Issues Addressed In 2003-2004

Use of “Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency”
In review of the Graduate and Professional Bulletin and in consideration of how the “Michigan Test” is currently used, Vice Provost Baranger recommended that the wording in the bulletin be changed to the following:

Students with a TOEFL score less that 600 (250 on the computer-based test) or less than 7.0 on the IELTS must verify English language proficiency prior to completing registration by sitting for an additional Test of English Language Proficiency (TELP) administered through the English Language Institute.  Individual schools and departments may require students with higher test scores to sit for this TELP.  Based on the test results, students may be required by their academic department to take courses in English as a second language as part of their graduate program.

This would replace the requirement that students with scores less than 650 must take the TELP.  Council approved the suggested changes to the Bulletin.

Requirement of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)
The ETD Steering Committee, an ad hoc committee of UCGS, during its November 4, 2003 meeting, voted to recommend to UCGS that ETDs become a University requirement by the December 2004 graduation. After hearing a final update from the ETD Steering Committee (as part of the regular frequent ETD updates to UCGS), Council voted unanimously to recommend to the Provost that ETDs become a University requirement. The Provost, after consulting the Council of Deans, approved this recommendation on December 16, 2003. All theses and dissertations submitted at the University of Pittsburgh are required to be submitted as ETDs by the December graduation of 2004.

Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
The UCGS ad hoc Doctoral Mentoring Award Committee proposed to establish a Doctoral Mentoring Award. UCGS unanimously recommended the initiation of up to four annual awards to recognize excellence in mentoring done by faculty who supervise students pursuing the PhD degree or other equivalent research doctoral degrees such as the EdD or the DrPH.

Reports Given to UCGS

Annual Report on Off-Campus and Distance Education Programs
The table presented annually to UCGS listing the titles of graduate programs offered off campus and their enrollments was presented by Vice Provost Baranger, together with the annual report prepared by Robert Knipple on the Murtha Center at UPJ.  UCGS concluded that this annual report is sufficient to enable it to keep up-to-date on the growth of such programs. If a new program is requested, it must go to the Provost for review. However, UCGS believes the table presented annually is sufficient for its needs.

International Students and Recent Events
David Clubb, Director of the Office of International Services (OIS), gave a presentation titled Update from the Office of International Services (People. Service. Results).  He outlined the new changes in immigration regulations and how they were impacting graduate students.  In particular, he pointed out the implications of the new SEVIS fee ($100) and how it might be collected from international applicants prior to their Visa application.  Mr. Clubb strongly recommended that all programs admit the best international applicants as early as possible. He encouraged members of Council to continue to foster good communication between their respective departments and their designated OIS contacts.

Presentation of New Distance Education Technology
David Miller, Associate Dean in GSPIA, and Nick Laudato, Associate Director of CIDDE, gave a demonstration of the new technology GSPIA is using to hold classes in Macedonia using distance education technology.  Their Report on the Macedonia Project showed how a Program of Public Policy and Management is being created that would simulate the experience of being on the Pittsburgh campus while still in Macedonia.  Through the use of interactive T.V. (ITV), the use of public internet, touch-sensitive LCD panels, and Tegrity and Mediasite Live (use of real time), the ability to operate in live-mode is brought to the Macedonian classroom.

Annual Report of the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association
Paul Danczyk, President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), presented the GPSA Annual Report. Among the many accomplishments of the GPSA this year, the GPSA was selected to host the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS) Conference that will take place in the fall. This conference will strengthen the relationship between the GPSA and NAGPS and will increase the national visibility of the University. Other activities that the GPSA undertook this year were a recommendation to increase the student activity fee, a financial need survey report, and the allocation of $23,000 in travel grants to over 160 graduate and professional students.

UCGS Committee Activities

The Graduate Procedures Committee, chaired by Louis Pingel, did not convene in 2003-2004 as it was not called upon for assistance on any matter during the 2003-04 academic
year.

The Graduate Student Affairs Committee, chaired by Judith Erlen, met with Marvin Roth, the Director of Career Services, to discuss the services available for graduate students. That meeting was held on March 2, 2004 at which time Mr. Roth reviewed the services for graduate students that have been available for the past two years. He noted that there is an Advisory Committee that helps his office identify the career services needs of graduate students and strategies to meet those needs. There was discussion about what links need to be established between the schools/departments and Career Services to more effectively serve graduate students.

The ad hoc Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Steering Committee, chaired by Vice Provost Baranger, reviewed and evaluated the ETD Project and concluded after two years of successful implementation and continual evaluation to recommend to UCGS that ETDs become a University requirement by the December 2004 graduation.  To that end, an ETD Report http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd/etdreport2003.html was presented to UCGS on November 18, 2003.
 

The ad hoc Doctoral Mentoring Award Committee, chaired by Steven Husted, met twice in January to discuss recommendations for the creation and administration of a doctoral mentoring award.  The committee reviewed information on similar awards at other universities and agreed on a set of principles for the award.  A draft proposal was circulated for review, and a final proposal was submitted to the UCGS at its April meeting.

Review of Proposals

C.Sc.D Program in Speech-Language Pathology
Approved October 28, 2003.  Approved by the Chancellor July 14, 2004.
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences proposed to establish a ScD Program in Speech-Language Pathology.  The Department of Communication Science and Disorders will continue to offer the MA, MS, and PhD degrees in Communication Science and Disorders.  Students can enter the professional doctoral program after earning bachelors, masters, or even the PhD degree. Though UCGS approved the program, it did not approve the degree name ScD. After further review and discussion it was recommend that the degree name be changed to C.Sc.D.  This was approved on February 17, 2004.

