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Governance Minutes ArchiveFebruary 20, 1991
MINUTES VPI&SU COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES 20 FEBRUARY 1991, 3:30 P.M. 206 SANDY HALL Present: Drs. Brown, Burger, Eaton, Hooper, M. Johnson, R. Johnson, LaBerge, Lutze, McCoy, Moore, O'Brien, Snoke, Tideman Mr. Jay Comeaux, Mr. Anthony Townsend Visitors: Susan Truelove - Spectrum, Marvin Foushee - Registrars Office 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Dr. Hooper stated that Douglas Strickland, from Stetson University, will be the new Director of the Roanoke Graduate Center. His appointment should begin on June 15, 1991. The first seminar in the series "Training the Future Professoriate" will be March 7, 1991. Dr. Johnetta Davis from Howard University will be speaking on "Sensitivity to Diversity in the Classroom". This pres- entation will be in Conference Room G at the CEC at 4:00 p.m. The next seminar will be on March 21, 1991. Dr. Jules Lapidus, President of the Council of Graduate Schools, will be speaking on "A National Perspec- tive of Graduate Study". This presentation will be in Room 1870 Litton-Reaves Hall at 4:00 p.m. In the fall we hope to have at least three more seminars such as these. Bernard LaBerge announced that a series of tax workshops have been scheduled for graduate students. Dr. LaBerge noted that the University would be unable to support students who claimed that the portion of their stipend which was used for tuition was non-taxable for federal income tax purposes. This is a change from the policy last year. 2. Approval of the Agenda - The agenda was approved as amended. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 6 FEBRUARY 1991 - the minutes were approved as amended. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS Course and Program Criteria - Michael O'Brien presented a report from their February 13 meeting. The report was accepted. Degree Requirements, Standards, Criteria and Academic Policies - Jim Burger stated that a meeting is planned for Tuesday February 26. Scholarship - John Eaton stated that a meeting is scheduled on February 28. Commencement - the photographer has been scheduled to photograph both the hooding of the students as well as students receiving their diplomas. The Quintessential Brass Repertoire has also been scheduled. 5. GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY - Tony Townsend announced that Jay Comeaux is now the Vice-Speaker of the GSA and is officially the second GSA repre- sentative appointed to the CGS. At the last meeting, elections were held to fill out the end of this year and to cover next year. A new Article IV for the GSA Constitution has been approved to provide for succession of officers. The entire constitution of the GSA is currently being revised. As soon as the constitution is approved, it will be brought before the CGS for review. An Opening Hearing on the Family Housing Policy will be held this aft- ernoon after the CGS meeting. The issue is defining a "family" in such a manner that is acceptable to the graduate student community. Jay Comeaux announced that the Graduate Research Symposium will be held in the Johnson Student Center on March 19. This symposium provides an opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research in a poster format. All graduate students are asked to participate. Dr. Alan Berg, of the World Bank will speak that evening and be hosted at a reception at the University Club. John Eaton noted that there will be a cash prize this year for the best two posters. Mike Moore asked whether the University is contracting with a local de- veloper to build graduate family units or will existing housing be used in the family housing issue? Dr. Hooper stated that we received bids for existing units. We are seeking 104 units in the first phase of bidding. We are now trying to reach an agreement with a developer who submitted a bid. 6. OLD BUSINESS 7. 6.1 - "I" GRADE RESOLUTION UPDATE - Dr. Hooper stated that we are going to wait for the Undergraduate Commission to act on this issue before we pursue the matter further. 8. 6.2 - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES INSTITUTE DISCUSSION - A resolution was passed in the Research Commission similar to the one that was discussed at our last meeting. Basically, the resolution stated that the idea was supported in concept and that they wish to have a group formed to oversee the writing of the charter and the entrance and exit require- ments. Dr. Hooper asked that Ron Johnson's committee, Graduate Research Policies and Programs, review the wording of the proposed resolution and advise the CGS as to what further action we should take of this is- sue. 9. 6.3 - STATEMENT OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRADUATE STUDENTS - Tony Townsend asked that comments be submitted to him in writing for revision of this document. Copies of the document will be distributed to the membership for their use in making suggestions. NEW BUSINESS 10. 