Graduate Council Minutes: March 17, 2026
Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
March 17, 2026
Location: Virtual (Teams)
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dr. Dan Boden, who welcomed members and confirmed
the agenda.
Roll Call
Members Present: Saad Andalib, Brian Ashburner, Dan Boden, Scott Crawley, Mai Dao, Brian Fink, Bashar
Gammoh, David Giovannucci, Dawn Goldstein, F. Scott Hall, Tyler Hancock, Andrea Kalinoski,
Kristen Keith, Tammy Kinsey, Barbara Koppmiller, Minxuan Lan (for Beth Schlemper),
John Laux, Glenn Lipscomb, Nagalakshmi Nadiminty, Megan Petra, Scott Molitor, Erin
Prestwich, Jeanine Refsnider-Streby, Patricia Relue, Srinivas Saladi, Zahoor Shah,
Sanjana Sanchiva-Durst, Hossein Sojoudi, Kuo-hui Su, Jerry Van Hoy, Eileen Walsh,
Michael Weintraub, Kandace Williams, Qiuying Zhao
Guests Present: Teri Green, Tara Hanna, Alana Malik, Whitney Valencia
Excused: Grace Bochenek, Jennifer Devries, Daniel Hammel, Ed Janak
Absent: Qian Chen, Varun Vaidya
A quorum was confirmed.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from February 3, 2026 and February 17, 2026 were presented for approval.
- Motion: Michael Weintraub
- Second: Dan Boden
- Vote: Approved unanimously via chat vote (quorum met)
Presentations & Discussion Items
Academic Program Review Cycle Updates – Alana Malik
Dr. Alana Malik, Assistant Vice Provost for Accreditation and Assessment, presented
comprehensive updates to the Academic Program Review Cycle.
Key highlights included:
- Review Cycle Context:
- Internal reviews were paused from 2022–2025 due to program prioritization efforts.
- External accreditation reviews continued during this period.
- The overall structure of the review cycle remains largely unchanged.
- Self-Study Template Revisions:
- Shift from individual program reviews to a single departmental self-study document.
- Expanded focus areas:
- Departmental identity and mission
- Learning outcomes and pedagogy
- Program effectiveness and student success
- Faculty workload and engagement
- Resource allocation and planning
- Alignment with institutional strategic goals
- Increased emphasis on documenting high-impact practices and service contributions.
- Reporting Changes:
- Transition from reporting at years 1, 3, and 6 to annual updates, improving tracking and accountability.
- Committee Structure:
- Consolidation of the University Program Review Committee and University Assessment Committee into a single University Assessment and Program Review Committee, streamlining operations and reducing redundancy.
- External Reviewer Selection:
- Introduction of a formalized, transparent selection process with:
- Defined criteria
- Conflict-of-interest guidelines
- Clear roles for departments and the Provost’s Office
- Accreditation Alignment:
- Updates reflect new Higher Learning Commission (HLC) expectations requiring demonstrable curriculum improvement through program review.
- The process also satisfies requirements from the Chancellor’s Council on Graduate Studies (CCGS).
Discussion emphasized that these updates improve clarity, efficiency, and compliance while strengthening institutional assessment practices.
Announcements
Graduate Student Association (GSA) Report – Saad Andalib
- Second General Assembly meeting held on February 26 with 26 attendees.
- Midwest Graduate Research Symposium (MGRS) update: 19 presenters confirmed from 10 Midwest institutions; judges are still needed.
- Graduate Trivia Night held on March 10 with 25 attendees.
Members were encouraged to participate as judges and share the sign-up opportunity.
Reports
Executive Committee Report – Dr. Dan Boden
- Announced the upcoming Graduate Council Outstanding Graduate Student Award nomination process.
- Nomination details will be distributed via email.
- Award recipients will be recognized at the Graduate Council meeting on April 14, 2026.
COGS Report – Dr. Scott Molitor
Dr. Molitor provided several updates:
- Graduate Student Research Awards:
- A large number of applications were reviewed.
- Six students received awards.
- Acknowledged the Graduate Student Affairs Committee for their efforts.
- Graduate Scholarships:
- Applications are under review by the Fellowships and Scholarships Committee.
- Decisions expected by early April.
- Lourdes University Transition:
- Ongoing collaboration across colleges to support incoming students.
- Articulation agreements are being finalized.
- Special focus on transitioning CRNA program students.
- Graduate Council Representation:
- No changes to college apportionment for the upcoming year.
- Open seats reflect expiring terms.
- Slate Training:
- Slate training will be provided at the Council of Associate Deans (COAD) meeting on Thursday, March 19.
- Program directors have been invited to participate.
- The session will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Research & Sponsored Programs Report – Presented by Dr. Scott Hall (for Dr. Grace
Bochenek)
A comprehensive research enterprise update was presented, focusing on metrics, funding
trends, and strategic initiatives.
- Expanded Metrics:
- Broader tracking of:
- Proposal activity
- Award activity (new and continuing)
- Industry engagement
- Clinical trials
- Workforce data (postdocs, graduate assistants)
- Federal Funding Decline:
- Significant decrease in federal awards, particularly from NIH and NSF.
- NIH awards are down approximately 70% year-to-date, attributed to federal delays and funding constraints.
- Proposal Pipeline:
- Identification of multiple large-scale proposals exceeding $4 million.
- Increased emphasis on collaborative, high-impact research initiatives.
- Strategic Direction:
- Transition from a service-oriented research office to a more proactive, strategy-driven model.
- Initiatives include:
- Development of a Sea Grant program
- Research mixers focused on collaboration and mentorship
Discussion acknowledged both the challenges of federal funding instability and the importance of strategic growth initiatives.
Committee Reports
Standing Committee Report – Dr. Michael Weintraub
- All Graduate Council standing committees are fully staffed with no vacancies.
Report of the Membership Committee
The Spring 1 2026 Graduate Faculty Membership Committee report was presented by Dr.
Scott Molitor on behalf of the committee.
- 40 graduate faculty applications reviewed.
- Implementation of a new triage process significantly improved application accuracy.
- Only one application pending verification; no category corrections required.
Vote: Approved via chat vote.
Report of the Curriculum Committee
Presented by Dr. Scott Molitor on behalf of the committee.
- Approved multiple program modifications, new courses, and course revisions across colleges, largely driven by accreditation and licensure requirements.
- Key updates included:
- New concentrations and a standardized PhD research methods course in JHCASE
- Program adjustments in HHS, including School Psychology and Nursing
- Course sequencing updates in Recreation Studies
- Minor curriculum revisions in Biological Sciences
- Updates to interdisciplinary program pipelines due to new undergraduate degree structures
Committee Comments:
- Clarified distinctions between AI-related courses to avoid overlap.
- Addressed implications of new degree structures on combined bachelor’s/master’s pathways.
Vote: Approved via chat vote.
Curriculum & Membership Votes
The Membership Committee and Curriculum Committee reports were presented and approved
by the Council via chat vote. Both items originated from standing committees and did
not require formal motions.
Old Business
Graduate Grade Replacement Policy Proposal
Dr. Molitor presented a proposed graduate grade replacement policy.
- The policy allows students who repeat a course to petition for exclusion of the original grade from GPA calculations.
- Grades remain on the transcript; the change applies only to GPA calculation.
- The policy includes both a general statement and a procedural document outlining eligibility and conditions.
- Programs may establish stricter requirements or opt out.
Vote: Approved to move forward to the university policy review process (majority approval; one dissent noted).
New Business
None.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by Dr. Boden. The next Graduate Council meeting is scheduled
for March 31, 2026.