Cross-Campus Molecular Biophysics PhD Program
Approved November 18, 2003. Approved by the Provost December 3, 2003.
The School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine proposed to establish a cross-campus Molecular Biophysics PhD program. Faculty from across the campus prepared this proposal for a collaborative program which will result in a PhD in Molecular Biophysics, either in Medicine or Arts and Sciences, depending on the location of the student’s major advisor.  Students will be admitted into a single program and the advising and course work will be a shared responsibility of faculty from both schools.  This is intended to be a small, high quality program.

Certificate in Global Health
Approved January 20, 2004. Approved by the Provost April 2, 2004.
The Graduate School of Public Health proposed to establish a certificate in Global Health.  It is expected that the certificate program will attract both students currently pursuing a degree and students who will enroll only to pursue the certificate.  The program will prepare students for interdisciplinary and international thinking and perspectives in health care and affiliated fields.

Masters of Science in Sports Medicine and Nutrition
Approved January 20, 2004. Approved by the Provost March 16, 2004.
The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences proposed changes in the programs offered by the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition and the Sports Medicine Program. The proposed major academic change is the elevation of the professional coordinated program in dietetics from the BS level to the MS level.  The department name will be changed to Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition.

Joint Degree Program Leading to the MBA and the MS in One of Six Areas in Engineering
Approved February 17, 2004. Approved by the Provost April 6, 2004.
The School of Engineering and the Katz Graduate School of Business proposed a joint degree that would lead to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the Katz Graduate School of Business and to a Master of Science in one of six areas in Engineering. This program, while expected to be small, would attract more students, especially those who are unsure of which degree to pursue.  Both degrees would be completed concurrently.

Cross-School PhD, MS, and MSCoE Program in Computer Engineering
Approved April 13, 2004. Approved by the Provost April 13, 2004.
The School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering proposed to establish a cross-school masters and doctoral program in Computer Engineering. A common application procedure and common admission standard will be established and applicants will be assigned to one school or the other based upon student preferences (for new students), the source of financial aid, or upon the faculty appointment of their thesis or dissertation advisor. The student graduating in Arts and Sciences will receive a PhD or an MS with a major in Computer Engineering.  The student graduating in Engineering will receive a PhD or a Master of Science in Computer Engineering (MSCoE) with a major in Computer Engineering.

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for Practicing Physical Therapists
Approved April 13, 2004. Approved by the Provost April 28, 2004.
The School of Health and Rehabilitations Sciences proposed a transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for practicing physical therapists. In April 2002, the University approved the initiation of a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program to replace the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT). The DPT was the first degree approved that was in the category of a Professional Doctoral Program for Practitioners.  This transitional program will attract those with substantial experience already practicing in the field who have previously earned an MPT.

Documents Circulated to the University Community

Report on 2002-2003 Activities, University Council on Graduate Study, University of Pittsburgh. http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/ucgsar2002.html

Regulations Governing Graduate Study at the University of Pittsburgh, University Council on Graduate Study, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/reg.html

Online Graduate and Professional Bulletin, 2004, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh. http://www.umc.pitt.edu/bulletins/graduate/index.html

Policy Statement for Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, and Graduate Student Assistants, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/tapolicy.html

Policy Statement for Graduate Student Researchers, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/gsr.html

Elements of Good Academic Advising, University Council on Graduate Study, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/advising.html

The Guide to Graduate and Professional Programs, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.
https://www.pitt.edu/Graduate/

Graduate Recruitment City Panorama Brochure, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.

Graduate Faculty Membership Roster, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.  Updated three times a year at http://www.ir.pitt.edu/gradfac/homepg.htm.

Choosing A Dissertation Advisor, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/advisor.html  

ETD Format Guidelines Manual, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd/format.html

Style and Form Manual, Office of the Provost, University of Pittsburgh.
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/style.html

Thesis and Dissertation Word and WordPerfect Templates
http://training.cssd.pitt.edu/thesisdissertationtemplates.htm

ETD LaTeX Template
http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd/latextemplate.html

2003-2004 UCGS Standing Committees

Graduate Procedures: Chair, Louis Pingel
Graduate Student Affairs: Chair, Judith Erlen

2003-2004 UCGS Ad hoc Committees

ETD Steering Committee: Chair, Elizabeth Baranger
Doctoral Mentoring Award: Chair, Steven Husted

2003-2004 UCGS Members
 
Elizabeth Baranger, Chair
Jacob Birnberg, Katz Graduate School of Business
Jeffrey Brodsky, Arts and Sciences/Interdisciplinary
Luis Chaparro, Engineering
Paul Danczyk, Graduate and Professional Student Association/GSPIA
Judith Erlen, Nursing
Paula Grabowski, Arts and Sciences /At-large
Stephanie Hoogendoorn, Graduate and Professional Student Association/A&S
Steven Husted, Arts and Sciences /At-Large
Margaret Mahoney, Law
James McGuire, Arts and Sciences/Humanities
Malcolm McNeal, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
David Miller, Public and International Affairs
Ronald Neufeld, Engineering
Cynthia Persinger, Graduate and Professional Student Association/A&S
Stephen Phillips, Medicine
Louis Pingel, Education
Dennis Ranalli, Dental Medicine
Mark Roberts, Medicine
Esther Sales, Social Work
Randall Smith, Pharmacy
Kevin Sontheimer, Arts and Sciences/Social Sciences
Roslyn Stone, Public Health
Martin Weiss, Information Sciences
E. Glenn Whitehead, Arts and Sciences/Natural Sciences
Brian Yoder, Graduate and Professional Student Association/EDU

Observers:
Patricia Beeson, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Designate
Barbara Repasi Heron, Associate Registrar
Carrie Sparks, Assistant to the Provost