Minutes
Commission on Graduate Studies & Policies
April 5, 2000
206 Sandy Hall

Present: Dr. Julia Beamish, Dr. Annette Burr, Dr. Klaus Elgert, Ms.
Barbara Fraticelli, Ms. Erin Hanley, Mr. Chris Heine, Dr. Eileen
Hitchingham, Dr. Malcolm McPherson, Dr. Len Peters, Mr. Hunter Pittman,
Dr. Doug Strickland and Dr. Richard Veilleux

Absent with Notification: Mr. John Cosgriff, Dr. Virginia Maxwell, Mr.
Tomoya Ochinero and Dr. Mike Vorster and Mrs. Kathryn Young

Absent without Notice: Dr. Larry Alexander, Dr. Greg Amacher, Ms.
Christina Coukos, Dr. Ron Daniel,Dr. Peter W. Graham, Dr. Martha
Reifsnider, Dr. Ellie Sturgis and Mr. Surya Vakkalanka

Invited Guests: Dr. Roger Avery, Dr. John Eaton, Mr. Marvin Foushee,
Mrs. Angie Webb, Ms. Angela Duncan and Mr. Paul Metz


Dr. Julia Beamish, Chair, called the meeting to order.

Announcements-None.

Approval of the agenda-Approved with a slight change to move the
presentation to the beginning of the meeting.

Presentation-"Report on Library Serials Needs Assessment Project"
presented by Paul Metz. The Newman Library serials collection is at risk
due to the libraries financial constraints. The cost of the serials are
inflating annually at an average of 10 percent with no increase in the
library budget. Therefore, the library has had to work with the faculty
in defining a list of core serials that is needed. Virginia Tech has
dropped several rankings in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
poll. The library is looking for some new state funding and has
developed a contingency plan for eliminating up to $1 million in
continuing serial costs for the fiscal year 2001-2002. Mr. Metz urged
the members of the CGS&P to please send a letter or memo emphasizing the
need for more money in the library budget to the administration.

Approval of minutes from March 15, 2000-Approved.

Committee Reports


Graduate Curriculum Committee-No report.

Graduate Student Appeals-No report.

Graduate Student Relations-Ms. Fraticelli handed out a report from their
March 8th meeting.

Ad Hoc ETD Advisory Committee-Dr. Eaton will give a report at the next
meeting regarding the feedback he has received from faculty and students
regarding the revised ETD approval form.

DRSCAP-Dr. Beamish was questioned by the Staff Association that the
updated Residency Resolution did not have the statement that,
"Exceptions to the minimum number of credits, semesters, and/or
employment status can be made for employees at Virginia Tech subject to
the approval of the Graduate School." The CGS&P members agreed to have
the resolution amended to include this statement into the revised
resolution.

Other Reports

Graduate Student Assembly-Ms. Erin Hanley handed out a report updating
the committee on the new GSA officers, outcome of the Research Symposium
and upcoming events. The next GSA President, David Fowler will report on
the graduate student assembly at the next CGS&P meeting.

Graduate Honor System-Ms. Fraticelli reported that all Fall cases have
been taken care of. She will be resigning at the end of August.

University Library Committee-No report.

Old Business-None.

New Business-Dr. Julia Beamish and Dr. Richard Veilleux commission
service will be expiring. They will nominate the next Chair at the last
scheduled meeting on April 19th.

Adjournment-
The meeting was adjourned at 4:48 PM.

Respectfully submitted:
John L. Eaton, Associate Provost for Graduate Studies