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Graduate Council Minutes

April 16, 2024

Present:Ìý Ìý Marcelo Alvarado-Vargas, Sharon Barnes, Qian Chen, Mai Dao, Jennifer DeVries, Jim Ferris Song Tian (for Timothy fisher),
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýBashar Gammoh, David Giovannucci, Dan Hammel, Noela Haughton, Ahmad Javaid, Andrea Kalinoski, Kristen Keith,Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýPatrick Lawrence, Ling Na, Nagalakshmi Nadiminty, Sinead O’Donovan, Megan Petra, Patricia Relue, Barbara Saltzman,
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýYoussef Sari, Connie Schall, Joseph Schmidt, Rebecca Schneider, Zahoor Shah, Hossein Sojoudi, Kuo-hui Su, Jami Taylor,
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýVarun Vaiyda, Jerry Van Hoy, Eileen Walsh, Kandace Williams, Maha Zeidan (GSA).Ìý

Absent:Ìý Ìý ÌýLarissa Barclay, Marcella Kehus.Ìý

Excused:Ìý ÌýBrian Ashburner, John Laux.Ìý

Guests:Ìý Ìý ÌýAlana Malik, Sheryl Milz, COGS – Tara Hanna.Ìý

3MT Student Award Recipients:Ìý Emma Elizabeth Sabu Kattuman.Ìý
Graduate Advisor:Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Sailaja Paruchuri.

Ìý

Call to Order, Roll Call, and Approval of MinutesÌý
The meeting was called to order and roll called.Ìý The Minutes of February 6, 2024, meeting were approved.Ìý

Executive Reports Ìý
Report of the Executive Committee of the Graduate CouncilÌý
On behalf of Graduate Council, Chair, Dr. Patrick Lawrence reported:Ìý

• 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.ÌýÌý
    
• Elected Reps to Graduate Council 2024-2025 Ìý
  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.Ìý

Vice Chair Dr. Barbara Saltzman added that representatives from these colleges are still needed from Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Nursing.Ìý

Report of the Vice Provost for Graduate AffairsÌý
Dr. Dan Hammel, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs provided the following updates:Ìý

• GSA’s Midwest Graduate Research Symposium – April 6, 2024Ìý
  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.Ìý

• Responsible Conduct in Research Training – April 13, 2024Ìý
  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.Ìý

• CurriculumÌý
  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.Ìý
  
• Chancellor’s Council of Graduate Schools (CCGS)Ìý
  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.Ìý 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.Ìý

Ìý Ìý ÌýCombined Bachelor’s to Masters Pipeline Programs no longer requires CCGS/ODHE individual notification and approval. However,
Ìý Ìý Ìýwe are required to provide this information in our annual reports. This is a simplification of the process, which will also make it
Ìý Ìý Ìýquicker.Ìý

Ìý Ìý ÌýThere may be a similar process for programs conversions to online, however, this has not been made official yet. Previously,
Ìý Ìý Ìýprograms that went from less than 50% to more than 50% online, required state notification. This would be another process
Ìý Ìý Ìýsimplification. Ìý

Ìý Ìý ÌýPipeline or significant changes - feel free to contact me or Cathy Zimmer. It is good to be informed at the beginning of any steps
Ìý Ìý Ìýrequired beyond internal approvals, whether at the state level or the Board of Trustees. We will be happy to meet with you. Dr. Alana
Ìý Ìý ÌýMalik, has in the past, met with folks as well, regarding assessment.Ìý

Report of the Vice President for ResearchÌý
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. Ìý

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.Ìý

Report of the Graduate Student Association
Maha Zeidan, President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) provided an update followed by annual budget.Ìý

• GSA’s Midwest Graduate Research Symposium – April 6, 2024Ìý
  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. ÌýÌý

• Social Events Ìý
  Smaller scale this year, including coffee at local coffee shops and our intramural sporting event.ÌýÌý

• Resource Tabling - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Ìý
  Provided information on how to get food assistance if needed. Event was well received. A lot of students were unaware of this community resource.Ìý

• Annual Report
  Officers Stipends and Tuition
  Operating BudgetÌý Ìý Ìý $36,300
  TravelÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý $10,300 (travel and conferences - that is where students want funds!)
  Research AwardsÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý$20,000+ (remainder of operating budget)
  No funds spent on MGRS, in person meetings or office that we had set aside for.Ìý Ìý

Information and Discussion Items Ìý
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.ÌýÌý

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.ÌýÌýÌý

Graduate Council congratulated Ms. Kattuman.ÌýÌý

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.Ìý

Annual Report of the University Assessment CommitteeÌý
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.Ìý

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:Ìý

• • Review of the Assessment Process Timeline
  • Discussed 2022-2023 Findings and Recommendations
  • Future Actions Steps
  • Introduce Curriculum Mapping in CIMÌý

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.ÌýÌý

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.Ìý

Program participation:Ìý

• 171 Graduate/Professional Programs and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates Ìý
  Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý44 Post-Baccalaureate CertificatesÌý
  Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý 127 Graduate/Professional Programs
• Ìý82 (48%)Ìý Complete
  Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý 9 Multi-Year
  Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý 73 One-Year
• Ìý83 (49%)Ìý DeclinedÌý
  Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý(Notes: Rationale provided. Suspended programs affected non-reporting.)
• Ìý Ìý6 (1%)Ìý Ìý Ìý IncompleteÌý

