Council of Graduate Coordinators Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Graduate Coordinators Present: John Anderson, Jennie Bullard, Kristy Chunta, David Downing, Dennis Giever, Beverly Goodwin, Richard Hoch, Mary Jalongo, Chris Janicak, Gregory Kenning, Becky Knickelbein, Joe Kovaleski, Keith Kyler, Werner Lippert, Crystal Machado, Phil Neusius, Gian Pagnucci, Mark Piwensky, Jeff Ritchey, Jen Roberts, Mark Sloniger, Stephanie Taylor-Davis
Graduate School Staff present: Donna Griffith, Lori Harkleroad, Beverly Obitz, Shari Robertson, Paula Sandusky
1. Meeting called to order by Dr. Timothy Mack, Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research
2. Introductions
a. Everyone introduced themselves since there were new Graduate Coordinators present
b. Dr. Shari Robertson was introduced as the new Dean’s Associate in the SGSR
3. Approval of Minutes
The November 11, 2009 minutes were approved on a Janicak/Neusius motion with all in favor.
4. New Business
a. Low Enrollment Programs
i. If we can increase enrollment in these programs– this is moving in the right direction.
ii. Dr. Mack presented two workshops in the Fall entitled “How to Recruit Graduate Students.” He offered to present this workshop to specific colleges if so desired.
iii. Dr. Mack warned that some faculty members are feeling the effects of possibly losing a program. Feeling shock, anger, and depression is a result of experiencing such a loss. He asked the group to recognize these feelings when someone vents. Help them move past these feelings and on to the next step.
b. Dr. Mack opened the floor for questions pertaining to Low Enrollment Programs Discussion included:
i. How will decisions be made?
1. Dr. Mack shared a three step process that involves input from the department & college:
a. Step 1: Concentrate on what it is the department wants to do well
b. Step 2: Department & College write a “credible” justification to keep program
c. Step 3: Evaluation – PASSHE determines to keep or eliminate
c. University-Wide Graduate Committee’s Opinions
i. Senate asked the University-Wide Graduate Committee to provide some opinions about going from 12 credits to 9 credits in the summer.
d. Differential Tuition
i. Dr. Mack thanked those who returned their forms pertaining to “High Demand” programs and the following statements:
1. Can tuition be increased?
2. Tuition cannot be increased but we can increase enrollment
3. Can’t do either
ii. Majority of responses were: Can’t do differential tuition
iii. Handouts: Distribution of Academic Affairs Financial Plan; Possible College Distribution Models for Unmet Target (Examples NOT Plans)
1. Administration is working hard to keep faculty in their seats
iv. Multidisciplinary Program may become more common at IUP – Example from another university: Nine different departments participating on one graduate degree program.
5. Characteristics of a Good Graduate Program – Joe Kovaleski
a. Reported progress of committee
b. Distributed a handout that was compiled by the committee: Domains to be Considered for Graduate Coordinators’ Website. They are open to additional suggestions. Send suggestions to Joe Kovaleski
6. Open Issues – Donna Griffith
a. Notecards – Will be provided to graduate programs by the SGSR so coordinators can send personal messages to prospective students
b. Summer and Weekend Housing – Meeting has been scheduled…Donna will report back at the next meeting.
c. Assistantship Allocations – Donna expects to have allocations distributed by February 10
d. Fellowship & Merit Award – Donna is working on this with Administration.
e. Change of Grade Procedures – Reminder: Follow Change of Grade Procedures carefully. Whatever agreement you have made with the student, follow this through and submit the necessary Grade Change Forms that are required at least two weeks prior to the end of the next term.
f. Graduate Catalog – The last hard copy will be printed 2010-2011. In 2011-2012, an electronic version will be provided. The 2010-2011 catalogs will not contain a listing of faculty eligible to teach at the graduate level because the information changes after printing. Instead, updated information will be placed on the SGSR website.
g. Training for New Coordinators – offered by Donna Griffith, Lori Harkleroad and Paula Sandusky. Training sessions are offered twice a year. Training will be offered before Spring Break during this spring semester.
h. Graduate Coordinator Handbook – The handbook is currently being updated. We will send a message to let coordinators know when the update is complete.
7. Monroeville Center – Donna Griffith
a. Donna Griffith is now responsible for the Monroeville Center
b. Currently, an assessment of the overall operation is underway
8. Program “Landing Pages” – Paula Sandusky
a. A web page established by the SGSR in coordination with each individual program. This page can be accessed via the SGSR website. Viewers seeking program information will click on the program of interest and will be directed to this “Landing Page.”
b. Contact Paula if you would like to further discuss elements of the page.
9. SGSR Marketing and Communication’s Task Force Committee – Paula Sandusky
Goal is to suggest university-wide marketing plan for research and graduate education. Committee is currently researching university-wide practices.
1-27-2010 CGC Minutes TPM.docx
