• Policy #:                       S18-265
• Supersedes:                  S12-265
• Senate Approval:          05/01/2018
• Presidential Approval:   05/09/2018
• Effective:                      Fall 2018
• Last Review:                 Spring 2018
• Next Review:                 Spring 2028

I.Policy

The Graduate Council is an all-University Committee.

1. The Graduate Council shall serve as the primary advisory body to the Dean of Graduate Studies and University-wide administrators in the broad areas related to graduate education.
2. The Graduate Council shall serve the University's graduate advisors, coordinators, and department chairs by providing a forum for communication among those involved in post-baccalaureate education. Graduate Council members will:
   1. Attend scheduled Graduate Council meetings each semester.
   2. Within the processes of the college structures, share and gather information about graduate issues from department chairs, graduate coordinators, and the college deans.
3. The Graduate Council may initiate policy recommendations related to graduate  studies and graduate programs, which it will refer to the Academic Senate and other appropriate University committees. Such policy recommendations may apply either to state-support programs or to those offered through any division of extended learning.
   1. Graduate Council may serve as a sub-committee or referring committee to Academic Senate committees including FAC, EPC, APRC and CRAC. Each may refer requests for policy concerns related to:
      1. New graduate programs, changes in graduate programs, or other policy issues related to graduate studies;
      2. Adoption or modification of graduate degree programs and curricula (or special graduate certificate and non-degree programs);
      3. The general scope and priority of graduate programs;
      4. General University academic standards for post-baccalaureate work within the framework of pertinent Title V code provisions.
   2. Under all circumstances, close liaison and consultation between the Graduate Council, the curriculum office, CRAC, EPC and APRC will be maintained.

1. Membership:

• One faculty representative with experience as a graduate coordinator or equivalent, chair or director of graduate program, to be chosen from each College and Library;
• Two additional faculty representatives with experience with a graduate program, appointed by the Academic Senate, to ensure broad representation from the following: 1) liberal arts, 2) creative arts,3) business, 4) education, 5) ethnic studies, 6) applied health sciences, 7) humanities, and 8) natural sciences, 9) engineering, and 10) social sciences. in consultation with the Graduate Council.  Nominees for these positions will be solicited by the Senate Executive Committee in consultation with the Graduate Council to help ensure disciplinary balance on the GC;
• One representative appointed by the Educational Policies Council;
• One representative appointed by the Faculty Affairs Committee;
• One graduate student selected by Associated Students;
• Dean of Graduate Studies or designee, ex officio

The Council Chair will be elected by the Graduate Council faculty members.

College and Academic Senate faculty representatives shall serve staggered three-year terms. The EPC, FAC, and graduate student representatives will each serve for one year.

The Graduate Council will file an annual report with the Academic Senate and will be invited to present on its activities once per year.