MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL
April 19, 2002
PRESENT: Dr. Burkett, Dr. Fischer, Dr. Watson, Dr. Prasad, Dr. Ingham for Dr. Ponton,
Dr. Shughart for Dr. Cook, Dr. J. Cole, Dr. D. Cole, Dr. Eftink and Guest Dr. Deborah
Barker.
ABSENT: Dr. Eagles, Dr. Hoffheimer, Dr. Miller, Dean Meador, and Mr. Godfrey.
The Graduate Council met in the Chancellor's Dining Room at 12:45 P.M.
1. The minutes of April 5, 2002 were approved.
2. Dr. Deborah Barker presented documentation and a request from the Sarah Isom
Center for approval of a new graduate program - Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies.
The Council tabled the request until certain policies could be established regarding
graduate certificate programs.
3. The Council approved the attached Graduate Catalog changes.
4. The Graduate Council endorsed the Graduate Dean's plan to establish an Academic
Program Review committee for the purpose of critiquing the academic quality of
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
1. On page 38, under General Requirements for a Master's Degree:
Delete:
Courses for Graduate Students Only - A minimum of one-half of the candidate's graduate
courses exclusive of thesis must be in courses to which only graduate students are
admitted.
2. On page 35 under Repeating Courses - Change the last sentences as follows:
In instances of repeated courses, the grade and credit hours for the second attempt will be
used to determine eligibility to graduate. Departments may impose higher standards. For
those courses that may be repeated for credit, the department offering the course would
notify the Registrar's office to rename (or index as I/II, etc.) the course on students'
transcripts at each offering.
3. On page 38, under General Requirements for a Master's Degree:
In the paragraph Final Examination, change the phrase as follows:
. . . every candidate for a master's degree must pass a final written examination.
4. Under Research Organizations, Academic and Community Services section, page 8.
Add the text on the following page to this section on page 10 or 11.
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Member Dr. Alice M. Clark, Vice Chancellor for
Research and Sponsored Programs, Campus Contact 125 Old Chemistry 662 915-7482
ORAU is a consortium of 85 colleges and universities and is a contractor for the US
Department of Energy. ORAU works with its member institutions to help their students
and faculty gain access to federal research facilities, to provide information about
opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, and research appointments, and to organize
research alliances among its members. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and
Education operated by ORAU provides opportunities for undergraduate students,
graduate students, and postgraduates to participate in programs (lasting one month to four
years) covering a wide range of disciplines, including business, earth sciences,
epidemiology, engineering, physics, geological sciences, pharmacology, ocean sciences,
biomedical sciences, nuclear chemistry, and mathematics. Many of these programs are
especially designed to increase participation of underrepresented minority students in
science and engineering. Faculty development opportunities include the Ralph E. Powe
Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, the Visiting Industrial Scholars Program,
consortium research funding initiatives, and faculty research support programs. For more
information, visit the ORAU home page (http://www.orau.org).
The meeting adjourned at 3:40 P.M.
Maurice R. Eftink, Chair
Robert C. Khayat, Chancellor
The minutes of the Graduate Council are unofficial until approved by the Chancellor.