Office of the Provost


GRADUATE COUNCIL

GRADUATE COUNCIL MINUTES
FOR THE 
April 16, 2008
MEETING


 

I. Call to Order
    Provost Stearns called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.
II. Approval of the March 17, 2008 Minutes

    The minutes of the March 17, 2008 meeting were approved as written

III. Announcements

    Linda Schwartzstein stated that Dr. Saleem Ali, candidate for the Associate Provost for Graduate Education position, would be on campus Monday, April 21; the public presentation is scheduled at 11:00 am, Mason Hall D23. She encouraged Council members to attend the presentation for this important position.

IV. Discussion Items

    A. Statis of the Student Health Insurance Initiative for Doctoral Students (Linda Shwartzstein)

    Linda Schwartzstein advised the Council that a committee is working to provide health insurance for full-time doctoral students or MFA students who are supported by the university either through E&G funding or grant funding, with a GTA or GRA, as of Fall 2009. The committee will be coming forward with a proposal which the units believe will help with recruitment.

    B.Embargoes of Theses and Dissertations (John Zenelis)

    Daniel Menasce explained his objections to the embargo of dissertations, specifically that if there is anything in the dissertation that should not be published, the student should make every effort to remove or disguise the data; HSRB usually reviews the procedures for surveys and data. He further stated that he did not feel that the embargo should be open-ended, that it should be limited to one year; and that the dean’s recommendation to the Council should also include a time table for the embargo.

    Agnieszka Paczynska expressed concern that ICAR students writing about conflict in their country that it could be very dangerous for the student or the student’s family.

    Chris Hill commented that perhaps students should not write on topics that present a conflict of interest that might put the student in jeopardy.

    After considerable discussion, it was decided that the proposed policy will be revised and brought back to the Council’s May meeting; it should include the criteria to be applied, a maximum time limit, and that the dean’s recommendation should specify a time limit.

V. Old Business

VI. New Business

VII. Adjournment