Graduate Council Meeting Minutes Coastal Carolina University November November 16, 2005

Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
Coastal Carolina University
November 16, 2005

Members Present: Elsa Crites, Wink Prince, Susan Libes, Eric Wright, Emory Helms, Joe Winslow, Dennis Wiseman

Guests: Geoff Parsons, Deborah Vrooman

The meeting was called to order at 11:30 AM by Dr. Dennis Wiseman in the Dawsey Conference Room, E.M. Singleton Building

Dr. Wiseman welcomed the members to the meeting and provided a brief overview of the agenda. The agenda included new course requests received from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and a recommendation for an addition to the University catalog pertaining to international students. Dr. Wiseman asked Dr. Vrooman if she would provide an overview of the new course requests from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. She indicated that the first two courses, MSCI 510 and MSCI 51 OL, were being proposed with the belief that they would be good courses to support students in the MAT Science degree in the College of Education. MSCI 516 and MSCI 516L, to be cross-listed with GEOL 516 and GEOL 516L, were seen as good support courses for students pursuing the CMWS degree, MSCI 572 was also submitted with this rationale. None of the new courses would create any change in the required courses in the CMWS degree or in the number of hours required for degree completion. Dr. Wright indicated that Dr. Vrooman's overview covered the important points that should be considered regarding the proposed courses.

MSCI 510 Earth Systems Science. (3) Earth Systems Science is the interdisciplinary study of the interaction between the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. Lecture, lab, and discussion topics include origin of the Solar System and Earth, Earth's interior and plate tectonics, climate, oceans, geological resources, ecosystems, and a major focus on global environmental change and sustainability.

Rationale: The discipline of earth system science, which takes an integrative approach to understanding the planet and its component systems, is a fast-growing area of interest. This course meets the demand of area teachers and the MAT program for a comprehensive earth systems science course specifically tailored to high school teachers.

MSCI 510L Earth Systems Science Lab. (1) Laboratory course designed to accompany study in MSCI 510.

MSCI 516 Hydrogeology. (3) (=GEOL 516) (Permission of instructor) Study of the elements of the hydrologic cycle, emphasizing ground and surface water movement through the hydrologic system. Topics include hydrologic modeling, hydrogeology, streams and floods, estuarine and wetland hydrology, properties of water, and the hydrologic continuum between rivers and the sea. Lecture will focus on theoretical aspects of water movement and the hydrologic system. Oral presentations on recent and pertinent literature required.

Rationale: Surface and ground water flow systems are critical aspects of the coastal marine and wetland systems being studied in the CMWS program. The geology and geomorphology of the coastal plain dictate and greatly influence the surface and ground water flow regimen. In turn, the surface and ground water flow regimen greatly influence the position and abundance of the various ecosystems distributed across the landscape. Understanding the hydrologic flow systems and the geology associated with them is an important tool for graduate studies in this region.

MSCI 516L Hydrogeology Lab. (1) (=GEOL 516L) (Permission of instructor) The laboratory demonstrates the topics and principles presented in lecture. Students will be required to conduct and present a research project during the semester based on field work or extensive literature analysis. Three laboratory hours per week.

GEOL 516 Hydrogeology. (3) (=MSCI 516)

GEOL 516L Hydrogeology Lab (1) (=MSCI 516L)

MSCI 572 Population Biology of Marine Organisms. (3) Study of the advanced principles of population biology as related to marine organisms emphasizing theoretical and applied aspects of natural population dynamics and regulation and development of skills for modeling and managing coastal marine populations. Specific topics covered include concepts of linear and nonlinear dynamics, demography, life history evolution, density dependence, population interaction models, individual based models, and larval ecology.

Rationale: MSCI 572 will be offered in support of the CMWS program as an advanced course that fits the program's objectives.

Discussion: After the introduction provided by Dr. Vrooman and comments by Dr. Wright, the meeting was opened for discussion on the courses submitted. No discussion followed and the recommendation was made to consider all of the courses as a group. The motion was made and seconded to approve the courses and the courses were approved.

Dr. Wiseman introduced the second item of business as information/standards pertaining to international students, indicating that this subject was being considered as a follow-up to the Council's October meeting. Reference was made to information distributed in the member's agenda packet: information on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Internet-based version of TOEFL, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and information on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Dr. Wiseman indicated that he had asked Mr. Parsons, Director of the Office of International Programs and Services, to attend the meeting and speak on the subject of international students and the recommendation for the catalog.

