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<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt'><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>GRADUATE
COUNCIL MINUTES<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt'><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>December
12, 2006<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Graduate Council</st1:PersonName> met
Tuesday, December 12, 2006, in the MSC Boardroom at 2:00 p.m. with Dean <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Allan</st1:PersonName> D. Headley presiding. Members present were: Dr.
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Hasan Coskun</st1:PersonName>, Dr. Sue Espinoza, Dr.
Harry Fullwood, Dr. John Hanners, Dr. <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Cynthia Harr</st1:PersonName>,
Dr. Ben Jang, Dr. Jeff Kopachena, Mr. David Mickelson, Dr. <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Derek Royal</st1:PersonName>, Dr. Mary Beth Sampson, and Ms. Adena
Young. Members absent were: Dr. <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Chris Myers</st1:PersonName>,
Dr. <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Chester Robinson</st1:PersonName>, Dr. Steven
Shwiff, Dr. Janet Walker and Dr. <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Dayle Yeager</st1:PersonName>.
Dr. <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Jon Travis</st1:PersonName>, Assistant Dean of
Graduate Studies & Research was also in attendance. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The minutes from the last <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Graduate Council</st1:PersonName>,
November 14, 2006, were approved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>REPORT FROM COMMITTEE ON
ADMINISTRATION<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dr. Jeff Kopachena presented the committee report on three requests to
change departmental admissions criteria. The request from Health & Human
Performance requested the following criteria for full admission to a
master’s degree program: admission to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Graduate</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>;
scores on verbal and quantitative sections of GRE; successful completion of
undergraduate foundation courses specific to selected graduate program; and two
letters of reference from sources acquainted with applicant’s academic
capabilities. Probationary status can be granted by a consensus of the
department’s graduate faculty; deficiencies must be removed by the end of
the second semester of enrollment. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Department of Chemistry requested the following criteria for their
majors: admission to the Graduate School; academic transcripts from all
colleges and universities attended; two letters of reference; personal
statement about achievements, career goals, and interest in A&M-Commerce;
GRE scores (general and chemistry); and TOEFL for students whose native
language is not English.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>New criteria requested by Psychology and Special Education for the MA
or MS in Psychology with an emphasis in School Psychology are as follows:
admission to the Graduate School; GPA of at least 3.00 on bachelor’s
degree and/or 3.5 on completed graduate courses; GRE scores for quantitative,
verbal, and analytical/writing sections; three letters of recommendation; and a
brief essay to include biographical statement, statement of training and
experience working with diverse populations, research experience and interest,
how program will meet training interests and goals, and professional goals and
aspirations for the future.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The motion to accept the new requirements made by Dr. Kopachena was
seconded by Dr. Sampson and approved by the Council.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>REPORT FROM COMMITTEE ON CURRICULUM<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dr. Hanners discussed the electronic curriculum change process and
encouraged Council members to review requests and to offer their suggestions to
the committee. Some curriculum changes are now available for review, and more
will be added. The committee will present their report to the Council at the
February 13<sup>th</sup> meeting. Some things to look for are: replication of
courses and course inflation.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dr. Hanners presented a request from the Department of Sociology and
Criminal Justice for a new graduate certificate program in <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>Criminal Justice Management</span></i>. This is the
first graduate certificate program since the request for implementation of the
new procedure. Dr. Hanners made the motion to approve the Criminal Justice
Management Graduate Certificate program which was seconded by Dr. Fullwood.
Approval of the Council was unanimous.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:bold'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:
always'>
</span></font></u></b>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>REPORT FROM COMMITTEE ON FACULTY,
RESEARCH & INSTRUCTION<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:
none'> </span></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dr. Espinoza presented the committee report on changes to the procedure,
11.04.99.R0.28, Awarding Graduate Experiential Credit. The committee
recommended adding a statement that <i><span style='font-style:italic'>the
combination of transfer credit and graduate experiential credit cannot exceed
one-third of the credit required for the master’s degree with a maximum
of twelve semester hours</span></i>. Dr. Fullwood made the motion to accept
with a second by Dr. Royal. The Council unanimously approved the change.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Discussion
Items<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A request to review the
practice within the departments when the major advisor of a thesis or
dissertation leaves the institution, but continues as chair for his/her
advisees. Dr. Travis led a discussion on the subject. Some comments and
suggestions were:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:.75in;text-indent:
-13.5pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>1.
A new committee chair should be appointed as a co-chair with the previous
chair.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:.75in;text-indent:
-13.5pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>2. Need
policy or well-constructed concept.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:.75in;text-indent:
-13.5pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>3.
Student may want chair to continue because of his/her reputation and name
recognition.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:.75in;text-indent:
-13.5pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>4.
Timing of completion of the thesis/dissertation may affect the decision.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-left:.75in;text-indent:
-13.5pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>5.
If the faculty member continues as chair, co-chair or a member, he/she will
need to request temporary graduate faculty status.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dr. Headley will charge
the appropriate Committee to review the issue and to submit a recommendation to
the Council.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Another discussion item
concerned the use of the IELTS or other English proficiency exams as a
substitute to the TOEFL exams now required for international students. The
need for a good validity study and equivalency tables for the exam was
expressed. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Next Meeting: February
13, 2007, 3:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>ADJOURNMENT</span></font></u><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Council adjourned at 2:55 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Louise Skinner</span></font></st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Secretary to the <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Graduate Council</st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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