Introduction 3
Mission Statement 3
Organization of the UAMS Graduate School 3
Graduate Faculty Membership and Advisory Committee Assignments 4
Graduate Faculty Meetings 6
Composition of the Graduate Council 7
Election of Voting Faculty Graduate Council Members 8
Graduate Council Chair 8
Graduate Council Meetings 9
Attendance at Graduate Council Meetings 9
Standing Committees of the Graduate Council 9
Committee Members 10
Committee on Curriculum 12
Committee on Faculty 13
Committee on Assessment 14
Graduate School Office 15
Catalog and Student Handbook 15
Amendments to the Bylaws 15
Procedures 16
Other Matters Pertaining to Graduate Studies Not Covered in the Bylaws 16
Committee on Allocation of Graduate Student Research Funds 16
Graduate Student Recruitment 16
Graduate Student Honor Code 16
Graduate Student Change of Program 16
Continuous Enrollment of Graduate Students 16
Degree Requirements 16
Academic Standing 16
Appendix A: Graduate Course Approval Form
Appendix B: Graduate Course Cross Listing Form
Appendix C: Graduate Council’s Recommendations Concerning Multidisciplinary
Studies
Appendix D: Guidelines for New Program Track Approval
Appendix E: Request for New Graduate Program Guidelines
Appendix F: Graduate Faculty Application Form
Appendix G: Committee on Faculty Charge and Requirements for Graduate Faculty
Status
Appendix H: Definitions used by the Committee on Assessment
Appendix I: Graduate Student Honor Code
Policies and Procedures of the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Graduate Council
Introduction
On September 3, 2002, the Graduate Council Chair charged an Ad-Hoc Committee
to review minutes of Graduate Council meetings and extract from those minutes
Graduate Council policies, official statements, or "sense of the Council"
positions and philosophies on various matters. Minutes included in the review
covered the time period from April 20, 1995 through August 23, 2002. The
policies, official statements, or sense of the Council positions and
philosophies on various matters contained within this document are organized in
a manner similar to the Bylaws of the UAMS Graduate School. An additional
section is provided to list policies that are not specifically listed as items
in the UAMS Graduate School Bylaws. For reference, the Bylaws (approved April
11, 1995) are included in italics in this document prior to policies, official
statements, or sense of the Council positions and philosophies. All policies,
official statements, or sense of the Council positions and philosophies on
various matters include reference to minutes of specific meetings enclosed in
parentheses.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is to provide
excellent educational opportunities for students of the health care professions
in a stimulating environment of basic and clinical research, integrated with the
delivery of superb comprehensive health care services.
In February of 1996, the UAMS Graduate School officially became independent
from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The specific mission for the
UAMS Graduate School is:
- To educate researchers, educators and advanced professionals in the health
sciences;
- To develop new knowledge and techniques fundamental to advances in health
services, biomedical technology, and understanding of people in the context of
health and illness;
- To provide initial and continuing educational opportunities for health
science faculties at all institutions in the state;
- To provide a gateway for health science professionals and teachers in the
state into the universe of knowledge relevant to their practices at the most
advanced level and highest standard of excellence.
All this to be in an atmosphere characterized by relationships of mutual
respect, integrity, and good will.
I. Organization of the UAMS Graduate School
The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas authorizes the
establishment of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences and directs the Graduate Faculty of the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences to develop specific programs leading to Masters and Doctoral
level graduate degrees. The Graduate Faculty and the Dean of the Graduate
School, both assisted by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Graduate Council, shall have primary responsibility for the development,
policies and quality of these graduate programs.
A. Graduate Faculty
1. The Graduate Faculty shall have legislative authority for all graduate
academic matters. These matters include development of policies for the Graduate
School, development and periodic review of courses and programs, review of the
Graduate School Catalog and Student Handbook, selection of members of the
Graduate Faculty, and approval of students for degrees to be awarded. All
legislative actions are subject to the policies of the University of Arkansas
Board of Trustees and approval of the Board of Trustees after review and
recommendation by the Dean of the Graduate School, the Chancellor of the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the President of the University
of Arkansas.
2. Members of the Graduate Faculty shall consist of the Chancellor of the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the Dean of the Graduate School,
and all members
who are elected to membership by the Graduate Faculty through vote of the
Graduate Council. Initially, the Graduate Faculty shall consist of those faculty
and adjunct faculty of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences who hold
graduate faculty status at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Graduate
Faculty meetings, called by the Dean of the Graduate School, shall be held
periodically.
