Summaries of the Minutes, CLAS Graduate Educational Policy Committee, AY 2017-18

To: Departmental Executive Officers
From: Christine Getz, Associate Dean for Graduate Education
RE: Summaries of the Minutes, CLAS Graduate Educational Policy Committee, AY 2017-18

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Summaries of the minutes of the meetings of the CLAS Graduate Educational Policy Committee (https://clas.uiowa.edu/clas-graduate-educational-policy-committee) for Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 can be found below.

September 11, 2017
The members of the GEPC met to discuss possible topics on which to focus during the GEPC Open Forum to be held on October 9. These included fellowship opportunities, recruitment and retention of underrepresented students, graduate student mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evaluation of graduate training.

October 2, 2017
The members of the GEPC met to finalize an agenda and topics on which to focus during the GEPC Open Forum to be held on October 9.

October 25, 2017
The members of the GEPC met to review a proposal for an U2G MS in Athletic Training (MSAT). The proposed MSAT is no longer under consideration by the GEPC because it was signed over to the Department of Orthopedics in the Carver College of Medicine on October 26. The GEPC briefly discussed the upcoming CLAS Dissertation Writing Fellowship review process, and also debriefed on the Open Forum that was held on October 9. The committee discussed the major questions, observations, and concerns posed in the Forum and how GEPC might respond to them.

December 4, 2017
The members of the GEPC met to review applications for the CLAS Dissertation Writing Fellowships, and decided to award 11 fellowships. The committee also discussed the upcoming review of Marcus Bach Fellowships for the February 5, 2018 meeting.

February 5, 2018
The members of the GEPC met to review applications for the Marcus Bach Fellowships, and decided to award 3 fellowships. The committee also discussed future plans for the CLAS Dissertation Writing Fellowship.

February 21, 2018
The members of the GEPC met with David Bennett to discuss the GIS U2G Proposal from Geographical & Sustainability sciences. The committee approved the proposal and recommended it be reviewed by the CLAS Dean’s group. The GEPC also was briefed on the planned upcoming Grant Writing Seminar to be held this Spring.

March 5, 2018
The members of the GEPC met to review the initiatives in progress for CLAS graduate education, such as graduate diversity incentives and fellowships, and the pilot Grant Writing Seminar for PhD and MA/PhD students in the Humanities and Social Sciences to take place from May 14-25, 2018. The GEPC also discussed other initiatives that the committee would like to pursue, such as methods by which departments can assess the success of graduate student preparation, mentoring, and career development; more effectively integrating SROP and other feeder programs that improve diversity and inclusion; and the need to establish better communication between CLAS and the community in addressing issues confronted by URM students beyond the UI.

April 2, 2018
The members of the GEPC met to review the African American Studies Graduate Certificate Proposal and happily supported it and recommended it be forwarded to the CLAS Deans. Associate Dean Getz will meet with Damani Phillips to discuss the committee’s comments and suggestions on the proposal.