Governance Handbook > Part 3: Academic > 3.1 Personnel > 3.1.1 Graduate Studies

3.1.1 Graduate Studies

(Charter)

The dean of graduate studies administers the graduate studies program and is responsible to the Chief Academic Officer.

(Bylaws)

1. Choice

   Nomination is made by the President and Vice President for Academic Administration in consultation with a search committee chosen and directed by the President. The nomination is submitted to the Board of Trustees by the President.

2. Duties

   1. The dean is the executive officer of graduate studies and is responsible to the Vice President for Academic Administration. It is the dean's responsibility to maintain effective group and individual communication with department chairs and the graduate staff in all graduate studies matters and to maintain a two-way communication between the administration and the Graduate Council. The dean has a special responsibility to ensure that graduate studies concerns are conveyed to University Senate and to communicate Senate actions to the graduate studies staff.

   2. In consultation with colleagues, the dean formulates and promotes graduate studies aims, helps plan graduate programs to achieve those aims, recommends and assists in presenting to the Graduate Council and (as requested by graduate program chairs) to the Curriculum Committee graduate program changes, and helps evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and testing methods used in realizing the goals of graduate studies.

   3. The dean assists search committees in finding suitable candidates for vacancies in the graduate departments, promotes faculty and graduate studies memberships in professional associations, and in other ways attends to the professional needs of the graduate studies staff.

   4. The dean coordinates the financial matters of graduate studies. After consultation with the Graduate Council, the dean annually submits to the Vice President for Academic Administration a budget for graduate studies operation, maintenance, improvements, and equipment. The dean advocates requisitions and requests from the graduate departments for library books and equipment. The dean is responsible to the Vice President for Academic Administration for expenditure of budgeted monies, for approval of payment for received goods, and for the proper use and protection of all graduate studies supplies and property.

   5. The dean is responsible for meeting the educational needs of students enrolled in graduate studies. In cooperation with graduate department chairs and staff, the dean ensures that graduate students are advised in their graduate programs and that they are recommended for candidacy for graduation on the basis of the satisfactory completion of their academic work.

   6. Working with the Vice President for Office of Enrollment, the dean seeks to promote graduate studies programs.

   7. The dean advises graduate students in matters of admissions, citizenship, professional attitudes, and petitions.

   8. The dean chairs the Graduate Council.