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.ÌýÌý

Institutional Student Learning Outcome Results:Ìý

• 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.ÌýÌý
• 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.ÌýÌý

Dr. Malik reviewed strengths, faculty engagement, challenges and Dr. Milz reviewedÌý 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.ÌýÌýÌý

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.ÌýÌý

Standing Committee ReportsÌý
Although there were no committee reports Chair Lawerence provided these reminders:

Curriculum:Ìý
2023-2024 academic year, the committee will have reviewed 187 proposals with several under review to presented at the next meeting.Ìý Thus far, here is the breakdown of proposal types.Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý New CoursesÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý 16 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Course ModificationsÌý ÌýÌý 80Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý New ProgramsÌý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Program ModificationsÌý Ìý51
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý (which includes ongoing work to consolidate existing multiple degrees into one degree with concentrations)
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Program DeactivationÌý Ìý 27Ìý

Graduate Faculty Membership:Ìý
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.Ìý

Report of the Curriculum Committee
None.ÌýÌý

Report of the Membership Committee
None.Ìý

Old BusinessÌý
Call for Nominations, Graduate Council Executive Committee AY24-25Ìý
Vice Chair, Dr. Barbara Saltzman, stated that the GCEC isÌý 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.Ìý It is not a significant workload and opportunity to participate in graduation.ÌýÌý

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.Ìý

Discussion of proposed resolution on college funding support for graduate studentsÌý
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.ÌýÌýÌý

Two main aspects focus on importance of college-based funding for many graduate programs intended as a broad approach, not to dictate specifics.

1)Ìý Support graduate students with stipends and or waivers, a financial model that used to be held previously by COGS but now is held
Ìý Ìý Ìýby 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
Ìý Ìý Ìýcollege 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.Ìý [Passed unanimously.]ÌýÌý

RESOLUTION

University of Toledo Graduate Council Ìý
Resolution Regarding University and College support for funding of Graduate
Assistantships (GAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs)ÌýÌý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýWHEREAS budget planning by the University of Toledo Division of Academic Affairs and colleges for FY24 resulted in significant
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýreductions in funding support (stipends and tuition waivers) for new and current graduate students in many graduate programs; Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýWhereas current discussions regarding planning of FY25 budgets of academic colleges has involved the potential for even
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýfurther reductions in funding support for graduate students;

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýWHEREAS graduate programs represent an important aspect of the academic profile and mission of the University of Toledo and
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýcollege funding of graduate assistantships/teaching assistantships have been a long standing means of supporting current and
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýnew graduate student positions in many graduate programs; Whereas graduate programs and college funded graduate
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýstudents are essential for instructional/teaching activities, student success, community outreach and engagement, plus external
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýresearch grant funded projects and support of the R1 research designation (as graduate students initially funded by colleges are
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýavailable to later fill externally funded RA positions);

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýWHEREAS members of Graduate Council and graduate faculty at the University of Toledo have expressed concern about the
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýcontinued reduction in funding support to many graduate programs who rely on that funding to continue to offer graduate
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýdegree programs that have student demand, and successfully educate, train and prepare graduate students for professional
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýcareers;

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýWHEREAS the reduction of funding support to many graduate programs as provided by the Division of Academic Affairs and
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýcolleges has resulted in the need to suspend successful graduate programs and resulted in significant declines in enrollment of
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýgraduate students in many other programs; Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýWHEREAS members of Graduate Council and graduate faculty have indicated serious reservations about the sustainability and
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýfuture of many graduate programs given the recent and potential continued reductions in funding support by colleges for
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýgraduate assistantships/teaching assistantships: Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýTHEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Graduate Council states continued strong support for graduate programs at the University of
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýToledo is a critical aspect of the mission and strategic plan of the institution and academic colleges, especially in regard to their
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýkey roles in grant funded research efforts, instructional and teaching activities, and student success; Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý1) College funding support of stipends and tuition waivers for graduate students is essential to the continued success and future
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýof many important graduate programs at the University of Toledo, most notably in the recruitment, admission, and enrollment
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìýof new graduate students; Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý2) College funded graduate students is a critical need to prepare students within graduate programs to ensure there are
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý sufficient trained graduate students available to fill research assistant positions when graduate faculty secure external
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý research grant funding and are in need of these graduate students to provide important roles in completion of that research; Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý3) The Graduate Council strongly encourages Academic Affairs, College of Graduate Studies, and the Deans of academic
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Colleges with graduate programs to continue funding support for graduate assistantships and teaching assistantships as a
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý priority in FY25 college budget planning and implementation and provide more transparency; Ìý

Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý4) The Graduate Council requests that the Interim Provost and College of Graduate Studies prepare a long-term strategic
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý reinvestment plan for institutional budget support for graduate programs - beyond funds provided by the individual
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý academic colleges - especially for PhD programs that are essential for maintaining R1 status and the continued growth of
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý external research funding and expenditures as University mission and strategic plan priorities. Ìý

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.ÌýÌý

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.Ìý

New BusinessÌý
None.Ìý

AdjournmentÌý
There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 1:53 pm.Ìý