Minutes of the Meeting

February 21, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Dean Judith Walker de Félix. Members in attendance were: Cody Ding, Sally Ebest, Alice Hall, Terry Jones, Sandra Lindquist, Eduardo Silva, Shiying Zhao. James Hunt represented Zulema Tang Martinez. Members absent: John Blake (leave of absence), Kathleen Brown, Ron Dotzel, Clinton Greene, George McCall, Carol Peck, Tom Eyssell.

I. Minutes

The minutes of the January 24, 2003 meeting were approved. It was suggested the wording on page two, second paragraph from the bottom, be changed from “American study classroom” to “American classroom.”

II. Rules and Regulations Committee – Sandra Lindquist for Ron Dotzel

The Rules and Regulations Committee met on Thursday February 13. Three issues were discussed and the recommendations of the committee regarding these three issues are as follows:

The first issue discussed was the composition of the dissertation committee. Currently the regulations state (according to the latest Bulletin - there are some differences between the latest Bulletin and the regulations (sec 9.10 (revised 4/02)) but we took the Bulletin as our point of departure):

The Doctoral Dissertation Committee will consist of at least four members of the UM-St. Louis Graduate Faculty. Included in this number is the committee chair, who must be a member of the Doctoral Faculty. Also included in this number is at least one person from outside the division, college, or school. The majority of members of the committee must be from the department in which the student is obtaining the degree.

The Rules and Regulations committee suggested:

The Doctoral Dissertation Committee will consist of at least four members of the UM-St. Louis Graduate Faculty. Included in this number is the committee chair, who must be a member of the Doctoral Faculty and at least one member from outside the division, school or college. With the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the unit, one of the members of the Graduate Faculty may be replaced by a recognized scholar or professional from outside the University. This person may also serve the requirement of having one member from outside the unit. The majority of members of the committee must be from the department in which the student is obtaining the degree.

Rationale: Most committee members recognized the value of having the Dissertation committee include a person from outside the unit. At the same time we felt that this function could be served by someone from outside the University (if desired) as well as just outside the unit.

Council made a friendly amendment to delete “or professional” from line 6 which will now read “…may be replaced by a recognized scholar from outside the University”. Motion to approve the revised wording below was approved unanimously.

The Doctoral Dissertation Committee will consist of at least four members of the UM-St. Louis Graduate Faculty. Included in this number is the committee chair, who must be a member of the Doctoral Faculty and at least one member from outside the division, school or college. With the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the unit, one of the members of the Graduate Faculty may be replaced by a recognized scholar from outside the University. This person may also serve the requirement of having one member from outside the unit. The majority of members of the committee must be from the department in which the student is obtaining the degree.

The second issue discussed was that no more than 4 hours of dissertation research be carried out prior to the acceptance of the dissertation proposal (sec. 9.11.1). The committee felt that this is a useful rule and it should be retained.

Rationale: It seems that this rule prevents students from getting too involved in a project before they have successfully completed preliminary requirements for candidacy and before the project has been deemed appropriate and feasible by the dissertation committee. Individual units which find this rule inconvenient should explore ways of involving students in and preparing them for the research enterprise by, for example, establishing courses and/or seminar experiences with this aim.

Dr. Hunt noted that the Biology faculty, who requested the change, has found a solution, so the current ruling is acceptable. Council concurred.

The third issue discussed related to granting graduate credit for courses taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis elsewhere. The committee felt that such credit might be given, but only upon the request of the unit and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School and only on a case-by-case basis.

As a result the committee suggested that the Bulletin (page 41), which reads:
“The satisfactory/unsatisfactory (s/u) option is not available to students taking courses at any level for graduate credit” should be amended to read:

“The satisfactory/unsatisfactory (s/u) option is not generally available to students taking courses at any level for graduate credit. However, upon the request of the unit and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School such credit may be granted on a case by case basis.”

Rationale: The committee felt that inasmuch as s/u graduate credit is not allowed for courses on campus it would be problematic to allow the transfer for credit for such courses. At the same time we recognized that there could possibly be (rare) exceptions and these should be scrutinized on a case-by-case basis but with the utmost caution.

