Graduate Council Minutes
April 30, 2024
Present: Marcelo Alvarado-Vargas, Brian Ashburner, Sharon Barnes, Qian Chen, Mai Dao, Jennifer
DeVries, Jim Ferris,
Bashar Gammoh, David Giovannucci, Daniel Hammel, Svetlana Beltyukova
(for Noela Haughton), Ahmad Javaid,
Andrea Kalinoski, Marcella Kehus, Kristen Keith, John Laux, 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, Varun
Vaiyda, Jerry Van Hoy, Eileen Walsh, Kandace Williams.
Absent: Timothy Fisher.
Excused: Larissa Barclay, Jami Taylor, Maha Zeidan (GSA).
Guests: Jeanine Refsnider-Streby.
GC 2024-2025 Members: Dan Boden, Jennifer DeVries, Beth Schlemper, Qiuying Zhao.
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Approval of Minutes
The meeting was called to order and roll called. The Minutes of February 20, 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 23, 2024
- Prepared agenda for today’s GC meeting
- Prepared for election of officers for GC 2024-2025 - Meeting with Interim Provost Dr. Scott Molitor - April 25, 2024
- Acknowledged and appreciated the resolution approved by Graduate Council at its April 16, 2024, meeting that supports
continuing college-based funding support for graduate/teaching assistants and graduate programs. Provost indicated
willingness to work with Graduate Council over the next year to discuss long-term strategic reinvestment plan, while
acknowledging the difficulties and struggles that many programs are having recruiting and retaining graduate students, of which
traditionally that support has been a key a key part of that.
- Budget planning still underway. - GC Chair Report to Student Academic Affairs Committee of BOT April 17, 2024
- Highlighted success of our graduate students and programs which were recently recognized by the 2024 U.S. News and World
Report rankings.
- Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman, a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Medicine and Life Sciences, ranked second in the regional
Three Minute Thesis competition. She will be competing in the national competition in December 2024.
- 17 Outstanding graduate students were recognized by the on behalf of the graduate faculty at the Graduate Council meeting
April 2, 2024.
- Highlighted work of graduate faculty programs with regarding a significant amount curriculum, 100+ proposals. Graduate Faculty
should be very proud of their continued work upgrade and improve courses to better prepare our students and provide
opportunities for them for professional development. Many programs also were involved with reviewing curriculum and programs
as part of graduate program prioritization.
- Graduate Council Resolution on college funding support for graduate students, mentioned to BOT and approved by
GC on April 16, 2024.
Dr. Lawrence expressed his appreciation for Council’s support over the past year as it has been an honor and privilege to serve in this role. We have many outstanding graduate faculty in programs who are dedicated to graduate student success. This is an important aspect of our role as faculty, whether it is through research, courses, professional development, or mentoring and advising. All are critical roles that the graduate faculty play, particularly under very difficult and challenging times.
Resolutions acknowledging service to Graduate Council:
Chair Lawrence read the following resolutions in recognition of service to Graduate
Council.
RESOLUTION
In Recognition of Daniel J. Hammel, Ph.D.
WHEREAS, Dr. Dan Hammel served the University of Toledo with distinction as Acting Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs,
WHEREAS, Dr. Hammel’s leadership in Graduate Affairs was critical to the success of
graduate programs at the
University of Toledo,
WHEREAS, Dr. Hammel has been a transparent leader and advocate for graduate programs
and graduate students at the
University of Toledo,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The University of Toledo Graduate Council extends its
deepest gratitude to Dr. Dan Hammel for his
leadership in challenging times.
READ THIS 30th DAY OF APRIL 2024.
RESOLUTION
In Recognition of Constance A. Schall, Ph.D.
WHEREAS, Dr. Constance A. Schall has provided dedicated and outstanding leadership
to Graduate Council as Interim Vice
President for Research,
WHEREAS, Dr. Schall has effectively dealt with many challenges and resolved many issues
during challenging times to support the
research endeavors of the Graduate Council, graduate faculty, and graduate
students, and provided frequent reports and
shared key information to members of Graduate Council,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The University of Toledo Graduate Council extends its
deepest gratitude and appreciation to Dr.
