Minutes of Graduate Council

February 28, 2002
3:30 p.m.
Draper, Rm. 139

Larry Lyon, Presiding

Members present at Waco campus: Janet Adamski; Tom Bratcher; Susan Bratton; Marion Castleberry; Richard Duhrkopf; Harry Elzinga; David Garrett; Baudelio Garza; Linda Livingstone (also for Steve Green); Barry Hankins; Frank Mathis; Dennis Myers; Bob Patterson; Andy Pittman; Robert Ray; Tillman Rodabough; Stuart Rosenbaum; David Rudd; Dwight Russell; David Schlueter; Al Smith; Calvin Smith (for Hafertepe); Greg Speegle; Richard Watts

Others present at Waco: Diane Brittain; Larry Lyon; Sherry Sims; Ken Wilkins; Peter Wivagg

Fort Sam Houston: Matthew Garber, Shonna Mulkey, Edward Kane

Dallas Site: Pauline Johnson

Dr. Bob Patterson led in opening prayer.

Dean Lyon explained that the tuition awards for next year (2003 FY) must reflect three tuition levels:

1. $654 per hour for new students
2. $405 per hour for returning students
3. $491 for new summer students

Further explanation related to "off-set" tuition funds available to new students who pay all or most of their own tuition. The Schools of Business and Education, and the departments of Social Work, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Psychology are the primary recipients of these additional "off-set" funds. It is important that these five major recipients of "off-set" funds maintain a level of external payment for tuition in 2002-03 (2003FY) consistent with that of 2001-02 (2002FY).

Lyon informed the Council that he had just met with the Provost to discuss their recommendations concerning Gerontology and that he would be providing Dr. Schmeltekopf with further information on the two degree programs. Lyon felt that a decision should be made within two or three weeks and Council members would be informed of the decision via e-mail.

The importance of the Provost's memo of February 7, "Responding to Vision 2012" was discussed. The Doctoral Needs Assessments, the proposals for new doctoral programs, and the research clusters all provide opportunities to strengthen graduate programs. The research clusters offer particular promise for faculty in Masters programs to gain access to research colleagues and graduate students.

Since this is the middle of the recruiting period for most graduate programs, the Council was reminded that the "Stipend Enhancements" can raise offers to all strong applicants and that the Presidential Scholars" program can raise the offers of exceptionally strong doctoral applicants even further.

Lyon presented two proposals which have been discussed by the Graduate Credentials Committee. He observed that Baylor's growing emphasis on scholarship coupled with the new "A" and "B" categorizations create problems for the current system of granting membership to the Graduate Faculty. After discussion, Lyon asked Council members to discuss these proposals with their fellow Graduate Faculty.

No distinction will be made between "full" and "associate" members of the Graduate Faculty. Only one class of membership will exist. A faculty member will be automatically granted Graduate Faculty status upon the Graduate Dean receiving a nomination from a majority of the graduate faculty within the faculty member's home department.

Unless written permission is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School on a case-by-case basis, all dissertations will be directed by Graduate Faculty who are in "Category B" according to Baylor's new faculty categorization model.

Lyon noted that Scholars' Day at Baylor presentations rose from 101 last year to 160 this year. He thanked Ms. Suzanne Keener or organizing the event and Dr. Ken Wilkins for filling in so ably during Lyon's illness.

Over-crowding in the Graduate School offices brought on by adding space for the Graduate Student Association and a new staff position will be relieved when the Graduate School moves to Morrison Hall this summer. The Graduate School offices will be located in the same area on the second floor as were the Law School Dean's offices.

Dr. Wilkins informed Council members about the new Graduate School website to be developed with the assistance of Liquid Matrix, Inc. He stated that the Graduate School would be moving towards having one application that would better integrate with the new online application and Banner/Student Information System. Peter Wivagg also noted the development of a process for updating academic department's websites.

Lyon asked Council members to remind their colleagues that the Council voted two years ago for thesis and dissertations to be graded as "Credit/Non-credit" rather that "A-B-C-D-F."

Finally, Lyon distributed the HEDS report comparing the perception of Baylor graduate students with those at Brandeis, Brown, Bryn Mawr, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, George Washington, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Ohio State, Tufts, Arizona, Florida, Missouri, and the University of Oregon. He opined that the quality and quantity of faculty and staff interactions with our graduate students are responsible for the exceptionally high regard with which our programs are held.