Attendance: Catherine Axinn, Joseph Bernt, Duncan Brown, Scott Carson, Leona Cibrowski, John Day, Judith Edinger, Peter Johnson, David Juedes, David Kidder, Chuck McWeeney, Jerrel Mitchell, Marilyn Poeppelmeyer, Robert Roe, Josep Rota, Scott Sparks, W. Rhinehart for Julie Zimmerman

Staff: Michael Mumper, Katherine Tadlock, Lisa Conrath, Kathryn Sylvia for Anne Walker

Excused: Katherine Jellison, Anne Walker, Michael Willits

Absent: Harvey Ballard, Eddith Dashiell, Velugula Hemakumar, Todd Hoffman, Averal “tootie” Overby, Ginger Weade

Guests : Bob Stilagagorence

Convened: 2:00 p.m.

•  Chair Report : Joe Bernt, Chair

  -- Comments:

  •  A motion was made to approve the 11/14/03 minutes. There was a question regarding full time conflicts, which was resolved. (approved)

•  MICHAEL MUMPER/ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR GRADUATE STUDIES (see agenda & handout)

•  ENROLLMENT APPLICATIONS - Working well on them partly because there is a smaller amount than last year, especially International, which is 30% down. It was mentioned however, that domestic applications are up.

•  STATE LEVEL BUDGET CONCERNS – (see handout) The budget is stabilized but there remains a concern over the one-cent sales tax. There is a concern (see handout) that funding, regarding the possible 30% cutback on grad funds would hurt OU.

•  CAMPUS BUDGET PROCESS – Documents being prepared for how Deans would handle 2-4-6% funding without cutting faculty. Note: the PhD programs have already been hit with a 20% cut. Michael mentioned, in regards to the working draft he handed out, there are some radical ideas. e.g., no salary caps

•  TUITION WAIVER BUDGET – Have been arguing that we cannot change the way funding has been done for this year. Move for a 2-step program for next year to handle fee/tuition issues for the following years, so appropriate changes can be made. Hopefully future changes will allow units more flexibility to allocate money, as they want, so programs can create a good class package in the most effective ways.

•  PROJECT STIPENDS – There is a concern regarding staff losing students because other colleges can give stipends and OU cannot. It is Michael's belief that OU does not provide enough stipend money.

•  RACGS – Civil engineering preparing a full proposal

•  NEW PROGRAM REPORT – MA in Economics in Pickerington is moving along very well.

•  CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT – There continues to be an on-going need. The question was asked, “who lobbies for graduate education?” as it appears there is no specific group to speak for graduate education.

2. KATIE TADLOCK/DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDENT SERVICES

(see handout)

•  STAFF CHANGES – Passed out an updated list of Graduate Studies Staff. Introduced Tawna Rogers and Susan Spence as part of the fulltime records management team. There are now two people for International and for domestic. Terrie Bruscino continues maternity leave. Lori Poston is helping with Terrie's contract issues. Lori may be contacted if you need any help in this area.

•  GRADUATE APPLICATIONS – Application turn-a-round time has been one week. International applications a bit longer because of SIS and the shifting of responsibilities. It was mentioned that the best way to communicate at present with the “records management team” is by email.

•  CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT ISSUE – Katie and Michael discussed the need for recommendations for policy committee to be formed. The question was asked and there is a need to put together some ways for continuous enrollment to be discussed.

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

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

The following students voted on: Joanne Bray, MSN (HHS), Catherine Cutcher PhD, Cultural Studies (Educ), Patrick Fatica, MFA, Photography (Fine Arts), Charolette Rae, Non-degree (Education), Adam Yulish, M.A., TComm (Commun.)

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

Those students voted on: Patrick Curran, MS, Mech. Eng. (Engineering), Marie Robinson, Non-Degree, Cultural Studies, (Education), Chrysty Rusch, Non-degree, Modern Languages (Arts & Sciences)

** Marie Robinson OK as long as remains non-degree

** Not enough information on Chrysty Rusch and Patrick Curran; possibly need to interview to see how they would manage conflict, but council did accept with conflict

•  PROGRAM – SCHOOL OF THEATER - It was agreed the program is acceptable and generally agrees with the conclusions of the Unit Review Committee. The School of Theater offers 5 graduate programs and the outside reviewer considered two exemplary. APPROVED BY COUNCIL.

•  PROGRAM - ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES – It was agreed the program is acceptable and generally agrees with the conclusions of the Unit Review Committee. The orientation of this program toward serving Southeastern Ohio was seen as a particularly significant strength. APPROVED BY COUNCIL

5. POLICY AND REGULATIONS: Marilyn Poeppelmeyer, Chair

No report at this time.

6. GRADUATE STUDENT AFFAIRS and FELLOWSHIPS: Peter Johnson, Chair

No report at this time.

7. PLANNING and STRATEGY COMMITTEE (ad hoc): “Tootie” Overby, Chair

No report at this time.

8. Council member Joe Rota distributed a handout regarding International enrollment and trends. (see handout) The number of international students and countries has been declining. Enrollment in 1992 was at 9% compared to 5.6% in 2003. The national trend has been increasing, but data shows OU is not following this trend. One key explanation for this seems to have to do with recruitment programs. OU does not have recruitment programs or any investment in recruitment, especially when competition to recruit international students is increasing. Joe feels that Ohio University should have a mission statement for International students and encourage them by creating centers (Islamic Center) for students to feel safe. Most on council agreed after some discussion, that our campus can get the students but the stipends we offer do not keep them here. A point was made that if it were not for international students in the college of engineering, this college would be forced to close. There continues to be discussion to address the issues concerning international enrollment and funding at Ohio University.

9. NEW BUSINESS: Katie mentioned that some students are being charged tech fees when they are not even in the program. No new business to report at this time. Motion for adjournment was made and seconded at 4:00 p.m.

Next Meeting: Friday, February 13, 2004

334 Baker Center