Evelyn Almeida

Key discussions included the review and unanimous approval of several course and program changes under the 'Recommended Changes and Approved Business' section, with one revision noted for course EDG 705 to include 'gender identity' in its description. Proposals for M.A.T. programs in Art, English, History, Mathematics, and Spanish were simultaneously reviewed and approved. A global change to EDC courses was also approved. Course changes for SWK 706 and SWK 735 were tabled because presenters were unavailable. Discussions also addressed student appeal recommendations and a proposal regarding students in a certificate program rolling over into a master's program without reapplying, specifically referencing the MS GIS program as a potential precedent setter. A proposal regarding the course load policy for business programs was moved to the next meeting's agenda.

The Graduate Education Council meeting included several approvals for changes in programs and courses across various departments, including MAT Spanish, MAT Art Initial & Professional, and numerous Occupational Therapy (OCT) and Nursing (NUR) courses and programs. Specific actions included unanimously approving several new courses and program changes, as well as suspending admissions for the MSN Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track. New courses were approved for the PSY department including practicum, internship, and seminar courses. During the Minor Change Review, several items were reviewed, including changes to a Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Computer Science and a new policy for Life Experience Credit, which was amended to remove a reference to the catalog. Council business involved discussion on reviewing graduate program admissions suspensions, drafting a policy on minor change review, and tabling the summary year's end report and policy manual discussion until the next meeting.

The Academic Policies Committee meeting addressed several policy revisions. Discussions included revisions to the 2019:2020 and 2020:2021 Academic Calendars, focusing on clarifying withdrawal deadlines and specifying DGCE makeup days for holidays like October 31st to ensure compliance with instructional day and contact hour requirements. A motion to approve the Military Leave Policy was postponed to the next meeting to allow for further refinement, particularly regarding incomplete grades and long-term leave scenarios. Additionally, the committee approved adding a statement to the undergraduate catalog for Social Work admissions confirming that life experience does not grant course credit, and approved a policy change allowing economics courses to count towards both an Economics Minor and a Major.

The Student Affairs Committee meeting involved reviewing findings from the sophomore data sub-committee, which noted that 16% of students leave after the first year, suggesting areas for intervention such as housing, financial aid, and academics for the sophomore experience. The committee also discussed strategies to improve freshman self-sustainability and address transfer students. Furthermore, the committee reviewed findings from the sophomore research group, noting limited success in finding peer institution programs, and compiled ideas for expanding sophomore support, including career development, major connections, leadership, and parental involvement.

The Graduate Education Council meeting addressed several agenda items, primarily focusing on changes to courses and programs, and new course proposals, all of which were approved unanimously with specific revisions. Policy changes reviewed included the Academic Appeal Procedure and the Waiver of Graduate Admission Exam. Numerous course changes were approved, such as updates to NUR 836 Advanced Practice Nursing in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care: Practicum II and NUR 870N Dimensions of Nursing Education. Program changes included the MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. Several new courses were proposed and approved across different departments, including Physical Education (SMS prefix) and Computer Science (CSC prefix), with specific revisions noted for course descriptions, prerequisites, and required hours.