B. The Dean of the Graduate School
The Dean of the Graduate School will be appointed by the Chancellor of the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, with approval of the President of
the University of Arkansas. He/she will have administrative responsibility for
implementing policies and procedures relating to graduate education. This
responsibility, in addition to duties reflected elsewhere, shall include
directing the operations of the Graduate School Office, admitting students for
graduate study (upon recommendation by the appropriate program), monitoring the
progress of graduate students, and verifying that students have met Graduate
School requirements for degrees. Furthermore, by his/her work with students,
faculty, other administrative officials, and persons and agencies outside the
University, he/she shall provide the leadership required to maintain the highest
academic integrity for the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences and to maintain and develop superior research and instructional
programs for graduate education. The Dean shall be assisted in these
responsibilities by the Graduate Council.
C. The Graduate Council
The Graduate Council shall act on behalf of the Graduate Faculty on routine
matters of policy interpretation, curriculum and course review, and review of
applications for Graduate Faculty status. The operating procedures of the
Graduate Council are defined by the Bylaws of the University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences Graduate School. The Graduate Faculty retains the authority to
review and approve or disapprove any legislative action of the Council.
II. Graduate Faculty Membership and Advisory Committee Assignments
A. Bylaws
Initial membership of the Graduate Faculty is described in the Statement of
Organization and additional members will be selected by the Graduate Council
upon recommendation by the Committee on Faculty (see Graduate Council
Committees). Individuals with Masters or Doctoral degrees may apply for
membership. Although members of the Graduate Faculty are assigned academic rank
by the College of their primary appointment, there are no numerical levels,
status, or classifications assigned to members of the Graduate Faculty in
relation to their Graduate School activities. Only members of the Graduate
Faculty are permitted to serve as course directors of graduate level courses.
Only members of the Graduate Faculty with previous research experience are
permitted to advise research for graduate credit. The Dean of the Graduate
School shall approve thesis and dissertation committee assignments presented by
the appropriate program in concurrence with the following guidelines:
a) All Graduate Faculty assigned to thesis and dissertation committees must
have previous research experience.
b) Those Graduate Faculty members with an appropriate Master’s degree may
serve on Master’s thesis committees.
c) Those Graduate Faculty members with an appropriate Master’s degree and
previous graduate teaching experience, or with an appropriate Doctoral degree
may chair or serve on Master’s thesis committees and serve on Doctoral
dissertation committees.
d) Those Graduate Faculty members with an appropriate Doctoral degree and
previous graduate teaching experience as a faculty member may chair or serve on
Master’s thesis committees and Doctoral dissertation committees.
In each of these situations teaching experience is defined as classroom
teaching, membership on thesis or dissertation committees, or directing students
in research projects.
Programs will periodically review their faculty for active participation in
graduate programs. Those individuals who have not been actively involved in
graduate education may, at the request of the program, be removed from the
Graduate Faculty roster by the Graduate Council. These individuals may appeal
this decision to the Dean of the Graduate School.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
1. Dissertation Committee Membership
The Dissertation Committee will include no fewer than five (5) UAMS Graduate
Faculty members (3/27/97). The Doctoral Advisory Committee will include no fewer
than five (5) UAMS Graduate Faculty members, one of whom will be designated as
Chair to the Graduate School Office. With a program’s request and approval of
the Graduate Council, one person who is not a UAMS Graduate Faculty member may
serve as a required Doctoral Advisory Committee member, but may not serve as
Chair of the committee (5/18/00).
Graduate programs that wish to have an individual without UAMS Graduate
Faculty status serve on a dissertation committee should submit that individual’s
curriculum vitae to the Committee on Faculty along with a cover memo. The cover
memo should describe in a short paragraph the relationship between the student’s
educational needs and the expertise of the proposed committee member (8/17/00).
Emeritus status of Graduate Faculty members does not in any way preclude the
faculty member from continuing to serve on thesis or dissertation committees
(4/20/00).
