Graduate Council Minutes
November 20, 2014
Present: Rick Adams, Linda Black, Paula Conroy, Jennifer Harding-Dekam, Susan Hutchinson, Brian Iannacchione,
Melissa Malde, Katherine Mandel, Rutilio Martinez, Carissa Reddick, Jennifer Ritchotte, Khalil Shafie Holighi, Tod
Sedbrook, Rhonda Squires, Tina Stoody, Joyce Weil, Stephanie Wiegand, Stephen Wright, Tamara Yakaboski, Marlene
Schuman, recording secretary
I.
Approval of Agenda
Melissa called for a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Tina moved to approve the agenda and Jenni
seconded. The motion passed.
II.
Review and approval of Minutes (October 16, 2014)
Tina called for a motion to approve the minutes from October 16, 2014. Carissa motioned to approve the October
minutes and Brian seconded. The minutes were approved by vote.
III.
Announcements
A. Dean’s remarks – Linda Black
 Linda provided a brief update on the GDIP process. She will email a draft of the proposed
restructuring of the GIDP.
 Fall 2014 nominations for the Dean’s Citation for Excellence and Outstanding Dissertation, Thesis or
Capstone were down.
B.
Chair’s remarks (written) – Melissa Malde
a. Faculty Workload Survey
The survey was distributed to UNC faculty only. There was concern that the survey did not meet all
IRB requirements so the initial email was recalled. The IRB was amended and approved with Matt
Birnbaum listed as primary researcher. The survey will be resent to graduate faculty listserv, framed
as a reminder, and Melissa Malde provided the following clarification to faculty as they complete the
survey:
“As you answer the questions in the survey, please keep in mind that we want to know how you
perceive your actual load. This may be different from your load as it exists on paper.”
https://unco.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7a43Z9C0zB9ntw9
Stephen also reported that 127 faculty have responded so far. We will be able to distinguish between
the responses received before and after the IRB revisions by date. Only those received after the
survey reminder was sent may be included in any dissemination. All responses may be included for
the purpose of internal comparison of workload.
b. Graduate Council Chair for Next Semester – Must Elect at December Meeting
Melissa Malde will be on sabbatical beginning spring 2015. Melissa’s last meeting as Chair of
Graduate Council will be 12/4/2014.
IV.
Standing Committee Reports
A. Report from Faculty Senate Representative – Stephanie
 Stephanie reported that Faculty Senate talked about grade submission wording.

There was discussion in APC concerning the wording used in course syllabi and the University
Regulations (2-3-501 Course Outlines and Goals). The discussion centered on the need to use
language that is consistent and indicates the measurability of student learning (i.e., the word outcomes
should be used instead of goals, criteria, etc.).
B. Standards Committee – Rutilio
Standards Committee reviewed 23 applications. All were approved for the status requested except 4
applications. The apps not approved will be deferred and additional information will be requested from the
faculty member. One of the applications was for a current administrator. There is nothing in the Guidelines
that addresses criteria for administrators who have no teaching or scholarly work. However, Linda said that,
though administrators may not be held to the graduate teaching standard, they still need to be held to the
graduate scholarship standard.
There was also discussion regarding “Terminal Degrees”. Melissa called for a motion to approve the slate.
Tina motioned to approve and Brian seconded. Motion was approved by vote.
C. Program Review Committee – Tina/Paula
Program review had nothing to report.
D. GSA Representative – Kate
 There was a Town Hall with Dean Black at the UC Spruce C on November 5, 2014.
 Student Senate reviewed the Intellectual Property Rights Policy passed by Graduate Council last year.
 Kate reported on the FAC event for Graduate Students held at Wiley Roots on 11/12/2014. This was
the first of recurring FAC events.
E. Library Representative – Stephanie
UNC is now a member of the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).
ICPSR stores, curates and provides access to data sets in the fields of education, sociology, criminal justice,
political science, gerontology, and other social sciences. UNC’s membership to the Consortium makes it
possible for undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty to use large-scale survey data to run
statistics and conduct research for use in scholarly publications, research methods assignments, master’s
theses, and doctoral dissertations. Learn more at http://libguides.unco.edu/ICPSR.
The UNC Libraries are considering a subscription to RefWorks. RefWorks -- an online research management,
writing and collaboration tool -- is designed to help researchers easily gather, manage, store and share all
types of information, as well as generate citations and bibliographies. Stephanie is asking for any opinions or
thoughts from the Graduate Council and graduate faculty on this issue.
In October, Stephanie reported to the Graduate Council that the Libraries are considering workshops on
scholarly communication issues (copyright, author’s rights, author identifiers, etc.) and asked for any input or
recommendations. Stephanie asked that any comments be emailed to her.
V.
Old Business
A. Linda talked about restructuring the language on the current GIDP policy. She did not have any handouts but
will resend the proposed GIDP policy language to Council. To allow time for review, this item will be placed
on the December agenda with voting on the policy in January. Please send your feedback to Susan
Hutchinson.
VI.
Action/Discussion Items
A. Doctorate / Terminal Degree Language for DRE Application and Graduate Faculty Guidelines
Revisions were made by Frances to the DRE Application and the Graduate Faculty Guidelines. Corrections
made to the DRE Application and Guidelines were approved by vote.
B. ADD YOUR NAME HEREDissertation Formats - Susan
The current approved dissertation formats consist of:
 Traditional – 5 chapters
 Discipline Specific - Option of including a journal or manuscript.
 Alternative Format – These should be requested and approved at the proposal stage and are reviewed
on a case by case basis.
There was some discussion regarding “Stand Alone format” used at other universities. Susan would like to
open up a conversation regarding digital format for Dissertation, Capstones and Master’s Thesis. Send your
thoughts to Susan.
VII.
Adjournment
Tina motioned adjourn. Brian seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Sincerely submitted,
Frances Braafhart
Recording Secretary