University of Southern Indiana
Graduate Studies
Council of Graduate Program Director and Chairs’ Meeting
October 20, 2014 - OC3076
PRESENT: Rowser (Chair), Bonnell, Bower, Conaway, DeJong, Ernest Hall, Melissa Hall,
Hanka, Hostetler, Kilbane, McDonald, Rode, Valadares, Zehr, Draughon, and Mr. Sickman.
The meeting was called to order at 1:31 PM
I.
II.
III.
Approval of Minutes
Dr. Draughon noted that the minutes state the model university is University of Ohio
and it should be changed to University of Arkansas. Dr. Hanka moved that the
minutes be approved with the correction. Dr. Conaway seconded. Motion passed.
Announcements
a. Verification of Transfer Credit – Dr. Rowser announced that the transfer of
credit form and the validation of an expired course should be attached to the
student’s application for graduation form.
b. David L. Rice Scholars – Dr. Rowser announced that last year the University
decided those students who received a departmental/David L. Rice scholarship
and complete Bachelor’s degree in seven semesters can roll their eighth semester
of scholarship toward Graduate Studies. Dr. Rowser wrote a proposal for the
twelve students this year to receive matched funding for their second semester of
graduate studies. The twelve students with funding left over; graduating
December 2014 will receive funding for graduate studies.
Old Business
a. Research Incentive Funds (RIF) – Research Incentive Funds (RIF) – Dr.
Draughon & Jeff Sickman - Dr. Draughon shared with Jeff Sickman the
program at Arkansas and asked him to come to council to discuss how a plan like
this could work at USI. Mr. Sickman likes the concept because it would allow the
University to provide an alternative way to provide faculty with additional
compensation using extramural dollars. Federal regulations prohibit additional
compensation from grant (restricted) funds, but Mr. Sickman sees some real
opportunities with this approach because it allows us to reward faculty
achievement in a compliant way using University (unrestricted) resources.
b. The faculty salary incentive program could incentivize the pursuit of grants which
cover more salary costs, thereby generating additional funds for the University
less the cost of hiring someone to cover the courses from which the grant recipient
has been released. As in the University of Arkansas case, these savings could be
used to partially fund the incentive program.
c. It is important to understand that the program would actually increase the real cost
of receiving grants because the bonuses would have to be paid from existing
institutional funds which could be used for other purposes. Because the University
already fails to cover the true costs of grants in many situations, the council may
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
encounter objections to the idea from those who consider it unwise to increase
University costs during a time of constrained resources. The University of
Arkansas relies on salary savings to fund its incentive program for this reason; it
is self-sufficient, providing faculty an opportunity to share in the savings which
they helped to generate. (Note: The “true costs” of a grant is defined as the total
direct costs plus the total indirect costs, more commonly known as facilities and
administrative – F&A –costs. Within the past year, the University renegotiated its
F&A rate with the Department of Health and Human Services. The institution is
entitled to recover 45 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) for F&A
expenses. However, most University grants come from the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) presently, and HRSA caps F&A at 8 percent of
MTDC. As a result, the University has to use institutional resources to cover the
remaining F&A expenses which are not covered by the grant.)
Currently, each college and academic department maintains a reserve fund for
recovered F&A dollars. With permission from the deans, these dollars could be
used to partially fund the salary incentive program. However, the council should
proceed with caution because these dollars are finite; particularly as more
granting agencies disallow or cap F&A as HRSA does. As a result, the
sustainability of the incentive program will depend on the ability of the council to
identify stable sources of funding. Again, the University of Arkansas has
mitigated this risk by providing incentives from savings generated by grants.
Some colleges already have incentives to obtain grants such as tying those
activities to tenure and promotion. While there is nothing prohibiting the
University from providing multiple incentives, the council may want to consider
how a salary incentive program would complement or undermine existing
incentive programs.
The University has to cover its F&A costs because they are real costs to the
institution, and an increase in the number of grants results in a corresponding
increase in F&A costs. If F&A dollars are used for a salary incentive program,
then the University might have difficulty supporting faculty efforts to apply for
addition grants if the administrative offices which support the grant processes lack
the resources to keep pace with the demand. Sickman offers the point not to argue
against an incentive program but as an encouragement for the council to capture
all costs assessing its feasibility.
Some colleges cite a lack of qualified faculty as an issue in the recruitment and
retention of faculty, which has a direct impact on the recruitment and retention of
students-the focal point at USI right now. Will the University work against itself
by incentivizing highly qualified faculty to spend less time in the classroom?
Once more, this fact should not dissuade the council from pursuing an incentive
program, but it may be helpful to anticipate the potential objection and to
formulate an appropriate response.
Will the program discriminate against some colleges and reward others, creating a
compensation disparity? The Romain College of Business does not have access to
the same kinds of grant opportunities as the College of Nursing and Health
Professions, for instance. While this fact may not be a reason to avoid an
incentive program, it might be something for the council to consider and address.
II.
Sometimes, good things become bad things unintentionally, and Sickman would
not want to see that happen.
i. Overall, it seems to be an interesting and creative idea, and Sickman thinks it is
worthy of further discussion and consideration. Mr. Sickman likes the potential
benefits which it offers, particularly in regard to helping the University to remain
compliant by not trying to provide extra compensation using restricted grant
dollars. Mr. Sickman looks forward to discussing it further if the council decides
to pursue the idea.
j. Dr. Rowser asked where we do the council go from here. Mr. Sickman
recommended that the council consult Human Resources first to resolve any
potential conflicts with existing University compensation policies. Then, a
proposal may be developed and routed to the appropriate parties for the approval.
