Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: February 4, 2000

Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, room 162
2:00 P.M.

  1. The meeting was called to order at 2:10 P.M. Vice Provost Robert Smith presided.
  2. New and continuing members of the Committee were introduced.
  3. It was moved, seconded, and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve as distributed the minutes of the 1-7-2000 meeting.
  4. It was moved, seconded, and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve the list of Plans of Study and Dissertation Proposals.
  5. Frank Labato and Stefan Wawzyniecki of Environmental Health and Safety demonstrated a computer-based laboratory safety training module. There was discussion about the demonstration and the need for campus-wide support of this laboratory safety training program. R. Smith recommended that Labato and Wawzyniecki be invited to a meeting of the Graduate Faculty Council to make the same presentation.
  6. A revision of the proposal from the School of Business Administration to implement a Master of Science in Technology Management (M.S.T.M.) degree program was considered. J. Henkel outlined the differences between the original and the revised documents. Discussion ensued.
    • Two modifications were recommended: (a) that the six credits of Concentration Courses (see pp. 13 & 15 of the revised proposal) be in a technical area rather than in a management area, and (b) that the parenthetical list of examples in 8.A of the revised proposal (p. 21) include biological science and physical science.
    • There was discussion about the revenue that might be generated by degree programs such as the one proposed here. There was general agreement that support for infrastructure should be returned to the Graduate School and to the University by such programs.
    • Following discussion, it was moved (G. Epling) and seconded (J. Marsden) that the proposal be approved with the two recommended modifications noted above. The motion passed without dissent on a voice vote.
  7. A proposal from the School of Business Administration to implement a dual degree program which would combine the Master of Business Administration degree program and the Master of Science degree program in the Field of Study of Accounting was considered and discussed.
    • It was moved (G. Anderson), seconded (J. Marsden), and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve the proposal.
  8. R. Smith reported on the following matters, several of which were discussed:
    • budget savings measures under consideration for the Storrs campus
    • the work of the Best Practices and the Quality of Graduate Student Life Task Forces
    • a proposal from Undergraduate Education and Instruction that graduate students be required to register on or before the first day of classes (rather than not later than the tenth day of the semester, which is the current deadline)
    • efforts within Research and Graduate Education to enhance communication with the University
      community on important issues and developments (e.g., the implementation of What's New -
      an e-mail newsletter)
    • the Research and Graduate Education Annual Report for 1998-1999 (copies were distributed)
    • extended hours of operation for the Graduate School (Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM)
  9. There was discussion about calling a meeting of the Graduate Faculty Council. It was decided not to call a meeting for February and to plan on a meeting of the Council for March (3-29-2000). The agenda will be determined at the March 3rd meeting of the Executive Committee.
  10. E. Pagoulatos suggested that the Executive Committee consider ways to involve the academic deans as a group in the work of the Graduate Faculty Council (e.g., perhaps by creating a voting constituency of academic deans).
  11. G. Anderson recommended that consideration be given to creating a direct communications link between the University Senate and the Graduate Faculty Council. He noted that it would be useful to have a liaison from the Executive Committee of the Graduate Faculty Council to the Executive Committee of the University Senate. There was discussion. It was agreed by consensus that R. Smith would discuss the proposal with Peter Halvorson, Chair of the Senate Executive Committee. Members agreed also that Anderson would be the group's choice to serve in such a role and that he would report regularly to the GFC Executive Committee if the proposal were to be adopted.
  12. There was discussion about the feasibility of "electronic" agendas and attachments for future meeting. It was concluded that hardcopy is more effective.
  13. Adjournment was at 4:00 PM.

Present:

  • Anderson, G.
  • Epling, G.
  • Henkel, J. (Associate Vice Provost)
  • Herzberger, D.
  • Maresh, C.
  • Marsden, J.
  • Pagoulatos, E.
  • Peters, T. (Assistant Dean)
  • Smith, R. (Vice Provost)
  • Strausbaugh, L.

Speakers: Frank Labato and Stefan Wawzyniecki (Environmental Health and Safety)

Regrets:

  • Carmichael, G.
  • Faghri, P.
  • Maxwell, G.


Respectfully submitted,

Thomas B. Peters
Secretary