Committees

It shall consist of at least seven elected faculty members and one elected graduate student member of Graduate Council. The Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, and Director of Graduate Council Administration of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School shall be ex officio members of this committee.

It shall be responsible for standards of quality of graduate programs and research and is authorized to select Subcommittees as needed for the following activities:

1. Admissions: Studies admission and evaluation techniques and recommends to the Graduate Council standards and policies for the admission of students.
2. Degree Requirements: Recommends standards and policies for degree requirements and assessment, registration, and satisfactory academic progress of students.
3. Membership of the Graduate Faculty: Recommends criteria for membership in the Graduate Faculty.
4. Theses and Dissertations: Considers general policy, objectives, standards, regulations, procedures, and requirements relating to theses and dissertations.

• Mike Axtell, Professor of Biology, Eberly College of Science
• Kathy Brasier, Professor of Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Sciences (Chair)
• Andy Cole, Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• Johannes Fedderke, Professor of International Affairs and African Studies, School of International Affairs
• Reuben Kraft, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Associate Professor of Engineering, University College
• Nicolai Volland, Associate Professor of Asian Studies and Comparative Literature, College of the Liberal Arts

Ex Officio Members

• Robert Bannon, Director of Graduate Council Administration
• William Clark, Associate Dean
  
• Michelle Corby, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services
• Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean
  

1. Investigate if further flexibility for programs regarding English proficiency exam requirements for applicants is possible.
   
   Background: This is a topic frequently brought up by programs. Recently, the Graduate School has expanded the list of countries exempt from testing requirements, which should significantly reduce the number of exception requests. The Graduate Council approved a revision to GCAC-305 to allow for provisional admission of applicants with low test scores.However, several units and programs have asked for further flexibility (unit or program specific) in this matter, and we ask Academic Standards to consider if such flexibility can be implemented.
2. Policy review: Continue identifying stress points in Graduate Council policies (lots of exception requests, high administrative burden) and review.
   
   Beyond this, we recommend reviewing the following policies, as they have not been reviewed in a while:
   1. GCAC-207 Degree Program Options
      
   2. GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs
      
   3. GCAC-215 Common Course Numbers
      
   4. GCAC-309 Transfer Credit
      
   General guidelines for policy review:
   1. minimize administrative burden, especially on programs, lending trust to programs as a first assumption but including verification measures when needed (trust but verify);
   2. eliminate redundancy with Senate policies;
   3. make the policy/procedure split in GC policies more uniform.
3. Consider a change to admission policies concerning admission of applicants with 3-year international degrees.
   
   Background: GCAC-305 stipulates that international applicants must hold a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution. Some three-year international degrees may be considered equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree while others may not. The Graduate School typically uses Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) evaluations to determine the equivalency of an international degree to a U.S. baccalaureate degree, which generally has more rigorous standards than other evaluators. Some graduate programs have requested that the Graduate School accept equivalency evaluations from other evaluators. Deciding what is equivalent is currently not specified in policy.
   
   This fall, the Smeal College of Business will begin a pilot program making students with 3-year bachelor's degrees eligible for the residential master's program. Academic Standards should monitor how this pilot is going, while also trying to identify cases for which the restriction could be lifted right away – for instance, when the applicant has a graduate degree from a recognized/credentialed institution beyond their 3-year bachelor’s degree.

It shall consist of six elected Graduate Council faculty members, plus one graduate student representing the Graduate and Professional Student Association. One-half of the membership normally shall be elected each year. The Immediate Past Chair and the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, and Director of Graduate Council Administration of the Fox Graduate School shall be ex officio members of this committee.

By the Graduate Council. All elected Graduate Council faculty members who have at least two years left in their terms will be on the ballot, unless they request to be removed. The Council will elect the Committee members electronically by secure and secret ballot. The three candidates who receive the largest number of votes are elected to the committee. The candidate with the fourth largest number of votes will serve as an alternate and will take over for any of the three committee members elected that year if they cannot complete their term. In the event of a tie, the results of the election shall be determined by drawing lots among the tied candidates.

1. It shall recommend appointment of members of all other Standing Committees. To the extent possible, it shall take the following criteria into account:
   1. Member preferences and availability;
   2. Continuity of committee membership; and
   3. Diversity of perspectives, including but not limited to discipline, college, and faculty rank.
2. It shall assist the Chair in the appointment of Ad Hoc Committees if requested.
3. It shall elect its own presiding officer. The chair must be elected after June 1 (when committee terms begin) and before the September meeting of Graduate Council.
4. It shall periodically review these Articles, Bylaws, and Standing Rules and recommend changes as necessary.

