Graduate Council Report Academic and Student Affairs Subcommittee UT Board of Trustees December 15, 2014

GC Overview The Graduate Council is the elected body representing the 850 graduate faculty at UT. It meets biweekly during the fall and spring semester to discuss important issues impacting graduate education, ranging from academic to financial concerns. The College of Graduate Studies facilitates the efforts of graduate faculty and students at the university, and serves as the link to the Graduate Student Association, which represents 4,500 graduate students in the 12 colleges with graduate programs.

Fall Progress report The Graduate Council met six times over the fall semester.The Graduate Council met six times over the fall semester. The agenda for these meetings are set by the Graduate Council Executive Committee, a group of 6 Graduate Faculty, the GSA President, and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and the Vice President of Research, as ex- officio members.The agenda for these meetings are set by the Graduate Council Executive Committee, a group of 6 Graduate Faculty, the GSA President, and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and the Vice President of Research, as ex- officio members. The GC has had a productive semester facilitating graduate education at UT.The GC has had a productive semester facilitating graduate education at UT.

Committee structure The Graduate Council is made up of six standing committees, each with a representative from each of the colleges with graduate programs:The Graduate Council is made up of six standing committees, each with a representative from each of the colleges with graduate programs: Academic StandingAcademic Standing CurriculumCurriculum Fellowships and ScholarshipsFellowships and Scholarships MembershipMembership Program ReviewProgram Review Student AffairsStudent Affairs There is also an ad hoc Constitution and Bylaws CommitteeThere is also an ad hoc Constitution and Bylaws Committee The most active of the six standing committees this fall have been the Membership Curriculum, and Constitution and Bylaws Committees.The most active of the six standing committees this fall have been the Membership Curriculum, and Constitution and Bylaws Committees.

Membership Committee The Membership Committee, chaired by Samir Hefzy, the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the College of Engineering, reviewed new or renewal applications for full, associate, adjunct, and special Graduate Faculty status. This committee approved 95 applications for Graduate Faculty membership.

Curriculum committee The Curriculum Committee, chaired by John Plenefisch, a faculty member in the Biological Sciences Department in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, reviewed 24 curriculum proposals for new or modified program and course proposals:The Curriculum Committee, chaired by John Plenefisch, a faculty member in the Biological Sciences Department in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, reviewed 24 curriculum proposals for new or modified program and course proposals: Several new degree programs have been approved, including a pipeline program with Lourdes University, where students take three graduate courses in the Master’s of Public Health program in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences at UT as part of their BS at Lourdes, and then, if admitted, complete their MPH as full-time graduate students at UT.Several new degree programs have been approved, including a pipeline program with Lourdes University, where students take three graduate courses in the Master’s of Public Health program in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences at UT as part of their BS at Lourdes, and then, if admitted, complete their MPH as full-time graduate students at UT.

Constitution and bylaws committee The Constitution and Bylaws Committee, chaired by Mark Templin, the department chair in Curriculum and Instruction in the Judith Herb College of Education, has worked to revise the GC bylaws. Items under discussion include: How best to handle the summer work of the Membership and Curriculum committees.How best to handle the summer work of the Membership and Curriculum committees. The roles and responsibilities of different categories of Graduate Faculty membership.The roles and responsibilities of different categories of Graduate Faculty membership. The role of the Graduate Council in the university program review process.The role of the Graduate Council in the university program review process.

GSA The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is led by Mr. Aaron Shaw, a second-year physician assistant student in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is led by Mr. Aaron Shaw, a second-year physician assistant student in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. GSA is preparing for the 6 th annual Midwest Graduate Student Research Symposium to be held in March Last year more than 200 students from over 30 regional universities presented papers and posters at this symposium.GSA is preparing for the 6 th annual Midwest Graduate Student Research Symposium to be held in March Last year more than 200 students from over 30 regional universities presented papers and posters at this symposium. The GC Student Affairs Committee is currently reviewing proposals for the GSA Research Awards. Ten awards up to $2,000 will be awarded for the spring semester.The GC Student Affairs Committee is currently reviewing proposals for the GSA Research Awards. Ten awards up to $2,000 will be awarded for the spring semester.

Informational speakers Interim President Naganathan and Interim Provost Barrett each came to speak with Graduate Council this fall. They both discussed several topics, including graduate enrollment, financial support for graduate students, both tuition scholarships and stipends, and the strategic importance of research and graduate education.

Challenges in Graduate Education UT has had a slight decline in graduate student headcount over the last two academic years. However, the spring graduate enrollment headcount numbers are up by 9%.UT has had a slight decline in graduate student headcount over the last two academic years. However, the spring graduate enrollment headcount numbers are up by 9%. Potential loss of a significant number of graduate faculty due to impending retirements because of changes in the state retirement system.Potential loss of a significant number of graduate faculty due to impending retirements because of changes in the state retirement system. Enhancing the quality of graduate programs and student learning.Enhancing the quality of graduate programs and student learning.

Graduate fellowships There are a number of graduate students who have received fellowships and scholarships this academic year, including: 5 new Woodrow Wilson Fellows 5 new Woodrow Wilson Fellows 4 new University Fellows4 new University Fellows 5 new GOAP scholars5 new GOAP scholars 3 new McNair Scholars3 new McNair Scholars

SUMMARY On behalf of the Graduate Council, I look forward to providing this committee with future updates on:On behalf of the Graduate Council, I look forward to providing this committee with future updates on: Graduate enrollment, in particular describing new recruitment efforts to better market graduate programsGraduate enrollment, in particular describing new recruitment efforts to better market graduate programs The impact of the new faculty strategic hiring plan in strengthening key graduate programsThe impact of the new faculty strategic hiring plan in strengthening key graduate programs Quality assurance of graduate programs, as measured by assessment of student learning outcomes and program reviewQuality assurance of graduate programs, as measured by assessment of student learning outcomes and program review Updates from the Graduate Student AssociationUpdates from the Graduate Student Association

Thanks Thanks to President Naganathan and Board Chair Zerby for allowing the Graduate Council to provide the Board of Trustees with periodic updates about graduate education and graduate students at UT.Thanks to President Naganathan and Board Chair Zerby for allowing the Graduate Council to provide the Board of Trustees with periodic updates about graduate education and graduate students at UT. The GC is grateful for the opportunity to provide these periodic updates.The GC is grateful for the opportunity to provide these periodic updates.