Graduate Studies Senate Committee Minutes

October 17, 2014
130 Hullihen Hall

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

New Business

1. Request to grant a two-year extension for permanent status for the M.S. and PSM in Bioinformatics.  The PSM has graduated one student that requires 42 credits and time is needed to assess the program requirements going forward.  The MS program has enrolled 23 students and graduated 11 students.  Due to the complexities that exist in the interdisciplinary nature of the program, additional time is needed to assess the program through self-study.  The Committee unanimously approved the two-year extension.
2. The Committee reviewed the proposals being considered by the Senate for future academic calendars.   A recommendation was made that classes begin on Monday rather than Tuesday at the beginning of the Fall semester.  The Committee did not support the plan for a one-week time off at Thanksgiving.
3. The Committee discussed the need to review the timetable for permanent status review of new programs expressing concern that 5 years is too short for the master’s programs and 7 years may be too short for the doctoral programs.  The Committee recommended that it continue to discuss this issue and perhaps come forth with a proposal for change to the Senate.
4. The Committee discussed that a plan for the review of Graduate Certificate Programs be discussed.

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