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Governance Minutes ArchiveSeptember 20, 1989
MINUTES VPI&SU COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES 20 SEPTEMBER 1989, 4:00 P.M. PRESIDENT'S BOARD ROOM Present: Drs. Bates, Boyle, Burger, Campbell, Conn, Eaton, D. Johnson (for R. Johnson), J. Johnson, M. Johnson, Lutze, Moore, O'Brien, Snoke, Stephenson, Teekell, Mr. Daniel Adams, Ms. Theresa Fried Visitors: Dr. John Perry, Mr. John Ashby 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Dean Teekell welcomed all new and returning members to the Commission on Graduate Studies. All members introduced themselves and their col- lege and/or University committee affiliations. Dr. Dana Johnson was proxy for Dr. Ron Johnson. The renovation of the first floor Sandy Hall is in process and should be complete by January 1, 1990. The Planned Enrollment Procedure set a goal of 4,000 graduate students by the Fall Semester 1989. The census data taken September 11, 1989 shows 4,037 graduate students enrolled. Dean Teekell noted this as a tribute to the faculty, particularly the research faculty, of this Uni- versity that this goal has now been reached. Dr. John Eaton distributed a sample of "Graduate School News". This newsletter will be used to give faculty and students information about items of interest concerning graduate studies, Commission on Graduate Studies issues, and important dates. Plans are to distribute this newsletter three times a year. Dr. Arthur Snoke asked that rosters of CGS membership and committee lists be distributed to Commission members. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 3, 1989 - The minutes were approved as sub- mitted. 3. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY - Theresa Fried announced the finalization of a coffee house for graduate students. Students will be able to meet once a month at Mike's Grill in conjunction with the GSA Spouse Support Group. The guest speaker for the Graduate Research Symposium Reception on Oc- tober 12, 1989 will be Gary San Julian, a faculty member at North Carolina State University and a member of the National Wildlife Feder- ation. The Graduate Research Symposium will be held on October 13. Daniel Adams announced that the First General Delegate meeting was held and a plan of action for the GSA was introduced. The agenda for this plan is in the recent issue of APEX and the commission membership were encouraged to attain a copy for their information. Mr. Adams stated that one of the general concerns at this meeting was the financial aid package that the University currently offers. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COURSE AND PROGRAM CRITERIA COMMITTEE - Dr. Janet Johnson submitted the report and it was approved. Dr. Johnson also announced future meeting dates and places. 5. SUMMER ENROLLMENT - DR. JOHN M. PERRY Dr. Perry was introduced as guest speaker to discuss issues concerning student enrollment patterns, particularly summer enrollment. Dr. Perry spoke on the topics: graduate student support, assistantship restrictions and summer school enrollment. Graduate student support was noted as a major issue of concern to the University. Dr. Perry discussed arguments taken to the Virginia Legislature in re- gard to increasing funding for Graduate Students. The three arguments the University stresses in debate for increased funding are: 1. Importance of excellent graduate students to the research programs of the Universities in the Commonwealth and the economic impact this research has on the Commonwealth. 2. Data from other states to show the competition that we are facing and the impacts of such with respect to attracting the best graduate students. 3. The Aging of the Professoriate: At this point in time, Universities are not producing adequate numbers of qualified people to replace University faculty that are vacating their positions through retirement. The University's concern for erosion of faculty positions was also de- scribed by Dr. Perry. The State Legislature is suggesting a new count- ing system in which two graduate students equal one faculty position rather than the present 4:1 ratio. This change would increase our cal- culated proportion of state support at no additional cost to the legis- lature. He also discussed the decline in summer school enrollment in the past year. That decline results in a direct loss of tuition revenue as well as the FTE count that helps to fund summer faculty positions from State dollars. In future summers, GTAs, GAs and GRAs will be required to en- roll for at least 3 hours during all summer sessions the student is en- gaged in that capacity. This step was described as necessary to sustain the summer school as a break-even operation. At this point, Dr. Perry asked for all questions and input from the Commission members. 6. FALL ORIENTATION AND GTA TRAINING SESSIONS - DR. MARTHA JOHNSON - Dr. Johnson reported favorable responses from students and departments in regard to the organization and content of the Graduate Student Orien- tation and the GTA Training Workshops. 7. DEFENDING STUDENT POLICY ADJUSTMENTS - DR. JOHN EATON - The need to im- prove registration for one (1) credit hour as defending students to capture these students on our enrollments and the tightening of the de- finition of eligibility were described and related to the original pol- icy change approved by the Commission on Graduate Studies. 8. OTHER BUSINESS - Dr. Teekell distributed a packet of information for perusal from the Council of Graduate Schools regarding the role and na- ture of doctoral dissertations. It was suggested that issue be an agenda item for the next meeting for possible referral to the Degree Requirements, Standards, Criteria and Academic Policies Committee for review. Dr. Snoke referred to the May 3, 1989 meeting regarding items that were sent forward for referral to CGS committees for this academic year. The items were: "Truth in Packaging" - referred to the Course and Program Criteria Committee Securing Theses - referred to the Degree Requirements, Standards, Criteria and Academic Policies Committee 9. ADJOURNMENT - 5:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, John L. Eaton Secretary
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