Attendance:  Catherine Axinn, Joseph Bernt, Duncan Brown, Leona Cibrowski, Beth Clodfelter for Josep Rota, John Day, Judith Edinger, Peter Johnson, David Juedes, David Kidder, Norma Humphreys for Chuck McWeeny, Jerrel Mitchell, Averall “Tootie” Overby, Robert Roe, Scott Sparks, Ginger Weade, Maureen Weissenrieder, Julia Zimmerman

Staff:  Michael Mumper, Lisa Conrath, Anne Walker

Excused: Harvey Ballard, Eddith Dashiell, Katherine Jellison, Charles McWeeney, Marilyn Poeppelmeyer, Josep Rota, Katherine Tadlock 

Absent:  Scott Carson, Walter Dekeseredy, Velugula Hemakumar, Todd Hoffman, Lamar Hyton, 

Guests:  Gary Neiman, Charlie Parks

Convened:  2:12 p.m.

v     Chair Report:  Joe Bernt, Chair 

-- Comments: A handout was distributed for discussion regarding allocation of funds that can be used to provide support to graduate students, in either stipends or tuition waivers, and the rules that will limit some options.  This is to be up for discussion later in this meeting, along with Michael Mumpers’ handout, regarding the Proposal to Reform Graduate Student Support.

ü      A motion was made to approve the 01/09/04 minutes. (approved)

1)      MICHAEL MUMPER/ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR GRADUATE STUDIES   (see agenda & handouts)

ü     APPLICATION PROCESS –The application process is better than it was last year.  Graduate Studies has a 5-8 day backlog, but not a huge backlog of applications waiting to be sent to departments. We can check the numbers weekly now and went back and looked. The applications are coming in at a decreased rate, as was expected.  A small amount of Domestic applications has decreased compared to International applications.  International applications are down 70% as compared to last year.  This is not exclusively an Ohio University problem as others have an 80% decrease.  The question was asked if the decrease in applications was due to visa problems.  The answer is yes, due to Homeland Security, some students are going to Australia.  Another problem is that students in some countries cannot apply because access information to the Ohio University website is blocked by their government. A question was raised as to whether a student in China for example, could use an equivalent of our Alden Library to access the information to apply here. It was agreed that the traditional ways used by Ohio University are not working and a student might not bother at all to apply, just due to visa problems.

ü     PROPOSAL TO REFORM GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT (see handout) Much time has been spent since starting the job as Associate Provost of Graduate Studies, meeting with Associate Deans, Individual Grad Chairs and Directors regarding the proposal to reform and would invite Graduate Council discussion on this issue.  The current system and most obvious problem is that the growth of the fee waivers is beyond the level of what the University’s budget will allow.  Currently this is $1.1 million dollars more than budgeted. The current system was developed when state subsidy was sufficient to cover the marginal costs associated with each new graduate student.  The $2100 minimum stipend has presented a problem as well.  It has encouraged departments to keep to a minimum to get as many fee waivers as possible, and this was not the original intention.   The Provost wants financial realities looked at and to do as little damage as possible to help balance the budget.  There are suggestions on the handout to accomplish this. 

ü     COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON GRADUATE STUDENT REFORM -- It was mentioned that a target date might be a concern.  Some departments cover x amount no matter what the enrollment is.  Money is set aside for research and fellowships.  What would be appropriate for each department?  Also mentioned was the fact that financial goals need to be set, but there is the worry of “stemming the growth.”  Michael Mumper stated that with the current way, anyone could create assistantships.  Perhaps it needs to be limited to Deans to allocate and balance the needs of different departments.  It was mentioned regarding grants that are being written.  And how do you allocate?  Michael Mumper suggested Deans will get x allocation plus a recommended amount to match the grants.  There was much discussed regarding the needs of various departments, allocation, and if it will effect the quality of the students as well.  It was also asked “what would happen if we did away with special summer?”  Though it would seem more discussion and analysis needs to be done concerning summer enrollment. It was stated that perhaps a rough estimate of the numbers on the handout might suggest we are trying to fix something that is not broken?  Michael Mumper stated that if in the next 5 years the $1.1 million deficit remained, this would not be a worry, but does not see that as the case, therefore it is something we need to take care of.  There are a lot of students on campus who arrive here and expect to pay fees.  Much discussion prevailed with the end concern being what figures will come from Darrell Winefordner’s office.  It was suggested that any document that comes out include an addendum to conduct an impact study.  Council concluded its discussion recommending more feedback from Michael Mumper before Darrell Winefordner comes forth with his formula.

2.  ADMISSION REQUIRMENTS: Catherine Axinn, Chair (see handouts)

ü                 Several “no conflicts,” were submitted and voted on:  PASSED

The following students voted on:  Mikhail Dobynin, Non-degree EECS (ENT), Matthew Phillips, Non-degree, Instructional Technology (Education), Erin Shannon, MA, Early Childhood Devel. (HHS), Jason White, Ph.D., IIP/Bio Sci, Education, Human & Cons. Sci. (A&S is degree-granting college)

ü                 Four “potential conflicts” were submitted and voted on:  PASSED

Those students voted on:  From Jan. 04 meeting:  Patrick Curran, MS, Mech. Eng. (Engineering), Chrysty Rusch, Non-degree, Modern Languages (Arts and Sciences) For Feb. 04 meeting:  Vic Matta, Ph.D., IIP/Int. Engineering, Educations, Marketing (ENT is degree-granting college)

3.   CURRICULUM COMMITEE REPORT: Scott Sparks, Chair  (see handout) Guest:  Gary Neiman/Sports Administration