University of Nevada, Reno Graduate Council

Meeting Minutes, April 10, 2003

Members Present:

Linda Brinkley, VP for Research and Dean of the Graduate School

Marsha Read, Associate Dean of the Graduate School

Stacy Burton, Chair and A&S, Humanities

James Winn, A&S, Fine Arts

Vickie Krenz for Brent Bowman, Business

Jeff Thompson, A&S Science

Peter Krumpe, Medicine

Banmali Rawat, Engineering

Scott Tyler, Mines

Rangesan Narayanan, Agriculture

Members Absent:

Dana Edberg, Faculty Senate Representative

Kathryn Obenchain, Education

Jeri Bigbee, HCS

Jennifer Greer, Journalism

Richard Davies, A&S, Social Sciences

Marilou Woolm, President, GSA

Non Members attending:

Michael Peters, recorder

1. The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 and directed that the standing reports proceed with all motions deferred pending a quorum.

Standing Reports

2. VPR and Graduate Dean: Brinkley reported that work on the developing taxonomy of interdisciplinary programs and research centers was proceeding apace although nothing had been finalized. Also, funding for faculty travel was included in the next year’s budget but was subject to reduction or elimination depending upon the final outcome of the approved state budget and subsequent UCCSN adjustments.

3. Associate Dean: Read reported that 1) the development of Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) submission was proceeding with meetings between the Graduate School, Library and UMI to develop procedures; 2) that May, 2003 commencement for advanced degrees would be on Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m. instead of Saturday; 3) that as part of the strategic plan the Graduate School would move from Ross Hall to the Student Services building to co-locate with Admissions & Records and the Office of International Students and Scholars. The move is scheduled for some time in July, 2003; and 4) that applications for graduations will shift to an on-line format for the August/December graduation cycles. Students will pay for and submit their application on-line without having to re-type their program of study. Once the submission is received by the Graduate School, an evaluation of the student’s on-file program of study will be performed. Students will have to have an approved program of study form on file with the Graduate School for their application for graduation to be accepted.

4. GSA Report: Read reported for Woolm that GSA’s Award Night will be held Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union auditorium and that all faculty are invited. GSA is also currently soliciting contributions for their transition loan fund to assist students (principally international students) meet the expenses of getting settled (housing, transportation, etc.) as they begin their graduate studies. Finally, GSA is discussing with ASUN ideas for a new student union and what kind of facilities might be included that would be particularly beneficial to graduate students.

5. Courses & Curriculum Committee Report: Read reported for Greer that the committee generally approved the College of Business request to add “track specializations” to graduate student transcripts pending review and approval by the Graduate Council. (As this is item III-C of the current council agenda, the council decided to discuss it now.) Discussion ensued. The council decided to defer a vote on the request pending a closer look at the various issues involved and to inquire of other institutions how this is handled at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

New Business

6. Policies and Procedures for Oral Committees: Narayanan reported that the subcommittee had completed their report but that the final revised copy was with another member. As the council did not presently have a quorum, the report and any motions on its approval will be deferred to the next meeting.

7. Role of the Graduate Council in Program Review: Tyler presented the revised proposals for the Graduate Council’s involvement in program review and the revised program review self-study guidelines. As a quorum was attained at 2:20, the Chair invited a motion to accept the proposals as drafted. Motion (Read/Winn) To approve the proposals defining the Graduate Council’s role in program review. Motion passed unanimously.

8. The Chair invited a motion to approve the March 2003 meeting minutes. Motion (Winn/Tyler): To approve the March 2003 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.

9. Hydrology Graduate program curricula changes: Tyler presented the proposed changes to the hydrology master’s and doctoral programs which increases the number of core courses from 4 to 5 and decreases the elective courses from 3 to 2. This would increase the total number of credits for the master’s thesis program from 30 to 31 and have no effect upon the non-thesis master’s program which would remain at 32 credits. Motion (Winn/Rawat) To approve the proposed changes in the hydrology master’s and doctoral programs. Motion passed unanimously. This proposal will now be forwarded to the university Courses & Curriculum committee for review and approval.

10. Graduate Council elections: Read announced that elections for the council’s officers for next year will take place at the May, 2003 meeting.

9. There being no further business, the council adjourned at 2:45. The next meeting will be May 8, 2003 at 1:30 in the Alan Bible room of the Getchell Library.