Graduate Council                                                                                
Date: May 14, 2009

Attendees: Theresa Amendola (Graduate Student Advocate), Estie Arkin (Applied Mathematics and Statistics), Ruth Ben-Zvi (Economics), Elaine Hoffman (Library), Kent Marks (Graduate School), Michael Kifer (Computer Science), Celia Marshik (English), Anne McElroy(SOMAS), Susan O’Leary (Psychology), Brian Phillips (Geoscience), Gina Sorrentino (GSO), Arleen Steckel (Nursing School), Jacobus Verbaarschot (Chair, Physics & Astronomy), Shaneen Washington (Graduate School), Juliet Kinney (GSO), Lawrence Martin (Dean, Graduate School), Marcia Simon (Dental School)

Absent Members:  Allegra DeLaurentiis (Philosophy), A. Laurie Shroyer (Preventative Medicine), Charles Taber (Political Science and Associate Dean)

The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by the Graduate Council Chair, Jacobus Verbaarschot. 

Chair’s Report

• Senate Executive Master's Committee is proposed to be formed by Michael Swartz. Our recommendation is to have members on the committee from a variety of different disciplines, instead of one representative for the entire council.

Old Business

• MA Degree in Cultural Studies:  Approved. Recommended revisions were made.
• Graduate Program in Survey Methology Research: (Jeff Segal and co-workers Huddy and Feldman attended meeting) Approved with Revisions.

New Business

• MS degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology: (Peter Gergen) Approved with Revisions.
• PhD Training program in Oral Biology and Pathology: Approved with Revisions.

Dean’s Report

• Turner Fellowship on 5/13/09, 15% budget cut restored and there will be an increase in tuition.
• Looking into next week: Distinguished Doctoral Awards and Doctoral Hooding Graduation Ceremony
• Brookhaven is looking for graduate students
• Business essentials for scientists in the form of modules instead of classes
• Honorary PhD

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Submitted by Theresa Amendola, Graduate Student Advocate