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Graduate Council Bylaws

  1. Name and Purpose

    1. Name
      This body shall be called the Graduate Council.
    2.  Responsibilities
      1. The Graduate Council is responsible for developing, maintaining, and recommending changes in graduate program policies at Western Connecticut State University.
      2. The function of the Graduate Council is to foster high academic and professional quality in programs, faculty, students, and support services.
      3. The Graduate Council sets admission and university standards by:
        1. Developing minimum admission and academic standards for all graduate students.
        2. Reviewing admission and academic standards of graduate programs.
    3. Curriculum
      The Graduate Council reviews and makes recommendations on all curriculum matters involving graduate programs.

  2.  Membership

    1. The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (nonvoting)
    2. The Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services (nonvoting)
    3. The Associate Director of the Graduate Admissions (nonvoting)
    4. The Deans of the Schools (two voting)
      1. Ancell School of Business
      2. Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences
      3. School of Professional Studies
      4. School of Visual, Performing & Communication Arts
      5. The two (2) voting deans are selected annually, on a rotating basis, by the provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
    5. The faculty members designed as Coordinator of graduate programs (voting)
    6. Two graduate students as representatives at large recommended by the Graduate Council Chair and approved by the Council (voting)

  3.  Officers

    1. Chairperson
      1. The chairperson shall be elected by a majority vote of the Graduate Council at the May meeting.
      2. She/he may designate a member of the Graduate Council to serve as chairperson in his/her absence.
    2. Secretary
      1. Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs or his/her designee shall serve as Secretary.

  4. Meetings

    1. Frequency and Place
      1. Regular meetings of the Graduate Council shall ordinarily be held once a month from September through May each academic year. An annual schedule of meetings and meeting places (in agreement with the official academic calendar) shall be published on or before September 20 of each year by the incumbent chair. In the event that the chair cannot publish the schedule, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs shall do so.
      2. Agenda items and all supporting documentation must be posted electronically at least seven (7) days prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.
      3. Meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
    2. Records of Meetings
      1. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all business transacted at meetings.
      2. Copies of the minutes of meetings shall be posted electronically to all members at least three (3) days prior to the next meeting.
      3. The official permanent record of the minutes is stored electronically. Courses and programs approved are maintained by the Office of Academic Affairs.
    3. Voting
      1. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members.
      2. All decisions of the Council shall be made by a majority vote of those present except as noted elsewhere in these bylaws.
      3. In the event that a quorum is not met at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Council, voting may take place electronically within one (1) week.
    4. Reports
      1. The Graduate Council, through its chair, shall report all policy recommendations to the University Senate and the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.
      2. The Graduate Council shall submit an annual report to the University Senate.

  5. Function

    1. Ad Hoc Committees
      The Council may establish ad hoc committees to perform specific tasks. The chairperson and members of such committees will be appointed by the Graduate Council. An ad hoc committee will cease to exist when its final report has been accepted by the Graduate Council.
    2. Four (4) Standing Committees
      The chairperson and members of standing committees will be appointed by the Graduate Council.

      1. Curriculum Committee
        The Curriculum Committee reviews all proposed changes to curriculum prior to submission to the Graduate Council.

        1. Membership:  Minimum of three (3)
        2. Meetings:  Once a month or as necessary
        3. Reports:  At Graduate Council meetings, as necessary
      2. Scholarship Committee
        The Scholarship Committee reviews, evaluates, and recommends candidates for graduate scholarships.

        1. Membership: Minimum of three (3)
        2. Meetings:  Once a month or as necessary
        3. Reports:  At Graduate Council meetings, as necessary
      3. Vision Committee
        The Vision Committee prepares and reviews the Strategic Plan for Graduate Studies prior to submission to the Graduate Council.

        1. Membership:  Minimum of three (3)
        2. Meetings:  Once a month or as necessary
        3. Reports: At Graduate Council meetings, as necessary
      4. Catalog Committee
        The Catalog Committee reviews the online catalog and recommends changes to the Graduate Council.

        1. Membership: Minimum of three (3)
        2. Meetings: Once a month or as necessary
        3. Reports: At Graduate Council meetings, as necessary

  6. Changes to the Bylaws

    These bylaws may be amended by approval of two-thirds of all voting members of the Graduate Council. This can occur at any meeting. The amendment must have been moved and accepted at a previous meeting. Such changes must then be approved by the University Senate and the President of the University.