.

3.  Images (any 2D and/or 3D) that illustrate convincing knowledge and translation of the elements and principles of design.

4.  Tonal drawings in pencil, charcoal, or ink, that were executed from life and that depict figure, landscape, or still life as well as successfully describe the illusion of light defining 3D volume.

Master of Science in Art Education

If you are applying for Master of Science in Art Education and intend to focus on a particular studio area such as drawing, ceramics, painting, etc., the portfolio should include a series of at least five pieces which show a consistent direction, i.e., invented figure compositions, portraits, landscapes and/or abstractions, etc.

D. Graduate Admission Essay

You must submit a completed essay on your background and interest in the program.  The essay should address the following questions and should be sent directly to the Department of Art office as part of your portfolio package. On the initial page, include your name and the program to which you are applying (Master of Science in Education, Post-Baccalaureate, Post-Masters Study).  The essay should be two pages, double-spaced.  In your essay:

a.                  Give a brief account of your background in relation to education, occupation, and activities relevant to the field of art and art education.

b.                  Discuss your reasons for choosing an advanced degree in art, some of the ideas in which you are currently interested, and future areas you would like to explore.

c.                   Include a brief discussion of the work you have submitted for portfolio review.

S. Seider made a motion to accept the changes of the admission requirements for the Department of Art.  It was seconded.  Approved.

S. Seider reported that the admission requirements for the Department of History were altered as follows:

            1. Paragraphs were re-worked and added to the admission instructions form:

Students who do not meet the undergraduate GPA requirements for admittance or conditional admittance to the graduate program in History may take up to three courses (nine credit hours) in graduate level history courses as a non-matriculated student.  Those students earning a minimum 3.3 GPA for these courses may apply for conditional admittance to the graduate program.  Those students must also provide two letters of recommendation from CCSU History Department faculty.  If conditionally admitted, those students who achieve a B+ or above in HIST 501 will be fully admitted into the program.

Prospective graduate students without an undergraduate degree in history, but who meet the GPA requirements for full admission to the graduate program, should meet with the History Department chair or a History Department graduate advisor to determine the requisite courses needed for admission.  At minimum, those students will receive a conditional admittance and must complete HIST 501 with a B or better.

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by the Department of History no later than December 1^st for spring admissions and May 1^st for fall admissions.  Applicants who do not meet the fall admissions deadline may enroll in courses on a non-matriculated basis subject to course availability.

Discussion ensued about the differences in the GPA requirements between the two paragraphs.  M. Nunn motioned to defer this until a representative from the History department could speak to the discrepancies.  The motion was seconded.  Approved.

C.     Scholarship Committee

P. Anneser reported for the Scholarship committee.  Reminder: Nomination forms for the Outstanding Scholar Awards and Graduate Academic Awards must be received by Dean Lemma’s office by next Friday, November 5, 2004.  Reminder:  Each program can nominate one student for the Graduate Academic Award.  That student can then be further nominated for the Outstanding Scholar Award.  The winners will be announced at our next meeting. 

D.    Appeals Committee

None.

V.                 New Business

None.

VI.              Adjournment –3:35 pm

Minutes approved – 11/18/2004