Graduate Faculty Governance Council

The Graduate Faculty Governance Council, comprised of representatives from the Graduate Faculty, colleges with graduate programs, Western Libraries, and graduate students, supports and advances graduate education at Western Washington University through shared graduate faculty governance. The Council's powers and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Providing leadership in the areas of Graduate School strategic planning, policy and standards, and resource allocation in collaboration with the Dean of the Graduate School
• Promoting the interests of the Graduate Faculty and graduate students 
• Enhancing the visibility of graduate education throughout the University, including the promotion and celebration of academic accomplishments by graduate students
• Approving and monitoring standards for graduate admission, retention, and graduation
• Advising on the development and creation of new graduate programs
• Reviewing graduate curriculum proposals from all academic departments and programs
• Conducting graduate program reviews to ensure ongoing program effectiveness
• Participating in the Graduate School NWCCU accreditation process
• Selecting Western Association of Graduate Schools outstanding thesis nominees
• Adopting and amending its rules of operation as the “Bylaws of the Graduate Faculty Governance Council”