Academic Senate Cal Poly Graduate Education Ad Hoc Curriculum Committee

Responsibilities:

In 2013, the bylaws of the Academic Senate were revised to dissolve the Graduate Education Subcommittee (AS-770-13), which was originally established in 2011 (AS-724-11) to review graduate curricula. At the time, the Academic Senate established that the intended benefits of a separate level of review for the graduate curriculum had not been realized. In 2011, at the time the bylaws were changed, there were 30 graduate programs (21 MS, 3 MA, 2 dual, 4 ‘other’).

In 2024, 35 graduate programs (including 16 approved blended programs), as well as the various specializations within the degree programs (for example, there are 7 specializations within the M.S. Agriculture) indicates the landscape has changed in graduate education at Cal Poly. Administrative issues pertaining specifically to graduate education have also become evident as it has developed in complexity and popularity. Issues such as permitted length of time to degree completion, validation of outdated coursework, pre-matriculated courses, double-counting units for students in blended programs, graduate student unit loads, advancement to candidacy, academic probation, continuous enrollment, and others need to be examined.

In the decade since the graduate subcommittee was dissolved, the issues pertaining to its creation are still relevant (citing AS-724-11):

• Faculty members who serve on the ASCC, who are always experienced in undergraduate education, do not always have experience teaching in graduate programs or in thesis supervision
• Some recent newly proposed programs have been nontraditional programs, offered to working professionals, in special session, or online
• Cal Poly anticipates more graduate programs, traditional or nontraditional over the next several years
• Newly proposed graduate programs and courses warrant careful review by faculty members with experience in graduate teaching and thesis supervision.

It is time that Cal Poly reconsider the existence of a curriculum committee or subcommittee dedicated to the review of graduate courses and programs and graduate education policy. To that end, a working group is being established to determine whether such a body should be a committee distinct from the academic senate curriculum committee or a subcommittee thereof, as well as a description, composition, and responsibilities.

Charges:

• Review and update policies and procedures pertaining to graduate education (due to be completed spring quarter, 2024).
• In regular consultation with the chair of the Academic Senate Curriculum Committee (ASCC) and when necessary on the advice of that chair, with ASCC, review and provide feedback on programs submitted for semester conversion
• In regular consultation with the Provost’s Office and College Deans to review and update policies and procedures relevant to graduation education
• Make a recommendation to the Academic Senate re: the reestablishment of a standing graduate education curriculum committee

Meetings:

Membership:

• One faculty member from each college who has experience teaching and advising graduate students or experience serving as a graduate program coordinator
• One graduate program student representative
• One representative from the Registrar's office (ex-officio/non-voting)
• One representative from Academic Programs and Planning (ex-officio/non-voting)
• The Dean of Graduate Education (ex-officio/non-voting)
• The committee chair will be appointed by the Academic Senate Executive Committee