GFGC Bylaws Changes

Proposed Changes to the GSR Subcommittee Bylaws - March 2024

Draft Revision to GSR Subcommittee Bylaws 

The Graduate Faculty Governance Council (GFGC) is proposing to revise one of its bylaws.  

A portion of Bylaw 3.2 of the GFGC Constitution and Bylaws reads: 

“Four graduate students, advisory non-voting, 2 appointed by the Student Senate and 2 appointed by the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC)” 

The proposed revision would repeal the text quoted above and replace it with the following: 

“Four graduate students, two appointed by the Student Senate and two appointed by the GFGC Executive Council (student members are advisory to GFGC but voting members of their assigned subcommittees)” 

The text of the proposed revision was presented in writing on the agenda for the GFGC meeting on February 13, 2024. The rationale for the proposed revision includes the prolonged and likely permanent hiatus of the Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC), the value that student perspectives add to GFGC discussions, and the need for clarity around the role of our student members.  A motion to proceed with seeking feedback as required by the GFGC Constitution passed with 12 in favor, 0 opposed, and 2 absent.  

In accordance with Article IV.3 of the GFGC Constitution (pasted below), we are providing the proposed change to Graduate Faculty by e-mail and through our web page.  

"Bylaws to this Constitution may be adopted, amended, or repealed by majority vote of the total voting membership of the Graduate Faculty Governance Council (GFGC) provided that the amendments are proposed in writing at one meeting of the GFGC, are posted on the GFGC website and delivered to graduate faculty via email, and are voted on at a subsequent regular meeting of the GFGC following a comment period of no fewer than 10 business days."

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Proposed Changes to the GSR Subcommittee Bylaws - April 2021

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Draft Revision to GSR Subcommittee Bylaws 

BL6.3 Graduate Student Support Committee 

Following procedures outlined by the Graduate Faculty Governance Council, the Graduate Student Support Committee works with the Graduate School to support graduate student scholarship and teaching. The committee’s specific responsibilities include 

• working with graduate programs to develop best practices for supporting graduate student scholarship and teaching; 
• advising the Graduate School as requested about graduate student requests to extend the five-year time-to-degree limit; and 
• when requested, assigning graduate faculty to represent the GFGC as external observers of thesis defenses to ensure that the process is carried out in a fair and impartial manner, in accordance with the standards of the Graduate School. Requests for observers may come from students, faculty members, or the Graduate School; 
• serving as a neutral arbiter supporting graduate student work where conflicts or problems cannot be resolved within programs or departments or by the Graduate School; 
• referring graduate students to appropriate university resources as needed; and 
• serving as a neutral third party in conflict resolution; and 

Standing Committee Membership. 

The Graduate School Representative Standing Committee consists of at least three graduate faculty members of the Graduate Faculty Governance Council and one graduate student to be appointed by the GFGC. The Associate Dean of the Graduate School also serves as an advisory, non-voting member.