Constance A. Schall for her continuing efforts as Interim Vice President
for Research.
READ THIS 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2024.
RESOLUTION
In Recognition of Barbara Saltzman, Ph.D.
WHEREAS, Dr. Saltzman served the University of Toledo Graduate Council and its executive
committee with distinction as Vice
Chair during the 2023-24 academic year,
WHEREAS, Dr. Saltzman provided exceptional leadership and seamless advocation for
graduate faculty, students, and programs,
assembling Graduate Council standing committees, and playing an important
role in leadership efforts,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The University of Toledo Graduate Council extends its
deepest gratitude to Dr. Barbara Saltzman
for her leadership.
READ THIS 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2024.
RESOLUTION
In Recognition of Terri Hayes-Lepiarz
WHEREAS, Terri Hayes-Lepiarz has provided dedicated and outstanding support to Graduate
Council and the Executive
Committee of Graduate Council during 2023-2024,
WHEREAS, Terri Hayes-Lepiarz has effectively dealt with many challenges and helped
resolve many issues during challenging
times to support the Graduate Council, graduate faculty and graduate students,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The University of Toledo Graduate Council extends its
deepest gratitude and appreciation to Terri
Hayes-Lepiarz for her continuing and valuable support.
READ THIS 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2024.
RESOLUTION
In Recognition of Maha Zeidan
WHEREAS, Maha Zeidan has provided outstanding leadership and service to the Graduate Student Association as President during the 2023-2024 academic year,
WHEREAS, Maha has been steadfast in her advocacy for issues such as funding support
and the well-being of our graduate
students including research and travel grants,
WHEREAS, Maha made substantial efforts to engage graduate students through organization
of 2024 MGRS meeting, special
events and activities throughout the various colleges,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The University of Toledo Graduate Council extends its
deepest gratitude to Maha Zeidan for
dedication to the Graduate Student Association and for her participation
as a member of the Graduate Council Executive
Committee.
READ THIS 30th DAY OF APRIL, 2024
Chair Lawrence concluded his remarks by encouraging Council members to continue great work and to participate in shared governance so that we have a strong voice in support of our students and programs. This has been the case over the past year and will be in coming years with expected challenging times and important decisions to be made that impact budgets and programs.
Vice Chair Saltzman read the following resolutions in recognition of Dr. Patrick Lawrence’s as Graduate Council Chair 2023-2024.
RESOLUTION
In Recognition of Patrick L. Lawrence, Ph.D.
WHEREAS, Dr. Patrick L. Lawrence has provided steadfast and exceptional leadership
to Graduate Council as Chair during the
2023-2024 Academic Year,
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence has provided exemplary leadership in guiding lingering
policies through committee review and Council
vote, overseeing a substantial number of curricular proposals, supporting
and advocating for graduate students’ needs, providing
regular updates to the Board of Trustees, and most importantly, focusing efforts
regarding program prioritization and budget
funding, while seamlessly leading the Graduate Council through many challenges
presented during the 2023-24 Academic Year,
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence achieved considerable success in his mission to communicate
the unique role
of graduate faculty and graduate students to campus administrators and to
facilitate presentations at Graduate Council in order
to increase faculty knowledge of the many resources available to them and
their graduate students,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The University of Toledo Graduate Council extends
its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Dr.
Lawrence for his unassuming and unwavering leadership as Graduate Council
Chair.
READ THIS 30th DAY OF APRIL 2024
Report of the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs
Dr. Dan Hammel, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs provided the following updates:
- Appreciation to Executive Committee of the Graduate Council (GCEC)
Appreciation was extended to the members of the GCEC for the work they have done on behalf of graduate faculty and the Graduate Council.
- Appreciation to Curriculum and Membership Committees
Appreciation to Dr. Timothy Mueser, Chair of the GC Curriculum Committee and Dr. Svetlana Beltyukova, Chair of the Graduate Faculty Membership Committee for their leadership on these committees that conduct a lot of business and thanks to the committee members as well. And Terri Hayes for her work in making these meetings run.
