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Graduate Studies Council

This page contains the role statement and council charges.

Role statement

The Graduate Studies Council reviews, develops, and recommends policy regarding graduate education at Western Michigan University. Policy recommendations shall include, but are not limited to, the admission of applicants to the Graduate College and to graduate degree programs, development of graduate curricula and approval of graduate programs, selection of graduate faculty, awards and fellowships and graduate student personnel practices. Reviews shall include, but are not limited to, existing programs, proposed new programs, significant program changes and academic standards of graduate level programs. The work of the council is accomplished through standing and ad hoc committees which act on behalf of the council, within the framework of its policies, subject to review by the council.

Council Standing Committees

1. Agenda Committee—prepares the agenda for meetings of the Graduate Studies Council.
2. All-University Graduate Student Research and Creative Scholars Award Committee—reviews applications and makes recommendations as to the recipients of All-University Graduate Student Research and Creative Scholars Awards.
3. All-University Graduate Student Teaching Effectiveness Award Committee—reviews applications and makes recommendations as to the recipients of All-University Graduate Student Teaching Effectiveness Awards.
4. Graduate Student Advisory Committee—reviews services and needs of graduate students; makes recommendations to appropriate officials and offices; recommends graduate students for appointments to University councils and committees; and serves as liaison between departmental graduate student organizations, the Graduate Studies Council, and the dean of the Graduate College.

Charge

2007-08

In addition to the work specified in the GSC’s Council Role Statement and the work of the GSC’s Standing Committee, the Executive Board charges the GSC to consider, as a committee of the whole or through the appropriate subcommittee or task force, the following issues:

1. Joint charges with Undergraduate Studies Council:  

• Review previous plans for Academic Program Planning (APP) and work with the Provost’s office to determine a schedule and procedure for regular departmental review processes.
• Examine on-line courses being scheduled through Academic Technology and Instructional Services (ATIS) and explore recent developments in Extended University Programs (EUP) relating to contact hours, program delivery, and other relevant issues.
• Along with the IEC and the Study Abroad office, explore and make recommendations regarding transfer credits.  

2. Joint charge with the International Education Council: 

• Review recruitment and retention of international graduate students with graduate coordinators.   

3. Discuss and review graduate student funding and tuition.

4. Review and make recommendations regarding the responsibilities of dissertation advisors and requirements for granting of various levels of graduate faculty status to faculty by the Graduate College. 

5. Review the Graduate Advisors Handbook and make recommendations on any changes needed.   

6. Explore and make recommendations regarding interdisciplinary graduate programs and interdisciplinary degrees.  

7. Work with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and the Research Policies Council (RPC) to educate faculty and students on research ethics as it applies to graduate students.

8. Examine and make recommendations as appropriate regarding current practices with regard to graduate student recruitment (including minorities and international students) at WMU.  There is likely to be wide variation between departments and colleges, but there may be problems or successful strategies in use, which would be helpful to other programs if disseminated more widely.   

Note

The Graduate Studies Council is free to determine the specifics of how to address these charges and other tasks it wishes to engage in during 2007-08.  The GSC is requested to keep the Executive Board apprised of progress, especially in connection with any memorandum of action (MOA) which it may develop, and to give ample notice of intent to bring action or reports to the full Faculty Senate.  Also, at the end of 2007-08, the GSC is asked to provide a summary of its progress on the above charges to the Executive Board and suggest charges for the following year. 

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