GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES FOR 08 September 2010
Present: Steve Beck, Byron Burnham, Derri Dee (DD) Leonard, Shelley Lindauer,
(see printed copy)
Visitors: (see printed copy)
Not Present: Trevor Nelson
Minutes for April
INFORMATION:
1. NRC Report. The National Research Council’s evaluation and ranking of
doctoral programs began five to six years back. Although they are ready
to publish the findings this month, the data collected is now four years old
and not current.
2. Provost Coward. The Provost announced that Dean Burnham is retiring
effective July 1, 2011. He expressed gratitude for Dean Burnham’s
accomplishments and the quality of leadership he has given to the School
of Graduate Studies and the university. The Provost will attend the
Graduate Council’s (GC) October meeting for further discussion with
council members regarding future leadership of graduate studies. The
October Graduate Council meeting was changed to the 20th.
DISCUSSION:
1. Master of Arts language requirement policy. Current requirements for a
student to meet the language requirement for a MA can be complicated
and problematic. Students are not allowed to use the same credits they
used for the BA. If they are in this situation, we require them to take two
more years of language. We have no way to test them at upper levels of
languages. BYU provides testing for lower levels only. SGS would like to
forge a policy that is readily certifiable and bring this back for review at
October’s GC meeting. GC representatives were asked to visit with their
colleges about this before the next meeting.
2. Master of Science in Financial Economics. Tyler Bowles from the
Economics and Finance (E & F) Department presented a proposal for a
M.S. in Financial Economics and stated that they are passionate about
this degree. The Economics and Finance Department brought a proposal
for this degree last year to the Graduate Council, but it didn’t move
forward. It was reported that the benefactor for the Huntsman School of
Business is disappointed that it has taken so long to get a Master of
Science in Financial Economics. Tyler said this is basically a terminal
professional degree. They market financiers. There are 900 students in
China who want this degree and are willing to come here for the
program. E & F strongly objects to the Applied Economics Department
(APEC) proposal for a Master of Science in Economics and Statistics. E & F
believe that “economics” is their brand and belongs to them only, and
that any degree beginning with “economics” is theirs. Some Graduate
Council members responded with the fact that USU has six departments
who award the same degree in Ecology, as well as three colleges that
jointly award the Toxicology degree. Tyler was asked why, then, does the
Ph.D. in Economics reside with APEC? No answer was provided. E & F
fears losing students to APEC because of the differential tuition. There is
an unresolved issue with courses that are not owned by either
department. Tyler said E & F will not oppose APEC’s proposal, if APEC
includes a modifier in front of the word “economics” in the degree. E & F
did not want the same GC subcommittee to review these proposals from
E & F and APEC. Tyler said they will withdraw their proposal if both are
approved.
3. Master of Science in Economics and Statistics (proposal from Applied
Economics Department and Mathematics and Statistics departments).
Paul Jakus stated both proposals have implications for the E & F and APEC
departments. APEC’s proposed degree would be an independent
research degree. APEC uses, teaches, and researches basic economic
theory. The budget table is blank and will be filled in shortly. Richard
Cutler feels that this would be an appealing degree in collaboration with
his department (Mathematics and Statistics).
A subcommittee was formed to review both proposals. Gene Schupp will
serve as chair with Scott DeBerard and Bart Smith as members. The
committee will not make a decision on the naming of the degrees, and
they will mention that in their review.
4. Master of Science in Health and Human Movement proposal to add the
Plan B Option to Health Education Specialization and to Exercise Science
Specialization. Richard Cutler, Dennis Hassan, and Frank Caliendo were
asked to be on the committee that will review the proposals. Richard
Cutler will chair and the committee will report back at October’s GC
meeting.
5. Person Potential Index (PPI). The PPI is an effort by Educational Testing
Service (ETS) to use a rating method for potential graduate student
admission. It doesn’t replace the recommendation letters, but it
eventually might. The question was asked if students fill out the PPI
information when they take the GRE or is it when they apply for admission.
Dean Burnham will find out more information. Some concern was voiced
that the PPI would not be appealing to all departments, and that in some
respects, the example that Penn State uses is more attractive. Bart Smith
is willing to try the PPI as a test.
6. Change in wording regarding Dean of Library in Policy Manual. There is a
university committee organized to look at all the codes in the Policy
Manual. They will change the current title of Chief Information Officer to
the correct title of Dean of Libraries.
ACTION:
1. Appoint EPC representative. Keith Grant-Davie was appointed as the EPC
representative for the academic year.
2. Degree residency language for PhD students. The new policy was
approved. Incoming doctoral students will meet the degree residency
under the new policy. Current students will be allowed to continue under
the old policy.