Executive Committee Meeting Minutes: October 2, 1998

Whetten Graduate Center #202, Giolas Conference Room
2:00 P.M.

  1. The meeting was called to order at 2:06 P.M. Vice Provost Robert Smith presided.
  2. It was moved (S. Sacks), seconded (J. Marsden), and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve as distributed the minutes of the 9/4/98 meeting.
  3. It was moved (G. Anderson), seconded (S. Sacks), and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve the Plans of Study and the Dissertation Proposals on the attached list.
  4. T. Peters reported that the matter raised at the last meeting concerning the accuracy of a title of a particular Dissertation Proposal had been discussed with the Major Advisor, who will discuss the group's concern with the advisory committee and the student.
  5. G. Anderson raised for consideration the matter of making the minutes of the Executive Committee and of the Graduate Faculty Council available to the University community at large. It was concluded that the minutes of these groups should be posted regularly on the Web.
  6. E. Pagoulatos inquired about student registration procedures. Specifically, he asked about the capability to place an advisory bar on the registration of certain students. J. Henkel noted that this can de done on a case- by-case basis.
  7. A proposal from the School of Business Administration to implement a new master's degree program in the field of Technology Management [Master of Science in Technology Management (M.S.T.M.)] was introduced and discussed.
  8. Several questions and concerns were raised:
    • Can related scientific and engineering fields be more involved in the proposed program? (D. Grasso agreed to seek input from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.)
    • Would Master of Technology Management be a more accurate degree title?
    • Why would so many existing courses have to be renumbered?
    • New faculty should go through the usual University hiring/tenure process rather than be adjunct, single-program faculty.
    • Cost- and finance-related issues are significant.
    • Should graduates of this proposed program wish to continue for ". . . a more technical MS or MBA degree. . .", to what extent would ". . . the additional requirements for them be minimal . . ." as indicated on page 4 of the proposal?
    • The proposed degree program should address environmental issues.
  9. It was agreed that input concerning these matters will be sought. The proposal will be considered further when that input is available
  10. L. Strausbaugh recommended that the matter of the financial basis of the Graduate School be revisited. She suggested that Graduate School programs should provide an appropriate level of support to the operation of the Graduate School. There was discussion. R. Smith indicated that he will request that the matter be placed on the agenda for a future meeting of the Chancellor's staff.
  11. R. Smith spoke about a series of articles on academic issues now appearing in the UConn ADVANCE. He noted that articles on graduate education and research are planned for the coming weeks.
  12. There was discussion about the plan for major reallocation of Graduate School fellowship funds. R. Smith noted that maximum flexibility is one of the objectives of the plan. The program would not be administered centrally. He noted that external supporters of the program could contribute in a variety of ways (beyond endowments) and that the State has a matching plan for major gifts. The need for an emergency fellowship pool to handle special situations was noted. In discussing the allocation process, it was noted that criteria are needed. The commitment to diversity remains important. There was a suggestion that disciplinary groups be created (e.g., humanities, social sciences, and sciences) and that fellowships be awarded competitively within each group. R. Smith suggested that a more fully-developed proposal be presented for further discussion at a future meeting. Members agreed.
  13. It was noted that a request had been received from the Department of Physiology and Neurobiology to change the name of Field of Study Physiology to Physiology and Neurobiology. Copies were distributed. Following brief discussion, it was moved, (G. Anderson), seconded (E. Pagoulatos), and passed without dissent on a voice vote to approve the change of name as requested.11. It was noted that there will be a meeting of the Graduate Faculty Council on 10/14/98 as determined at the September meeting. The primary agenda will be a presentation by the Vice Provost on The State of the Graduate School. There was discussion about the remaining potential meeting dates for the Fall 1998 semester (i.e., 10/28/98 and 11/18/98). It was agreed not to call a meeting for 10/28 and to authorize a meeting for 11/18 with the agenda to be determined at the Committee's November meeting. 12. Adjournment was at 3:55 PM.

Present:

  • Anderson, G.
  • Epling, G.
  • Grasso, D.
  • Henkel, J. (Associate Vice Provost)
  • Marsden, J.
  • Maxwell, G. (Associate Dean)
  • Pagoulatos, E.
  • Peters, T. (Program Director)
  • Sacks, S.
  • Smith, R. (Vice Provost)
  • Strausbaugh, L.

Regrets:

  • Camaione, D.
  • Pappano, A.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas B. Peters
Secretary