The Dean asked Betsy Sampson, Academic Evaluator for the Graduate School, to give Council some information on the current procedure. Betsy clarified that the committee report deals with two issues. The first is the satisfactory/unsatisfactory option as listed in the Bulletin. She recommended that the Council not change how graduate courses are graded. The second issue is addressed in section 3.2 of the Graduate School Rules and Regulations regarding transfer credit. Current policy allows advisors to accept satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades only in transfer courses. However, the student must have the university or instructor provide a letter or transcript stating that the satisfactory grade is equivalent to a B grade or better. Council then suggested that the wording should stand as is since there already seems to be a procedure in place. Dr. Hunt will provide this information to the Biology faculty, who had requested the change.

Admissions and Scholarship – Terry Jones

Dr. Jones has a new draft of suggestions on changes that he will forward to the committee.

Curriculum and Instruction – Sally Ebest

Old business: Economics 368 is still on hold pending signoffs from other departments.

The committee reviewed and recommended approval of the following course proposals:

Anth 425 Peoples and Cultures of Southeast Asia (drop)
Anth 430 Global Refugee Crisis (drop)
Anth 480 Culture, Crime and Criminal Justice (drop)
Anth 491 Gender, Ethnicity, and Nationalism (drop)
Eng 397/4895 Editing Litmag (add)
Hist 442/6131 Doctoral Proseminar in Metropolitan History (add)
Hist 443/6132 Doctoral Proseminar in Regional History (add)
Hist 444/7101 Doctoral Research in Metropolitan History (add)
Hist 445/7102 Doctoral Research Seminar in Regional History (add)
Math 414/5140 Set Theory and Metric Spaces (add)
Phys 301/5402 Introduction to Mathematical Physics (change prereq.; description)
Phys 323/4323 Modern Optics (change description)
Phys 325/4325 Topics in Modern Applied Physics (change description)
Phys 331/4331 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (change description)
Phys 335/4335 Atomic and Nuclear Physics (change description)
Phys 341/4341 Thermal and Statistical Physics (change description)
Phys 351/4351 Elementary Solid State Physics (change description)
Phys 353/4353 Physics of Fluids (change description)
Phys 354/4354 Atmospheric Physics (change prerequisite; description)
Phys 356/4356 Quantum Optics (change description)
Phys 357/4357 Subatomic Physics (change description)
Phys 365/4365 Introduction to Plasma Physics (change description)
Phys 370/4370 Relativity and Cosmology (change description)
Phys 381/4381 Directed Readings in Physics (change description)
Phys 395/5403 Principles of Mathematical Physics (change hours;
prereqquisite, description)
Psy 314(4314) Behavioral Neuroscience (change title, prerequisite, description)
Psy 365/4365 Psychological Tests and Measurements (change description)
Psy 446 Principles of Group Psychotherapy (drop)
Psy 447 Topics in Social Psychology (drop)
Psy 447/7447 Trauma and Recovery (add)
Psy 452 Survey of Industrial/Organizational Psychology (drop)
Psy 456 Seminar: Employment Interviewing (drop)
Psy 462 Seminar: Motivation (drop)
Psy 464 Seminar: Perception (drop)
Psy 467 Seminar: Conceptual Systems (drop)
Psy 469 Seminar: Conceptual Systems (drop)
Psy 470 Seminar: Behavior Genetics (drop)
Psy 471 Seminar: Comparative Psychology (drop)
Psy 481 Principles of Scientific Inquiry (drop)
Ed Psy 444/6444 Cognition and Technology (add) (Cross-listed)
Ed Tec 444 Cognition and Technology (add) (Cross-listed)
Ed Tec 417/6417 Teaching and Learning with Technology: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (add)
Ed 320/432 Educational Issues in the Cultural Construction of Diversity (add)
Sp Ed 345/3345 Educational Programs for Students with Disabilities (change title, description)
Sp Ed 349/3349 Learning and Social Supports for Students with Disabilities (add)
Sp Ed 410/6410 Families and Schools in Inclusive Communities (add)
Sp Ed 411/6411 Law, Policy and Bureaucracy in Education and Disability Studies (add)
Sp Ed 440/6440 Disability, Schooling and Culture (add)
Sp Ed 441/6441 Curriculum & Teaching for Diverse Learners and Students
with Disabilities (add)

Council accepted the committee’s recommendations.