2. Graduate Student or Faculty Member in Remote Status
On April 17, 1997, "An Accord Involving a Graduate Student or Faculty Member
in Remote Status" was approved by the UAMS Graduate Council and accepted as
policy of the UAMS Graduate School. A statement of its existence and
availability was placed in the Graduate Student Handbook. General Policies
included in this document are given below. In addition, the graduate student or
faculty member in remote status must complete the accompanying forms for the
Graduate Student and Faculty Member Accord available in the Graduate School
Office.
a) All UAMS students, whether physically present on UAMS property or located
at another institution must fulfill all graduation requirements, including
campus clearance procedures, in order to graduate from UAMS.
d) Faculty members who leave UAMS and who wish to retain their role as major
advisor must be appointed as an Adjunct Faculty Member by the Dean of the
faculty member’s College for a period of time necessary and sufficient for the
student to complete all graduation requirements. Graduate Faculty status will be
extended co-terminus with the adjunct appointment.
c) Graduate students in remote status are required to meet with their
advisory committees at least once during each academic year. If the majority of
the student’s advisory committee members are UAMS faculty members in residence
at UAMS, the committee meeting it to be held at UAMS. If all members of the
advisory committee agree in writing, teleconference may be used to meet this
purpose.
d) The student is required to defend his/her dissertation or thesis at UAMS.
All members of the student’s advisory committee are to be present for the
defense.
e) Students in remote status are required to pay tuition to UAMS for all
registered class hours.
f) Full-time UAMS students are required to provide proof of health insurance.
3. Dissertation Defense and Successful Completion
After a student presents a written dissertation to the Doctoral Advisory
Committee, the Committee Chair (with concurrence of the committee members) will
schedule a dissertation defense (5/18/00).
Approval of 80% of the Dissertation Committee is required for acceptance of
the Dissertation (3/27/97).
The structure of the dissertation should be the prerogative of the Program
and is subject to review by the Graduate Council through the Committee on
Assessment and the assessment process (4/15/99).
III. Graduate Faculty Meetings
A. Bylaws
Graduate Faculty meetings, called by the Dean of the Graduate School, shall
be held at least once a year. The Dean shall also call special meetings when
he/she sees the need or upon written petition of at least twenty members of the
Graduate Faculty. Announcements of each meeting, together with a written agenda,
shall be sent to the Graduate Faculty at least two weeks before the meeting. The
Dean, assisted by the Graduate Council, shall determine the agenda for each
meeting; however, any other item may be presented from the floor and added to
the agenda with approval of a majority of the members present. Ten percent of
the total Graduate Faculty shall constitute a quorum for a Graduate Faculty
meeting. With the exception of amendments to the bylaws, motions on the floor of
a meeting will be passed by a simple majority vote of the Graduate Faculty
members present. The Dean shall send the minutes of each meeting to the Graduate
Faculty. Actions taken at the meeting shall be considered the policy of the
Graduate Faculty two weeks after the minutes have been distributed. Approved
academic policies shall be kept in the Graduate School Office and shall be
reflected in the Graduate School Catalog and Student Handbook.
IV. Composition of the Graduate Council
A. Bylaws
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Graduate Council shall
consist of a voting representative from each of the following graduate programs:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Clinical Nutrition
Communicative Disorders
Genetic Counseling
Health Promotion and Prevention Research
Health Systems Research
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences
Interdisciplinary Toxicology
Microbiology and Immunology
Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences
Nursing Science
Occupational and Environmental Health
Pathology
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmacology
Physiology and Biophysics
And any subsequent additional graduate programs approved by the Arkansas
Department of Higher Education and are currently active. Should the name
of an existing program change, no additional administrative action is required
and the program's voting representation remains the same.
The Graduate Council will determine by a two thirds vote of the total voting
membership if newly approved programs will have a representative. The elected
president of the Graduate Student Association will be a member of the Council
who is eligible to vote on all matters except those pertaining to Graduate
Faculty status. The Dean of the Graduate School, the Director of the Graduate
School Office, and the Registrar of the Graduate School will be ex officio,
non-voting members. The Registrar of the Graduate School will serve as secretary
and recorder at meetings of the Graduate Council. Additional ex officio,
non-voting members are the Deans of the Graduate Schools at the University of
Arkansas, Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
The Graduate Council must convey to the faculty and administrators of all
graduate programs that it takes its responsibilities very seriously and will act
in a fair and just manner on items under its purview as given it by the graduate
faculty (8/16/01).
Faculty members who serve as Chairs of Graduate Council Standing Committees,
but are not voting members of the Graduate Council are to attend all meetings of
the UAMS Graduate Council (5/30/96).
