Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2007
GBB 202, 12:10-1:00 p.m.
Members Present: L. Ametsbichler, R. Baker, R. Bolton, J. Copeland, M. DeGrandpre,
D. Erickson, C. Fiore, T. Herron S. Hurin, J. McNulty, D. Potts, G. Stanley, C.
VonReichert, C. Winkler
Members Absent/Excused:
Ex-officio members Present: Dean Strobel
Chair Erickson called the meeting to order at 12:10p.m
The minutes from 10/10/07 were approved.
Communication:
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John Copeland was welcomed as a new student member.
The sign-up sheet for basket ball tickets was passed around.
Business Items:
Curriculum review – Schools Subcommittee
The summary list was approved. The subcommittee requested a few revised syllabi to
assure graduate increments were appropriate.
A draft History review document has been submitted by former member, Professor
McClintock. Professor Ametsbichler will review the material and document with Chair
Erikson. The document should be ready for discussion at the next meeting.
Strategic Directions – presentation by Dean Strobel
Dean Strobel summarized the information given to the Board of Regents by the
Commissioner of Higher Education related to a proposal for Graduate Program
Enhancement. High school graduates will decline in the future leading to a reduced
resident undergraduate application pool. In addition, Montana’s freshmen retention and
graduation rates are lower than the regions. Tuition in Montana is higher than the
regional average and 15% of Montana students go to college out-of-state.
To prepare for this loss in revenue the President has identified a goal of asking the State
to invest in graduate programs to increase research and spur economic development. This
requires increased enrollment and completion, and promoting the connection between
research and economic development. Currently only 8.7% of students enrolled in the
MUS are in graduate programs and Montana is below the national average in research
and development expenditures.
The legislature makes a distinction between teaching and research in that it funds
classroom buildings, but has generally not funded research or the maintenance of
buildings where research is taking place. The legislature will need to be convinced that
investing in graduate education will have an immediate and long-term economic benefit.
Other rural states, such as Maine have been able to show a three fold payoff. Exploration
of an alternative funding method may be necessary. One issue to consider is resident
status for graduate students.
Discussions are needed at the department level in terms of how its research can contribute
to economic growth in the State. The Provost has the Executive Officers working on four
academic incentives and issues. Included in these incentives are increased international
experiences; retention and graduation rates; increased number and level of stipends; and
new faculty, lab space and equipment. New PhD programs in the planning stages include
Water Resources, Medicinal Chemistry, Engineering Physics, Bio-informatics, and
Environmental Sciences
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.