• Kathy Brasier, Professor of Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Sciences
  
• Xun Cao, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, College of the Liberal Arts
• Seoki Lee, Professor of Hospitality Management, College of Health and Human Development
• Susan Loeb, Professor of Nursing, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
• Susan Stewart, Teaching Professor of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
• Chris Witko, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science, College of the Liberal Arts

Ex Officio Members

• Robert Bannon, Director of Graduate Council Administration
• Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School
• Jan Reimann, Immediate Past Chair of the Graduate Council
  
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean

No items beyond normal committee assignment tasks anticipated.

It shall consist of one Graduate Faculty representative from each academic college and school of the University that offers graduate programs, appointed by the dean or unit executive. The Director of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration is an ex officio member of this committee.

It shall consider policies on awards; examine and judge applications for Fox Graduate School fellowships; and make recommendations to the Dean of the Fox Graduate School for awards.

• Soo-Yong Byun, Professor of Education, College of Education
• Daniel Guide, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Smeal College of Business
• Ann Holt, Assistant Professor of Art Education, College of Arts and Architecture
• Hadi Hosseini, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
• Matthew Jackson, Associate Professor of Telecommunications Studies, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
• Sangmook Lee, Associate Professor of Finance, Penn State Great Valley
• Kuei-Nuan Lin, Associate Professor of Mathematics, University College
• Wansheng Liu, Professor of Genomics, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Anirban Paul, Assistant Professor of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine (Chair)
  
• Ola Rashwan, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Capital College
• Andrea Sillner, Assistant Teaching Professor of Nursing, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
• Julianna Simon, Associate Professor of Acoustics, College of Engineering
• John Vairo, Teaching Professor and Clinical Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Orthopedics & Rehabilitation
• Emily Weinert, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science
• Vineeta Yadav, Associate Professor of Political Science, College of the Liberal Arts
• Manzhu Yu, Assistant Professor of Geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• Wilson Brown, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Penn State Behrend

Ex Officio Members

• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
• Brooke Snider, Director of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration

As an implementation committee, this committee typically does not receive additional charges beyond its usual workload.

It shall consist of at least four elected faculty members of Graduate Council. Additional participants may be invited to attend based on their expertise. The Associate Dean for Graduate Student Affairs is an ex officio member of this Committee.

This committee helps to implement the annual Graduate Exhibition and makes recommendations to the Dean of the Fox Graduate School concerning the Graduate Exhibition.

• Xinning Gui, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
  
• Ovgu Kaynak, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Capital College
• Anh Le, Associate Professor of Finance, Smeal College of Business
• Seoki Lee, Professor of Hospitality Management, College of Health and Human Development
  
• Susan Loeb, Professor of Nursing, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing (Chair)

Ex Officio Members

• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
• TBD, Associate Dean for Graduate Student Affairs

Participants

• Sukwon Choi, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, College of Engineering
• Elzbieta Sikora, Teaching Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics, College of Engineering
• Richard St. Clair, Associate Professor of Theatre, College of Arts and Architecture
• Max Zorin, Associate Professor of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
  

Fox Graduate School Staff

• Gillian Kinney, Programmer/Analyst
• Heidi Dorefice, Event Coordinator
• Jennifer Theiss, Director of Alumni and External Relations
• Jeff Sattora, Marketing Communication Specialist
• Lesley Jackson, Associate Director of Graduate Student Career and Professional Development
• Lesley Vrabel, Administrative Support Coordinator
• Lisa Carper, Assistant Director, Alumni Events and Stewardship
• Liam Jackson, Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications
• Mike Shanafelt, Director of Graduate Enterprise Technology Systems
  

As an implementation committee, this committee typically does not receive additional charges beyond its usual workload.

It shall consist of at least seven elected faculty members and one graduate student member of Graduate Council. The Associate Vice President for Research, and the Dean and Senior Associate Dean of the Fox Graduate School shall be ex officio members of this Committee.

This committee meets jointly with the University Faculty Senate Committee on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. It may also meet separately as needed. It shall be responsible for and is authorized to select Subcommittees as needed for the following activities:

1. Advise the Graduate Council on policies and procedures that affect graduate research.
2. Foster graduate research at The Pennsylvania State University by aiding the Graduate Council in recognizing and rewarding outstanding graduate research performed by faculty and students of The Pennsylvania State University.
3. Support efforts, at all University levels, to enhance the funding of graduate research.
4. Support efforts to attract and retain excellent graduate students.
5. Inform and advise the Graduate Council on issues and opportunities associated with industrial-academic-related research areas, particularly as they affect graduate research and graduate study.
6. Recommend to the Graduate Council appropriate policies or actions on emerging political, budgetary, and academic issues related to graduate research.