V. Election of Voting Faculty Graduate Council Members
A. Bylaws
Voting faculty representatives to the Graduate Council shall be elected from
each program by those individuals holding Graduate Faculty status within that
program. Representatives will be elected for non-consecutive, four-year terms
with the initial membership consisting of the members of the previously elected
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Graduate Committee. These four-year
terms will be staggered such that approximately one-fourth of the Council will
be newly elected each year. The elections, which will be conducted by the Dean
of the Graduate School, shall be held in May. A program ballot listing all
eligible Graduate Faculty Members shall be distributed with a return envelope.
For purposes of these elections, each faculty member shall have a designated
primary program in which he/she is eligible to vote and serve as a
representative. Department Chairpersons are not eligible for election to serve
as representatives. The ballot will be marked and returned to the Dean. The
Graduate School Office will tabulate the results and notify the Dean and the
program. Election of the Council member requires a majority of the votes cast.
In the event that no faculty member receives a majority vote, the representative
will be elected by a runoff between the two members receiving the most votes.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
By-Laws state that Program Chairs cannot serve as members of the Graduate
Council. If a Graduate Council member becomes a Program Chair, a new
representative must be elected. In some circumstances, the Graduate Council
member who becomes a Program Chair may continue duty on a Graduate Council
Standing Committee if necessary (11/19/98).
The sense of the Graduate Council is that the process of replacement of
Graduate Council members who are unable to complete their elected term is left
to the program for devising the mechanism for electing a replacement
representative (8/15/02).
When a Program is electing a member to the Graduate Council, all faculty with
a primary appointment in that Program should be listed on the ballot, including
adjunct faculty. It would be necessary to restructure the Bylaws for a program
to have a nominating committee or otherwise arrange for an alternative method of
election (4/9/98).
VI. Graduate Council Chair
A. Bylaws
Members of the Graduate Council will in alternate years elect a chair from
their membership for a two year term. This individual will be elected at the
first meeting following the May elections. The duties of the Chair will include
preparing the agenda for Council meetings, presiding at meetings, and other
duties as directed by the Graduate Council. The chairman will be a voting member
of the Council if his/her program does not have another voting representative.
In addition, this individual will, with the assistance of the Director of the
Graduate School Office, be responsible for assigning Graduate Faculty members to
serve as faculty marshals for the Graduate School portion of the annual
commencement ceremony.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
The Graduate Council Chair serves as an Ex Officio member on all
standing committees of the Graduate Council (6/29/95).
If the need for a temporary substitute for the Graduate Council Chair arises,
the Graduate Council member with seniority will substitute (11/19/98).
The Graduate Council Chair is allowed to e-mail proposed editorial changes in
the language of Graduate Council resolutions to Council members for comment and
vote prior to publication of the minutes (12/16/99).
VII. Graduate Council Meetings
A. Bylaws
A simple majority of the membership is required as a quorum before Graduate
Council business can be transacted. The Graduate Council will be scheduled to
meet at least once a month with the time and place to be determined by the
membership. A proposed agenda will be sent to members of the Council by the
Chair at least one week before each meeting. In the event no business is placed
before the Council, the Chair shall send a written notice of cancellation one
week prior to the meeting. The minutes of each Graduate Council meeting shall be
sent to all members of the Graduate Faculty. When appropriate, the Graduate
Council may refer questions to the Graduate Faculty in either an open meeting or
by mail ballot.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
The Graduate Council Chair is allowed to e-mail proposed editorial changes in
the language of Graduate Council resolutions to Council members for comment and
vote prior to publication of the minutes (12/16/99).
VIII. Attendance at Graduate Council Meetings
A. Bylaws
If a Council member is unable to attend a meeting, he/she may designate a
Graduate Faculty alternate from the program. In the event that a representative
is unable to fulfill his/her four year term on the Council, the Program Director
will request a special election to replace that representative. This newly
elected member will complete the term of the original representative and will be
eligible for re-election to another four-year term. If a representative fails to
attend three consecutive council meetings, he/she and the program director will
be contacted to determine if another representative needs to be elected.
IX. Standing Committees of the Graduate Council
Committee Members
A. Bylaws
Each of the standing committees shall consist of at least four members with
each College (Health Related Professions, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medicine) having
representation on the committee. Members will serve a two year term. These
individuals will be nominated by a committee composed of the Dean of the
Graduate School, the Chairperson of the Graduate Council and two Council members
selected by the Council. Committee members will be elected by a majority vote at
the first meeting after the May elections. Committee membership is not
restricted to members of the Graduate Council; however, at least one Council
member must serve on each committee at all times. Each Committee will elect its
own chairperson.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
The Graduate Council Chair serves as an Ex Officio member on all
standing committees of the Graduate Council (6/29/95).
