Members attending: P. Stearns (Chair), D. Holisky, P. Becker, E. Dawson, K. Haynes, M. Goor, S. Nash, L. Schwartzstein, C. Rudder, D. Boehm-Davis, J. Offutt, D. Druckman, K. Simmons (Secretary)
Special Attendees: Karen Rosenblum, (University Life) C. Stromme (Provost)

I. Call to order

Stearns called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m.

II. Approval of August 2002 minutes

Minutes were approved with the following amendment. Item VI. B. was amended to read: Linda Schwartzstein announced a change to the eligibility requirements for High Potential Graduate Assistantships. These awards are still to be used to recruit high potential students, but doctoral programs can nominate their top candidate, based on their evaluation. The central university minimum criteria will no longer apply. As before, nominations should be sent to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

III. Announcements

Peter Stearns announced that Kaparah Simmons has now been appointed Secretary of the Graduate Council.

IV. Old Business

None.

V. New Business

A. GSE courses for approval

VI. Discussion Items

A. University Life Services to Graduate Students
Karen Rosenblum discussed improving circumstances for graduate students. Which included a counseling center, disability resource center, implementing an orientation utilizing the English Language Institute to help graduate students with writing, substance abuse programs and services to provide training and education in that arena, sexual assault services, graduate student travel fund, graduate student umbrella organizations, and student media groups that would involve more graduate level participation.

Further writing support services for graduate students was recommended by Dee Holisky. Peter Stearns recommended the leadership of Susan Trencher (Preparing Future Faculty) in this endeavor. Ideally, the council would like to get a group of graduate students together to address professional development issues. The desire is to get Susan Trencher to speak about it at a future meeting.

Additionally there was discussion in regards to communications issues with jobs through university services for graduate level students. Many graduate students use personal connections. Karen Rosenblum suggests she have Pat Carretta conduct a direct session with Graduate Council. Also, there is a lack of a place for graduate students to congregate on campus. No place has been designated solely for graduate students. Karen Rosemblum mentioned the T.V. room facility in the Johnson Center behind the radio station as a strong possibility.

B. Bio Terrorism Action Plan
A Bio Terrorism action plan has been an item of discussion for the College of Nursing in conjunction with Fairfax County.

C. Graduate Catalogue Policy 998 and 999
Dee Holisky brought up the policy in the graduate catalogue 998 and 999 and suggested making a change in the policy. The council agreed that this policy should be changed. Apparently it was an inherited policy for the council. Dee Holisky moved that the catalogue verbiage is deleted and she will submit Dee Holisky will submit a proposal on this item. Motion not entertained at this point. A full new catalogue will not be produced next year.

VII. Adjournment at 2:09 p.m.