• Elizabeth Boyer, Professor of Water Resources, College of Agricultural Sciences
  
• Alison Gernand, Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development
• Andrew High, Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, College of the Liberal Arts
• Joshua Inwood, Professor of Geography and African American Studies, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  
• Christine Kirchhoff, Associate Professor of Law, Policy, and Engineering, College of Engineering (Chair)
• Musa Mohammed, Graduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student Association
  
• Timothy Simin, Professor of Finance, Smeal College of Business
• Ming Xiao, Professor of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering
  

Ex Officio Members

• Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean
  
• Douglas Wolfe, Associate Vice President for Research

1. Consider recommendations from the report on the impact of COVID-19 on graduate research and
   education.
2. Remainder of the agenda to be set by the Faculty Senate Committee on Research, Scholarship, and
   Creative Activity.

It shall consist of at least six elected faculty members, and two elected graduate student members of Graduate Council, and five ex officio members: the Assistant/Associate Dean for Graduate Educational Equity and the Associate Dean for Graduate Student Affairs in the Fox Graduate School, and one representative each from the Division of Student Affairs, the University Office of Global Programs, and the Office of Student Aid.

It shall be responsible for and is authorized to select Subcommittees as needed for the following activities:

1. Review existing and proposed policies and make recommendations concerning the welfare and ethics of the Graduate Faculty and graduate students.
2. Promote the intellectual development and social welfare of an inclusive graduate community by fostering an awareness and appreciation of cultural and social differences.
3. Keep the Dean of the Fox Graduate School apprised of issues of concern to graduate students.
4. Assist the Dean of the Fox Graduate School in the review of appeals concerning the violation of accepted norms of professional behavior of Graduate Faculty members and graduate students with authorization to review and make recommendations to the Dean when it is charged that individual rights have been violated and responsibilities unfulfilled.

• Tanveer Ahmed, Graduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student Association
• E. Chris Byrne, Teaching Professor, Eberly College of Science
  
• Xun Cao, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, College of the Liberal Arts
• Adelaide D. Klutse, Graduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student Association
• Issam Abu Mahfouz, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Capital College
  
• Dana Mitra, Professor of Education, College of Education (Chair)
• Holly Overton, Associate Professor, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
  
• Emily Weinert, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science
• Jessica Yingst, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine
  

Ex Officio Members

• Adam Christensen, Director of Research and Assessment, Student Affairs
• Jamie Kosh, Campus and Professional School Liaison, Student Aid
• Stephanie Preston, Associate Dean for Graduate Educational Equity
• Jody Pritt, Assistant Vice Provost, Penn State Global
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
  
• TBD, Associate Dean for Graduate Student Affairs
  

1. Graduate Student Survey
   Finish preparation of survey questions and conduct survey in Fall 2024. Results from the survey can be presented to Graduate Council as an informational report, possibly together with other investigations and suggestions regarding student mental health (see next topic).
2. Student mental health
   Many concerns have been raised by colleges and programs about our ability to attend to graduate student mental health. Some questions include: Is this topic receiving proper attention? Is the grad ombudsperson program working? Would one ombudsperson/college be more effective? Are student mental health resources sufficient for the demand?
3. Career and professional services for graduate students
   Review the state of career and professional services offered to graduate students. What can be added or improved? How can more cooperation between the grad school and colleges be achieved?
   
   Background: It is increasingly difficult for many PhD students to get academic jobs.
4. Faculty mentoring training
   What, if any, mentoring training could be adopted or promoted to improve the ability of faculty to adapt to the expectations and norms of today’s grad students?
5. Parental Leave Policy
   Finish recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School on a parental leave policy for graduate students (note that this is an administrative policy).
   
   Background: GSFI was asked to review GSAD-906 Graduate Student Leave of Absence in 2020-21, and one of the specific areas of concern was to determine if a separate parental leave policy is needed. The committee has determined that a separate administrative policy is needed and is making recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School.
   
   Recommendation: If necessary, ask the Graduate School to draft a policy that take into account GSFI input and is reviewed by GSFI.
6. Review GCAC-802 Procedures for Resolution of Problems, Section 4 (Other Situations)
   
   Background: The Graduate School has encountered several situations where the procedure specified in GCAC-802 was not clear. The Graduate School has asked the committee to review this policy and make appropriate revisions to clarify. This policy was last reviewed in 2007.
7. Graduate Funding Task Force
   Offer assistance and advice to the Graduate Funding Task Force if requested.

The Committee shall consist of one Graduate Faculty representative from each academic college and school of the University that offers graduate programs, appointed by the dean or unit executive. The Dean, Associate Dean, and Director of Graduate Council Administration shall be ex officio members of this subcommittee.

It shall be responsible for and is authorized to select Subcommittees as needed for the following activities:

1. review quality indicators of existing graduate programs.
2. make recommendations to the Dean of the Fox Graduate School on those.

