Minutes of Graduate Council

September 23, 2004
3:30 p.m.
Cashion, Room 303

Ken Wilkins, Presiding

Members present at Waco campus:
Dwight Allman; Stacy Atchley; Bill Bellinger; Gary Brooks; Tom Bratcher; Susan Bratton; Gary Carini; Marion Castleberry; Robert Cloud; Betty Conaway; Derek Davis; Charles Garner (for Carlos Manzanares); David Garrett; Baudelio Garza; Steve Green; Mike Greenwood; Kenneth Hafertepe; Deborah Johnston; Bob Marks; Carson Mencken; David Music; Darden Powers; Robert Ray; Stuart Rosenbaum; David Schlueter; Greg Speegle; Ron Stanke; Richard Watts

Others present at Waco campus:
Diane Brittain; Sandra Harman; Laine Scales; Sherry Sims; Chip Tate

Dallas Location:
Pauline Johnson

San Antonio Location:
Shonna Mulkey; Dan Renderio

Dr. Bill Bellinger gave the invocation.

Dr. Wilkins, presiding in the absence of Dr. Lyon who was making a presentation to the Regents, introduced Dr. Laine Scales, the new Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professional Development. He also introduced the Graduate School staff members who were present: Diane Brittain, Sandra Harman, Sherry Sims, and Chip Tate.

Dr. Wilkins also introduced new Council members; Dwight Allman (Political Science), Gary Brooks (Psychology-PsyD), Steve Green (Business/Economics), Robert Marks (Engineering), Carson Mencken (Sociology), Darden Powers (Physics), Ron Stanke (Mathematics), and Thomas Sutlive (Physical Therapy).

Max Shauck gave an overview of the proposed new degree, International Master's in Air Science and Environment. The proposed degree will incorporate their current research in air pollution and aviation fuel. Baylor has been involved with these areas for many years and has a national presence in the field. Distance learning between universities will be a primary feature of the degree. Another key element will be the interdisciplinary courses. Some funding will come from industry.

The motion was made and seconded to approve the proposed degree. The Council unanimously approved. The proposed degree will now be sent to the Provost. If he approves, the proposal will be considered for approval by the President and then by the Regents.

Dr. Laine Scales gave the Council members information about her background and her responsibilities in the Graduate School. She has been at Baylor for six years in the School of Social Work. Her primary responsibilities in the Graduate School will be with faculty and graduate student professional development. By working with Dr. Eileen Hulme, Dr. Scales hopes to provide more emphasis and opportunity for "community" among graduate students. She will also teaching the Introduction to College Teaching course which is offered each spring. The Graduate School pays the tuition for the students who take the class. Dr. Scales will be visiting with the graduate directors during the year to get their input.

Dr. Scales and Dr. Wilkins will be working on Scholars' Day (February 4, 2005). Dr. Scales encouraged the Council members to mentor a student who could present that day and also to use the event as a recruiting tool. Since Scholars' Day is on a Friday the departments could use the weekend for other recruiting opportunities. She reminded the Council that the deadline for submission of presentations is December 17.

Mr. Chip Tate reported on the recruitment for the fall 2004 class. The incoming class had an overall improvement more than 30 points on their average GRE score total. Mr. Tate also explained that the on-line application now is able to incorporate specific questions for specific departments. If any Council member has additional information or questions that they want on their application or other questions, they should contact Mr. Tate.

Nolij web is in place for all departments. This program enables departments to see all the application documents which have been scanned on their computer, thereby essentially eliminating the need for paper files.

Mr. Tate is working with the departments to improve and update their brochures. The viewbook for Arts and Humanities should be available soon. The Graduate School has some funds to help with the costs of brochures; Council members should contact Mr. Tate.

Dr. Wilkins made a presentation about the recruiting efforts in the science programs. With the new Baylor Science Building now on-line and occupied, the sciences programs should take advantage of this wonderful resource in their strategies for recruiting increasingly stronger graduate students. The traditional departmental materials (brochures, posters, websites, other) need to be updated to reflect the new facilities and equipment, increased space, etc. And, an interdisciplinary dimension needs to be added to recruiting. The BSB was programmed to recognize and enhance faculty and student collaborations across traditional disciplinary boundaries. New recruiting materials need to be developed to promote this interdisciplinary character. Initial steps might be to better develop the interdisciplinary culture. Such activities might include informal brown-bag seminars for grad students, designation of commons rooms, co-sponsoring of seminars across programs, reinvigorating BU's chapter of Sigma Xi, etc. New brochures, posters, web sites, advertising, etc. for these interdisciplinary activities and associations need to be developed. Campus visits of prospective grad students should be coordinated with Scholars' Day, 4 February 2004. The Graduate School can help with both expertise and budget; contact recruiting coordinator Chip Tate for further information.

The requests to the departments for stipend and tuition funds for 2005-2006 will be sent to the graduate program directors soon [Requests were sent via email on October 5, 2004.] They will need to be returned to Mrs. Diane Brittain at the end of October. Dr. Wilkins also mentioned that there are funds available for supplemental/enhanced stipends and for an even higher level of support for Presidential Scholars. Council members should contact Dr. Lyon about these awards.

The catalog changes to the Graduate Catalog are due to Mrs. Sandra Harman on October 27.

Dr. Wilkins indicated that there is an initiative underway to provide electronic versions of theses and dissertations. The Graduate School, ITS, and the libraries are working together. In the spring of 2005, a few departments may be piloting this program. Each program should consider whether they wish to require graduate students to provide paper copies for mentors and departments. Graduate students would realize considerable financial savings if mentors and departments were willing to rely on electronic copies.

On October 7 at 4:00 p.m., Dr. Michelle Toon and Mrs. Sandra Harman will present a formatting workshop in Morrison 100. Flyers were available at the meeting for Council members to take and post in the departments.

Dr. Mike Greenwood, HHPR, inquired about the possibility of have a reduced rate in the cafeterias for graduate students. Possibility this could be a plan similar to the one that faculty and staff currently have. Dr. Greenwood will report back to the Council regarding this matter.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.