THE UNIVERSITY SENATE OF
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
“Proposed Graduate Faculty Council
and University Senate Joint Resolution Regarding the Roles of the Graduate
Faculty Council and the University Senate in Guiding Graduate Education at
Michigan Tech”
Proposal
16-08
(as amended by GFC 19
February 2008)
(Voting Units: Academic)
Proposed By: Huntoon,
Auer, Glime, Sloan, Lovett-Doust
Background
The Graduate
Faculty Council (GFC) and the University Senate are both involved in
establishing and reviewing policies and procedures related to graduate
education at Michigan Tech.
The Graduate
Faculty 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.
The University Senate’s functions include
several that have a direct relationship to graduate education. Specifically, these
are identified in Article III, Sections
F.1.a.1), F.1.a.2), F.1.a.3), F.4.b.5), and F.4.b.10 of the Constitution of the
University Senate (each Section is quoted below in Table I).
Communication among
all members of the university community concerned with graduate education will be enhanced by clearly establishing the respective roles of
the Graduate Faculty Council and University Senate. That is the purpose of this
resolution.
Table I: Senate functions directly related to graduate
education.
ARTICLE
III – FUNCTIONS
F. List of Matters of
Responsibility and Authority
1.
Matters of Academic Policy and Procedures
a. The
Senate has the responsibility and authority to review and establish policy and
procedures in these areas:
1) All curricular matters, including establishment,
dissolution, and changes in degree programs
2) Requirements for certificates and academic degrees.
3) Regulations regarding attendance, examinations, grading, scholastic
standing, probation, and honors.
4. Other Matters of Policy and Procedure
b. The Senate has the responsibility to review, make
recommendations, initiate, and participate in the formulation of policy and
procedures in these areas:
5) Admission standards and procedures.
10) All areas of
student affairs not mentioned specifically above, including their effect on the
educational process and on academic achievement.
Proposed Resolution
It is proposed that
the following procedure be followed when there is a proposal to implement,
eliminate or change policy related to graduate education.
1) The Graduate Faculty Council
shall review the proposal and provide advice to the dean of the Graduate
School.
2) The agenda and minutes of
the Graduate Faculty Council shall include information about the proposal and
the advice given to the dean of the Graduate School. The agenda and minutes shall
be posted on the Graduate Faculty Council’s website. The Graduate Faculty Council invites the University
Senate to send a representative from its Curricular Policy Committee to
Graduate Faculty Council meetings to facilitate transfer of information between
the two bodies.
3) When a proposal supported by
the Graduate Faculty Council falls within the University Senate functions
identified in Article III, Sections F.1.a.1), F.1.a.2), F.1.a.3), F.4.b.5), or F.4.b.10
of the Senate Constitution, the dean of the Graduate School and Chair of the
Graduate Faculty Council shall prepare a formal request for consideration of
the proposal by the University Senate. This request will be sent to the
President of the University Senate. New policy will not be implemented and
existing policy will not be eliminated or changed until the Senate has given
its approval, and the Provost and President have approved the change.
4) When a proposal supported by
the Graduate Faculty Council does not fall within the University Senate
functions identified in Article III, Sections F.1.a.1), F.1.a.2), F.1.a.3),
F.4.b.5), or F.4.b.10 of the Senate Constitution, the dean of the Graduate
School will consider the advice of the Graduate Faculty Council and will seek
approval of the Provost and President prior to implementing new policy or
eliminating or changing any existing policy.
5)
The Graduate Faculty Council will communicate regularly with the Senate.
Graduate school staff will ensure that the Senate President is sent minutes of
meetings with topics of particular interest to graduate faculty across campus
highlighted. Changes in policies and/or procedures will be specifically
indicated as well. The University Senate will channel all
material related to graduate education through the Graduate Faculty Council
before taking action.
Revised and Reintroduced: 02 April 2008
Adopted by Senate: 16 April 2008
Approved by Administration: 28 April 2008