Graduate Studies Senate Committee Minutes

November 21, 2014
130 Hullihen Hall

Members present:   Charles Swanik, Harsh Bais, Daniel Sullivan (Excused) , Bill Ullman, Susan Brynteson, Mary Martin,  James Richards, Melinda Duncan, Jesus Botello (Excused), Michael Santare, Jane Wessel (Graduate Student), Chris Castillo, Brad Glass, Shannon Lennon-Edwards,Timothy Spaulding.

Old Business

1. Chair Swanik reported on the tabled action of the Senate with regard to the proposal to update the description of the Committee members.       The Senate took issue with having 3 members from the College of Arts and Sciences.  As a result, the proposal for the inclusion of the Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education as a member of the Committee will go forward.  Second, the original proposal approved by the FACSEN Committee on Committees approving the inclusion of two additional faculty members from Arts and Sciences to the Committee to take effect in Fall of 2006 be submitted to the full Senate for approval.  The Committee has included 3 members from Arts and Sciences since Fall 2006.
2. Leland Ware was an invited guest to provide comments and rationale for the decision to close applications for admission in the MA in Historic Preservation in 15-16 while the proposal for an extension of time to grant permanent status is in place.  Chair Swanik distributed the memo from the current and past students in the program who expressed their concern for this decision.  The Committee tabled their vote on the decision to grant a one-year extension for the permanent status review of the MA in Historic Preservation.

New Business

1. Professsors Tripp Shenton and CP Huang presented information about the proposal to amend the admission requirements in support of the proposal to accept students from Tong Ji University prior to their completion of the bachelor’s degree.  The students in this program would complete 3 years of study in China and attend UD for their fourth year at which time they will complete courses that will be transferred back to Tong Ji for the completion of the bachelor’s degree. In addition, the students will complete 30 credits for the MCE degree at UD which are the same requirements for all students in the program.
2. The proposal for curriculum changes in the MCE, MS and PHD programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  The Committee requested that the side-by-side comparison of the changes be presented before the Committee votes on the changes.  The proposal was tabled.

Next meeting will be either December 15 or 16, 2014

Respectfully submitted:
Mary Martin, Assistant Provost for Graduate and Professional Education