Graduate Council and Research Council Joint Meeting: 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Research Council Meeting:  2:00-3:00 p.m. 

Graduate College and the OVPR

Vice President Cohen addressed the need to improve communication between the Graduate College and the VPRO.  With relatively few funds to invest it will be advantageous for both offices to work toward the same objectives. Cohen provided a summary of what the VPR currently funds as well as current sources of revenue.

There was also a general discussion of economic development efforts including a history of the beginning of those efforts as well as how the definition of economic development has evolved over time.

Dean Keller then gave a talk about the Graduate College Funding from both a historical perspective as well as the current situation.  Keller looks forward to continued efforts to coordinate Graduate College programs with the university’s institutional priorities.

Research Council Meeting

Professor Vicki Hesli called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

Professor Hesli requested that the minutes from the last meeting be approved.  They were approved.

Responsible Conduct in Research

Charlotte Talman, chair of Research Council Task Force/Subcommittee charged with developing an online training program on responsible conduct of research, provided a report on the subcommittee’s activities. 

Ms. Talman indicated that the committee had discovered a program developed at the University of New Hampshire (UNH).  She then demonstrated the program.  The topics covered are consistent across these types of programs.

The format is as follows:

• Content
• Review questions with feedback
• Complete module and certify that you have completed module

The advantages to using this existing system as a template include: 

• Very general information
• Broad applicability
• Very easy to use
• Can link to institution – specific information for the institution
• About two hours to complete all 10 modules

A general discussion of the presentation ensued culminating in the next step to be approval from the Research Council, IT and the Grad Council.  It is suggested that RC members try the site and provide feedback and this issue will be added as an agenda item for a future meeting.

Research Council Membership

There was general discussion surrounding the suggested changes for RC membership as well as why those changes had not been implemented.

Vicki Hesli reported that RC spent a significant amount of time on the proposal and it was passed. Unless there is some reason not to make the changes, they should be implemented.

Discussion culminated with suggestion of a memo to the nominating committee of Faculty Senate and to work with permanent VP to implement changes in membership

Year End Report

A draft of the year-end report was distributed and Hesli asked for input and for agenda items for next year.  Suggestions for future agenda items are discussed in the Year-End report.

Vicki Hesli was thanked for her service as chair during the year.

Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.