Mr. Parsons spoke to the recommendation in terms of proposed admission procedures, the role of TOEFL and cut scores, transfer credits, health insurance, and financial resources and visas. He indicated that the TOEFL cut scores were considered standard for institutions such as Coastal.

When asked about the Internet-based version of TOEFL, as related to the computer-based version, Mr. Parsons indicated that he felt that, at some point, it was likely that the Internet-based version would replace the computer-based version. The projected timetable for having the Internet-based version available was 2007, approaching its implementation geographically beginning with the United States. No timetable has officially been identified for eliminating the computer-based version.

International Students

Please find below a recommended insert for the graduate section of the Coastal catalog pertaining to international students. Additionally, background information on the TOEFL, GRE, and IELTS is also included.

Information Included:

1. TOEFL Details: Academic Institutions

2. Test of Spoken English (TSE) Details: Agencies and Institutions

3. Internet-Based English-Proficiency Test (TOEFL)

4. GRE Details: Educators

5. Graduate Record Examinations - Handbook

6. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Recommended Catalog Addition Regarding International Students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

ADMISSJON

Graduate applicants from countries other than the United States must meet the university's regular admission requirements. Specifically, international applicants are expected to:

1. Complete the appropriate application for international admission,

2. Provide the necessary original or certified copies of original transcripts, degrees, and/or leaving certificates, as needed, in English,

3. Submit the required standardized tests results (*See Below), and

4. Provide verification that there is adequate funding for a year of study in the U.S.

* Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Graduate school applicants must score 550 on the paper-based test which is equivalent to 213 on the computer-based test.

TRANSFER CREDITS

Credit from foreign colleges/universities is reviewed by the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS). Students who are interested in receiving international transfer credit must submit detailed credit evaluation reports prepared by organizations such as AACRAO or WES. International course work will be reviewed by the OIPS for transfer in coordination with the dean of the student's major and the dean of each course in review.

FINANCIAL RESOURCE VERIFICATION AND VISAS

Upon admission and proper financial resources verification, individuals will be sent a formal letter of acceptance and the appropriate immigration document (1-20 or DS-2019) for use in requesting a student visa. Additional information regarding the visa process may be found at www.unitedstatesvisas.gov. Under no circumstances should students come to Coastal without first receiving the formal acceptance letter and appropriate travel documents. Individuals already in the U.S.A. who are out of status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service will not be permitted official registration.

HEALTH INSURANCE

International students attending Coastal on student visas are required to purchase the University insurance plan or show proof of a comparable plan acceptable to University personnel responsible for issuing visa-related documents.

Discussion: After Mr. Parsons' overview, the Council discussed the admission of international students, procedures and standards. One question raised pertained to the speaking skills of international students, in particular if they were being considered for teaching assignments. Mr. Parsons indicated that the common test used to screen for this type of assessment was the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Dr. Wiseman commented that he felt that there were two different issues that needed to be considered. The first was general admissions expectations/procedures for international students to be admitted into the institution. The second was the question of fluency in speaking English. Dr. Wiseman added that he recommended that the first issue needed to be addressed by the Council in terms of the recommendation for new information for the catalog at this point and that any college that felt that in the future international students might be considered for teaching assignments should propose to the Council how it desired to address this issue. The members concurred with this observation and recommendation.

The Council entered into a healthy discussion. The recommendation was made that whatever was put in the catalog should include a statement that informed international students that they should consult the admission standards of the degree program that they desired to enter for admission criteria that went beyond basic admission to the University along with any admission requirements unique to international students. Dr. Wiseman said that he would include such a statement. The discussion also included the observation that it was important that degree programs maintain high standards in their admission requirements and that they should consult the standards in place at other respected institutions and programs as they established or modified their own standards. Following the discussion, with the expectation that Dr. Wiseman include the statement about degree program standards identified above, the motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation. The motion passed.

After the business items had been considered, Dr. Wiseman distributed information related to Coastal's fall 2005 enrollment. The information had been prepared by the Office of Admissions. Dr. Wiseman commented that it should be noted that, while Coastal's graduate enrollment continues to grow, most of the students are non-degree rather than degree-seeking students.

Dr. Wiseman also indicated that he had not been able to make arrangements to meet with Dr. Libes and Dr. Wright to review policies and procedures for graduate assistantships. An effort would be made to address this topic and present a recommendation to the Council at a forthcoming meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.