Graduate Council
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2012 – Taylor 306
Supporting, facilitating and promoting excellence in lifelong education
through graduate programs of distinction, innovative outreach programs and a diverse student body.
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Reid Linn, Lynette Michael, Kathy Thompson, Josh Bacon, Aimee Brasseur, Patricia Brevard,
Katey Castellano, Natasha DuMerville, Lennie Echterling, Teresa Gonzalez, Linda Hulton for Patty Hale, Jim
Hammond, Gregg Henriques, Hossain Heydari, Ming Ivory, Michael Klein, Jeff Loveland, Margaret Sloan for
Susan Murphy, Holly Pence, Ayasakanta Rout, Mary Jean Speare, Nicholas Swartz, Melissa Van Vuuren, Karin
Tollefson for Cole Welter.
Guests: Laura Desportes (Exceptional Education), A.J. Morey (Cross Disciplinary Studies), Janet Smith (Public
Affairs) Rhonda Zingraff (CISAT)
Programs not represented: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Combined-Integrated Psychology, History,
Kinesiology, Math Education, Public Administration, Strategic Leadership.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Graduate Viewbooks and program inserts are available upon request for recruiting purposes.
Graduate Student Orientation will be held on: Monday, August 20, 2012, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
REPORTS
Graduate Student Representatives/GSA – The Graduate Student Association (GSA) recently held two “Lunch
with the Dean” events. The luncheons will be described in more detail in the “Lunch with the Dean” section of the
meeting minutes. The GSA sent three representatives to the welcoming reception for president-elect Alger. If you
have students who would like to get more involved with the GSA or get on the GSA mailing list, please have them
email jmugsa@gmail.com. In addition, if you or your students have ideas for events that the GSA could sponsor,
please e-mail Aimee Brasseur, The Graduate School and Graduate Council GA, at brasseaj@jmu.edu.
CAP – No report.
A-Team – Kathy Thompson reported that the A-Team discussed revising criteria for graduation with honors
(undergraduate). Also discussed suggested wording updates for the student grievance policy. The updated version
will be included in the catalog. Units that do not have a policy or procedure in place need to develop one or the
other. The policy or procedure needs to indicate who should start the process if the academic unit head is not
available.
C&I – Kathy Thompson reported that the group discussed SACSCOC guidelines for credit hours.
Honor Council – No report.
DISCUSSION
Requirements for Thesis, Dissertation, Ed.S. Project, DMA Document, and MFA Document
On behalf of Laura Ryman, Director of Graduate Student Support, Reid explained that page 40 of the Graduate
Catalog outlines the composition and selection of committees. This information is also noted on the Graduate
School website on the Thesis and Dissertation page. All committees must have at least three members of the
graduate faculty, two of whom must regularly participate in the student’s graduate program.
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All students completing a thesis, dissertation, Ed.S. project, DMA document, or MFA document must submit an
Approval of Committee form to The Graduate School. This form is to be submitted as soon as the student begins
research work.
Certificates of “Advanced Graduate Study”
A.J. Morey said that all certificates must go through the curriculum process, and graduate certificates must be
approved by Graduate Council. Certificate curriculum requiring completion of one year of study beyond the
master’s level in an academic or occupationally specific field of study is considered a certificate of “advanced
graduate study” and requires SCHEV approval.
Graduate Commencement May 4
Reid reminded Graduate Council that graduate commencement will be held on Friday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m., and the
May Commencement speaker is President Rose. There is seating designated for faculty at this ceremony, so all
graduate faculty are encouraged to attend. As was done last year, two students will be hooded at a time (master’s
and Ed.S. graduates) by the respective college dean and Reid or Dr. Benson (alternating by college). MFA and
doctoral graduates will be hooded by their dissertation directors.
Graduate Community Picnic
Reid announced that to celebrate the last day of classes and the end of the academic year, there will be a Graduate
Community Cookout on April 27 4-6 p.m. on the lawn beside Grace Street House. The event is sponsored by TGS
and the Graduate Student Association.
May Symposium – Writing Successful Grant Proposals (May 8-10)
Reid said TGS will cover all costs for any graduate faculty member registering for the grant writing workshop. If
faculty members are interested in writing successful grants, they are encouraged to take advantage of this
opportunity.
Lunch with the Dean
Reid explained that the GSA organized two lunches with the dean for graduate students: April 2 (on-campus) and
April 13 (off-campus). Discussion centered on each student’s experiences as a graduate student, positive aspects and
suggestions for improvements that could make a graduate student experience better, increasing involvement in the
GSA, and ways we might improve the sense of graduate community across campus.
Study Group
A member of the Graduate Council inquired about the status of Study Group. Reid and Kathy made note of that
request and will add it to the September agenda.
Remaining 2011-12 Meeting Dates:
Friday, May 18, 2012 (Retreat) – Montpelier Room, East Campus Dining Hall, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CANCELLED
as of May 2, 2012.
Program proposals approved: none.
Course proposals approved:
Subject
& Num
Type
Short Title
Description
ARED 590
New
TOPICS IN ART
EDUCATION
Graduate seminar presenting special topics in art education. Course may be repeated when
course content changes. See e-campus for current topics.
