Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: November 30, 2000

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

  1. The meeting was called to order at 2:21 P.M. Interim Vice Provost Ian C. Hart presided.
  2. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the 11-3-2000 meeting. There was discussion about several of the action items. The motion passed without dissent on a voice vote.
  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 draft document concerning Campus Life written by the Best Practices Task Force was considered and discussed. J. Henkel explained the main components of the document. Members expressed general agreement with the draft document as presented.

    There was discussion about the process by which the documents produced by the Best Practices Task
    Force would be approved and used in the future. It was recommended that the series of Best Practices
    documents be viewed as a comprehensive compilation of best-to-do things with respect to graduate
    education at UConn. The process then becomes one of prioritizing and making progress with the
    various elements as circumstances and resources permit. There was agreement that the draft
    documents should be discussed fully by the Graduate Faculty Council, should have the endorsement of
    the Chancellor and President, and should be shared ultimately with the Board of Trustees. It further
    was agreed that the approval process as well as the documents themselves should be discussed by the
    Graduate Faculty Council. There was a unanimous endorsement of the proposals contained in the
    draft document

    Concerning graduate student housing, it was noted Vicky Triponey and Carole Henry have agreed to
    attend the February 28, 2001 meeting of the Graduate Faculty Council. It was noted that short-term
    housing for graduate students who need to be on campus for short periods continues to be an unmet
    need.

    It was noted that the Student Health Service should be included in the Campus Life document since
    that service is a provider of emergency and ongoing health care for graduate students.

    The point was made that the scope of these documents needs to extend beyond the Storrs campus to
    include all campuses and locations where the University offers graduate study.

  5. G. Anderson, University Senate Liaison, reported.
  6. There was discussion about UConn 2000, particularly its concluding phase. Concern was expressed that the remaining resources be applied to projects that would be most in keeping with the objectives of the University's Strategic Plan. Members noted that significant faculty input in this process is essential. There was a call for providing central-campus housing for visiting faculty and scholars if the current facility (Lakeside) is to become unavailable for that purpose. There was unanimous sentiment that a new site for housing intermediate-length visiting scholars be established before the Lakeside facility is taken off-line to be used for another purpose. Members asked that Interim Vice Provost Hart
    communicate the Committee's position on this matter to the Chancellor, the President, and to others.

    It further was recommended that Arjona and Monteith be considered as high priorities for renovation.

    It was noted that information concerning the current status of UConn 2000 projects should be
    reviewed, and it was recommended that a meeting of the Graduate Faculty Council would provide an
    appropriate forum for an update and discussion of the current status of UConn 2000. I. Hart agreed to
    pursue this matter with the Chancellor. T. Peters will follow-up in terms of arranging a meeting of the
    GFC early in the Spring 2001 semester.

  7. There was discussion about meetings of the Graduate Faculty Council during the Spring 2001 semester. It was determined that UConn 2000 would be an appropriate topic for the January 31 meeting. Vicky Triponey and Carole Henry are scheduled to speak to the Council on February 28 about graduate student housing. Potential topics for the March 28, April 25, and May 16 meeting dates include purchasing issues related to research, faculty and graduate student travel, and a further discussion of possible solutions to the University's parking problems.
  8. It was noted that Karen Cajka and Roxanne Donovan, Graduate Student Senate representatives to the Graduate Faculty Council, will be invited to a future meeting of the Executive Committee as agreed previously to discuss issues and concerns of importance to graduate students.
  9. There was an inquiry concerning a letter sent recently by the Research Foundation apparently to
    interdisciplinary graduate programs concerning their eligibility to receive funding from the Foundation
    in the future. I. Hart said that he would look into the matter.
  10. J. Henkel asked if consideration should be given to changing the regular meeting day and/or time (the first Friday of the month from 2:15 to 4:15 P.M.). Following brief discussion, it was agreed that Henkel would canvass members to solicit recommendations in this regard.
  11. It was noted that J. Henkel will be polling members to identify a representative to the Deans' Council as requested recently by the Chancellor.

  12. Adjournment was at 4:05 PM.

Present:

  • Anderson, G.
  • Epling, G.
  • Hart, I. (Interim Vice Provost)
  • Henkel, J. (Associate Vice Provost)
  • Herzberger, D.
  • Maresh, C.
  • Marsden, J.
  • Maxwell, G. (Associate Dean)
  • Peters, T. (Assistant Dean)
  • Strausbaugh, L.

Regrets:

  • Carmichael, G.
  • Faghri, P.
  • Pagoulatos, E. (on leave Fall 2000)


Respectfully submitted,

Thomas B. Peters
Secretary