Every member of the Graduate Council should serve on one of the Standing
Committees (5/15/97).
Faculty members who serve as Chairs of Graduate Council Standing Committees,
but are not voting members of the Graduate Council are to attend all meetings of
the UAMS Graduate Council (5/30/96).
Graduate Students will be represented on the Committee on Curriculum by the
Vice-President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) or some other member of
the GSA, and this person is a voting representative (12/19/96).
For the purpose of electing members to the three Graduate Council Standing
Committees, a Nominating Committee was appointed consisting of the Chairs of the
three Graduate Council Standing Committees, representatives from Nursing
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, the College of Health Related Professions,
the Dean of the Graduate School, and the Graduate Council Chair (3/19/98).
If Standing Committee member participation becomes problematic where quorums
are difficult to assemble at the Standing Committee meetings, the Graduate
Council should consider applying the replacement mechanism established in the
By-Laws for Graduate Council member participation to the Standing Committee
membership (1/28/99).
When Standing Committee membership vacancies occur, a procedure for
replacement of members (who are not Graduate Council members) was suggested. The
Chair of the Standing Committee where the vacancy occurs should recommend
candidates to the Graduate Council for approval (3/18/99).
Operational procedures for Standing Committee membership (approved 9/16/99):
1) Non-Council members of the Council’s subcommittees may resign from their
committee. Resignation requires written notification of both the committee chair
and the Council Chair. The reason for this is to facilitate coordination between
the committee and the Council in obtaining a replacement. Such replacements will
be elected by the whole Council as stipulated by the selection process in the
Bylaws. Non-Council members who fail to fulfill their obligation will be
replaced by the same procedure detailed in the Bylaws applicable to Council
members.
2) Council members may not resign from their committee responsibilities
without resignation from the Council. Failure to meet committee obligations are
considered as equivalent to failure to meet Council obligations making the
member subject to removal from both bodies by the procedure detailed in the
Bylaws.
3) In accordance with the Bylaws, committee members are elected for (2) year
terms. These elections will be held at the August Council meeting. The election
of Council members takes place in May and Council normally does not schedule
meetings in June and July because of quorum considerations. Holding the
committee elections in August of the appropriate year will allow the Nominations
Committee an opportunity to develop a suitable slate of candidates taking into
account the newly elected members to Council.
4) Whether by accident or design the Council is currently electing committee
members on odd numbered years and the Council Chair on even numbered years. This
works well because a new Council Chair can become oriented to his/her
responsibilities before dealing with the committee membership issue. Therefore,
this should be established operational procedure.
Each Standing Committee should establish a binder that includes all documents
concerning the business of the committee. This procedure will help new committee
members to review old business and readily understand established operational
procedures of the committee. A duplicate copy of all procedures should also be
kept in a procedures manual located in the Graduate School Office (10/21/99).
Committee on Curriculum
A. Bylaws
This committee will review and make recommendations to the Graduate Council
on proposals for:
a) new courses for graduate credit
b) changes to existing graduate courses such as alterations in
title, description, number, prerequisites, etc.
c) deletion of courses for graduate credit
d) new or revised graduate tracks leading to a degree
e) merging or eliminating existing degree tracks
f) new or revised graduate degree programs
g) merging or eliminating graduate degree programs.
Upon recommendation of the Committee on Curriculum, the Graduate Council
shall have the authority to change as appropriate the forms and materials needed
to document these actions. In the case of new degree program proposals, this
committee is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the proposal are
submitted in accordance with the format and policies of the University of
Arkansas Board of Trustees and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
1. Committee on Curriculum Review and Recommendation on Proposals
a) New Courses for Graduate Credit
Course Approval Form: The Course Approval Form was approved on May 30, 1996
and is included in Appendix A. The purpose of including "possible
off-site offerings" on the Course Approval Form is for the Catalog course
description, not criteria for course approval (3/28/96).
The Course Cross Listing Form was approved on May 30, 1996 and is included in
Appendix B.
The UAMS Graduate School will schedule a one week Spring Break for all
graduate students (7/27/95).
In Programs which have several divisions involved, the Department Chair
should designate the academic officer who has the responsibility for quality
control of the courses (1/25/96).
