Graduate Council Minutes
April 16, 2024
Present: Marcelo Alvarado-Vargas, Sharon Barnes, Qian Chen, Mai Dao, Jennifer DeVries, Jim
Ferris Song Tian (for Timothy fisher),
Bashar Gammoh, David Giovannucci, Dan Hammel, Noela Haughton, Ahmad
Javaid, Andrea Kalinoski, Kristen Keith,
Patrick Lawrence, Ling Na, Nagalakshmi Nadiminty, Sinead O’Donovan,
Megan Petra, Patricia Relue, Barbara Saltzman,
Youssef Sari, Connie Schall, Joseph Schmidt, Rebecca Schneider,
Zahoor Shah, Hossein Sojoudi, Kuo-hui Su, Jami Taylor,
Varun Vaiyda, Jerry Van Hoy, Eileen Walsh, Kandace Williams, Maha
Zeidan (GSA).
Absent: Larissa Barclay, Marcella Kehus.
Excused: Brian Ashburner, John Laux.
Guests: Alana Malik, Sheryl Milz, COGS – Tara Hanna.
3MT Student Award Recipients: Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman.
Graduate Advisor: Sailaja Paruchuri.
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Approval of Minutes
The meeting was called to order and roll called. The Minutes of February 6, 2024,
meeting were approved.
Executive Reports
Report of the Executive Committee of the Graduate Council
On behalf of Graduate Council, Chair, Dr. Patrick Lawrence reported:
- GCEC Meeting April 9, 2024
- Set Graduate Council Meeting agenda for today, April 16, 2024
- Scheduled guest presentation 3MT Thesis Competition award recognition
- Discussed motion under Old Business for proposed resolution on college funding support
for graduate students that include comments since the last GC meeting.
- Elected Reps to Graduate Council 2024-2025
Colleges should have provided the names of their reps who will be invited to attend the April 30, 2024, GC meeting where voting of officers takes place.
Vice Chair Dr. Barbara Saltzman added that representatives from these colleges are
still needed from Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Nursing.
Report of the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs
Dr. Dan Hammel, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs provided the following updates:
- GSA’s Midwest Graduate Research Symposium – April 6, 2024
It was a successful MGRS thanks to GSA officers and Yasmeen Hamdah from COGS. The 2024 symposium was online but The goal is to hold the event in-person for 2025 and increase attendance.
- Responsible Conduct in Research Training – April 13, 2024
The College of Graduate Studies in conjunction with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs sponsored RCR training. Attendees enjoyed the training and were appreciative. Appreciation was extended to volunteers who led breakout discussions, including a college dean. There is a full agenda and we will consider expanding slightly, which may require that we provide lunch.
- Curriculum
Thanks was extended to graduate faculty involved in the review and process of combining or deactivating some graduate programs where necessary. We are making good curricular changes to our programs that are related to program prioritization. - Chancellor’s Council of Graduate Schools (CCGS)
Admission Suspensions in CIM are routed to the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs (Dr. Dan Hammel) so that CCGS can be notified. They sit in my queue for a while, so that we can notify CCGS. This often results in a 4-8-week wait until a comment period has passed and the changes can be presented at the next CCGS meeting. The next scheduled meeting is May 10th.
Combined Bachelor’s to Masters Pipeline Programs no longer requires CCGS/ODHE individual
notification and approval. However,
we are required to provide this information in our annual reports. This is a
simplification of the process, which will also make it
quicker.
There may be a similar process for programs conversions to online, however, this has
not been made official yet. Previously,
programs that went from less than 50% to more than 50% online, required state
notification. This would be another process
simplification.
Pipeline or significant changes - feel free to contact me or Cathy Zimmer. It is good
to be informed at the beginning of any steps
required beyond internal approvals, whether at the state level or the Board of
Trustees. We will be happy to meet with you. Dr. Alana
Malik, has in the past, met with folks as well, regarding assessment.
Report of the Vice President for Research
Dr. Connie Schall, Vice President for Research, provided a brief update about an incident
at the University of California, San Diego, with respect to the impacts of late technical
reports to university awards. A scientist, was very late on final technical reports
and essentially all new research awards or renewals, have been suspended to UCSD until
that technical report is completed.
Our research office tries to stay on top of this and Kim Thorn and her group at UToledo have reached out to our faculty who are late on their technical reports. Vast majority of faculty are very good about completing annual and technical reports. This serves as a reminder that late reports imperial colleague’s future awards as well and impacts awards to the University. We will contact the faculty member, the chair and dean, and if necessary, include the provost in these reminders. Research Office is willing to assist if you encounter issues.
Report of the Graduate Student Association
Maha Zeidan, President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) provided an update
followed by annual budget.
- GSA’s Midwest Graduate Research Symposium – April 6, 2024
A great event. Our e-Board began to plan steps to move this event to in-person next year. A new hotel is being built near the Health Science Campus of the University, which may provide good space for this event and we hope to get a good deal. There were also attendees who viewed the event although were not actual participants.
