July 24, 2007: ADCOM Minutes

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Graduate Council Advisory Committee
HUC Board Room
Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Members present: Jack Barnette, Jim Collawn, Bryan Noe, Susan Rich, Jeff Engler, David Macrina, Erica Pryor, Alan Randich

Staff: Thomas Harris

Guest: Robert Hernandez, Gerald Glandon and Janelle Chiasera

Dr. Noe opened the meeting with an overview of the proposals to be reviewed and an introduction of the first two guests.

The first program proposal up for discussion was the Executive Doctoral Program in Administration – Health Services which was represented by Drs. Hernandez and Glandon.

A few key comments/questions asked by ADCOM members are as follows: Program objectives could be stated for almost any other program. It was suggested that the program goals indicated in the first section of the proposal be more specific. Also the criteria utilized for the screening and selection process should be amplified. The department should document it has adequate faculty members to sustain the program. How will dissertation committees be comprised? Also incorporation of a Responsible Conduct of Research component into the curriculum was suggested. Content of the two new courses should be clarified further. The attrition rates projected should be justified. Expand on the qualifications of the proposed new faculty. Indicate that the projected cost overage in the first year of the program will be borne by the department.

Responses to the ADCOM by representation: Generic program goals are a recommendation from upper administration, but will try to rewrite consistent with recommendations from ADCOM. The Executive Doctoral program track is by degree label only. The content which covers the screening and criteria for identifying students will be rewritten. Three faculty will serve on dissertation committees; committees will be comprised of faculty from multiple schools, disciplines and drawn from HA professionals in the area. The new faculty positions will be necessary to allow for a shift in teaching assignments and committee responsibilities of the current faculty members. The salaries of the new faculty will be paid from tuition generated revenue. Each new faculty member will be required to have a terminal degree and experience training graduate students. The attrition rate will be calculated based on the number of degrees granted calculated on a rolling basis and prepared for ACHE.

The motion to forward the program proposal to the Provost and on to consideration by the BOT was passed unanimously.

The second discussed was the Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology. Dr. Janelle Chaisera was present to answer questions.
1. Questions/comments from ADCOM were as follows:
  The verbiage in the course listings makes it difficult to determine in which courses the student will be introduced to research methods. Why would a student opt for a certificate instead of the masters degree? The proposal indicated new courses will be developed but no new faculty are proposed; how will faculty members accommodate the added load? What are the market projections, will there be jobs for certificate holders?
2. Responses from Dr. Chaisera: Students obtain their key core information from the research method courses. The masters program is designed with undergraduates in mind, whereas the certificate program is for individuals already employed in the technical positions to obtain additional training and certification. The certificate was designed as a part-time option. Two of the new courses will actually be derived from existing courses that have been revised. Only one new course will be created. The certificate will be considered by employers as an opportunity for employees to obtain additional expertise, thereby enhancing their ability to contribute to the projects on which they work. There are more than 80 companies locally and throughout the state which are potential employers for certificate holders.