Otherwise, much time could be invested only to learn that some aspects of the
policy cannot be implemented due to unknown constraints. Dr. Rowser asked for
volunteers to serve on a committee to come up with the proposal. Dr. Hanka said
he would serve on the committee and Dr. Rowser asked that other volunteers
email her.
k. Graduate Faculty Status – Dr. Rowser asked council how the process is going
and if there are any questions. Dr. Hall said there were faculty petitions that were
done at the college level but graduate studies did not have them on file.
Recommendation from graduate studies is to scan those documents before they
are sent in campus mail in case those docs go missing. If there are questions about
petitions not on file bring those to the attention of graduate studies, so that staff
can verify if those documents are located in the Office of the Provost.
New Business
a. Curriculog – Sandy Frank – Tabled until next meeting.
b. University of Tsukuba Japan and USI tentative agreement – Heidi GregoriGahan sent materials for the council to review, regarding the agreement for
academic exchanges and cooperation between University of Tsukuba, Japan and
USI. Dr. Rowser asked that council take their questions and concerns to Heidi
Gregori-Gahan.
c. New program proposals – information only
i. Dr. Glenna Bower - Dr. Bower dispersed an overview of the Sport
Management Program proposal. It is a BS/MS 5-year stand-alone
program. There are two program offerings of a BS/MS 5-year sport
management program and a 2 – year stand –alone sport management
program. Both online/traditional/hybrid offering. Collaborating with MAC, MBA, and MPA. Internship opportunities are available because it is a
hands on program, connected with sports teams in the area. Dr. Bower will
be presenting the program to the program development and academic
planning council, and hopes to present to Graduate Council during the
November 14, meeting.
ii. Dr. Silvia Rode - Dr. Rode dispersed an overview of the Master of Arts in
Second Language Acquisition, Policy, and Culture (SLAPC). The study of
second-language acquisition examines the process by which people learn a
second language. Second-language acquisition (often abbreviated to SLA)
d.
e.
f.
g.
also refers to the scientific discipline devoted to studying that process and
the teaching methodologies to acquire a second language. The proposed
program has been approved by program development and academic
program committee. Dr. Rode hopes to present the proposal in full to
Graduate Council during the December 3, 2014 meeting.
iii. Dr. Kevin Valadares - Dr. Kevin Valadares – Spoke to council about a
proposal to add to the current Health Administration program. Adding a
new delivery model, a track called 4 plus 1. MHA degree is the same;
therefore there will be no need to seek Higher education for approval. Dr.
Valadares will be bringing the proposal to graduate council to either the
November or December graduate council meeting this year. Other majors
can come into program who want to branch over into health care. The
program is a traditional in class 39 hour program. This model appeals to
international students because of the in class curriculum.
iv. Graduate Assistantships – Human Resources contacted Dr. Rowser
regarding fee waiver and wages for Graduate Assistants. Human
Resources would like to see consistency across campus regarding wages
and waivers for graduate assistants. Dr. Rowser will be meeting with
Human Resources and requested that Graduate Council send any feedback
to her by email that they want shared with Human Resources.
Dr. Conaway has a proposal working on a graduate level writing center.
The proposal requests up to four graduate assistants that will serve all
programs. Send any utilization numbers for your programs to Dr.
Conaway as he develops this proposal.
Other
ICPSR Update - ICPSR update Dr. Rowser said Rochon would give a donation if
all the colleges give toward this.
Update language on eBulletin for returning students – Update language on EBulletin for returning students. The new language for returning students reads, “If
you previously were enrolled at the University but have not attended for one
fall/spring semester, you will not need to reapply but will have an advising hold
and will need to speak with an academic advisor before registering. Students
have an advising hold put on their account so program director can evaluate.
Graduate Student Organization Dr. Rowser informed council that a meeting
with Graduate Assistants is planned for October 29, to get ideas about creating a
graduate student/ambassador program on campus.
Marketing update from Graduate Studies – Graduate Studies sent 217 junior
and 208 senior postcards to top GPA students with applicable majors.
Recent events & internal initiatives
Career Link 9 – 24 -14 – We had 44 students fill out information cards indicating
a graduate program of interest.
Graduate Studies Open House 9-25-14 - There were about 100 people
at the open house, and forty-four students filled out information cards
indicating a program of interest.
University of Evansville Graduate Fair 10-1-2014 – Dr. Rowser, Susan
Todd, Dr. Conaway and Dr. Hanka attended the fair and spoke with
students with an interest in graduate studies. Fourteen students expressed
an interest and requested information in a graduate program. These
students were sent information about the program of interest,
appointment with program director, campus visit and appointment with
graduate studies.
Exploring Majors and Minors Fair – 10-15-2014
Forty-six students filled out information cards for a graduate program,
many of them were undecided, but expressed a desire to go to graduate `
school but didn’t necessarily know how to get there.
PARENTS & FAMILIES WEEKEND – Graduate Studies set up in the UC to
speak with about fifteen families about graduate programs.
HONORS STUDENT ASSEMBLY – Dr. Nina Bambina invited Graduate
Studies to speak at the Honors Student Assembly on October 20,
2014.The Honors Student Assembly is a monthly meeting for Honor
students and the first twenty minutes of each meeting is reserved for a
guest speaker. Susan Todd will be speaking about graduate programs
to 160 honors students at 6:00 pm in Mitchell Auditorium.
III.
Next meeting dates:
11-14-2014 1:30 – 3:00 pm in OC 3076
01-15-2015 9:00 –10:30 pm in OC 3076
02-01-2015 1:30 – 3:00 pm in OC 3076
03-06-2015 9:00 –10:30 am in OC 3076
04-08-2015 1:30 – 3:00 pm in OC 3076
05-11-2015 1:30 – 3:00 pm in OC 3076
The meeting was adjourned at: 3:00 pm