Graduate Council Meeting Minutes s2

Graduate Council Meeting Minutes 26 January 2016

Attending: A. Arora, C. DeFilippo, S. Hansen, J. Hornak, C. Jackson, D. Jacobs, B. Lawrance, C. Licata, S. Ludi, A. Savakis, T. Trabold, J. Venkataraman

Agenda and Administrative Issues

The following agenda items were proposed for the meeting: (1) Establishing a minimum course grade to progress to the next course in a graduate program sequence; (2) Creating a Pass/Fail option of graduate study abroad offerings taken through an affiliate program; (3) PhD student participation in convocation – PhD Directors' perspective. Time did not permit a discussion of Item 3. Two other agenda items were added on an ad hoc basis.

Celebrating Hector Flores’s Contributions

The council discussed the possibility of organizing a send-off celebration for Hector Flores in recognition of his tremendous contributions to RIT and the Graduate Council, in particular. After a number of options were discussed, the council members proposed that we add an hour to the time currently scheduled for our meetings. Accordingly, the celebration will be tentatively scheduled for 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on March 29th or April 5th.

Minimum Grade for Courses in a Graduate Course Sequence

In the institute’s previous grading system (i.e., without plus/minus grading), the letter grade of C was the minimum acceptable grade for prerequisite courses in a graduate program sequence (i.e., attainment of grade lower than C was not deemed to meet the prerequisite requirement). The move to our current plus/minus grading system necessitates the determination of what grade will now be considered the minimum acceptable grade in a graduate course sequence. Specifically, the council debated whether C or C- was the appropriate cutoff. Based on this debate, the council voted on the following two motions:

1. The letter grade of C will be established as the minimum acceptable grade for all prerequisite courses in a graduate course sequence.

Outcome: The council voted 11 – 1 in favor of the motion.

2. The letter grade of C will be established as the minimum acceptable grade for all required courses in a graduate program curriculum.

Outcome: The council voted 9 – 3 in favor of the motion.

Graduate Study Abroad Courses through Affiliate Program

RIT offers five mechanisms through which students can study abroad: Gateways, global campus offerings, faculty-led courses, international co-ops, and courses provided through an affiliate program (i.e., other universities with which we have affiliation agreements). Of these programs, four of the five evaluate student performance using an RIT letter grade. Affiliate programs are the exception. Currently, students have to apply for transfer credit for affiliate programs courses. Jim Myers, Associate Provost of International Education and Global Programs has requested that the GC create a pass/fail option for affiliate program courses. The GC reviewed a proposed modification of the S/U/I Grade Policy that would achieve the requested change. The GC members had some concern as to what would happen in the event of U grade. Specific questions discussed: Would a student receiving a U grade have to retake the specific course? Is the retaking of the same course even a feasible option? The GC has tabled a decision on this request until additional guidance (esp. with respect to the handling of U grades) is received from Dr. Myers.