I. Minutes Approval

Minutes of the November 1998 meeting were approved unanimously.

II. Proposal for a Master of Occupational Therapy Program

Dean Cliff Brubaker and Professor Joan Rogers presented information about this program, which involves phasing out the current bachelors degree in occupational therapy. After Brubaker's summary of the proposal, Rogers highlighted other points from the proposal, pointing out that faculty are difficult to recruit to an occupational therapy program that does not offer a masters degree, though the current doctoral program is certainly attractive to faculty. Asked about the school's current faculty searches, Rogers noted that the searches are progressing well, with no difficulties in attracting teaching faculty, but some difficulty in attracting research-experienced faculty. In response to other questions from council, she added that the new program would target bachelor's degree students who have completed prerequisites, that there is little to no overlap with the School of Education's Movement Science program, that changing from a bachelors to a masters program will affect recruitment by increasing the number of applicants (particularly out-of-state), that this move is part of a nation-wide trend, and that the leadership courses will offer students the opportunity to consider research outcomes. In response to a query regarding the seemingly low minimum QPAs for applicants, Rogers explained that the program is highly selective: the average QPA admitted is far above the minimum. Setting the minimum lower than the average acceptance allows the school to admit students with extenuating circumstances.

There followed some discussion between council and Brubaker regarding fiscal considerations and resource impact. Brubaker and Rogers were asked to explain the mentoring system in place for the graduate students (not described in the proposal) and the source of computer availability. Brubaker responded that the school has a computer center in place; Rogers responded that students will receive advising from the dean's office until admission, at which point the student is assigned to a permanent advisor.

After excusing the guests, UCGS voted to approve the proposal pending amendation of the proposal to include a statement that advising of the graduate students will be in keeping with the guidelines prepared by UCGS on good academic advising.

III. Revised Definition of Special Status Admission

The Graduate Procedures Committee presented a revised definition of "special status" admission. Discussion followed regarding the difficulty in specifying a maximum number of credits for non-degree-seeking students who are required by an outside agent (i.e. the state) to attend graduate school. Council agreed to amend the revised definition to read "Schools providing such an opportunity [should clearly] may specify the maximum number of credits or course for which an individual may enroll while in this status ……"

The amended revised definition passed unanimously.

IV. Post Doctoral Task Force Report

Ian Reynolds presented the report of the task force on the status of post-docs at the University. He noted that getting a postdoc is not difficult, but getting a job afterwards is. The task force recommends that Human Resources make (1) a clear distinction between appointments to those in jobs (long-term post-docs) and those in true post-doc (i.e. short-term) positions, and (2) changes in the way Human Resources treats postdocs.

The task force recommends that post-docs receive career training, funding information, ethics training, and more (see page 6 of the task force's report).

Council acknowledged the need for more discussion on this issue before making decisions on what UCGS will recommend. The issue of post-docs will be addressed again at the February meeting, with decisions regarding action to be made at that time.

V. Evaluation of the Academic Programs in the Department of Music

Because Ed Sussna, SEAP liaison, was unable to attend the UCGS meeting, Elizabeth Baranger reviewed the SEAP report and recommendations on the evaluation of the academic programs in the Department of Music. SEAP recommends that the department and the dean of FAS work together to attain department goals, that a planning process be initiated to move the department to more acceptable space, and that the programs be evaluated again at the next regularly scheduled interval. The recommendation for new space was applauded by internal review committee chair Bruce McConachie.

Some discussion followed on how the suggestions made by the department in its response should now be implemented. In particular, there was discussion regarding the higher fee proposed to be charged to non-music majors, the way to get more (and much-needed) space, and the way to get support for the department's service functions (staffing student performance groups). Given the discussion, UCGS amended the first SEAP recommendation to now read: "The department and the dean of FAS continue to work together to attain the goals of the academic programs in the Department of Music. The department and FAS should explore University-level support for staffing of student performance groups."

With the above revision to the recommendations, the SEAP report passed unanimously.

VI. Suggestions for Initial Consideration by the Academic Procedures Committee

Due to time constraints, UCGS was not able to discuss the last agenda item.