The committee met with Don Mertz and Nancy Mayer to discuss ESL. There is a 1986 State statute concerning international teaching assistants (ITAs) that dictates a) the University must offer a free cultural orientation and b) international students may not teach in their first semester on campus. Although the cultural orientation is free, international students are charged at their admission level for required ESL courses. The CAD and the Graduate Dean can approve an exemption to this policy. Some departments are not conforming to this policy. The students are not taking the orientation course and the exemptions aren’t being completed for those students who are teaching in their first semester. After discussing this matter, the committee recommended the following:

1. The Graduate School should compile all documents relating to requirements for ITAs.
2. The Graduate School should disseminate these documents to all departments and graduate advisors, stressing the State law and resulting academic success from taking the required course(s).
3. This information should also be disseminated and discussed at orientations for new department chairs.
4. The Graduate School and Academic Affairs needs to ensure that departments understand the Graduate School requirement, stating that if ESL courses are required, ITAs must take them.
5. The various requirements for international students, exchange students, transfer students, and U.S. resident second-language speakers should be regularized.
6. ITAs should be informed of the State requirement and given the option of taking the ITA seminar either during the regular school year or during the summer. (This latter option might appeal to departments reluctant to enforce these requirements due to the perception that they’ll put additional burdens on ITAs.)
7. If #6 is enacted, UMSL will have to ensure that ITAs’ official start date is recognized as the summer session preceding the start of the regular school year so as to avoid new INS restrictions (that visas cannot be issued more than 30 days before the start of the school year.) ITAs and departments must also be aware that the seminar is free.
8. The fee structure for other ESL courses should be studied and possibly adjusted so that sponsors, departments, and/or students do not have to pay graduate fees for additional ESL courses, since these are officially undergraduate courses. Fees should be commensurate with the course level, not the students’ level. If this isn’t possible, departments could follow the lead of Business and classify incoming ITAs as “unclassified seniors” to avoid the higher fees.
9. UMSL or the Graduate School should consider whether TOEFL scores should be raised. Currently, UMSL’s minimum score of 500 is among the lowest in the country. Although a high TOEFL score does not guarantee strong language skills, a higher minimum might result in better-prepared ITAs.

Dr. Ebest noted the change in enrollment in the orientation since the new INS policy went into effect. In Fall 2002, there were 150 students enrolled and in Winter 2003 there are only 14 enrolled students. Some felt TOEFL scores of 550-600 was a gray area and that anything below 550 would indicate that the student wouldn’t be able to handle graduate school successfully. An option of using the GRE verbal score instead of the TOEFL was mentioned.

Program Development – Eduardo Silva

The committee reviewed and recommended that two proposed changes in degree requirements be approved. The Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics is cutting down its distribution requirements to make the program more flexible. The MA in Mathematics is reducing its number of required hours for the degree from 33 to 30. Council unanimously approved the recommendation.

III. Old Business

The Dean distributed an e-mail to chairpersons and deans with a suggestion to eliminate the Doctoral Faculty. There was little response from the e-mail The Dean reviewed the outcome of the doctoral faculty applications over the past four years and noted a 96% approval rate overall. If there was a denial and it was forwarded to the Chancellor, the Chancellor agreed with the unit, with a 99% approval rate. There is no documented history in System files on doctoral faculty status. At UM-Columbia, each unit decides if they want doctoral faculty status.

An alternate substitute language was distributed:

Eliminate 2.3 Doctoral Faculty and insert new paragraph (bold) in 2.1 Graduate Faculty:
paragraph 3:

In general, only tenure-track members of the Graduate Faculty with prior experience on dissertation committees, including co-chairing a dissertation, may chair doctoral dissertation committees. Upon recommendation of the unit and approval of the Graduate Dean, a non-regular Graduate Faculty member who brings a particular expertise to committees may chair doctoral dissertation committees.

Each unit with a doctoral program must include in its annual report a summary of its policies and practices regarding the methods of assuring the quality of the dissertations in that unit as well as the outcomes of its quality assessment of the dissertations. The Graduate Dean will review the annual reports and confer with the unit and its Academic Dean regarding the strengths or weaknesses noted.

Each fall, the Graduate Faculty will elect a nominating committee consisting of seven one members, three each from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences and one each from the Schools of Business, Education, Optometry, and Nursing the other Colleges. The Nominating Committee will present to the spring meeting of the Graduate Faculty a list of nominations from the Graduate Council, Doctoral Faculty Selection Committee, and Secretary of the Graduate Faculty. Additional nominations may be made by the Graduate Faculty. Election of the Graduate Council and the Doctoral Faculty Selection Committee from those nominated will be by mail ballot, with each division voting only for representatives from that division. The faculty as a whole will vote by mail ballot for the election of a secretary. Committees of the Graduate Faculty will be elected by the Graduate Faculty. Faculty members who are not members of the Graduate Faculty may, in exceptional circumstances, be elected to committees. All committees will be representative of the schools and colleges of the university.

