Minutes of Graduate Council

February 25,2004
3:30 p.m.
Cashion, Room 303

Larry Lyon,Presiding

Members present at Waco campus: Stacy Atchley; Bill Bellinger; Ed Blum (for DonGreco); Tom Bratcher; Susan Bratton;Larry Browning (for Betty Conaway); Gary Carini; Robert Cloud; Derek Davis; Jim Diaz-Granados (for Bob Kane andDavid Rudd); David Garrett; Baudelio Garza; Diana Garland (for Dennis Myers); Kenneth Hafertepe; Deborah Johnston; Carlos Manzanares; Christopher Marsh; Frank Mathis; Carson Mencken (for Tillman Rodabough); Bradley Owens; Robert Ray; Stuart Rosenbaum; Dwight Russell; David Schlueter; Greg Speegle; Richard Watts; KenWilkins

Others present at Waco campus: Diane Brittain; Sherry Sims; Chip Tate

Dallas Location: Jacquelin Neatherlin

San Antonio Location: Chris Pate

Dr. Derek Davis gave the invocation.

Dr. Gary Carini again presented the recommendation forchanging the grading system. Theproposed change would include A- , B-, and C-. If approved, the new system would be A = 4.0; A- = 3.75; B+ = 3.5; B =3.0; B- = 2.75; C+ = 2.5; C = 2.0; C- = 1.75. Dr. Carini said that some people prefer to have this option forgrading. If this change is approved bythe Council and then by the Council of Deans, it would be optional per course;it would not be a mandated system.

The Graduate Council approved the change. The vote was 22 for and 4 against. Dr. Lyon will take the proposal to theCouncil of Deans. If they suggest anychanges, the proposal would come back to the Graduate Council fordiscussion. Dr. Lyon will let theGraduate Council members know the outcome.

Dr. Ken Wilkins gave an update on travel awards forgraduate students which indicated that $20,000 has been awarded this year. These awards continue to be a priority forthe GraduateSchool.

Dr. Wilkins also mentioned that in the past the GraduateSchool had allowed a student who hadmissed the current semester deadlines, but who could finish in the interimbefore the first day of classes for the following semester, to ask theirdepartment to request a waiver for registration for the next semester, therebynot having to pay tuition. The GraduateSchool is no longer able to offer thisprivilege. Dissertation and thesisservices will be available from the first day of classes through the last dayof classes each semester. Calendars arepublished will in advance of the semester to facilitate adequate planning. Therefore, a student must be registered inthe semester they intend to graduate.

Dr. Wilkins and Shaun Yeh, president of the GraduateStudent Association, reviewed the Graduate Students' Rights andResponsibilities Document. SeveralCouncil members have responded to Dr. Wilkins with suggestions, change, and ideasfor re-wording. Dr. Wilkins and the committeewill continue to refine the document. Hewill report back to the Council at their next meeting. Any Council member who would like to makesuggestions should contact Dr. Wilkins. Dr. Wilkins and Dr. Lyon reiterated that this document is needed atBaylor and will serve a useful purpose for faculty and students.

Mrs. Sherry Sims explained that the new policiesregarding incompletes do not affect graduate students. The designation of "IP" does not apply tograduate students. A department can seta time limitation for incompletes within their own program. The maximum deadline for completion ofincompletes, however, is 8 years from the time the student first matriculatesin the doctoral program and is 5 years for a masters' student.

Mrs. Diane Brittain explained that the processing ofstipend and tuition authorizations for 2005 FY will be a web-based. This process will improve efficiency sincethe new system is no longer software-dependant. Mrs. Brittain indicated that there will be two training sessions for thegraduate program directors, their assistants, and backup persons. Registration for these sessions is throughProfessional & Organizational Development at the following address: https://www1.baylor.edu/pod_reg/BrowseAll.aspx. Various changes have been made due to federal andstate laws and regulations; Baylor must comply with these laws.

Mr. Chip Tate reported that the total number ofapplications for this year compared to this time last year is up 13%. If a program director wants a list of all theapplicants to their program, he/she can contact Mr. Tate for thatinformation. He reminded the Councilthat he has limited funds for travel for prospective students; therefore, directorsshould contact him soon. The plan forhaving a view book published for the Arts and Humanities is going forward. Hopefully it will be ready in the fall of 2004.

Dr. Lyon reminded the Council of Scholars Day which is Monday, March 8. There will be 205presentations with 240 presenters. The schedule for is on the web at the following address: http://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=5235

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.