Overview
The Graduate Council assures the quality of graduate education at Park University. The Graduate Council provides oversight of the University’s graduate curriculum, including academic policies, program admissions requirements, and new program development. The Graduate Council recommends approval of faculty for graduate status to the Dean and Provost.
Composition
Membership on the Graduate Council shall be limited to faculty with graduate faculty status. The composition of the Graduate Council consists of:
- Each Director of an approved graduate degree program (voting);
- The Registrar of the University (ex-officio);
- One additional faculty member per program, elected by the School housing that program (voting);
- Graduate faculty representatives from other University or Faculty Senate Committees (i.e., Assessment, Curriculum, Tenure & Promotion) (ex-officio);
- A representative from Park Online Operations (ex-officio);
- A representative from the Office of Academic Affairs (ex-officio).
Members will serve two-year terms and can seek re-election. At the first meeting of the Graduate Council, the Graduate Council will elect a Chair from among the full-time faculty serving on the Graduate Council. The Chair will meet with the Provost or designee regularly in addition to delivering reports to the Faculty Senate as needed on curriculum and assessment actions.
Responsibilities
The Graduate Council is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on all matters affecting graduate education, including curriculum, academic policy and procedure, and graduate faculty status. All content appearing in the University’s Graduate Catalog must be approved by Graduate Council. The Graduate Council will consult with the Curriculum Committee and the Assessment Committee regarding any actions that may affect the undergraduate curriculum. The Chair of the Graduate Council will submit a report to the Faculty Senate as needed on curriculum and assessment actions.
- Review and provide recommendations on the graduate curriculum, including new course and program curriculum;
- Review and provide recommendations on graduate program assessment plans and reports;
- Review and provide recommendations on graduate admissions requirements; graduate standards and procedures; and graduate academic policies and guidelines;
- Maintain University-level criteria for graduate faculty status that align with HLC guidelines for graduate faculty (and that encompass program-level criteria provided by the respective Program Director in adherence with applicable program accreditation requirements);
- Review and recommend full-time and adjunct faculty for graduate status for approval by Dean and Provost.
Structure, Meetings and Staff Support for Curriculum Committee
A staff member designated by Academic Affairs will serve as the recording secretary and maintain the Council’s MyPark portal. Meetings will occur typically once per month during the academic year in accordance with the academic calendar.
Accountability and Reporting
The Graduate Council reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee. The Chair of the Graduate Council is also responsible for making monthly reports to the Faculty Senate on all matters pertaining to graduate curriculum and assessment, in a parallel manner to the Chairs of the Curriculum and Assessment Committees.