GFC Function and Structure
The Graduate Council is an advisory body for the dean of the Graduate School and is the primary channel for communication between the graduate faculty and the dean and staff of the Graduate School. The council is the main forum for the discussion of matters of interest regarding graduate education and research programs.
Representation
Representation on the Graduate Faculty Council is as follows:
- Every department and college without departments shall have one representative plus an alternate on the council.
- Each college or school may appoint representatives to the council up to the number of iinterdisciplinary programs housed in the college or school.
- The dean of the Graduate School, associate deans, and the director of graduate admissions are members of the council, ex officio, but do not vote, unless they are also representing a department or program. (See dual representation below.)
- The Graduate Student Government (GSG) shall have one representative on the council.
Determination of representative
- Each department or college without departments shall select its representative to the council through a process determined by the respective department or college.
- Representatives for interdisciplinary programs not housed in the Graduate School will be determined through a process determined by the respective college.
- For interdisciplinary programs housed in the Graduate School, the representative to the council will be determined by the faculty affiliated with the program.
- The representative from GSG shall select their representative through a process that they determine.
Dual Representation
A person may represent more than one entity, such as a department and an interdisciplinary program. However, they shall only have one vote regardless of the number of entities they represent.
Council operations
Representatives from the offices of other University deans are also invited to attend council meetings.
Council operations are the responsibility of its president, vice president, and secretary. Agenda items may be brought to the council by any member of the University community. A coordinator is appointed to investigate and report on each item of interest to the council. Council's recommendations on agenda items are presented to the dean of the Graduate School and are also communicated to the University community.
The Graduate Council has long enjoyed a congenial relationship with the Graduate School, and it has a well-established history of open exchange. The council is committed to preserving these practices and to providing the University community with timely information about the issues, concerns, and recommendations of the faculty, students, and staff responsible for graduate education and research at Michigan Tech.