University Council on Graduate Study
October 19, 1999
3:00-5:00
817 Cathedral of Learning

 

 

Attending: Elizabeth Baranger (Chair), L.F. Chaparro (Engineering), Allisha Chapman (GPSA/Law), Sangeeta Darji (GPSA/Law), Judith Erlen (Nursing), Thomas Fararo (FAS/Sociology),  Brad Funari (GPSA/GSPIA & Law), Joseph Grabowski (FAS/Chemistry), Sabine Hake (FAS/Germanic L&L), Stephen Hirtle (SIS), Stephanie Hoogendooron (GPSA/FAS-Math), Steve Husted (FAS), Y.H. Ismail (Dental Medicine),  Margaret Mahoney (Law), David Miller (GSPIA), Stephen Phillips (Medicine), Lou Pingel (Education), John Stephens (GPSA/FAS-Chemistry), Roslyn Stone (GSPH/Biostatistics), David Turnshek (FAS/Physics & Astronomy), Regis Vollmer (Pharmacy); Kit Ayars (Office of the Provost), Barbara Repasi (Office of the Registrar), Carolyn Ban (GSPIA), Kevin Kearns (GSPIA)

I.   Minutes Approval

The minutes of the October meeting were approved with the addition of Steve Phillips to the attendance list.

II.  Proposal to Reorganize the Master of Public Administration Program

Dean Carolyn Ban and Professor Kevin Kearns, Director of the Division of Public and Urban Affairs, attended the meeting to present the proposal and to answer questions.  The proposal replaces the current major with separate majors in Urban and Regional Affairs, Public and Nonprofit Management, and Policy Research and Analysis, thus enabling a clear delineation of academic programs.  It also introduces seven minors, to enable students to indicate on their transcripts the options they have pursued.  Council members questioned the visitors and expressed a positive reaction to these changes.  Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal.

III.  Annual Report:  1998-99

Council reviewed the draft Annual Report, made a few editorial suggestions, and approved its circulation to all members of the Graduate Faculty.

IV.    Committee Appointments

Vice Provost Baranger, using the preferences of members, had prepared assignment of Council members to various committees.  (See attached.)  These were circulated to members. Committee chairs were asked to write a short paragraph at the end of the year on their committee’s activities.

V.    Report of the Director of the John P. Murtha Center

The 1998-99 report of the Director of the John P. and Joyce Murtha Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown was presented.  Vice Provost Baranger described briefly the status of information about other off-campus programs.  Discussion on the report focused on relationship between the Center and schools in Pittsburgh, including marketing issues. Council expressed appreciation for the receipt of the report.

VI.    Certificate Programs

Currently almost all certificate programs offered at the graduate level are called “Certificate of Advanced Study.”  In addition, several are called “Master’s Level Certificate” and three are called “Doctoral Level Certificate.”  Vice Provost Baranger proposed names that might be better descriptors of the programs.  However, Council was reluctant to support such a change.  It would present confusion for students in the program and for those maintaining historical records.  New definitions were not sufficiently improved to warrant making a change.  There seemed to be no agreement among universities on appropriate names, though there was agreement that the certificate marketplace is growing, as is the need for procedures and guidelines. The matter was referred to the Graduate Procedures Committee for further study.

VII.    Electronic Theses/Dissertations

A conference on electronic theses and dissertations will be held in Florida this spring. Baranger asked Council if anyone was interested in attending and reporting back. No one volunteered.

VIII.    The meeting was adjourned.