• Reuben Selase Asempapa, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, Capital College
  
• Marie Boltz, Professor of Nursing, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
  
• Mathias Hanses, Associate Professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, African Studies, and African American Studies, College of the Liberal Arts
• Kenneth Huang, Associate Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
  
• Gregory Huff, Professor of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering
  
• Matthew Kumjian, Associate Professor of Meteorology, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  
• Zugang (Leo) Liu, Professor of Business Administration, Penn State Great Valley
• Amanda Nelson, Associate Professor, Dermatology, College of Medicine
  
• Liang Peng, Professor of Risk Management, Smeal College of Business
  
• Ramesh Ramachandran, Professor of Avian Biology, College of Agricultural Sciences
  
• Michael Schmierbach, Professor of Communications, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
  
• Alexey Silakov, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science
  
• Douglas Spotts, Associate Teaching Professor, College of Health and Human Development
  
• Alexandra Staub, Professor of Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• Arash Dahi Taleghani, Professor of Petroleum Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (Chair)
• Melanie Wheeler, Assistant Teaching Professor, University College
  
• Rose Mary Zbiek, Professor of Education, College of Education
  

Ex Officio Members

• Robert Bannon, Director of Graduate Council Administration
• William Clark, Associate Dean
• Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council

No charges beyond conducting review of programs in line for review 2024-25.

The Committee shall consist of:

• at least nine elected faculty members, one of whom serves as chair of the committee;
• one Graduate Faculty representative from each academic college and school of the University that offers graduate programs, appointed by the dean or unit executive, one of whom serves as vice chair of the committee. The appointed representatives also serve as consultative resources for curricular proposal development within their unit.
• one graduate student member of Graduate Council; and
• a non-voting faculty librarian from the University Libraries appointed by the Dean of the University Libraries. The University Libraries representative will a) review all graduate curricular changes and advise on the current availability and suitability of Libraries’ resources for the study of those subjects and b) proactively work with graduate programs to ensure that appropriate resources and services are available to support the ongoing evolution of the curriculum.

The Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, and Director of Graduate Council Administration of the Fox Graduate School shall be ex officio members of this committee.

The vice chair of the committee will be nominated by the Chair of Graduate Council, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee on Programs and Courses, and elected by the committee. The chair and vice chair of the committee will alternate presiding at committee meetings, on a schedule to be determined by themselves.

It shall be responsible for and is authorized to select Subcommittees as needed for the following activities:

1. Suggest policy related to programs and courses.
2. Review, evaluate, and approve or reject all graduate program and course proposals that have been submitted for curricular review.
3. Review all requests for extended degree programs submitted through the established protocols of the University.
4. Develop criteria for evaluating program and course proposals and recommend procedures for handling these proposals.
5. Review and comment, in consultation with the Dean of the Fox Graduate School, on other issues that have impact on the quality of graduate education.

• Nasim Alem, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  
• Adrian Barb, Associate Professor of Data Analytics and Information Science, Penn State Great Valley
  
• Brian Boscaljon, Associate Professor of Finance, Penn State Behrend
• Anthony Buccitelli, Associate Professor of American Studies and Communication, Capital College
• Matthew Carlson, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics, College of the Liberal Arts
• Andy Cole, Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture (Chair)
  
• Kevin Curry, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, College of Agricultural Sciences
  
• Tara Felix, Associate Professor of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
  
• John Flanagan, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine
  
• Renee Flasher, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Capital College
• Angela Hissong, Teaching Professor of Occupational Therapy, University College
• Shawnee Kelly, Associate Teaching Professor of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development
• Allen Kimel, Associate Teaching Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  
• Julia Kossowska, Graduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student Association
  
• Prabhani Kuruppumullage Don, Associate Research Professor of Statistics, Eberly College of Science
• Fenglong Ma, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
  
• Hong Ma, Professor of Biology, Eberly College of Science
  
• Anne Martin, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Chad Marzen, Professor of Business Law, Smeal College of Business
• Sheri Matter, Assistant Dean for Professional Practice Programs and Associate Teaching Professor of Nursing, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
• Ashkan Negahban, Associate Professor of Engineering Management, Penn State Great Valley
• Michael Rutter, Associate Professor of Statistics, Penn State Behrend
  
• Amanda Scott, Associate Professor of History, College of the Liberal Arts
• Priya Sharma, Associate Professor of Education, College of Education
• Chistofer Skurka, Assistant Professor, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
  
• Mitchell Smith, Associate Professor of International Affairs, School of International Affairs
• Douglas Stairs, Associate Professor in Pathology, College of Medicine
  
• Susan Stewart, Teaching Professor of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
  
• Arash Dahi Taleghani, Professor of Petroleum Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  
• Sarah Watts, Assistant Professor of Music Education, College of Arts and Architecture

Ex Officio Members

• Robert Bannon, Director of Graduate Council Administration
• William Clark, Associate Dean
• Michelle Corby, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services
  
• Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean

Participants

• Jessica Aguilar, Graduate Education Curriculum and Assessment Specialist
• Linda Grant-Oishi, Records Lead, Graduate Enrollment Services
• Betty Harper, Assistant Vice Provost for Assessment, Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research
• Lori Hawn, Director of Graduate Records, Graduate Enrollment Services
• Fawn Hosterman, Director of Graduate Admissions, Graduate Enrollment Services
  

1. Policy revisions: We recommend that programs and courses consider the following policy-related topics, in addition to its evaluation of program and course proposals. Revise with care. If substantive changes are proposed, please consult with programs that would be affected by the changes, and document / report on this consultation before bringing any policy revisions to Council.
   1. GCAC-207 Degree Program Options – recommend review for clarity on what constitutes “base program.” This is currently required by policy but has been applied inconsistently in the past due to lack of clarity on definition of “base program.”
   2. GCAC-208 Dual-Title Graduate Degree Programs - investigate ways to make it easier for programs participating in dual-title programs to offer related stand-alone degrees.
   3. GCAC-212 Post-baccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs / GCAC-201 Scholarly and Professional Goals for all Graduate Degree Students – recommend review to clarify requirement for certificates to have program learning objectives. At the degree level, this is tied to the goals in GCAC-201 which are explicitly for degree students. As a requirement for Middle States accreditation, OPAIR has encouraged extending these goals to include certificate students or otherwise indicating a requirement for learning objectives in GCAC-212.
   4. GCAC-213 Residency and Related Policies for Off-Campus Degree Programs – recommend review of expedited review process for limited off-campus course offerings. This process allows up to three courses to be offered online as part of residential graduate degree program but has not been reviewed in many years. Opportunity to consider the value of this review process and potential revision for increased efficiency.
   5. GCAC-217 Degree Titles – recommend review of provision 3 regarding uniform use of M.P.S. degree title. Many programs have been switching away from the use of MPS and towards “Master of…” titling. It would be worthwhile to examine the stance regarding the use of M.P.S. and revising appropriately to reflect Council’s current views on degree titles.

It shall consist of the Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, and Secretary; the chairs of the Committees on Academic Standards, Committees and Procedures, Fellowships and Awards, Programs and Courses, Program Review and Evaluation, Graduate Research, Graduate Exhibition, and Graduate Student and Faculty Issues; the liaison member from the University Faculty Senate Council; the Dean and the Senior Associate Dean of the Fox Graduate School; plus at least three elected faculty members from the Graduate Council appointed by Graduate Council and one graduate student appointed by the Graduate and Professional Student Association from the elected graduate student members of Graduate Council. The Chair of Graduate Council chairs this committee.

1. Provide advice and counsel as requested by the Chair.

• Adelaide D. Klutse, Graduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student Association
  
• Amber O'Shea, Assistant Professor of Education, College of Education
• Chris Witko, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science, College of the Liberal Arts
  
• Yang Yang, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, College of Medicine

Standing Committee Chairs

• Kathy Brasier, Committee on Academic Standards
• Andy Cole, Committee on Programs and Courses
  
• Christine Kirchhoff, Committee on Graduate Research
• Susan Loeb, Committee on Graduate Exhibition
• Dana Mitra, Committee on Graduate Student and Faculty Issues
• Anirban Paul, Committee on Fellowships and Awards
• Arash Dahi Taleghani, Committee on Program Review and Evaluation

Ex Officio Members

• Robert Bannon, Director of Graduate Council Administration
• Jan Reimann, Immediate Past Chair of the Graduate Council
• Levon Esters, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Fox Graduate School
• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council (Chair)
• David Vanness, Chair-Elect of the Graduate Council
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean
• Christopher Zorn, University Faculty Senate Liaison
  

Consider improving the functionality of Graduate Council committees.

Options to consider:

• Develop training for committee chairs and their Grad School liaisons.
• Get lessons from the Faculty Senate on “forensic reports” and other informational reports. How are they used, when are they effective?
• Divide and make progress. Help committees, when tasked with large issues, to identify finite subsets where progress can be made in a realistic time frame.

Develop academic policies concerning academic integrity for graduate students, for consideration by the Committee on Graduate Student and Faculty Issues and the Graduate Council.

In 2017, Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones created a task force to assess the current process and structure used to manage academic integrity cases and strengthen a culture of integrity. In Spring 2019, the Task Force made a number of recommendations to the Provost, including: establishing a central University Academic Integrity Office. However, while violations of academic integrity and appropriate sanctions for graduate education might look quite different than for undergraduate education, there is no clear set of standardized procedures currently in place specific to graduate education or outlined by the Task Force. The Academic Integrity policies, procedures, and sanctions at the University are designed for undergraduate students. The current policies and procedures do not work well for violations that occur in academic work outside of the classroom, such as in the Qualifying or Comprehensive Exams. In addition, many graduate students fill a unique role in relationship to academic integrity, since they serve as instructors of undergraduates in addition to being students themselves.