Grades of "Pass" or "No Pass" will be permitted for certain courses. These
courses require approval of the Committee on Curriculum (8/15/96).
No course can be presented without prior approval by the Graduate Council
(10/24/96).
The Graduate Council does not really have the power to prevent faculty from
teaching a course. The Graduate Council does have the power to request the Dean
of the Graduate School not to allow graduate credit for a course that has not
received Graduate Council approval (8/16/01).
One hour of graduate credit will be given for no fewer than fifteen (15) and
no more than seventeen (17) fifty (50) minute class meetings or the equivalent
in clinical or laboratory time (9/17/98).
The Graduate Council, through a Committee on Curriculum recommendation, is
the final authority on credit hours for graduate courses (10/15/98).
An "Interdisciplinary Studies" or "Multidisciplinary Studies" Ad-Hoc
Committee was formed to review the framework for courses that cross more than
one department and do not "fit the mold" (8/20/98).
The report of the "Multidisciplinary Studies" Ad-Hoc Committee was amended,
approved and forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate School. The amendment to the
report was that the proposed "Coordinator of Multidisciplinary Studies" be a
non-voting, ex officio member of the Graduate Council (4/15/99). The report is
included as Appendix C.
b) Changes to Existing Graduate Courses
Major changes in course delivery, student evaluation techniques, or course
content (such that the course is different from that described in the Graduate
School Catalog) must be approved by the Graduate Council (10/24/96).
If the content of a didactic course requires an increase in contact hours, a
course revision form should be submitted to the Committee on Curriculum
(5/16/03).
c) Deletion of Courses for Graduate Credit
Every two years, coincident with the revision of the Graduate School Catalog,
the Graduate School Office will generate a listing of courses offered and
actually taught by each graduate program. The Graduate School Office will
transmit this information to the appropriate program. Each program will submit a
brief justification to the Graduate Council for the retention of program courses
not taught over the past two years. Retention of courses not taught for four or
more years will require resubmission to the Graduate Council for approval;
otherwise such courses will be deleted from the Graduate School Catalog
(10/21/99).
d) New or Revised Graduate Tracks Leading to a Degree
A "Track" is a focused area of study within or across Programs (12/19/96).
The Committee on Curriculum should review Tracks before they are presented to
the Graduate Council (12/19/96).
Approved Tracks will be designated on the Academic Record Card (12/19/96).
The guidelines for New Program Track Approval were developed and approved by
the Graduate Council (2/17/00). The Guidelines for New Program Track Approval
are included as Appendix D.
e) Merging or Eliminating Existing Degree Tracks
No published Council policies in Minutes from 4/20/95 through 8/23/02.
f) New or Revised Graduate Degree Programs
All significant Program changes need to be approved by the Graduate Council
(2/29/96).
Guidelines for submission of a Request for a New Graduate Program were
developed and are included as Appendix E.
g) Merging or Eliminating Graduate Degree Programs
No published Council policies in Minutes from 4/20/95 through 8/23/02.
2. Committee on Curriculum’s Positions on the Clinton School
The UAMS Graduate Council supports the concept of developing a graduate
program in Leadership and Public Service in conjunction with the Clinton School.
The Graduate Council would need more detailed information about faculty and the
degree requirements to consider the program for approval. The Graduate Council
has guidelines for new program approvals and welcomes the opportunity to
cooperate with the Clinton School faculty in developing the program (11/18/99).
C. Historical Actions of the Committee on Curriculum
The Pathophysiology Ph.D. Track was approved on May 28, 1998.
The Non-Thesis Option for the M.S. Program in Clinical Nutrition was approved
on May 28, 1998.
A task force to formulate a proposal for an Interdisciplinary Track for
Graduate Studies in Genetics was developed (11/18/99).
The Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. Track in the Pharmacology Program was
approved (2/15/01).
The Non-Thesis M.S. Degree in Anatomy and Neurobiology was approved by
Graduate Council (2/21/02).
Committee on Faculty
A. Bylaws
This committee will review applications for membership in the Graduate
Faculty and make recommendations to the Graduate Council. Upon recommendation of
the Committee on Faculty, the Graduate Council shall have the authority to
change the format of faculty application forms and materials needed for support
or documentation. This committee shall also be responsible for making
recommendations regarding all other matters pertaining to Graduate Faculty
status.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
The Committee on Faculty will develop guidelines for evaluation of faculty
that are subject to approval of the Graduate Council (1/25/96).
