April 22, 2020

Graduate Council Meeting

 Wednesday, April 22, 2020 1-4pm (with 5 minute break @ 2pm)

Pandemic Pivot Committee--

 

 

Oral Defense Guidelines

The Graduate College encourages in-person exam, thesis, and dissertation defenses. This defense format enables discussion of a student’s culminating experience and serves as an important landmark in a student’s professional development by presenting to a group of scholars and perhaps wider community. However, changes in digital technology and variation in program delivery (e.g., online programs) warrant flexibility in how in-person vs. remote thesis and dissertation guidelines can occur. Student defense presentations must be public, although a private defense/discussion with just the student and committee members should also occur. Advertisement of the defense must specify how, when, and where the defense will take place so that members of the public may attend/participate, whether the defense is face-to-face (must be on campus), a hybrid format (an on campus location plus a digital/online component for remote participation),  or an entirely online/digital meeting space. For hybrid defenses, the defense location must have the necessary technical capacity to allow for reliable remote participation with audio and visual capacity for the student and committee members. Students must inform the Graduate College of their defense date, time, place, format, and login information (if hybrid or online) at least two weeks in advance of the defense so that it may be advertised on campus. Regardless of defense mode, the entire Graduate Advisory Committee, including the Graduate College Representative, must participate in  the defense. If technical or other problems arise and interfere with the ability to successfully conduct the presentation and discussion for a prolonged period of time, the defense meeting must be rescheduled.