FS approved 1-19-2010 FS011910 2.f.3
Minutes
Graduate Committee
December 9, 2009 – 9:00 a.m.
Room SH 330
Present: Ben Beliga, Mitch Bender, Chaturi Edrisinha, Phyllis Greenberg, Rajesh Gulati, Chris Inkster, Michael Mills
Absent: Monica Devers, James Robinson, Ray Tsai
1. Approved the minutes of the 10/7/09 and 10/28/09 meetings.
2. Chaturi Edrisinha and Phyllis Greenberg reported that they reviewed submissions for the 2009 distinguished thesis award and forwarded their recommendations on to Graduate Studies. Ximena Alejandra Tejada, whose thesis entitled A Study of Community Video as a Tool in the Creation of Public Spaces for Participatory Communication and Community Development with Women, People of Color and Ethnic Minorities was selected to represent St. Cloud State.
3. Strategic Program Appraisal - The committee noted that a substantial portion of the graduate programs, particularly smaller ones, are included in the Phase II Review of the process, and it will continue to monitor that process.
4. New Grade Option – The committee discussed the need for a grading option for long-term, continuing projects, such as doctoral dissertations and masters culminating projects. Phyllis Greenberg moved, Chaturi seconded and the committee approved the motion:
The Graduate Committee endorses the creation of a new grading option that will apply to ongoing doctoral and masters culminating projects. Other institutions use grades such as R or Z for this purpose. This option should differ from the IP grade in that it would not automatically roll to F or become a negative indicator in determining adequate academic progress and financial aid eligibility. All instances of the grade on a student’s record should roll to the final grade assigned once the project is satisfactorily completed.
5. MnSCU Graduate Committee – Phyllis Greenberg informed the committee of some of the items discussed at a recent meeting of the MnSCU committee. The central office of MnSCU is developing plans for a uniform system of registration across all institutions. The representatives of the institutions at the meeting were uniform in suggesting that such a system would create numerous problems if applied to graduate level programs. MnSCU staff also presented sets of enrollment and financial data that members of the committee pointed out were fundamentally flawed and inaccurate.
6. Continuous Enrollment Policy – The committee reviewed language for new policies drafted by the staff of Graduate Studies and noted that such policies have been previously discussed by this committee and the Graduate Dean’s Advisory Council. For the masters level, Rajesh Gulati moved, Ben Beliga seconded, and the committee approved the motion:
All graduate students admitted after summer 2010 must be registered for at least one credit in the semester they wish to graduate. Students should consult with their program coordinator and/or academic advisor for directions on how to register for the 1 credit hour requirement (registration can be for continuing enrollment, electives, independent study, internship, thesis or other research credits at the discretion of the advisor).
For the doctoral level, Chaturi Edrisinha moved, Ben Beliga seconded, and the committee approved the motion:
After advancing to doctoral candidacy, a student must maintain continuing registration until the university confers the doctoral degree. Continuing registration means registration for a minimum of two of every three terms (fall, spring, and summer) following attainment of candidacy. The point at which a student enters candidacy is defined by the individual doctoral programs. Regardless of status, a doctoral program must be completed within the seven year time frame allowed by the School of Graduate Studies. The student must be registered for the term in which the degree is conferred. If continuous registration lapses, the student must reapply for candidacy, which may involve retaking a qualifying exam or other review by the department to ensure currency in the discipline, and enroll for the prior terms such that continuous registration was maintained.
Continuing registration shall involve registration for either (1) regular credits in the form of required or elective courses, research credits, or dissertation credits to complete the program of study, or (2) the continued enrollment course. Continued enrollment requires a one credit registration and payment of doctoral tuition and fees. If a temporary lapse in a student's academic program is required due to military service, medical leave, maternity leave, or personal/family leave, a student may petition the School of Graduate Studies for a “stop-out” period. If a petition is granted, it is to be understood that a student will not make use of university resources beyond those available to the general public, or engage in significant consultation with the faculty for the purposes of completing graduate work.
7. Curriculum Forms for Continuous Enrollment Course Numbers – The committee served as a curriculum approval body for the purposes of considering the creation of two, all-university course numbers intended to implement the two policies passed above. Rajesh Gulati moved, Ben Beliga seconded, and the committee approved the motion:
The Special Curriculum forms establishing 691 and 891 as all-university number for enrollment continuation be approved and forwarded on to the University Curriculum Committee for further consideration.
8. The committee adjourned at 10:00 a.m.