Attendance: Margaret Appel, Joseph Bernt, Tiao Chang, Mehmet Celenk, William Condee, Greg Nadon for Douglas Green, Kenneth Hicks, Donald Miles, Richard Miller, Averell Overby, Scott Sparks, Maureen Weissenrieder, Daniel Innis, Patrick Washburn, Glenn Doston, Jerrel Mitchell, Jessica Haigney, Gary Schumacher, Leona Cibrowski, Julia Zimmerman, Bobbi Conliffee, Adam Weaver, Josep Rota

Staff: Gordon Schanzenbach, Jennifer Francone

Excused: Donald Jordan, Jenny Lau

Absent: Rajindar Koshal

Guests: Gene Mapes, Charles Parks

Convened: 2:08 P.M.

Chair’s Report: The minutes from the last meeting were voted on and approved.

Ken Hicks met with the Provost to discuss the Carolyn Lewis appeal. The Provost had prior conversations with Dean Krendl. Chair Hicks explained the Graduate Council’s position. The Provost stated that she did see a potential for conflict of interest but had doubts about the Graduate Council’s decision. The Provost will meet with Carolyn Lewis to discuss the internship situation and the relationship with Dean Krendl. The Provost will consider the appeal and may come to the next council meeting to discuss her decision. If the Provost decides to overturn the Graduate Council decision on the conflict on interest case of Carolyn Lewis, then the faculty handbook states that there are options for possible recourse, if desired by Graduate Council.

The Chair passed out a preliminary draft of a new version of the Conflict of Interest guidelines. The guidelines were based on information found in the Graduate Chair’s, Faculty, and Graduate Council handbooks. Council members should review the guidelines and e-mail any suggested changes to Ken Hicks. At the next council meeting a final draft will be voted on for approval.

The Chair also handed out preliminary drafts of the committee procedures and guidelines for the Policies and Procedures Committee and the Curriculum Committee. The Chair received two different versions of the Policies and Procedures guidelines. He will send the correct version by e-mail to council members. It was suggested that the Curriculum Committee guidelines outline the appropriate steps that need to be taken for new programs.

Associate Provost for Graduate Studies Report: Gary Schumacher announced that a new president, Larisa Zelenskaya, has been elected to the Graduate Student Senate. The Office of Graduate Studies has signed with CollegeNet for graduate applications on-line. Summer and Fall reimbursements for tuition scholarships have been sent to the departments. OGS stipend numbers for 2000-2001 are out to the colleges. Gary Schumacher is currently working on a document to explain OGS stipends that will be included in the offers to new graduate students. The Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Committee is going to have at least two more on-site visitors to discuss the new process. The recommendation regarding Electronic Theses and Dissertations will be before Graduate Council in the spring.

Gary Schumacher reported on the Funding Commission meeting of January 28, 2000. The Regents staff reported at that meeting that masters level graduate funding has been very stable for the last 10 years. The Commission is considering changing the credit hour level for movement from masters to doctoral funding from 51 to 90 quarter hours. This will allow schools to count hours that are now lost but may have other consequences that are being look at. The Commission is beginning to look at the impact of graduate education on the state of Ohio and hopes to better inform the legislature on the importance of graduate education. Gary Schumacher is chairing a RACGS committee to develop a report and strategy on the importance of graduate education for the state. Any council members who know of information relevant to this topic should e-mail him.

At the RACGS meeting on February 4, 2000, there was a discussion regarding Ph.D. funding. RACGS members were informed that the application deadlines for the 5% incentive component and Eminent Scholars proposals are being established. The initial deadlines announced were May 1, 2000 for letters of intent and July 1, 2000 for full proposals. RACGS asked that these be delayed until July 1, 2000 and September 1, 2000 respectively to allow universities more time. The Regents’ staff agreed to seek the delayed deadlines. RACGS is meeting again on March 3, 2000 to discuss guidelines for these proposals. The final guidelines are to be available by April 1, 2000.

Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies Report: No Report.

Committee Reports:

Extension of Time: The committee chair stated that after this academic year the committee will no longer have any responsibilities. Any student accepted after 1993 will need to apply for re-admission through the graduate committee of the program and the dean of the college. The college will then be responsible for flagging students who are close to their time limit. Michael Tobar was granted a time extension by council.

Curriculum: Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering is requesting permission to offer a masters program at the Zanesville campus. They currently have 20 applicants for the program. The courses will be taught by Athens faculty members on overload. The council voted on and passed the program. It will now need to go through RACGS.

Conflict of Interest: The committee considered requests from Shelly England, Stephen Knotts, Michelle Lewis, Ann Slater, Robin White, and Ruth White and found no evidence for conflict of interest. The Council voted in support of the committee recommendations.

New Business: The Curriculum Committee voiced a concern that proposals frequently were presented so close to the date that the program was to begin. The committee would like to have deadlines for proposals to be submitted to the committee. Gordon Schanzenbach pointed out the 49% of the courses in a degree program can be taught before needing approval.

Adjourned: 3:15 P.M.