July 7, 2000

Two challenges were given to us in the NEASC reaccreditation letter. The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education felt that we should be:

strengthening the graduate programs through clarifying and augmenting the differentiation between graduate and undergraduate courses;

developing and implementing an enhanced administrative organizational structure that strengthens quality assurance controls for the graduate programs.”

We have made great progress in #1. All 400 level courses taken by graduate students now have additional requirements compared to what is asked of the undergraduates. This will be stated in the new Graduate Catalog scheduled to come out this summer. Many programs have limited 400 level courses to no more that 9 credits (biological Science, history, all programs in modern language, computer information technology and Information design). In addition, the music education and physical education programs have resolved this issue and just need to formalize this through the Curriculum Committee process. The programs in English, mathematics, geography, social sciences and international sciences are still working on this issue but have not reached total resolution as yet.

The University Senate investigated the administrative organizational structure during this past academic year as a response to # 2. The Senate resolution is that a Graduate Studies Committee will be enhanced by a strengthened Policy Subcommittee. Membership on the Policy Subcommittee will consist of representatives from each of the four academic Schools at CCSU. “The Policy subcommittee accepts the role of providing advice, input and feedback to the Associate Vice President in a timely manner.” The Graduate Studies Committee report will be a regular agenda item at each scheduled Faculty Senate meeting. The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Research serves on an ex-officio capacity of both the Graduate Studies Committee and the Policy Subcommittee.

The position announcement for the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Research is presently circulating internally. If an appropriate candidate is found internally, the hiring will be completed this summer. If an external search must occur, an individual will be named during the academic year. In 1999-00, Dr. Paulette Lemma filled this position on an interim basis. She has worked closely with the Admissions, Registrar and Enrollment center on all issues related to graduate education. A specialist in graduate admissions was hired during the 1999-00 year. Mr. Kevin Oliva is housed in the Admissions Office but works closely with Dr. Lemma. There have been many important initiatives in this area. There are now on-line applications for admittance to the graduate school. In addition a web page has been developed. We now have a separate orientation for graduate students. A revised Thesis Guideline Booklet is now available to both faculty and students.

The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as a member of Council of Deans.

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