Minutes of Graduate Council

September 20, 2001
3:30 p.m.
Draper, Rm. 139

Larry Lyon, Presiding

Members present at Waco campus: Janet Adamski; Susan Bratton; Marion Castleberry; Jim Diaz-Granados; Richard Duhrkopf; Steve Dworkin; Harry Elzinga; David Garrett; Baudelio Garza; Steve Green; Carlos Manzanares; Frank Mathis; Harold Osborne (for Lawrence Felice); Bob Patterson; Andy Pittman; Robert Ray; Stuart Rosenbaum; David Rudd; Dwight Russell; David Schlueter; John Seaman (for Tom Bratcher); Al Smith; Calvin Smith (for Kenneth Hafertepe); Greg Speegle; John Tindale (for Doug Ferdon)

Others present at Waco: Diane Brittain; Larry Lyon; Ken Wilkins Fort Sam Houston: Daniel Dominguez; Timothy Flynn; Matthew Garber

Dallas Site: Pauline Johnson

Crystal Summers, a doctoral student in the English Department and co-president of the Graduate Student Association, opened the Council meeting with a prayer.

Dean Lyon asked the three Council members at Fort Sam Houston (Daniel Dominguez, Tim Flynn, and Matthew Garber) to comment on the degree to which rising military preparedness has affected or will affect their academic programs. All responded that educational activities will move forward.

Lyon introduced and welcomed the new members of the Council: Janet Adamski (Political Science), Tom Bratcher (Statistics), Susan Bratton (Environmental Science), Marion Castleberry (Theatre Arts), Dan Dominguez (Healthcare Administration, Fort Sam Houston), Doug Ferdon (Journalism), Tim Flynn (Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston), Matt Garber (DScPT, Brooke Army Medical Center), Donald Greco (American Studies), Barry Hankins (Church-State), Dennis Myers (Social Work), Bob Patterson (Religion), Dwight Russell (Physics), and Al Smith (Education/Administration).

Lyon reviewed the accomplishments of the Graduate School during 2000-2001 and concluded that the data point to the importance of recruiting strong graduate students in 2001-2002.

Crystal Summers, co-president of the Graduate Student Association, reported on the activities of the GSA. She introduced Hania Wehbe (Biomedical Studies), co-president and announced that Aubrey Abbott (Journalism) is serving as Vice President and that Carolyn Markey (Chemistry) is serving as the Secretary. The GSA hosted 400 students at the orientation event on August 23 and is currently working on a comprehensive campus calendar and on insurance options for graduate students.

Lyon commended Crystal and Hania for their hard work. Past presidents of the GSA included Rob Winningham (Psychology/Neuroscience), Monica Allen (Environmental Studies), and Ron Rowe (Philosophy). Lyon expressed appreciation for the departments sharing these capable students with the Graduate School.

Lyon reminded the Council members that the stipend and tuition requests are due to the Graduate School on Monday, October 15, 2001.

The enhanced stipend and tuition awards will be funded at a higher level than previous years.

The GRE lists are available to departments again this year. Departments should contact Jonathan_Wivagg@baylor.edu to use this recruiting tool.

Again this year, the Graduate School has limited matching funds to help departments with the printing of new brochures, posters, or the campus visits of prospective students.

Ken Wilkins informed the Council that the Graduate School can provide assistance updating and enhancing graduate program web pages. He also mentioned that the Graduate School would be distributing a computerized list of McNair Scholars to aid in the recruiting of under-represented students.

Wilkins also discussed a draft document outlining the responsibilities and resources for the graduate program directors. Wilkins asked the Council members to share the draft of the document with their chairs and to seek their input.

Lyon noted that the GRE test has changed their evaluation process. The current analytical measure will no longer be part of the General Test. The GRE will now include an analytical writing section.

The Baylor in Maastricht program will have a graduate assistantship available for Spring, 2002. Any Council member who would like to suggest a student for this opportunity should contact Jeff Hamilton, History Department.

Lyon reminded the Council of Scholars' Day, which will be on January 30, 2002. He encouraged each one to participate, to help enlist graduate student to participate, and to encourage graduate students to attend.