University of Nevada, Reno Graduate Council

Meeting Minutes, March 10, 2005

 

Members Present:

Kathryn Obenchain, Presiding Chair,  Education

Marsha Read, Graduate Dean

John Nelson, COS

Eric Rasmussen, CLA, Humanities

James Winn, CLA, Fine Arts

Matt Leone, HCS

Kambiz Raffiee, Business

Tracy Veach, Medicine

Andy Trzynadlowski, Engineering

Donica Mensing, Journalism

Glenn Miller, Agriculture

Jessica Muehlberg, Graduate Student Association

 

Members Absent:

Scott Tyler, Chair and COS, Mackay School of Earth Science and Engineering

Ron Phaneuf, Faculty Senate

Stacy Gordon, College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences

Guests:

Susan Henthorne, GSA Advisor

Michael Peters, Recorder

Chris Pritsos, Nutrition

Tamara Scronce, Art

Joe DeLappe, Art

Patricia Holden-Huchton, Nursing

 

Old Business

1.  The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:30 and invited the council to review the previous meeting’s minutes.

            MOTION: (Nelson/Read)  To approve the February 2005 meeting minutes.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

2.  Discussion of Separate Graduate and Undergraduate Transcripts:  Muehlberg briefed the council on the issues pertaining to a student’s request for the university to be able to provide separate transcripts reflecting only graduate work or only undergraduate work as opposed to the current practice of listing all registrations, undergraduate and graduate, on a single transcript.  Discussion ensued.

            MOTION: (Miller/Leone)  That the Council supports the proposal that, if possible, the university provide separate transcripts to reflect work completed as either an undergraduate or a graduate student but not both together and, that transcripts be printed in reverse chronological order to show the most current semesters first.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Standing Reports

3.  Graduate Dean’s Report:  Read reported that effective September 2005 a new Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will be implemented with a new scoring scheme.  Applications forwarded to programs will include conversion tables to enable programs to determine whether or not applicants meet minimum requirements for admission, assistantships, etc. 

            The Council of Graduate School survey just out reflects a 5% decrease in international enrollment for the current academic year.

            UNR’s Hydrologic Sciences program is currently undergoing their program review.

            It still appears that the 25% indirect cost recovery funds will be returned from the state to UNR presumably only for capital improvement, not operating costs.

 

4.  Chair’s Report:  Obenchain reported on the discussion held between chair Scott Tyler and Provost John Frederick regarding separating the positions of Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School in the current job search.  The Provost indicated the job search would continue with the current combined position configuration.  Obenchain also reported that the Graduate Council briefs for both February and March would be sent out concurrently.

 

5.  GSA Report:          Muehlberg reported that Graduate Student Appreciation week would run April 4 – 8, 2005 and that GSA was seeking faculty judges for both the annual awards program as well as the poster and paper presentation competitions.

 

6.  Faculty Senate Report:  No report.

 

7.  Courses & Curriculae Report:       MS in Nutrition           Pritsos briefed the council on the proposal to increase the master of science in nutrition thesis program from 30 credits to 32 credits.  The initiative would increase the multidisciplinary approach to the program and add an additional core course.  It would also expand opportunities for faculty participation from other departments by including additional seminar classes.  MOTION:  (Nelson/Veach)  To approve the proposed change in the MS in Nutrition thesis program.  Motion approved unanimously.

 

Master of Fine Arts     Scronce and DeLappe briefed the council on the proposed new master of fine arts degree program.  This would be a terminal degree in studio art, a three-year program of 60 credits including a written thesis and final exhibition.  The program would comply with national accreditation standards.  The program would be non-discipline specific, that is, would include painting, sculpture, photography, etc. and would require additional studio space.  MOTION: (Nelson/Veach)  To approve the proposed master of fine arts degree program.  Motion approved unanimously.

 

The council discussed methods to improve the review of C&C proposals.  The council’s subcommittee would generate a two page summary of routine submissions and proposals for new programs would be available in PDF format on the website.  Deadlines for submissions would be reviewed to ensure timely review and council approval before sending proposals to the university C&C committee.

 

MPH courses   Motion:  (Veach/Muehlberg)  To table review and action on MPH course proposals.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Certificate in gerontology (Nursing)  Holden-Huchton briefed the council on the proposed certificate program in gerontology.  Program is designed to meet the need for increased number of nurse educators specifically in gerontology.  Applicants for program would need a minimum of a baccalaureate in nursing as well as an advanced degree.  The program utilizes the educator track of the current master of science in nursing and would include 11 credits using existing courses.  After discussion, the council advised that the program should be revised to include a minimum of 14 graduate credits which Holden-Huchton said would be no problem.  MOTION: Veach/Muehlberg) To approve the certificate program as modified by council’s suggestions.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

C&C subcommittee consent agenda.   Read summarized the proposals reviewed by the subcommittee.  MOTION:  (Leone/Veach)  To approve the presented consent agenda.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

New Business

 

8.  GSA Survey Results:  Muehlberg summarized some of the findings of the recently concluded survey and indicated the survey’s findings would be available on the GSA website.

 

9.  The council concluded their business and adjourned at 4:15.  The next meeting will be held in the Faculty Senate room of the Jot Travis Student Union at 2:30 on Thursday, April 14, 2005.