This charge might appropriately be given to the Graduate Council Committee on Graduate Student and Faculty Issues. However, GSFI has a full slate of agenda items for the 2019-20 academic year. In addition, creating an ad hoc committee would allow for appointing a wide range of committee members engaged in graduate education and/or academic integrity issues across the University.

Policies developed by the Ad Hoc Committee will be reviewed and voted on first by the Committee on Graduate Student and Faculty Issues. When GSFI has approved these policies to move forward, they will go to Graduate Council for final review and approval.

The committee will complete its work in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Esther Gomez, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Chair

• Karen Feldbaum, Content Expert
  
• Esther Gomez, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering
• Diane Henderson, Professor of Mathematics, Eberly College of Science
• Andrew High, Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, College of the Liberal Arts
• Jason Kaye, Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Wanda Knight, Associate Professor of Art Education, College of Arts and Architecture
• Andrew Peck, Director of the College of the Liberal Arts Academic Integrity Office
• Jan Reimann, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Eberly College of Science
• Joel Segel, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Administration, College of Health and Human Development
• LaWanda Ward, Associate Professor of Education, College of Education
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean, Fox Graduate School
  

Ex Officio Members

• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council

Broadly review the state of, and opportunities for improving the state of, diversity, equity and inclusion in graduate education at Penn State. Report back to Graduate Council with information and recommended actions.

Current events emphasize that our society continues to struggle with issues such as systemic discrimination, unequal treatment of populations, and barriers to access to resources based on issues including but not limited to race, ethnicity, and gender. Graduate research and education can play an important role in improving diversity, equity and inclusion in our society. Graduates of our graduate degree programs are increasingly asked, when seeking positions beyond graduate school, to demonstrate their ability to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in their disciplines. Graduate students from underrepresented groups report feeling isolated or unwelcome. The time is ripe for Graduate Council to take a serious look at how Penn State can become a national leader in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in graduate research and education.

Initial discussions suggest that both the Fox Graduate School and the Faculty Senate would be pleased to see the Graduate Council move ahead with actions in this area that would be specific to graduate education and research. The topic, while suited to the committee on Graduate Student and Faculty Issues (GSFI), is broad and would probably take over the entire committee agenda for the year. A special committee could focus entirely on this topic without slowing the current GSFI agenda.

This committee would be asked to identify topics worthy of further investigation, prioritize, and begin gathering information. Topics of interest include recruiting, retention, and training of graduate students and graduate faculty.

This committee is requested to report back periodically to the Graduate Council on their deliberations. Products could include:

1. informational reports for the good of the Graduate community at Penn State;
2. recommended changes to Graduate Council policies or the administration of those policies;
3. recommended changes in Fox Graduate School administrative policies;
4. recommendations for topics to be addressed by Graduate Council standing committees.

Any recommendations developed by the Ad Hoc Committee will be brought to Graduate Council for additional consultation, review, approval and/or further action.

Stephanie Danette Preston, Associate Dean for Graduate Educational Equity, and Chief Diversity Officer for Graduate Education, Fox Graduate School

Mariya Tankimovich, Associate Teaching Professor of English, College of the Liberal Arts

• Suzanne Adair, Associate Vice President for Affirmative Action
• Nathanial Brown, Professor of Mathematics, Eberly College of Science
• Cierra Chandler, Graduate Student, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Black Graduate Student Association member
• Stephanie Danette Preston, Associate Dean for Graduate Educational Equity, and Chief Diversity Officer for Graduate Education, Fox Graduate School
• Matthew Fantle, Professor of Geosciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• Tom Hogan, Professor of Practice in Human Resource Management, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer, College of the Liberal Arts
• Brian Patchcoski, Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Anirban Paul, Assistant Professor of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine
• Cynthia Reed, Associate Teaching Professor, College of Engineering
• Suzy Scherf, Associate Professor of Psychology, College of the Liberal Arts
• Jose Soto, Associate Professor of Psychology, College of the Liberal Arts
• Jonte Taylor, Associate Professor of Special Education, College of Education
• Mariya Tankimovich, Associate Teaching Professor of English, College of the Liberal Arts

• Mary Shenk, Chair of Graduate Council

Identify common problems with either Graduate Council policies concerning graduate faculty status, or Fox Graduate School administration of these policies, and recommend potential solutions for consideration by the Graduate Council and the Fox Graduate School.