- Graduate Curriculum/Program Review
Admissions in several programs were suspended, many of which were curricular clean up. In some instances, we essentially suspended admissions in one program but also created one or multiple concentrations in other programs. There were a lot of changes. Thanks and appreciation was extended to everyone involved for their efforts. Most of these changes should be in the catalog for the next academic year 2024-2025.
- Graduate Student Commencement – Friday, May 3, 2024, 6:00 pm in Savage Arena
Line up in Fetterman Training Center. COGS and Registrar staff will be there to assist.
This may be our last graduate student-only ceremony, due to fewer number of undergraduates graduating and the cost for multiple ceremonies, as we are now four years out from when classes started getting smaller. If we can maintain a separate ceremony, we would like to do so.
- Impacts of Reducing Graduate Funding
To make clear the unintended repercussions, we would like to gather data through Institutional Research in this regard:
-
- Ph.D. enrollment and graduation and impacts on R1 status.
- Expand graduate enrollment
- We have immensely successful pilot program to waive the out-of-state surcharge for students pursuing master’s degrees. We can demonstrate that it has been financially successful. These students are paying in-state tuition and would not have been able to attend without that program.
- We would like to expand the range of master’s that can operate without funding their students. Dr. Hammel will be
working with the college associate deans to identify those programs ways to have be successful non-funded programs.
- Mentoring for Faculty and Graduate Students
COGS does not presently have capacity to help faculty be better mentors to graduate students. Some of our previous efforts, such as Responsible Conduct in Research training for graduate students, has provided a start in this direction and is something we can build upon. This is particularly timely in light of the fact that National Science Foundation has instituted a new set of requirements for graduate student mentoring, that Dr. Schall will likely speak to. NIH and others are likely to follow. This is an opportunity to make improvements in graduate student mentoring overall.
Report of the Vice President for Research
Dr. Connie Schall, Vice President for Research, informed Council that she would discuss
and coordinate with Dr. Hammel the resources for faculty as it relates to new requirements
for individual professional development plans from the National Science Foundation
(NSF). The goal is to point faculty to good resources.
Report of the Graduate Student Association
Maha Zeidan, President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) was not present due
to exam week.
Information and Discussion Items
None.
Standing Committee Reports
Report of the Curriculum Committee
Mai Dao, GCCC member presented the committee’s report, prepared by committee chair,
Dr. Timothy Muser.
The proposals listed below were reviewed by the members of the GCCC with recommendations
to approve.
[The proposals were approved unanimously.]
The proposals listed below were approved by the members of the GCCC.
Report of the Membership Committee
On behalf of the Membership Committee, Dr. Svetlana Beltyukova, Chair, presented a
summary report for Graduate Faculty Membership for Spring II (2) 2024 for applications
received between January 30, 2024, through April 8, 2024. Spring II (2) 2024, no
errors.
Dr. Beltyukova presented an annual report of graduate faculty membership applications
and decisions for 2023-2024 (summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024). A total of
171 applications, which is closed to a typical amount, 170 – 200. 93% of applications
were approved for the membership level requested. Committee tries to be consistent
in requirements.
Recap
Summary of Membership Categories:
- Full-Time, Tenure-Track UToledo can be considered for Full, Associate membership but not Professional.
- Part-Time faculty are usually approved at the Adjunct, instead of professional, membership level.
- External applicants from academia, are encouraged to apply for Adjunct membership, unless it is a special case in which Special membership is necessary.
Other:
- The membership categories are a part of the application and thank you, Terri Hayes, for that.
- The committee appreciates quality endorsements with details from the chairs and deans that facilitates the review process.
- In terms of distribution, applications were almost equally split with regard to Internal and External applicants and New and Renewal applications.
- A replacement is needed from Arts and Letters, because a committee member is retiring.
Dr. Beth Schlemper volunteered to serve on Membership Committee to replace retiring member.
Old Business
None.
Dr. Kalinoski asked whether the Bylaws changes that were approved by Graduate Council in spring 2023, were approved by the Board of Trustees. Chair Lawrence indicated that he would check.
New Business
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 1:16 p.m.
