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The Graduate Council

The Graduate Council is charged with the responsibility for developing university graduate policies and approving new graduate programs, and revising current graduate programs.  All new programs and program revisions are submitted to the University Senate for Academic Affairs and approved by the Chancellor.  Statements of policy are reviewed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and approved by the Chancellor.

Composition

The Graduate Council shall consist of one representative from each department having a graduate degree program and one graduate student.  A graduate student will be selected from a School or College on a rotating basis.  Members will be appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with input from the Dean of The Graduate School, Dean of the School or College, and departments.

The Graduate Council will also include the following persons:

  1. Chancellor of the University, Ex-officio
  2. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Ex-officio
  3. Director of Library Services, Ex-officio
  4. Dean, The Graduate School
  5. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
  6. Dean, School of Business and Economics
  7. Dean, School of Education        

Tenure of Membership

      Persons serving on the Council by virtue of position are considered to be permanent members.  Persons appointed by the Chancellor will serve for three, two and one year terms initially.  Terms of the members will be staggered, so that approximately one third of the members are appointed each fall.  The regular term of membership is three (3) years.

THE GRADUATE COUNCIL 2011-2012

 Functions of the Graduate Council

  1. Recommend policies and procedures affecting graduate study, including, but not limited to: curricula, graduate credit, certification and degree requirements
  2. Consider and make recommendations concerning exceptions to graduate policy
  3. Review and act on all nominations for appointment to graduate faculty status
  4. Receive and review proposals for the planning and establishment of new graduate programs and program tracks
  5. Provide periodic evaluation of all aspects of graduate study

Officers

  1. Chairperson:  The Dean of The Graduate School shall serve as Chairperson of the Graduate Council.
  2. Vice Chairperson:  The Vice Chairperson shall be elected by majority vote of the Graduate Council and shall serve as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.
  3. Secretary: A Graduate School Administrative Assistant will be appointed by the the Dean of The Graduate School and shall serve as a non-voting secretary and will be responsible for recording and maintaining the records of the Council. 

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson of the Council, Vice Chairperson, and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees.  The primary function of the Executive Committee is to act on behalf of the Graduate Council when that body cannot be fully assembled.

Standing Committees

The Dean of The Graduate School and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall serve as ex-officio members of all committees.  The Council shall be organized into five standing committees.

Standing Committees:

  1. Admissions
  2. Program and Curriculum Review
  3. Student Affairs and Academic Appeals
  4. Academic Policy
  5. Graduate Faculty Review

Other committees may be established by the Council.  Each committee shall elect a chairperson, and secretary.

Admission Committee

   The primary functions of the Admission Committee are to:

  1. Develop and recommend general policies and procedures pertaining to graduate student admission standards, registration, and retention
  2. Review exceptions to admissions policy and make recommendations relative to acceptance and rejection
  3. Hear student appeals concerning admissions or re-admission and make recommendations on appeals to the Graduate Council

Program and Curriculum Review Committee

    The primary functions of the Program and Curriculum Review Committee are to:

  1. Review, evaluate and make recommendations regarding graduate curricula and proposed programs;
  2. Review proposed new or revised graduate courses; and 
  3. Receive and review data from department chairpersons regarding program evaluation, and recommend changes as needed.

Student Affairs and Academic Appeals Committee

     The primary functions of the Student Affairs and Academic Appeals Committee are to:

  1. Review requests from the Dean of The Graduate School and academic units and hold hearings on graduate student academic or grade grievances; and
  2. Review records and documents relative to the grievance and make recommendations for settlement to the Council.

Academic Policy Committee

     The primary functions of the Academic Policy Committee are to:

  1. Review, initiate, and recommend policies, standards, and rules regarding graduate education;
  2. Review academic procedures and make recommendations; and 
  3. Conduct periodic review of all publications germane to graduate education (e.g., handbook, catalogs and brochures) to insure that policies and rules are clearly stated.

Graduate Faculty Review Committee

     The primary functions of the Graduate Faculty Review Committee are to:

  1. Review applications and recommend faculty for graduate faculty status;
  2. Review and conduct an annual review of each graduate faculty member; and 
  3. Review recommendations for removal of members from the graduate faculty.

Quorum and Voting

A quorum of the Council shall consist of a majority of voting members of the Council (i.e., eleven of twenty members).  Only a graduate council member shall be able to vote.  The Chairperson of the Graduate Council shall vote only in the case of a tie.

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, the latest edition, shall govern meetings of the Graduate Council and its committees in all parliamentary situations.

Graduate Council Committees 2011-2012

*Chairperson
**Vice-Chairperson
Ms. Deborah Robinson, Graduate Council Secretary