Last year 11 of the 13 colleges or commonwealth campuses that the Chair visited in the Fall (of 17 total colleges and campuses with graduate programs) to discuss their concerns regarding graduate education and the direction of the Graduate Council raised concerns about graduate faculty status. The most common concern was the process of getting graduate faculty approved to teach graduate courses, including both the amount of work involved and restrictions imposed by Fox Graduate School administration of Graduate Council policy. Concerns were also raised about uneven standards concerning the application of graduate faculty membership rules for tenure track vs. non-tenure track faculty. This topic was considered recently and extensively by the Academic Standards committee, and policies were modified within the last 5 years by the Graduate Council, but nevertheless this was the most common problem raised by the graduate leadership (Associate Deans, Grad Program Heads) of our units in discussions with the Chair last fall and spring.

The Graduate Council is being asked to create an ad hoc committee to investigate these problems further, identify, if possible, common problems, and suggest possible solutions. The committee is welcome to consider issues of both policy and administration of policy, with the understanding that the Graduate Council does not govern the administration of policy but is interested in all issues impacting graduate education, consistent with the Council Articles of Authority which state, “ultimate responsibility for all matters pertaining to graduate education and graduate research rests with the Graduate Faculty.”

This issue could be addressed by our Academic Standards committee, but the Chair suggests that 1) the Academic Standards Committee already has a full slate of issues to address this academic year and 2) the people who have raised the concerns about this issue are typically unit administrators who deal directly with how the policies are administered, and most Academic Standards members will not have this experience. Selecting a committee that includes those unit representatives who deal with this issue first-hand will help to evaluate whether or not common concerns exist, and what potential solutions can be proposed.

A brief report that articulates the problems encountered with the current system regarding Graduate Faculty status is requested. In addition, this committee could suggest solutions to these problems including: 1) recommended changes to Graduate Council policies concerning graduate faculty status, and; 2) recommended changes in the administration of current Graduate Council policies.

Any recommendations developed by the Ad Hoc Committee will be brought to Graduate Council for additional consultation, final review, and approval.

• Lisa Holden, Associate Professor of Dairy Science, College of Agricultural Science, University Faculty Senator
• Jan Reimann, Associate Professor of Mathematics

• Rick Brazier, Interim Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Research, University College
• Bill Clark, Associate Dean, Fox Graduate School
• Andy Cole, Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• Stuart Echols, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• David Fusco, Associate Teaching Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
• Lisa Holden, Associate Professor of Dairy Science, College of Agricultural Science, University Faculty Senator
• Christine Kirchhoff, Associate Professor of Law, Policy, and Engineering, College of Engineering
• Karyn Marvasti McKinney, Associate Professor of Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Penn State Altoona, University Faculty Senator
• Jan Reimann, Associate Professor of Mathematics
  
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean, Fox Graduate School
• Kent Vrana, Professor of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University Faculty Senate Liaison to the Graduate Council
• Jennifer Wagner-Lawlor, Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, College of the Liberal Arts
• Christopher Witko, Professor of Public Policy and Political Science, College of the Liberal Arts

• Mary Shenk, Chair of Graduate Council, Ex Officio

Review the initial proposed college/school-specific qualifications for nomination to the Graduate Faculty and Approval to Teach by non-members of the Graduate Faculty as submitted by each college/school Graduate Faculty Nomination Evaluation Committee (GFNEC).

The Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Faculty Status proposed revisions to GCAC-101 Graduate Faculty Membership that were approved by Graduate Council in Spring 2022. In part, these revisions stipulate that Graduate Faculty Nomination Evaluation Committee (GFNEC) shall create college/school-specific Graduate Faculty membership qualifications that interpret the general guidelines provided in the policy. Under GCAC-101, these proposed qualifications would typically be submitted to the Committee on Academic Standards and the Dean of the Fox Graduate School for approval. Given a number of pressing issues currently under consideration by the Committee on Academic Standards and the anticipated workload of the initial round of review, the Ad Hoc Committee on Graduate Faculty Status recommended that Council consider forming an additional ad hoc committee to focus solely on the review and approval of the proposed college/school-specific qualifications.

A report of recommended qualifications for Graduate Faculty nominations and Approval to Teach for each college/school offering graduate programs is requested. Recommendations developed by the Ad Hoc Committee will be brought to the Graduate Council and the Dean of the Fox Graduate School for final review and approval.

The committee will begin to solicit GFNEC qualifications in Fall 2022 and expects to complete the majority of review by the end of Spring 2023. Any remaining proposals which have not been approved by Spring are expected to be completed by the end of the 2023 calendar year at which point the on-going work would transition to the Committee on Academic Standards.

The Chair proposes that this committee includes at least two past or present members of Graduate Council, preferably members who have experience with the Academic Standards committee, a representative from the Fox Graduate School, and a Graduate Faculty representative from each college/school, to be nominated by the Associate Deans of Graduate Education. The Chair, working with the Chair-Elect and the Fox Graduate School, will solicit committee membership nominations and propose the membership to Council for approval.

