Lamar University

Graduate Council

MINUTES #453

November 20, 2019

 

Approval of Minutes

• #452 – October 16, 2019 Approved

 

College of Arts & Sciences

 

Earth & Space Science – new graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Course Additions: GEOL 5312 Advanced GIS and GEOL 5313 Research Project, effective Fall 2019

• Previously there had been questions regarding whether or not we could offer a certificate in a content area in which we did not already offer a Master’s degree. Investigation determined that because the certificate is less than 16 hours, it does not require approval of the coordinating board.  Therefore, we may offer the certificate once it has been approved by our Board of Regents.  Rissman noted that the syllabi for GEOL 5312 and GEOL 5313 do not include an alphanumeric grading scale.  A motion was made to approve the certificate and two course additions.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

Sociology, Social Work & Criminal Justice –Requesting change to Grade Replacement/Course Repetition Policy: department wishes to limit grade replacement to one-time only, effective Fall 2020.

• Council discussed the request and a motion was made to approve. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  Council also discussed the importance of updating our Graduate Studies policy to indicate that departments may have policies that are more stringent than those described in the GS policy handbook, and direct students to review their department’s policies as well.

 

College of Fine Arts & Communication

 

Deaf Studies & Deaf Education – new M.A. in Deaf Studies

Course Additions:  DSDE 5346 Comparative Cultural Analysis and DSDE 5360 Capstone in Deaf Studies

• Clark described the new 36-hour degree plan for the M.A. A motion was made to approve.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

College of Engineering

 

Industrial Engineering – Course Addition:  INEN 5380 Project Management, effective Fall 2020 for M.E., M.E.S., M.E.M. and D.E. programs.

• Council reviewed the syllabus and a motion was made to approve. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

Other

 

Dr. Lin has been named Associate Provost for Research & Sponsored Programs.  The College of Engineering will select a replacement.

 

Graduate Faculty review – the review committee was unable to meet as scheduled and is currently hoping to meet in the first or second week of December.  Once their results are received, Dr. Harn will conduct voting with the Graduate Council via email, with the goal of obtaining approval and posting the results to the web before start of the Spring 2020 term. 

 

Dr. Lin asked a question regarding graduate faculty members that leave their position with the University but are later asked to be on a grad student’s committee and how this affects their graduate faculty status.  Dr. Harn explained that if their status has not yet expired, then it would still be considered active.  Otherwise, a G4 requesting Special membership would need to be submitted prior to the committee appointment