The Goal 3 Committee investigated past, current, and planned University efforts to develop and strengthen graduate programs, and evaluated graduate program growth, graduate school administrative functions, financial aid programs, graduate student quality, graduate student opportunities, and graduate faculty quality. Graduate education is intimately linked to research; however, we will discuss research primarily in Chapter 8.

This chapter draws primarily on the Goal 3 Committee Report [6.2B5], the Office of Research and the Graduate School Self-Study (see Appendix 6), and the Council of Graduate Schools Consultant Report [2.8F, hereafter called the Consultant Report] which constituted an external review of the Graduate School. This chapter thus focuses broadly on overall Graduate School goals and accomplishments. For more detailed information about graduate programs in particular Colleges and Schools, (see Appendix 6), or the departmental self-studies [2.6] available in the Resource Room.

Patterns of Evidence

Purposes

At the graduate level and in research, we will focus especially on growth in interdisciplinary approaches in areas of established strength and future need. Consistent with the increasing complexity of science and technology, we will substantially increase the proportion of graduate students. (University Vision Statement).

Michigan Tech clearly defines its mission as quality education in engineering, science, and related fields, and more specifically describes the process and product of graduate education in its vision statement. The Graduate School's mission, published in the Graduate School Bulletin, 1996–98 [1.3B], is consistent with the University's mission and vision to be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in graduate education and research, and to apply knowledge to better society. A vision statement for the Graduate School has been developed. In 1996/97 we enrolled 353 full-time masters students in 20 master's programs and 275 full-time doctoral students in 15 doctoral programs, and granted 164 master's and 50 doctorates (see BIDs, Appendix 2 for breakdown by program). Nearly all graduate students are full-time on-campus students.

The University Strategic Plan [2.1D2] includes two clearly stated subgoals for graduate programs, each with multiple objectives:

1. enhance graduate student enrollments and recruit high quality graduate students and
2. strengthen the graduate program.

Many benchmark institutions have comparable missions for graduate education, which suggests that our mission is appropriate for an institution of higher education. The Consultant Report [2.8F] considered this mission very realistic. The missions of the College of Engineering, College of Sciences and Arts, and School of Forestry and Wood Products also discuss graduate programs (see Appendix 6), and college, school, and departmental self-studies [2.6] report activities which are consistent with the mission and goals of the Graduate School.

However, the Graduate School mission does not specifically address the University's scientific and technological emphasis or the importance of interdisciplinary activities, which is also an objective under subgoal 2 in the Strategic Plan. Moreover, given our growing graduate programs and plan to enhance enrollment, a third subgoal to provide an environment which enhances the quality of graduate student life (comparable to Goal 1.3 for undergraduate education) seems appropriate. The Graduate School mission is not reviewed or assessed as part of the strategic planning process, and it is recommended that the Graduate School mission be revised to incorporate these areas of importance to the University.

Graduate students are kept informed about the purposes of the Graduate School through biannual Bulletins [1.3B]; a newsletter, Out of the Blue [7.4C]; and a WWW page. The Student Handbook [1.2C] applies to graduate students as well as undergraduates, and an additional publication, Keeping on Track in Graduate School [7.4C], specifically outlines procedures for attaining graduate degrees.

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