ARED 683
Modify
CRITICISM OF ART
An overview of major art theories, both as philosophy and style analysis, for the purpose of
investigating the functions and practice of art criticism.
EXED 610
Modify
PRACTICUM IN
INCLUSIVE
SETTING
This course provides field experience opportunities to practice the skills in differentiating
instruction in general education settings developed in EXED 520 and the special education
instructional methods developed in EXED 507.
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Modify
TRANSITIONS
AND DISABILITIES
This course was designed to provide a detailed study of the transitions throughout the
educational experience of persons with disabilities; including transitions between IDEA Part C and
Part B services, elementary – middle school, middle – high school, and high school – postsecondary environments. Focus is given to the services and skills needed to support successful
integration into and functioning within the routines and activities of these settings.
EXED 670
Modify
PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE
SEMINAR
Designed to accompany SPEC student teaching. Provides opportunity to reflect on skills,
problem-solve school and classroom experiences, increase awareness of the need to continue
career-long learning, discuss linkages between program coursework and student teaching
experience, explore skill level and plan for on-going professional development. Seminars have
differentiated content designed to link with the curriculum being covered in that semester, as
well as to the student teacher’s experience.
ARED 590
New
TOPICS IN ART ED
Graduate seminar presenting special topics in art education. Course may be repeated when
course content changes. See ecampus for current topics
ARED 683
Modify
CRITICISM OF ART
An overview of major art theories, both as philosophy and style analysis, for the purpose of
investigating the functions and practice of art criticism.
TESL 681
New
ST TEACHING
Enables students to apply skills and attitudes acquired in all components of their professional
education preparation. Students design and implement instructional activities under the guidance
of teaching professionals.
EXED 615
Course proposals pending approved:
Subject
& Num
Type
ACTG 680
Modify
DIRECTED
READINGS
Study of auditing and assurance topics from both a professional and research perspective.
Students will have opportunities to develop various ideas and skills necessary to become
leaders in the auditing and assurance services arena. Contemporary professional standards will
be reviewed as well as the theories behind these standards.
ACTG 681
Modify
DIRECTED
RESEARCH
Opportunity for directed research in areas of special interest.
ACTG 695
Modify
SEMINAR IN
ACCOUNTING
Study of selected areas in accounting theory, practice and methodology.
BIO 513
Modify
HUM GROSS ANAT
W/ CLIN APP
An advanced study of human anatomy with cadaver dissection. Emphasis is given to a clinical
perspective and the evolution and development of human structure within a comparative
context.
BIO 630
Modify
ADV GRAD TOPICS
CELL AND MOLEC
Seminar in advanced special areas of cell, molecular and/or developmental biology. May be
repeated with change in topic or change in subject matter within a topic.
BIO 660
Modify
ADV GRAD TOPICS
ECOL AND EVOL
Seminar in special areas of ecology, evolution and organismal biology. May be repeated up to a
total of 12 hours with change in subject matter.
New
PROSEMINAR IN
NOP PRINCIPLES
The first course in the concentration is designed to enhance students’ understanding of how
third-sector organizations differ in economic, legal, and political terms from government and
for-profit organizations. The course fosters understanding of the theoretical, organizational and
practice space occupied by various types of nonprofit organizations within the sector as well as
their purposes, and the current status of service provision.
LEAD 761
New
CIVIL SOCIETY AND
NP
This doctoral survey course explores the synergy between civil society and the nonprofit sector
by tracing the theoretical and historical perspectives of each. The role of cultural and political
context in the development of civil society and the nonprofit sector are presented from a
leadership perspective through emphasis on voluntary associations and their potential role in
fostering social transformations across national and transnational boundaries.
LEAD 762
New
NONPROFIT
GOVERNANCE
The structure, functions and composition of nonprofit boards and their relationship to
organizational management and performance are investigated from a theoretical and
leadership orientation. The fiduciary, strategic and generative governance roles of boards and
common issues associated with nonprofit governance are examined from various perspectives.
Strategies for improved board performance and accountability are explored.
LEAD 763
New
PHILANTHROPY
A doctoral seminar exploring the historical, economic, political, social, and psychological
foundations of philanthropy in American society as well as the ethical, legal, and financial
aspects of organizational resource development. The role of leadership strategies for
acquisition, maintenance, and stewardship of resources including various organizational
stakeholders is emphasized. The course includes perspectives from theory, empirical research,
LEAD 760
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Short Title
Description
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and practice.
LEAD 764
New
LEADERSHIP &
ACCOUNTABILITY
This course presents methods of accountability, impact assessment and evaluation in nonprofit
organizations in light of myriad stakeholders. The role of leadership in determining and
implementing processes of internal and external evaluations is explored. Prerequisites: PSCY
606 or equivalent.
POSC 631
New
US CONGRESS
An analysis of the nature of political representation, institutional development of the national
legislature, organizational structures, parliamentary procedures, and relationships with the
executive and judiciary branches and with interest groups, political parties, and the media.
POSC 636
New
PUBLIC POLICY
This course will provide students with a set of conceptual frameworks with which to analyze
the nature and resolution of public problems. We will conduct an in-depth examination of the
political context within which public policy agendas are set, alternatives are weighed, decisions
are formulated, and outcomes are implemented.
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