Summary of the Graduate Affairs Committee meeting Nov 1, 2013, 1-2pm

Present: Michael Brudno, Christina Christara, Stephen Cook (Chair),
Eyal de Lara, Ken Jackson, Aida Nematzadeh, Bogdan Simion

Regrets:  Allan Jepson

The committee discussed the first two pages of "Policy Proposal for DCS Graduate Student Supervision", DRAFT Oct 30, 2013

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Under "PhD supervision and supervisory committees":

PROPOSAL 1:   Most committee members were not keen for PROPOSAL 1, 
partly because they felt that only the theory group is interested 
in developing a procedure for circulating new students among several 
potential supervisors, and partly because of funding.  Specifically, 
for funding, it was noted that it is important to come up with a 
plan for funding students during this initial five month period. 
The majority also felt that the wording of this proposal is not good, 
since it encourages students to explore different possible supervisors 
before deciding on one.
[AJ comment after seeing these minutes: It was intended that new students, 
in the vast majority of cases, will be selecting a supervisor *ONLY* 
from among the set of faculty sponsors listed on their offer letter.  
The sponsors will work out funding in this initial period (up to 5 months). 
These clarifications may reduce the contention on this proposal.] 

PROPOSAL 2a
(with `four months' replaced by `five months') will allow the theory
group to try out their plan of having new students meet several potential
supervisors before deciding on one.  This is fine in principle, BUT it is
important to come up with a plan for funding students during this initial
five month period.

PROPOSAL 2b:  Approved

PROPOSAL 3a:  Approved

PROPOSAL 3b:  Approved

PROPOSAL 3b DEBATE:  The following wording was Approved:

   The FOE committee must include at least two members of CS-SGS
   (including the student's supervisor).

(Note that `full members' was changed to `members'.)

PROPOSAL 5:  Approved with the revision made in DEBATE:
"A student who is otherwise making good progress, and who decides to
switch..."

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Under "Failure to maintain good academic standing (PhD students):

PROPOSAL 1:  Approved

PROPOSAL 2:  Approved