Minutes of the GSA Steering Committee and General Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, 6:30-9:30 p.m., in Mead 11
The Steering Committee (6:30-6:50 p.m.) discussed issues pertaining to Ph.D. admissions cancellation in English and MHL areas.
The General Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present (those who signed in): Jeevan Gurung, Lynne Darden, Sarah Gardam, Keith O’Shaughnessy, Jessamyn Lee, Dennis Coyle, Rose Ellen Dunn, Michelle Iden, Troy Mack, Kathryn (illegible), Francine Baker, Katarina Czarniak, Ellena Bennett, M. Christine Bennen, Brandon Fralix, Madera Edwards, Brian Regal, Lisa Nocks, Brooke Ethridge, Laura Drahushak, Frank Wyman, Colleen Cameron, Dawn Digrius, Elaina Given, Scott R. Wilkins, Chris Lapinski, Jennifer M. Schmidt, Matthew R. Beland, Andrea Braunius, Malebogo Kgalemang, Eric Trozzo, Kevin Huvane, Aaron Pedinotti, Donna Laird, Kevin Newburg, Kumar Bhattacharya, and Jackie Rhoades.
Special guest: Dean Lawler.
Agenda read and approved.
Minutes of last meeting summarized and approved.
Budget for this academic year was distributed. There are two new paid positions on the GSA: a GDR Liaison Officer and an Archivist. Area Support monies were reallocated based on past spending. Lisa Nocks asked about conference funding. Kumar responded that this is for reimbursement for students attending conferences. Money for colloquia held at Drew are under Area Support. Budget approved.
Area Presentations and General Announcements were abbreviated due to our speaker scheduled at 7:30.
Elaina Given asked about University Senate. Dawn Digrius said it does still exist, but does not know if there is a current chair.
Aaron Pedinotti mentioned the student-run conference on the year 1968. It will be held the first weekend of November.
Eric Trozzo said that T&P would be hosting a discussion on Wed., Sept. 27 in Thompson Commons. Linda Blank will talk to students about what they need to know about comps.
Colleen Cameron talked about parking. There has been no progress yet. There are 13 spaces (several of which are gravel) for Grad/Theo out of 600 total parking places on campus. GSA has already started to talk to Dean Williams regarding this.
Kumar mentioned that the English Dept. had moved from Bowne to Sitterly. The GSA will be getting a space at some point - hopefully by December.
Dean Lawler arrived and was welcomed to speak at 7:30 p.m.
1. Dean Lawler said that the president realized there was too little funding in the Ph.D. program and felt is was causing students to prolong their degrees too long. There were previous reviews of the graduate school programs in 1992 or 1994. President Weisbuch believed that Drew ranked too low because it was not well known. He felt we should reevaluate the program, revise if necessary, and suspend admissions until this happens. Current students will continue to receive the support they agreed to upon entrance. The Ph.D. program will continue to exist, but it will not look like it does now. It may be smaller than it now is, but that is still being discussed. Faculty and financial resources will be reevaluated.
2. Dennis Coyle asked why two previous restructurings of the CSGS did not involve suspensions. Dean Lawler replied that the GDR didn’t change, but admissions are being reduced. The former 19th Century Studies program was rethought and ultimately replaced with the MHL program.
3. Aaron Pedinotti raised questions about new students’ expectations, new Ph.D.s in the marketplace, a "mass exodus" of students, and fostering a climate of "distrust, tensions, and leaving." Dean Lawler responded that ALL of the programs are going to be reviewed (M. Litt., D. Litt., and Med. Hum.). Conversations are already beginning about all of these. Staffing is an issue as regards to faculty interests.
4. Frank Wyman asked if the MHL program would exist in the future. Dean Lawler responded that "there will be an interdisciplinary program in history, but it is not yet known what it will look like or be called." She added that the history faculty, along with faculty from other areas, is already exploring new formats for the MHL program.
5. Brooke Ethridge asked about the timetable for the review. Dean Lawler said it might be a very short suspension/ review. She assured us that "both the history and English disciplines will exist in the future."
6. Dawn Digrius pointed out that there are positives that could come from this, but she wondered how public this review would be and how that would affect those entering the marketplace. Dean Lawler did not believe that this was going to be broadcasted to the academic community. Admissions simply will not accept new applications for Ph.D.s in English and MHL for the time being.
7. Dean Lawler said that faculty would be asked whether they prefer to work with grad or undergrad students. This would affect staffing. Appointments will be made to the CLA, but some will work jointly with the grad school. Dean Lawler believes the program is good and the president sees it as such. It is not the quality of the program in question, but how to sustain it into the future. Dean Lawler was charged a year ago with beginning the MAT program. This is still being worked on.
8. Troy Mack asked about employment opportunities. Dean Lawler does not believe this will significantly change. "Drew will not lose its reputation overnight." The suspension will be brief. We are expecting that the review will be completed by the beginning of 2008.
9. Elaina Given asked about new masters students who expected to be able to translate. Dean Lawler said that they would not be able to if the program is not accepting students. She said she will, however, look into "what provision will be made for them." Troy Mack asked if their original admission with the possibility to translate constituted a contract. Dean Lawler agreed and said she will look into it.
10. The issue of trust was raised - about both this and the way the GDR transition was handled. Aaron Pedinotti wanted to know if there are other ways that we students can be better informed, such as having student ambassadors. Students felt that the CSGS plays third fiddle on this campus and that it all comes down to money. Dean Lawler said that the process for establishing budgets is under review. The budget is online for us to see. The president does want to increase the size of the CLA, which will also boost the CSGS.
11. Elaina Given felt that the grad program is being phased out - that this is just the latest of several issues, besides the ongoing issues of housing and parking. Dean Lawler said that housing is being reviewed, as is the size of all 3 schools.
12. Dean Lawler said that the idea of reviewing the Ph.D. programs was known since President Weisbuch came here. The thing that is "new" is the temporary suspension while the review occurs. President Weisbuch is committed to fully funding grad students and wants to be able to make this happen. Dean Lawler assured students that the quality and number of courses would remain.
13. Troy Mack asked when Dean Lawler found out and how other deans have responded. She said she found out late last week. She believes that it is unethical to admit new students until the review/ revision is accomplished. She said that the reason that this had to be done so suddenly is because it is already recruiting season. The president announced it at the cabinet meeting earlier this week. Everyone understands that it was a hard decision.
14. Dawn Digrius asked about the lack of money coming in while there are no new students being admitted. Dean Lawler said that there is also money from other programs.
15. Frank Wyman pointed out that fewer students and more economic pressure may result in a less diverse student body. Dean Lawler hopes that offering better funding will offset this. She said that we are also already getting fewer international applicants and this needs to be studied. "A more diverse curriculum may invite more diverse students."
16. Brooke Ethridge wanted a date/ deadline for communication with the students as to how the review is going. Dean Lawler said that the review process is ongoing. Policy and Planning will now meet on a (mostly) weekly (rather than monthly) basis on Mondays. Faculty will also meet on a monthly basis, and Kumar will attend. Colleen would bring reports to GSA. Kumar also specifically asked for a student representation in the review committee. Dean Lawler said that the process of setting up a committee is still being discussed. She will look into this.
GSA thanked Dean Lawler for her time.
Meeting adjourned