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Alabama Council of Graduate Deans (ACGD) |
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ALABAMA COUNCIL OF GRADUATE DEANS SPRING RETREAT 2008 APRIL 16-18, 2008 ISLAND HOUSE, GULF SHORES
Attendees: Bryan Noe, Dave Francko, Natalie Adams, Jeff Engler, Bill Carr, Jean Pugliese, Janet Warren, Jack Riley, Rebecca Hartley, Dianne Barron, Susan Rich, Keith Harrison, Alan Shepard
Guests: Gordon Emslie, Margit Schatzman, Pam Arrington, Ellen Haulman
Wednesday, April 16
6:00 p.m. Evening discussion about issues facing Graduate Deans in Alabama .
Thursday, April 17
8:00 - Breakfast with Deans
9:00-9:15 - Opening remarks and agenda overview by Bryan Noe
9:15-10:00 - Margit Schatzman, Vice President, Educational Credential Evaluators Topic: Evaluation of three year degrees from India and European participants in the Bologna Project
Ms. Shatzman, provided a brief history and background information about the creation and development of the Bologna Process. The original intention of this effort was to harmonize post secondary education in European countries. European schools who participate will undergo an evaluation similar to our accreditation process in the United States . Students transcripts will be evaluated to determine that they hold a degree comparable to a bachelor's degree in the U.S. European participants gather in London every two years to move the process along. It is anticipated that implementation of the Bologna Agreement will occur in 2010. U.S. institutions should be familiar with the progress of this process and begin to prepare for students who may apply to their schools. Please see handout.
10:00-10:45 - Brenda Hinson, Director, International Student Services and Admissions, University of South Alabama Topic: International student enrollment and special services Ms. Hinson disseminated two handouts titled, 10 Things an International Student Wants to Tell You and Intercultural Interactions.
The handouts outlined "tips" for dealing more effectively with international students. Ms. Hinson drew our attention to the necessity of understanding different cultural backgrounds. We should also make every effort to fairly assess a student's proficiency with the English language. Please see handouts.
10:45-11:15 - Break
11:15-12:15 - Pamela Arrington, Director of Instruction, Planning and Special Services, ACHE; and Ellen Haulman, Assistant Director for Instruction, ACHE Topic: Alabama Commission on Higher Education: Annual Instructional Update
The group welcomed Ms. Arrington to her new position at ACHE. Ms. Arrington presented two items. The first item was an explanation of the statewide planning and advisory council. Every institution has a representative who will participate in activities of the council. The first meeting is set for 5/8/08 and the group will review the five year planning cycle. Ms. Arrington also informed the group that ACHE will review academic affairs The instructional role policy will be updated. A survey was given to the Chief Academic Officers to be completed and returned to ACHE. Please see handout. Ms. Haulman announced that post-implementation reports are caught up through 2006, and she would like to finish the remaining reports by December. The group was informed that the program review procedures are being reviewed. ACHE would like input from the graduate deans concerning how this process could be improved. Ms. Haulman emphasized institutions must have a compelling reason to continue programs that do not meet post-implementation requirements. The revenue estimates for 2008 and 2009 do not look good which means budgets will be negatively impacted. Further discussion ensued concerning support for the evaluation of the current program review process, and consideration of more streamlined proposals.
12:15-1:30 - Lunch
1:30-2:15 - Gordon Emslie, Associate Vice President and Dean of the Graduate College , Oklahoma State University Topic: Emerging Continuum of Graduate Degrees Dr. Emslie presented research he conducted in the area of graduate degrees. He revealed that graduate degrees appear in various iterations at the master's and doctoral levels. Some master's degrees are considered terminal in a particular field. Doctorates can be research oriented or practitioner oriented. Dr. Emslie asked the group where these examples might fall within our own institutions.
2:15-300 - Highlights from the CSGS meeting in Austin , TX . Several council members expressed overall satisfaction with this conference. There were certain topics that were of interest and value to individual members. All felt the meeting was very beneficial.
3:00-6:00 Reflection time This is an opportunity for graduate deans to informally meet with each other to discuss issues/concerns that are common to another institution(s). Further discussion about the days agenda is encouraged.
6:00-7:00 Hospitality room and group dinner at Zeke's
Friday, April 18
8:00-9:00 - Breakfast with Deans
9:00-9:45 - Jeffrey Engler, Associate Dean, UAB Topic: Discussion of the types of data collection that will be necessary for the Economic Impact project
Dr. Engler provided copies of the draft survey instrument to be used by graduate offices to collect data. Drs. Noe and Engler provided clarification concerning some items on the instrument. A final copy will be disseminated to all. Please see hand out. Members agreed to a July 2008 due date for data from the institutions. The November meeting will be used to further discuss results. A draft report will be prepared after that.
9:45-10:30 - Jeffrey Engler, Associate Dean, UAB Topic: Responsible Conduct of Research video development Dr. Engler played a video to be used as a teaching tool concerning research conduct. He will apply for a grant to further develop the topic and will share this with the council. The video covers plagiarism and other ethical concerns for researchers.
10:30-11:00 - Break
11:00-12:00 Business meeting and discussion of the possibility of hosting the 2010 CSGS meeting in Alabama Approval of minutes from March 5, 2008 meeting: Meeting minutes from the March 5, 2008 meeting were approved by all in attendance and without modifications. Treasurer's report: Dr. Barron presented the Treasurer's report. New checks have been received 4/7/08 to support Retreat expenditures. Current funds on hand total $7, 599.05 This total reflects annual membership dues and spring retreat registration fees. A brief discussion concerning an increase in membership dues and the retreat registration fee was held. All agreed that an increase was appropriate. Dr. Noe raised the topic of Alabama hosting the annual CSGS meeting in 2010. Council members discussed possible locations, and it was decided that Huntsville Alabama would be the proposed city. Dr. Pugliese will present this information at the CSGS Executive Committee meeting in June. She will also inform Max Poole so a RFP can be sent to Huntsville to secure information about housing, etc.
A new slate of officers were nominated put forth before the council. The vote was unanimous with the following results. Keith Harrison will serve as Chair-elect, Rebecca Hartley will serve as Secretary, and Jack Riley will serve as Member-at-Large. Dr. Noe thanked all who have served this past year and congratulated the new officers.
12:00 Meeting adjourned.
Future meetings:
Executive Board: October 3, 2008
Council meetings: November 5, 2008
CGS Summer Institute meeting: July 12-16, 2008 (Vail, Colorado )
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