Graduate Council Meeting Minutes: September 2, 2025
Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
September 2, 2025
Location: Virtual (Teams)
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order. A quorum was confirmed.
Roll Call
Members Present:
Saad Andalib; Brian Ashburner; Dan Boden; Scott Crawley; Mai Dao; Jennifer DeVries;
Brian Fink; Bashar Gammoh; David Giovannucci; F. Scott Hall; Beth Schlemper (for Dan
Hammel); Tyler Hancock; Edward Janak; Andrea Kalinoski; Kristen Keith; Barbara Kopp
Miller; John Laux; Glenn Lipscomb; Scott Molitor; Nagalakshmi Nadiminty; Megan Petra;
Patricia Relue; Srinivas Saladi; Snejana Slantcheva-Durst; Mohamed Samir Hefzy (for
Hussein Sojoudi); Kuo-hui Su; Varun Vaidya; Michael Weintraub; Kandace Williams; Qiuying
Zhao.
Guests Present:
Teri Green; Tara Hanna
Excused:
Qian Chen; Janice Servick.
Absent:
None.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from prior meetings were not presented for approval. The Chair noted that several April 2025 minutes remain pending and will be summarized and presented for approval at a future meeting.
Presentations & Discussion Items
Executive Committee Report
The Chair reported on the recent Executive Committee meeting, emphasizing:
- Ongoing challenges with staffing Graduate Council standing committees.
- The need for flexibility and willingness among Graduate Faculty to serve, given workload constraints.
- Additional documentation and roster “housekeeping” efforts following recent transitions.
College of Graduate Studies Report
Scott Molitor provided updates including:
- Vice President for Research & Sponsored Programs Search: The search remains ongoing, with plans to bring additional candidates to campus in late September or early October using the established open-forum format.
- International Student English Proficiency Requirements: Representatives from English and International Admissions will be invited to a future meeting to discuss alternative options for demonstrating English proficiency.
- Workforce Development & Non-Credit Offerings: Initiatives are underway to establish governance review processes for non-credit and workforce-focused curricular offerings.
- Graduate Grade Replacement / GPA Recalculation Policy: A potential policy allowing limited GPA recalculation for graduate students who retake courses is being explored, with draft review planned through the GCEC.
- SB1 Legislation Considerations: Clarification was provided that thesis and dissertation topics are not restricted; however, faculty evaluations must be grounded in scholarship and disciplinary standards rather than personal viewpoints.
- Graduate Programs Day: A Graduate Programs Day was proposed for mid-October, potentially aligned with inauguration-week events to increase visibility and recruitment.
Interim Vice President for Research Report
Interim VP for Research Scott Hall provided an update that included:
- Ongoing uncertainty related to federal executive orders and research funding.
- Loss of a significant T32 grant, with alternative funding secured for affected students.
- Participation in multi-institutional lawsuits challenging changes to indirect cost recovery.
- A proposed $400 million increase to the NIH budget by the Senate Appropriations Committee, though final outcomes remain uncertain.
- Potential impacts of a government shutdown and new regulatory requirements with shortened compliance timelines.
- Recent signs of increased grant activity following a slower early-summer period.
Graduate Student Association (GSA) Report
The GSA President reported:
- Introduction of the newly elected GSA Executive Board.
- Participation in the Fall Involvement Fair on August 27.
- Announcement of the first GSA general meeting of the year on September 17 (in person).
- Plans to hold an additional election to fill a vacant Communications Specialist position and to recruit college representatives.
Reports
Standing Committee Updates
Discussion included:
- The need to update committee rosters due to retirements, sabbaticals, and college mergers.
- Clarification that Graduate Faculty may serve on committees; however, non-Graduate Council chairs require Council approval.
- Adjustments to representation following college mergers.
- Identification of remaining vacancies, including Pharmacy and GSA representatives, to be addressed offline.
Committee Reports
Curriculum Committee
None.
Report of the Membership Committee
None.
Curriculum & Membership Votes
Motion: To approve Tim Mueser as Chair of the Curriculum Committee and Svetlana Beltyukova as Chair of the Membership Committee (both non-Graduate Council members).
- Motion: David Giovannucci
- Second: Andrea Kalinoski
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Announcements
None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
- Discussion occurred regarding differentiation between thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees, with possible use of formal tracks or concentrations.
- Concerns were raised regarding the administrative burden of maintaining multiple curriculum records.
- Information was shared regarding a proposed federal rule affecting F-1 and J-1 visas. Members were encouraged to review and submit public comments.
Adjournment
- Motion to Adjourn: Scott Molitor
- Second: Scott Crawley
- Vote: Approved