The Graduate Faculty Application Form was approved on May 30, 1996 and is
included as Appendix F. The Faculty Application Form was modified so that
the signature of the Department Chair would be required unless the Graduate
School Office is notified that someone else is acceptable (8/21/97).
Graduate Faculty members approved before the separation of the Graduate
School from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (on May 16, 1996) are not
subject to the requirement of a UAMS appointment. That requirement is waived for
those individuals approved before that date (9/11/97).
The charge to the Committee on Faculty and requirements for UAMS Graduate
Faculty Status are included in Appendix G.
Committee on Assessment
A. Bylaws
This committee will review and recommend to the Graduate Council, for
approval by the Graduate Faculty, policies and procedures for on-going,
systematic program evaluation. In addition, this committee will oversee the
implementation of the periodic program review established as part of an approved
assessment plan.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
The document entitled "Existing Program Review Self-Study for Four-Year
Institutions" obtained from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education formed
the basis of the data which needs to be collected from each graduate program
(9/28/95).
One year following a review, a program needs to be examined to check for
implementation of suggestions resulting from the review (9/28/95).
The Assessment Document was approved by the Graduate Council on February 19,
1998.
The Committee on Assessment developed a document to deal with definitions to
use in the assessment process. The document was reviewed and approved as Policy
by the Graduate Council on April 15, 1999. The document contains three sections
as described below, and the whole document is included as Appendix H.
1) Definitions of Probation, Suspension of Admissions, and Termination.
2) Mechanism on how a graduate program addresses issues of concern.
3) The chain of command in the flow of information regarding program
assessment.
In providing written recommendations to the Graduate Council regarding
assessment for a particular program, the Committee on Assessment should provide
recommendations pertaining to the specific program, and a separate document
containing recommendations relevant to all Graduate Programs (12/17/98).
The structure of the dissertation should be the prerogative of the Program
and is subject to review by the Graduate Council through the Committee on
Assessment and the assessment process (4/15/99).
The Graduate Council passed a Resolution regarding the assessment process on
February 16, 2001. The completion of the self-assessment process for four
graduate programs has taught the Graduate Council the value of data on the
professional progress of a program’s alumni as a measure of program quality.
Therefore, the Graduate Council strongly urges that every program develop its
own collection and maintenance procedures for following their graduates for a
period of time suitable for professional development evaluation. The Graduate
Council is aware that this time period will vary with discipline (2/16/01).
C. Historical Actions of the Committee on Assessment
The assessments of the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and M.N.S. in the
Nursing Sciences Program began (5/28/98).
The Committee on Assessment’s report on the M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Program was reviewed and approved by the Graduate Council (12/17/98).
The assessment of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Program and the
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program began (10/21/99).
The Committee on Assessment’s report for the Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology Program was approved by the Graduate Council (11/16/00).
The assessment of the Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program began (3/16/00).
The Committee on Assessment’s report for the Interdisciplinary Toxicology
Program was approved by the Graduate Council (8/16/01).
The Committee on Assessment’s report on the Clinical Nutrition Program was
approved by Graduate Council (10/18/01).
The assessments of the Physiology Program and the Microbiology and Immunology
Program began (3/21/02).
The Committee on Assessment’s report for the Anatomy and Neurobiology Program
was reviewed, amended, and approved by the Graduate Council (5/23/02).
X. Graduate School Office
A. Bylaws
Under the direction of the Dean of the Graduate School, the Graduate School
Office shall have full responsibility for maintaining graduate student records,
processing applications for admission, monitoring student progress, producing a
catalog and student handbook, and any other administrative actions deemed
appropriate by the Dean of the Graduate School. The purpose of the Graduate
School Office is to provide administrative support to the graduate programs. To
that end, the Graduate Council may at any time make recommendations or voice
concerns to the Dean of the Graduate School regarding operations of the Graduate
School Office.
The Graduate School Office will maintain all Graduate Faculty records and
will provide administrative support to the Graduate Council.
B. Graduate Council Philosophies, Policies, Positions, Statements, or Sense
A Task Force was formed to study Admission Procedures for the Graduate School
(8/16/01).
The MCAT score may substitute for the GRE score for admission into the
M.D./Ph.D. Program. However, this relates to the M.D./Ph.D. Program only and
does not depict a sense of the Graduate Council that the MCAT is a suitable
substitute (8/15/02).
The UAMS Graduate School will schedule a one week Spring Break for all
graduate students (7/27/95).
