Minutes from the Graduate Council Meeting of September 13, 2005

Faculty Present: Drs. Bradley, Downs, Faruqi, Fields, Estrada, Hewitt, Martinez (represented by Dr. Uddameri), Massa, Nelson, Oh (represented by Dr. Stanford), Olivares, Stallone (represented by Dr. Davis), Torres, and Wagman.

Faculty Absent: Drs. Ballard and Shorter.

Graduate Student Representatives Present: Mr. Anderson, Mr. Jaimes, Ms. Gutierrez, Ms. Nava, Ms. Hernandez, and Mr. Mohanlal (SGA/International Student Representative).

I. The meeting was held in the Blue Room of Sam Fore Hall. Dr. Olivares called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m.

II. Introductions of Graduate Council Members were made.

III. Dean’s Appointees and Standing Committees responsibilities were explained.

IV. Standing Committee Reports

A. A. Executive Committee: Dr. Massa noted that the Executive Committee would meet to establish a set of goals for the 2005-2006 Graduate Council.

B. B. Curriculum Committee: Dr. Bradley distributed and explained Graduate Curriculum Proposal forms. Graduate curriculum proposals must be submitted to the Graduate Office no later than October 4, 2005, if the proposals are to be recommended to become effective for AY '06.

C. C. Membership Committee: Dr. Faruqi reminded the Council that graduate faculty nominations would be called for in January 2006.

D. D. Program Review Committee: Dr. Massa noted that Art, Biology, Counseling and Guidance, Educational Administration, Electrical Engineering, and Math are slated for program review in Spring 2006.

V. Dean’s Report:

E. A. Dr. Olivares provided a handout detailing the current recommendations by the SACS audit team. Comments were made regarding the efforts that will need to be implemented.

F. B. Dr. Olivares provide a handout and information from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) regarding proposed guidelines for new doctoral programs. The proposed, new, doctoral criteria were discussed.

G. C. Dr. Olivares announced the TAMUS Pathways Symposium. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to register and submit abstracts before the on-line registration deadline of October 31, 2005.

H. D. The number of students eligible for graduation this fall commencement was presented and discussed. A record number of students are expected to graduate this year.

I. E. The meeting schedule for the entire academic year was distributed to the Council.

J. F. Dr. Olivares announced that recruitment opportunities are available at TAMIU, TAMUCC and UTPA. Interested faculty should contact their respective Department Chair, Dean, and Delma Loera in the Office of Outreach and Enrollment Support Services for details and funding requests.

VI. Graduate Student Representatives were introduced and their roles on the graduate council were explained.

VII. Old Business

None was discussed.

VIII. New Business

Dr. Estrada informed the Council that the Chemical Engineering Ph.D. was approved for implementation while the Infrastructure Engineering Ph.D. was not approved. The Infrastructure Engineering Ph.D. proposal is being altered and refined for further consideration. He discussed that new doctoral criteria being considered by the THECB will make it very difficult for schools our size to obtain new doctoral degree programs.

IX. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 3:25 p.m. The motion was seconded and passed. The next meeting of the Graduate Council is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2005.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Cathy Downs, Secretary

(Ext. 2514, c-downs@tamuk.edu)