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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.

Charges

2008-09

In addition to the specific responsibilities and functions noted in the Graduate Studies Council’s role statement and the work of the GSC standing committees, the Faculty Senate Executive Board charges the GSC to consider, as a committee of the whole or through the appropriate sub-committee or task force, the following issues:

1. Review the scope and description of the role statement and assess the effectiveness of council practices. Develop recommendations for a role statement that includes specific functions. Council policies, for example, are referenced, yet these policies are not articulated.

2. Assess the ways in which different units across colleges delineate the responsibilities for thesis and dissertation advisors. Based upon this assessment, explore the possibilities of articulating common minimal standards or expectations.

3. Review the Handbook for Graduate Advising. Identify policies or procedures and assess consistency with past Senate actions. Develop a memorandum of action (MOA) or specific information items as appropriate and necessary for discussion. 

4. Identify interdisciplinary graduate programs at WMU and assess the challenges and opportunities for offering such programs. Address the question of whether a comprehensive set of guidelines would be helpful, and if so what needs to happen to generate recommendations for interdisciplinary programs.

5. Collaborate with the Research Policies Council and International Education Council to explore the possibility of extending tuition remission at the resident level to all extramurally grant-funded graduate assistants at doctoral and masters levels. Seek input from any administrative office related to budgetary implications and feasibility.

6. Address any continuing or outstanding issues or initiatives as deemed necessary by the council. To the extent possible conclude any outstanding initiative by producing an MOA, report or resolution.

Note

It is understood that the GSC will seek information from and communicate with all administrative offices necessary to carry out its charges. The GSC is expected to keep the Senate Executive Board apprised of progress, especially in connection with any MOA it may develop and to give advance notice of any action the GSC seeks to place on the Senate agenda, including the final text of any proposed MOA, report or resolution. The Executive Board should also be notified of substantive procedural issues addressed by the GSC.  The GSC shall provide a written summary of its progress on the above charges and any other activities undertaken no later than June 30, 2009.

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