- Social Events
Smaller scale this year, including coffee at local coffee shops and our intramural sporting event.
- Resource Tabling - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Provided information on how to get food assistance if needed. Event was well received. A lot of students were unaware of this community resource.
- Annual Report
Officers Stipends and Tuition
Operating Budget $36,300
Travel $10,300 (travel and conferences - that is where students want funds!)
Research Awards $20,000+ (remainder of operating budget)
No funds spent on MGRS, in person meetings or office that we had set aside for.
Information and Discussion Items
Recognition of 3MT second place winner at regional Midwest Association of Graduate
Schools, UToledo’s Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman
Dr. Dan Hammel was pleased to announce and introduce Ms. Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman,
as second place winner at the regional Midwest Association of Graduate School (MAGS)
on April 5, 2024 and as first place and people’s choice awarded winner at UToledo’s
competition winner on November 30, 2024. She will be advancing to the national competition which will be
held during the Council of Graduate Schools Annual Meeting from December 4-7, 2024,
in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ms. Kattuman expressed her thanks and appreciation to her graduate advisor, Dr. Sailaja Paruchuri, and COGS for the opportunity to participate in the 3MT competition, which she described as a thoroughly enriching experiencing.
Graduate Council congratulated Ms. Kattuman.
Dr. Hammel encouraged Council to attend UToledo’s 3MT competitions in the future as it is quite impressive learning about the research our graduate students are doing and seeing their presentations.
Annual Report of the University Assessment Committee
Dr. Alana Malik, University Assessment Director and State Compliance Coordinator, and Dr. Sheryl Milz,
Professor and Director of the MPH Program. See attached presentation for full report.
Dr. Sheryl Milz, chair of UAC for 2023-2024, thanked Dr. Alana Malik for her guidance and keeping the committee moving forward. Dr. Milz presented:
-
- Review of the Assessment Process Timeline
- Discussed 2022-2023 Findings and Recommendations
- Future Actions Steps
- Introduce Curriculum Mapping in CIM
Timeline begins with receipt of core curriculum reports in mid-June and follows the process through sharing findings with Faculty Senate and Graduate Council the following late spring or early fall.
Dr. Alana Malik reviewed the findings, recommendations, and changes moving forward pointing out that the process is not about showing perfection but providing an opportunity to reflect and improve.
Program participation:
- 171 Graduate/Professional Programs and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
44 Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
127 Graduate/Professional Programs - 82 (48%) Complete
9 Multi-Year
73 One-Year - 83 (49%) Declined
(Notes: Rationale provided. Suspended programs affected non-reporting.) - 6 (1%) Incomplete
If program has multiple concentrations, one report is sufficient, but must assess for each of the different areas and one from each concentration. We are working with the Provost for assistance.
Institutional Student Learning Outcome Results:
- Dr. Malik noted that the Colleges of Engineering, Health and Human Services and Medicine and Life sciences make up about 50% of the data as most have accredited programs with multiple outcomes. Of the 390 data points collected, over 90% said they were a direct measure of student learning, whether from a direct, embedded or capstone metrics. Stoplight indicators, a quick visual, whether the programs think students have met expectations, green, yellow and red.
- Civic and Global Learning – Tends to have fewer metrics each year as programs do not spend as much time as specialized and broad knowledge.
- Intellectual Skills – Critical thinking and communication skills. Applied and Collaborative Learning is typical from year to year.
Overall good numbers that indicate we are serving students well.
Dr. Malik reviewed strengths, faculty engagement, challenges and Dr. Milz reviewed recommendations. Dr. Malik concluded the presentation by relaying future action steps that includes aligning our curricular system, CIM for new mapping features that displays learning outcomes. This will be helpful in looking at how we are designing our programs.
On behalf of Council, Chair Lawrence thanked Drs. Malik and Milz for their presentation and information that helps all of us at the ground level think about our programs, courses, and how our students can succeed.
Standing Committee Reports
Although there were no committee reports Chair Lawerence provided these reminders:
Curriculum:
2023-2024 academic year, the committee will have reviewed 187 proposals with several
under review to presented at the next meeting. Thus far, here is the breakdown of
proposal types.
New Courses 16
Course Modifications 80
New Programs
Program Modifications 51
(which includes ongoing work to consolidate existing multiple degrees into one degree with concentrations)
Program Deactivation 27
Graduate Faculty Membership:
If you have student defending thesis or dissertation or graduating this summer, they
must have active Graduate Faculty Membership. Committee. Make sure in advance that
all members have Graduate Faculty Membership.
Report of the Curriculum Committee
None.
Report of the Membership Committee
None.
