Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: November 3, 2000

Whetten Graduate Center - Giolas Conference Room
2:15 P.M.

  1. The meeting was called to order at 2:22 P.M. Associate Vice Provost James G. Henkel presided.
  2. It was moved, seconded, and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve as distributed the minutes of the 10-20-2000 meeting.
  3. It was moved, seconded, and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve the list of Plans of Study and Dissertation Proposals.
  4. A proposal from the Neag School of Education to implement a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree program in a new Field of Study to be called Educational Leadership was considered and discussed. Members found the proposal to be very well prepared.

    It was moved (G. Epling) and seconded (L. Strausbaugh) to approve the proposal as presented. Before voting, a few minor questions and editorial suggestions were noted:

    What sorts of collaboration are intended in the students' planning of their dissertation research (point 3, middle of page 15)?

    To what extent would the student be expected to carry out dissertation research independently?

    The list of other institutions already offering an Ed.D. program should be expanded to include institutions within this region but outside Connecticut (section b, page 6).

    The section on needs assessment should be expanded somewhat (section c, page 6).

    An explanation of the character of Ed.D. dissertation research as it would differ from Ph.D. dissertation research should be added.

    It was noted that this proposal is in step with ongoing discussions within the Executive Committee concerning the need for the development of different kinds of degree programs.

    With the understanding that J. Henkel will confer with the Department of Educational Leadership concerning the minor questions and editorial suggestions, the motion to approve the proposal passed unanimously.

  5. J. Henkel noted that the DRAFT of the Campus Life Document being written by the Best Practices Task Force will be available for consideration and discussion at the December meeting.
  6. It was agreed that a meeting of the Graduate Faculty Council should be called within the next few weeks. The actual date will depend upon the availability of Vicky Triponey and Carole Henry to speak to the group about on-campus housing for graduate students. Members expressed concern about the originally-scheduled date (12-20-2000) for this meeting noting that it would be too late in the semester to assure adequate attendance. T. Peters agreed to explore alternative dates.
  7. Preparations were discussed for the planned Graduate Faculty Council meeting concerning on-campus housing. A variety of issues and concerns were identified.
    GFC Executive Committee, 11-3-2000 2

    In particular, members expressed considerable concern about the current lack of appropriate housing for visiting scholars and visiting faculty who need on-campus accommodations for periods of more than a few days to several weeks. L. Strausbaugh noted that this particular matter has been discussed very recently by the Growth and Development Committee of the University Senate. It was pointed out that central-campus options for this kind of housing are extremely limited. The renovation of the Lakeside Apartments building was identified as a possible appropriate solution, but there was mention of reports that the building might be converted to office space.

    As a result of this discussion, it was moved (L. Strausbaugh) that the Interim Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Education communicate to the President of the University the Executive Committee's surprise and dismay about the decision to eliminate the University's already inadequate housing for long-term visiting scholars as a consequence of the rumored conversion of the Lakeside Apartments to office space. It further was noted that such an action would contradict the University's often-stated commitment to research and graduate education.

    The motion was seconded (J. Marsden), and it passed without dissent on a voice vote.

    Concerning on-campus housing opportunities for graduate students, the following talking points were suggested for the upcoming Graduate Faculty Council meeting:

    • Plans for undergraduate and graduate housing for the next five years
    • Projections for campus life
    • The future of the Lakeside Apartments building
    • The Campus Life Document being prepared by the Best Practices Task Force.

  8. G. Anderson, University Senate Liaison, reported.
  9. J. Henkel raised for discussion the matter of identifying a GFC Executive Committee representative to the Dean's Council, as requested recently by the Chancellor. There was some discussion of having members of the Executive Committee attend Dean's Council meetings on a rotating basis. Members subsequently agreed, however, that there should be continuity in such representation. Support emerged for having one representative and an alternate. Henkel agreed to solicit nominations by e-mail.
  10. Adjournment was at 3:57 PM.

Present:

  • Anderson, G.
  • Epling, G.
  • Faghri, P.
  • Henkel, J.(Associate Vice Provost)
  • Marsden, J.
  • Peters, T.(Assistant Dean)
  • Strausbaugh, L.

Regrets:

  • Carmichael, G.
  • Hart, I.
  • Herzberger, D.
  • Maresh, C.
  • Maxwell, G.
  • Pagoulatos, E.(on leave Fall 2000)

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas B. Peters
Secretary