The Graduate Dean will be the chairperson of the Graduate Faculty.

Comments from Council included the following: What would be the Doctoral Faculty Selection Committee’s role? Could elimination of the doctoral faculty be a disservice to graduate students? Faculty might feel pressured to take on too many students. How would you assure quality? Dr. Jones made a friendly amendment and Dr. Hunt seconded that the wording be changed to read:

“In general, only tenure-track members of the Graduate Faculty with prior experience on dissertation committees, including co-chairing a dissertation, may chair doctoral dissertation committees. Upon recommendation of the unit and approval of the Graduate Dean, a non-regular Graduate Faculty member who brings a particular expertise to committees may chair doctoral dissertation committees.

Each unit with a doctoral program must include in its 5 year assessment report a summary of its policies and practices regarding the methods of assuring the quality of the dissertations in that unit as well as the outcomes of its quality assessment of the dissertations. The Graduate Dean will review the 5 year assessment report and confer with the unit and its Academic Dean regarding the strengths or weaknesses noted.

Council approved the revised wording.

Council then noticed that the information on the nominating committee was a separate issue. Dr. Jones moved and Dr. Ding seconded that the Rules and Regulations Committee look at the Graduate Faculty Nominating Committee breakdown by college.

Dr. Jones then moved that the proposed change should be voted on my mail ballot. Dr. Silva seconded the motion. During the discussion, it was suggested that the Graduate Faculty meeting be held to discuss this item and then the mail ballot would be sent out after the meeting. Council unanimously approved this procedure.

IV. Dean’s Report

The Dean handed out a report from registration showing enrollment by program for WS 02 and WS 03. Overall enrollment was up by 12% and graduate enrollment increased by 2%.

Mission Statement. The Dean has drafted a mission statement for the Graduate School and asked Council for feedback. It was suggested that the number of students and degree programs be added to the statement.

Development Update. Case statement with goals for our vision that responds to two questions: 1. How will giving help? 2. How does the School benefit the community? Requests: 1. Endowment to name the Graduate School; proceeds to support faculty and student interdisciplinary efforts and educating the community about the quality of graduate programs at UM-St. Louis. 2. Endowment for graduate scholarships, benefits, and travel grants.

Marketing Update. Brighton group is meeting individually with all the deans re: our marketing needs and ideas. In addition, the Marketing Committee meets monthly for updates on how the project is proceeding.

Graduate Information Fair. PROMOTION: The Dean passed around an ad that appeared in the Post-Dispatch last weekend that mentioned the 10 reasons why someone should attend the University. It also mentioned the Graduate Information Fair scheduled on campus on Monday, April 21 from 5-6:30 in the MSC Rotunda. Postcards will be mailed to area teachers, targeted alumni and HR departments along with mailing lists from departments. E-mail will be sent to all UM-St. Louis seniors. Ads will be placed in school newspapers, including the Current. We will also place posters around campus and ask units to distribute the information in their classes. Some faculty have agreed to create a festive environment (poetry reading, music), and staff and administrators will participate. Some faculty will bring posters from conferences. Council suggested inviting graduate students who have poster presentations from conferences.

System Graduate Initiatives. National Trends: Interdisciplinary programs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs likes the proposal for the Ph.D. in Metropolitan Studies and encourages other interdisciplinary graduate proposals. One thought is to use existing courses from different areas to create a new I/D program – at virtually no cost.
Preparing Future Faculty: Focus is on developing college teachers as they learn to be researchers. UMC has a successful program. Dr. Ebest is putting our proposal together.
Re-envisioning the Ph.D.: Recognizes that a growing number of PhD graduates do not enter academia. We can take the lead in the System with our interdisciplinary science group and links with industry.
SYSTEM ISSUES: All other campuses require students to use university email addresses. We plan to issue acceptance letters that tell new students that all future correspondence will be electronic. We’ll soon pilot electronic versions of Grad School forms for your review and feedback.

Graduate School Initiatives. Propose to change from Rules and Regulations to policies and procedures. This could allow the Council’s committee to consider the university role and procedures could change with technology. For example, what is the appropriate policy for dissertation submission? The Dean distributed the current wording on master’s theses (#8.11) and a suggested revision showing the policy and the procedure. It was suggested that these be given to the rules and regulations committee after the Graduate Faculty meeting in April.

There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ellen Heckel on behalf of
Carol Peck, Secretary and Vice-Chairperson