Old Business
Call for Nominations, Graduate Council Executive Committee AY24-25
Vice Chair, Dr. Barbara Saltzman, stated that the GCEC is a great opportunity to
interact with the Provost during monthly meetings. GCEC includes elected reps along
with ex-officio members, Interim Vice President for Research, Dr. Connie Schall, and
Acting Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs, Dr. Dan Hammel, as well as the Graduate
Student Association President to have a voice in graduate education. It is not a
significant workload and opportunity to participate in graduation.
Chair Lawrence encouraged Council members who wish to participate and be actively involved in shared governance when it comes to graduate affairs and issues related to graduate programs and graduate students, this is the body. Shared governance is a core principle value as a graduate faculty member. Serving on the executive committee of the Graduate Council provides an opportunity to have an active voice in discussions and meetings that go on throughout the academic year. Those interested in insight may reach out the Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Saltzman.
Discussion of proposed resolution on college funding support for graduate students
Chair Lawrence brought forward the draft proposed resolution on college funding support
for graduate students that was discussed at the last meeting and shared with graduate
faculty to provided ample opportunity for input.
Two main aspects focus on importance of college-based funding for many graduate programs
intended as a broad approach, not to dictate specifics.
1) Support graduate students with stipends and or waivers, a financial model that
used to be held previously by COGS but now is held
by the individual colleges and their budget process.
2) Suggestion that the Provost and COGS work with graduate faculty on reinvestment opportunities
across the university outside of
college budget structure to look at opportunities to support graduate students,
which has been greatly reduced.
There were no additional comments or discussion. Motion to close discussion. Seconded. [Passed unanimously.]
RESOLUTION
University of Toledo Graduate Council
Resolution Regarding University and College support for funding of Graduate
Assistantships (GAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs)
WHEREAS budget planning by the University of Toledo Division of Academic Affairs and
colleges for FY24 resulted in significant
reductions in funding support (stipends and tuition waivers) for new and
current graduate students in many graduate programs; Whereas current discussions regarding planning of FY25 budgets of academic colleges
has involved the potential for even
further reductions in funding support for graduate students;
WHEREAS graduate programs represent an important aspect of the academic profile
and mission of the University of Toledo and
college funding of graduate assistantships/teaching assistantships have been
a long standing means of supporting current and
new graduate student positions in many graduate programs; Whereas graduate programs and college funded graduate
students are essential for instructional/teaching activities, student success,
community outreach and engagement, plus external
research grant funded projects and support of the R1 research designation
(as graduate students initially funded by colleges are
available to later fill externally funded RA positions);
WHEREAS members of Graduate Council and graduate faculty at the University
of Toledo have expressed concern about the
continued reduction in funding support to many graduate programs who rely
on that funding to continue to offer graduate
degree programs that have student demand, and successfully educate, train
and prepare graduate students for professional
careers;
WHEREAS the reduction of funding support to many graduate programs as provided
by the Division of Academic Affairs and
colleges has resulted in the need to suspend successful graduate programs
and resulted in significant declines in enrollment of
graduate students in many other programs;
WHEREAS members of Graduate Council and graduate faculty have indicated serious
reservations about the sustainability and
future of many graduate programs given the recent and potential continued
reductions in funding support by colleges for
graduate assistantships/teaching assistantships:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Graduate Council states continued strong support
for graduate programs at the University of
Toledo is a critical aspect of the mission and strategic plan of the institution
and academic colleges, especially in regard to their
key roles in grant funded research efforts, instructional and teaching activities,
and student success;
1) College funding support of stipends and tuition waivers for graduate students
is essential to the continued success and future
of many important graduate programs at the University of Toledo, most
notably in the recruitment, admission, and enrollment
of new graduate students;
2) College funded graduate students is a critical need to prepare students
within graduate programs to ensure there are
sufficient trained graduate students available to fill research assistant
positions when graduate faculty secure external
research grant funding and are in need of these graduate students to
provide important roles in completion of that research;
3) The Graduate Council strongly encourages Academic Affairs, College of Graduate Studies,
and the Deans of academic
Colleges with graduate programs to continue funding support for graduate
assistantships and teaching assistantships as a
priority in FY25 college budget planning and implementation and provide
more transparency;
4) The Graduate Council requests that the Interim Provost and College of Graduate Studies
prepare a long-term strategic
reinvestment plan for institutional budget support for graduate programs
- beyond funds provided by the individual
academic colleges - especially for PhD programs that are essential for
maintaining R1 status and the continued growth of
external research funding and expenditures as University mission and
strategic plan priorities.
Chair Lawrence will provide a copy to Interim Provost, Dr. Molitor and to Acting Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs, Dr. Hammel. The BOT has been informed we were preparing a resolution. Since the Chair’s report was submitted in advance of the meeting April 17th, the passage of the resolution was not yet included.
Chair Lawrence reminded Council to attend the last meeting of AY 2023-2024 on April 30th when election of officers for 2024-2025 takes place. There will be Curriculum and Membership Committee Reports as well.
New Business
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 1:53 pm.