Graduate Education Development in the California State University (CSU)

AS-2790-07/AA (Rev) - March 8-9, 2007

ATTACHMENT 1 TO AS-2790-07/AA (Rev)
ATTACHMENT 2 TO AS-2790-07/AA (Rev)
ATTACHMENT 3 TO AS-2790-07/AA (Rev)
ATTACHMENT 4 TO AS-2790-07/AA (Rev)

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU is pleased to acknowledge that the CSU Academic Council’s paper on “The Place of Graduate Education in the CSU” clearly reinforces prior ASCSU recommendations contained in:

• New Study of Post-Baccalaureate Programs in the CSU (see attached AS-2534-01/AA),
• Recommendation on the Report from the Task Force on Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Education in the California State University (see attached AS-2652-04/EX), and
• Rethinking Graduate Education in the CSU: Meeting the Needs of the People of California for Graduate Education in the 21st Century (see attached 2004 Report of the Task Force on Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Education in the CSU); and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU recognize that further study which address state and campus issues is needed on the recommendations; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU recommend that an ASCSU/CSU Academic Council Task Force on Graduate Education in the CSU be formed to ensure that the basic principle of faculty responsibility for the curriculum is followed; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU send copies of this resolution to the Chancellor, campus presidents, CSU Academic Council, deans of graduate education, and campus senate chairs.

RATIONALE: The CSU Academic Council (composed of CSU provosts) developed a paper entitled “The Place of Graduate Education in the CSU” in December, 2006. In this paper, the Council makes the case for enhancing graduate education in the CSU. Further, the paper suggests several possible new areas for graduate study.

The Academic Senate CSU has expressed support for graduate and postbaccalaureate education in the CSU contingent on adequate funding and assurances that those programs not undercut the CSU commitment to its mission of providing quality undergraduate education. In March 2001, AS-2534-01/AA reaffirmed support for the recommendations in the earlier study of graduation education in the CSU. In March 2004, AS-2652-04/EX, the Task Force on Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Education in the CSU made numerous recommendations on graduate education and adequate funding.

The Academic Senate CSU recognize that further study be undertaken before implementing the recommendations offered to campuses such as:

• the feasibility and process of intra-university graduate programs based on social need and effective demand prior to implementing such programs;
• the effect of additional fees on the CSU mission of providing accessible education;
• the quality of high service/high-price programs, the professional orientations for graduate degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and the Professional Science Masters (PSM) programs; and
• the use of alternative structures as “incubators” for State-supported graduate programs, and innovative program variations to respond to the increasing complexity of the work force.

Graduate education in the CSU has provided a needed and necessary pool of graduates for California. In spite of these efforts, the State Legislature and Governor have not adequately funded graduate education in the CSU in the past, and their recent efforts to address this problem have only provided additional funds for increased graduate enrollment. This action guarantees a continual under funding of our graduate programs. At the same time, the State has adopted differential funding for all University of California graduate students.