• Barbara Birriel, Assistant Research Professor, College of Nursing
• Darrell Cockburn, Assistant Professor of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Andy Cole, Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• James Dillard, Distinguished Professor of Communications Arts and Sciences, College of the Liberal Arts
• Stuart Echols, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• Daning Huang, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
• Don Hummer, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Penn State Harrisburg
• Carol LaRegina, Senior Instructor in Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine
• Hong Ma, Professor of Biology, Eberly College of Science
• Meg Meloy, David H. McKinley Professor of Business Administration, Smeal College of Business
• Ray Najjar, Professor of Oceanography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• William Rothwell, Professor of Workforce Education, College of Education
• Sagnika Sen, Associate Professor of Information Systems, Penn State Great Valley
• Heather Shoenberger, Assistant Professor of Advertising and Public Relations, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean, Fox Graduate School

• Mary Shenk, Chair of the Graduate Council

Hong Ma, Professor of Biology, Eberly College of ScienceMary Shenk, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Demography, and Asian Studies, College of the Liberal Arts

Develop and implement a multi-faceted strategy that engages with central administration, shared governance bodies, and other partners both internal and external to the University to protect and advance the critical role of graduate education in defining a successful Penn State. The committee will advocate for graduate education as an institutional pillar necessary to the overall health of the University and press for its inclusion in any discussions related to the broad planning of the University’s future in light of current budget realities and challenges in the higher education landscape.

In May 2023, in response to the University’s announcement of a new budget model and a subsequent Council discussion with the University Budget Allocation Working Group, an ad hoc committee was formed to address concerns regarding the budget model’s potential impact to graduate education, creative accomplishment, and research. This ad hoc committee advocated for open and inclusive engagement in discussions of the budget model while surveying all graduate program leaders across the University, meeting with a wide variety of stakeholders, and gathering data from other institutions. The Ad Hoc Committee on the University Budget Model presented their findings along with points of concern about and recommendations for modifications to the University budget model at the September 2023 meeting of the Graduate Council which was subsequently endorse through a vote of Council in October 2023. The endorsed points of concern and recommendations have been shared broadly with all members of the Graduate Faculty, the University Faculty Senate, the University Budget Allocation Working Group, and the President. As of January 2023, the University Budget Allocation Working Group has been disbanded and there has been no official response from University administration regarding the points of concern and recommendations.

On January 22, 2024, University administration shared Penn State’s road map for the University’s future along with an announcement of a comprehensive review of all academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate majors and minors offered at all campuses. The Ad Hoc Committee on the University Budget model began discussing the announced review in its relation to the budget. It was quickly recognized however that a full academic program review potentially goes beyond budgetary matters and is part of a broader concern about the focus of the University, historical lack of transparency, and exclusion of graduate education in institutional decision making. The Executive Committee was called to discuss approaches to addressing these issues and partnership opportunities with the Faculty Senate and other stakeholders.

The formation of a new ad hoc committee with an expanded scope to examine these broad issues was encouraged by the Executive Committee to ensure prompt and vigorous engagement in this issue as soon as possible given the urgency of the topic.

The Ad Hoc Committee will attempt to engage with central administration and other stakeholders on topics related to the administration’s road map for the future of the University. The committee will also develop a strategic communication plan to disseminate information to graduate education constituencies on the potential impact of changes and promote open discussion highlighting the importance of graduate education at Penn State. Periodic reports on the nature of discussions will be provided to the Council with any formalized or final recommendations presented to the Council for review.

The committee will continue its work until the concerns raised above have been addressed, are no longer relevant, or the work of the ad hoc committee has been encompassed by the standing committees of the Council.

• Kenneth Davis, Professor of Meteorology, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• John Flanagan, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine

• Robert Bannon, Director of Graduate Council Administration, Secretary of the Graduate Council
• Kathryn Brasier, Professor of Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Andy Cole, Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
• Kenneth Davis, Professor of Meteorology, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• Edward Dudley, Professor of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
• Matthew Fantle, Professor of Geosciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• John Flanagan, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine
• Renee Flasher, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Capital College
• Charlene Gross, Associate Professor of Costume Design, Chair of the Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs
• Julia Kossowska, Graduate Student, Graduate and Professional Student Association
• Amber O'Shea, Assistant Professor of Education, College of Education
• Anirban Paul, Assistant Professor, Neural and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine
• Jan Reimann, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Eberly College of Science
• David Vanness, Professor of Health Policy and Administration, College of Health and Human Development
• Michael Verderame, Senior Associate Dean, Fox Graduate School
• Josh Wede, Teaching Professor of Psychology, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate

• Mary Shenk, Chair of Graduate Council