7.1 - SELF EXAMINATION OF GRADUATE COMMISSION/APPOINTMENT OF STUDY COM- MITTEES - Dr. Hooper stated that it would be good to look at the ori- ginal charter for the Commission on Graduate Studies and the several committees that now constitute the Commission. Mike O'Brien and Arthur Snoke voiced related concerns that committee chairmen should have some documentation distributed to them describing the charge of that commit- tee Dr. Hooper will present the charter to the membership for review at a future meeting. The membership agreed to an additional meeting with this issue as the main topic of discussion. 11. 7.2 - DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY MEMORANDUM ON TRAINING GTAS - Dr. Hooper stated that some time ago, Policy Memorandum 14 was implemented. It basically tried to define how departments set standards for their grad- uate programs. Now the the Commission for the University of the 21st Century has ex- pressed concern for the source of future faculty and for the quality of the graduate teaching that goes on at the Universities in the state. Concerns have also been voiced from graduate students that they get little or no guidance before being put before a class to teach. About one year ago the Provost directed Dr. Hooper to work with the Deans, the Departments and the Commissions to try to get guidelines set for training the GTAs. Dr. Hooper stated that at our next meeting, John Eaton will brief the membership on plans under development that will effect many of these issues. One of the elements that has been added into these issues is the thought that a policy memorandum originating as a resolution from CGS could establish minimum expectations of all academic units who use GTAs and list of all factors that need to be addressed by the depart- ments concerning what constitutes acceptable GTA training of the Uni- versity. The Graduate School would be given the role of implementing the requirements of the policy memorandum. Mike O'Brien asked whether this would apply only to GTAs and not GAs and GRAs? Dr. Eaton stated that the reason GTAs have been singled out is because there has had an ongoing program in GTA training led by Dean Martha Johnson. GTAs are also a group that we wish to have some sort of training before they go into the classrooms and also to develop skills that they can take away into positions as professors or into industry. Basically, we are directing this program to students who are asked to teaching as part of their responsibilities regardless of how they are paid or what they are called. Dr. Hooper asked the membership whether the CGS should enter into this process by encouraging, enacting or requiring certain minimal standards and subjects to be addressed by the graduate community? Dr. Snoke spoke in favor of this interaction and felt that this was related to the topic of the "Statement of Rights and Responsibilities of Graduate Students". Mike O'Brien suggested that if there was a model department document that each department could either edit or rewrite it to produce depart- ment standards and it would be much easier than devising all new rules and standards. Dr. Hooper stated that it would be possible to come up with a guide to put out to the departments. Dr. Eaton stated that when he presents the plans before the CGS it will become clear that many of these issues have been considered in the planning that has been done. Dr. Hooper asked that the members think about the issue and bring back all comments to our next meeting. 7.3 - 91-92 TUITION AND FURLOUGHS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS - Dr. Hooper stated that he had the opportunity to speak before the Academic Subcom- mittee of the Board of Visitors and to the Rector regarding our con- cerns about our inability to continue to be competitive in attracting graduate students. Arthur Snoke noted questions that have been presented: For graduate students who are on assistantships, do they have the same number of days of furlough or will they be exempt in some way? How will students who are on support for one semester or for one summer semester be han- dled? What about RA's who are not paid out of state funds? These are the kind of issues that will come up on the furlough issue. There should be some consideration on these points before a final decision would be made. Dr. Hooper stated that he had met with the budget office and put to- gether several thoughts to be used in a strategy to exempt graduate students. When the subject comes up before the state legislature, the University will be aware of this strategy. 12. ADJOURNMENT - 4:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, John L. Eaton Secretary
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