Graduate Council Meeting Minutes 10/17/12
GBB 202, 12:10-1:00 p.m.
Members Present: M. Alwell, R. Arouca, D. Biehl, A. Borgmann, J. Campana, D.
Campbell, J. Johnson, N. Hassanein, J. Hunt, B.Klaassen, H. Naughton, S. Sprang, E.
Stone, K. Swift, D. Zielaski
Members Absent/Excused: M. Mayer
Ex-officio members Present: B. Brown, N. Hinman, P. Miller, S. Ross, J. Zink
Guest: Dean Comer
The meeting was called to order by Chair Borgmann.
The 10/3/12 minutes were approved.
Communication Items

Chair Borgmann invited Dean Comer to the Council to discuss the teaching
assistantship management by the College of Arts and Sciences. In the past the TAs
managed by the Graduate School were used for program building. It is unclear
whether this will continue. There is also a general anxiety regarding the possibility of
significant changes to the distribution of teaching assistantships.

Dean Comer provided an overview of how the transition has been managed in the
College of Arts and Sciences. Two years ago the College analyzed how teaching and
research assistants were used. At that time, the Graduate Council’s Criteria for
Allocating Teaching Assistantships (303.20) was used to guide decisions. Data is
being used to make rational decisions to balance the teaching loads and research
needs. In some cases students may teach in one program, but be admitted to another.
The goal is to strategically match the needs to operations.
The Dean anticipated using the savings from the in-state tuition policy to reinvest in
the College. However, the central administration had a different view. So the Dean
negotiated an agreement with the Provost. The result has been the addition of 16 new
TA’s in the last two years.
The first year the teaching assistantships transitioned from Graduate Council to the
College, the funds were already allocated and could not be used strategically. The
dollar amount is fixed, and that requires a second set of records that matches students
with costs at the end of the semester. Next spring these TAs will be distributed
differentially. Departments can propose reducing the number of TAs in order to
increase the dollar amount to be more competitive. The process must treat students
fairly and be transparent. Philanthropy has to be used as a strategy to leverage state
dollars to make programs nationally competitive.
Six applications out of 30 proposals were chosen for further development in
accordance with the Building Programs of National Distinction Initiative. However,
there are concerns regarding pending budget cuts. The deans have been asked to plan
for a 1% to 3% reduction. If cuts are at the high range, the result may be a loss in
personnel. If this is the case, funding for the programs of national distinction may
need to be revisited.
The College found the Criteria for Allocating Teaching Assistantships useful. It had
to create matrices that worked in the College given its general education
responsibilities. The Council might consider developing matrices to be used campuswide.
Business Items

The Humanities Curriculum items below were approved. Follow-up is pending for
the graduate increment on JRNL 482 UG. Follow-up is also pending on the request
to increase repeatability on FILM 481UG Advanced Studies in Film. There is concern
about the appropriateness of allowing 9 credits of non- specific (bag number) regular
graduate credits in a program. A more detailed justification will be requested.

Last year’s Chair, Chris Palmer, is willing to Chair the IIP Oversight Committee.
The Committee approved his nomination. The deadline for admissions is November
15th. The IIP Admissions Committee will also need to elect a chair. Camie will send
a reminder message.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Department
English
Course
FILM 481 UG
Title
Advanced Studies in Film
English
MA degree
History
program
modification
HSTA 468 UG
Philosophy
PHL 449 UG
Journalism
JOUR 527
Researching & Writing
Early America and the
Atlantic World
History of Moral and
Political Philosophy
Color and Lighting
Techniques
Change
Increase repeatability from 6
to 9
add portfolio option
New course
add graduate increment
delete course
Journalism
JOUR 550
Graduate Television
Production and Direction
Graduate Newscast
Production
Graduate Advanced
Broadcast Reporting
News Editing
delete course
Journalism
JOUR 551
Journalism
JOUR 560
Journalism
JOUR 580
Journalism
JRNL 592
Journalism
JRNL 592
Independent Study:
New course
Feature
Independent Study: Editing New course
Journalism
JRNL 592
Independent Study: Photo
New course
Journalism
JRNL 592
New course
Journalism
JRNL 592
Journalism
JRNL 592
Independent Study: Audio
News
Independent Study: Video
News
Independent Study: Design
Journalism
JRNL 592
New course
Journalism
RTV 650
Philosophy
PHL 449 UG
Independent Study: Video
Production
Graduate Broadcast
Newsroom Production
History of Moral and
Political Philosophy
delete course
Delete course
Delete course
new course
New course
delete course
add graduate increment