The sense of the Council was that it supports a uniform application fee for
all graduate students (4/17/97).
XI. Catalog and Student Handbook
A. Bylaws
At the time of approval of these bylaws the existing catalog and student
handbook will remain in effect. The administrative sections of these documents
may be changed at the direction of the Dean of the Graduate School. The academic
sections of these documents may be changed by action of the Graduate Council.
Changes of this nature require a two- thirds vote of those Council members
voting. If deemed necessary by the Council, any item pertaining to changes in
the catalog and/or student handbook may be referred to a vote of the Graduate
Faculty in either an open meeting or by mail ballot.
XII. Amendments to the Bylaws
A. Bylaws
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those Graduate Faculty
responding to a mail ballot. The proposed amendment will be discussed at a
Graduate Faculty meeting after appearing on the printed agenda that is
distributed to the Faculty before the meeting. A copy of the proposed amendment
will then be mailed to all Graduate Faculty together with a ballot which will be
returned to the Dean. At least ten percent of the Graduate Faculty must respond
to make the vote valid. Results of the vote will be reported by mail to all
Faculty together with a revised copy of the bylaws if the amendment is passed.
Amendments will take effect two weeks after results of the vote have been
reported to the Graduate Faculty.
XIII. Procedures
A. Bylaws
Where not otherwise specified, meetings and procedures of the Graduate
Faculty and Graduate Council will be conducted in accordance with the current
edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
XIV. Other Matters Pertaining to Graduate Studies Not Covered in the Bylaws
A. Committee on the Allocation of Graduate Student Research Funds (CAGSRF)
A Chair-Elect of the CAGSRF will be elected every 2 years who would then
succeed to the Chair of the CAGSRF in order to ensure that the Chair of CAGSRF
would have experience with the committee (10/26/95).
B. Graduate Student Recruitment
All recruiting materials used by Programs must be reviewed by the Graduate
School Office before they are printed. The Graduate School Office is responsible
for everything that goes out from all Programs even though the Programs are
based in the various Departments or Colleges (2/29/96).
C. Honor Code
The Honor Code for Graduate Students was approved by the Graduate Council on
April 9, 1998. The Honor Code is included as Appendix I.
D. Graduate Student Change of Program
It is not necessary to form a policy regarding a student who changes from one
program to another without completion of a degree in the initial program
(4/9/98).
E. Continuous Enrollment of Graduate Students
If a student has completed all degree requirements but has not delivered a
thesis or dissertation to the library, it is the decision of the Program Chair
and Advisor as to whether the student should register for one hour of Thesis or
Dissertation for subsequent semesters until the Graduate School receives
confirmation that the thesis or dissertation has been accepted by the library
(12/17/98).
The UAMS Campus-Wide Policy on students being called to active military duty
applies to UAMS Graduate Students (10/18/01).
F. Degree Requirements
A Task Force for reviewing the administrative portion of published degree
requirements was formed (1/20/00). Significant changes to the administrative
portion of published degree requirements were approved by Graduate Council
(5/18/00).
For the M.S. graduates who complete a thesis which is placed in the library
as a degree requirement, the transcript issued by the Graduate School Office has
the title of the thesis placed on the transcript. This is exactly the same
mechanism that is used for doctoral dissertations. Also, for M.S. graduates who
complete a thesis, the transcript will indicate the student was registered for
at least six hours of thesis that is graded. The combination of thesis grades
posted on the transcript and the thesis title noted on the transcript would be
an indication to a prospective employer that the student engaged in research of
some type. A prospective employer would have to dig deeper to determine the
nature and quality of the research. For M.S. graduates who do not complete a
thesis, the transcript contains the notation "Non Thesis Option" (2/21/02).
G. Academic Standing
If a student has less than a 2.85 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on ten
(10) or more semester credit hours of coursework applicable to a graduate degree
program, the student will be placed on academic probation. The student will be
dismissed from the Graduate School if the cumulative GPA is not raised to 2.85
on the next ten (10) hours of graduate coursework approved by the student’s
program (1/18/01).
Appendix A
Graduate Course Approval Form
File: <Course.dot> available from Graduate School Office
Appendix B
Graduate Course Cross Listing Form
File: <Course Cross Listing Form.dot> available from Graduate
School Office
Appendix C
Graduate Council’s Recommendations Concerning
Multidisciplinary Studies
Appendix D
Guidelines for New Program Track Approval