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2024-2025 Graduate Council
AGENDA
Present: Marcelo Alvarado-Vargas, Brian Ashburner, Dan Boden, Qian Chen, Mai Dao, Jennifer
DeVries, Jim Ferris, Bashar Gammoh,
David Giovannucci, Daniel Hammel, Svetlana Beltyukova (for Noela
Haughton), Ahmad Javaid, Andrea Kalinoski,
Marcella Kehus, Kristen Keith, John Laux, Patrick Lawrence, Ling
Na, Nagalakshmi Nadiminty, Sinead O’Donovan,
Patricia Relue, Barbara Saltzman, Youssef Sari, Hossein Sojoudi,
Kuo-hui Su, Beth Schlemper, Connie Schall, Joseph Schmidt,
Rebecca Schneider, Zahoor Shah, Snejana Slantcheva-Durst, Varun
Vaiyda, Jerry Van Hoy, Eileen Walsh, Kandace Williams,
Qiuying Zhao.
Absent: Snejana Slantcheva-Durst.
Excused:
Guests: None.
Call to Order and Roll Call Graduate Council Members 2024-2025
Executive Reports
Report of the Executive Committee of the Graduate Council
On behalf of Graduate Council, Chair, Dr. Barbara Saltzman introduced herself, an
Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health in the College of Health
and Human Service. She is looking forward to serving in the role of Chair this year.
Chair Saltzman welcomed new members encouraging those who have not served on the Council
previously to become familiar with the Graduate Council Bylaws and the Graduate Faculty
Constitution posted on Graduate Council website https://www.utoledo.edu/graduate/facultystaff/gradcouncil/. She also encouraged members to contact with any questions.
Standing Committee Reports
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Election of Officers 2024-2025
Of the five elected seats on GCEC, two reps must be from Main Campus and two reps
from the Health Science Campus. The fifth rep can be from either campus.
CHAIR
Dr. Barbara Saltzman – MC Vice Chair 2023-2024, automatically becomes Chair 2024-2025
VICE CHAIR Nominations from Main Campus and Health Science Campus
Dr. Dan Boden - MC accepted
Kuo-hui Su – HSC accepted
Motion to close Nominations. Motion Seconded. Dr. Dan Boden (MC) elected.
AT LARGE #1 Nominations from Main Campus and Health Science Campus
Kuo-Hui Su – HSC accepted
No other nominations. Motion to close Nominations. Motion Seconded. Dr. Kuo-Hui Su (HSC) elected by acclimation.
AT LARGE #2 Nominations from Health Science Campus
David Giovannucci – HSC accepted
No other nominations. Motion to close Nominations. Motion Seconded. Dr. David Giovannucci elected by acclimation.
AT LARGE #3 Nominations from Health Science Campus
Nagalakshmi Nadiminty – HSC accepted
No other nominations. Motion to close Nominations. Motion Seconded. Dr. Nagalakshmi Nadiminty (HSC) elected by acclimation.
Process for Populating Standing Committees for 2024-2025
GC Vice Chair oversees this process. Committee Chairs, once established, reach out
their current membership to determine if they will stay in positions, they can assist.
The committees do not have to be populated from Graduate Council, however, however,
Graduate Council members should be the first to step up if there openings. Hope to
populate very early in fall semester. Some years easier than others.
Discuss Meeting Logistics (In-Person/Virtual/Hybrid)
For 2023-2024 Council decided to hold all meetings virtually, which worked well. Chair
Saltzman stated that her opinion is that hybrid doesn’t work that well, and suggested
In-Person or Virtual.
Discussion:
- Dr. Dan Hammel added GSA to meet in person at least once per semester, once on MC and once on HSC.
- Chair Saltzman noted that the prior year 2022-2023 while most meetings were held virtually, some were held in person/hybrid when the President and Provost attended Council as guest speakers. And we could do virtual for the other meetings.
- One option could be one in fall and one in spring could be in-person (not hybrid).
- Hybrid meetings had about half attendance in person and half were remote.
- Attendance is challenging
- Some Council members also serve on Faculty Senate, so attending in person can be challenging.
[Motion to continue meetings virtually for 2024-2025. No further discussion of the motion. Motion seconded. Motion passed unanimously.]
Next meeting will take place in Fall 2024 (schedule to be determined).
Adjournment
There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 1:50 p.m.