Ebner, Timothy J.Schiappa, Edward2007-07-102007-07-102005-12-10https://hdl.handle.net/11299/157Task Force Members Patricia Jones Whyte, Director, Graduate School Diversity Office Andrew Warta, Graduate Student, Chemical Engineering, Vice President (Finance) of the Council of Graduate Students Diane Tedick, Director of Graduate Studies, Curriculum & Instruction Edward Schiappa, Department Chair & Former DGS, Communication Studies Faith Loven, Director of Graduate Studies, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Duluth Edward Goetz, Associate Dean for Academics, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Timothy Ebner, Department Head and former DGS, Neuroscience Brenda Child, Former Director of Graduate Studies, American Studies Karen Buhr, Graduate Student, Natural Resources Science and Management & President of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Gary Balas, Co-Director of Graduate Studies, Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics Amelious Whyte, StaffThe first recommendation is that the University must make substantial new investments in graduate education, particularly in the financial support of graduate students. To be truly competitive for the best and the brightest of national and international students, the University must provide highly competitive financial support packages. The second key recommendation is the University’s Graduate and Professional Schools must aggressively identify and implement the best practices in student recruitment, retention, and mentoring. Of particular importance is developing policies and procedures that assure timely dree completion. Recruiting and training the finest graduate and professional students compel all programs to utilize the best practices to maximize every student’s education and insure all achieve their full potential. The third key recommendation is that the Graduate School incorporate greater flexibility in the Graduate Fellowship program, both in polices for awarding fellowships and the size of the awards. Acknowledging that different disciplines have different needs and that a single policy does not optimally meet those needs, flexibility provides a powerful tool to allow programs to recruit the best students. Finally, the Task Force recommends that the Provost’s Office and Graduate School issue a report two years hence that examines the implementation of any policy changes resulting from this report and their impact on collegiate, department, and graduate program units.en-USgraduateprofessionalReport