Graduate Council Meeting

February 22, 2008

3:00 P.M.

Special Collections Room, Main Library

MINUTES

Dr. Paul McDonagh, Professor, Department of Surgery

Cal Payne, Undergraduate Council

Celeste Pardee, Curriculum Associate, Academic Affairs

Members Present: Andrew Comrie, Dianne Horgan, Maria Teresa Velez, Nathan Cherrington, Kathie Insel, Carl Maes, Zhao Chen, K. Tsianina Lomawaima, Lisa Ordonez, Jake Jacobs, Donald Slack, and A. Quadir Khan

Members Not Present: Donato Romagnolo, Timothy Secomb, LouAnn Gerken, Stephanie Fryberg, David Chisholm, Marv Waterstone, Steven Dvorak, Richard Hallick, Barbara Cone-Wesson, Norma Gonzalez, Chuck Hutchinson, Lane Kenworthy, Ignacio San Martin, Kevin Vinson, Gail Varin, and Stephen Bieda.

I. Call to Order and Roll Call. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Chair Andrew Comrie. A sign-in sheet was circulated to the members in attendance.

II. The minutes of the Graduate Council meeting of January 18, 2008 were approved as read.

III. Dean’s Report. Member Velez introduced Luis Mier y Teran, Deputy Director for Science Development and Academic Affairs at the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT ). Dr. Teran was visiting the UA campus and met with researchers interested in doing research in Mexico, how to network with research groups in Merxico, and the role of CONACYT in these endeavors. During his brief visit with the Council, Dr. Teran emphasized the exceptional collaborations CONACYT has with the University of Arizona and his hopes for many more such collaborations in the future.

IV. GPSC Report. Jacob Knutson, GPSC Secretary, was present at the meeting -- filling in for Stephen Bieda. He presented a draft of a copy of the Graduate Student Bill of Rights which the GPSC has discussed with President Shelton. The Graduate Council briefly discussed aspects of the document, but because of the low attendance at this meeting, tabled further discussion until the next meeting. The Graduate Council’s role in the document is just to give the GPSC feedback. At this point in time, the document is not for public distribution. If and when it becomes a public document, Guest Knutson indicated it would be posted on their website and the GPSC would notify the Graduate Council membership, for their information.

V. New Business

A. Planning Proposal for Graduate Program in Surgery. Guests Malan and McDonagh attended the meeting to provide background to this proposal and to respond to questions of the Graduate Council. Member Lomawaima made a motion to approve the Proposal. The motion was seconded by Nathan Cherrington and the vote taken. Eight members of the Council present at the meeting voted 8 in favor and 0 opposed. Because a quorum of members was not present at the meeting, an electronic vote of members not in attendance at the meeting was taken subsequent to the meeting. The motion carried -- 17 in favor and 1 opposed.

B. Proposal to Amend the Change of Schedule (Drop/Add) Policy. Guests Payne and Pardee provided the Council with a background for the amendment. Member Lomawaima made the motion to approve the Proposal, seconded by Member Cherrington, and the vote taken. The vote of members present at the meeting was 8 in favor and 0 opposed. Because a quorum was not present at the meeting, an electronic vote of absentee members was taken after the meeting. The motion carried -- 18 in favor, no opposition.

C. Proposal to Amend the Withdrawal Policy. Guests Payne and Pardee were present at the meeting to provide the Council with background information on the proposal and discussion followed. Member Lomawaima made the motion to accept the proposed amendment to the Withdrawal Policy. The motion was seconded by Member Cherrington. The vote of members present at the meeting was 8 in favor and 0 opposed. Because a quorum was not present at the meeting, an electronic vote of absentee members was later taken. The motion carried -- 18 in favor, none opposed.

Chair Comrie and Member Horgan distributed information about a Faculty Senate reorganization. After brief discussion of the topic, it was decided to table the discussion until the next meeting of the Graduate Council.

VI. Announcements

A. Member Horgan announced the CGS Dissertation Awards program.

B. The next meeting of the Graduate Council will be Friday, March 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.