Faculty Senate

Graduate Studies Council

Role statement

The Graduate Studies Council reviews, develops, and recommends policy regarding graduate education at Western Michigan University. Policy recommendations shall include, but are not limited to, the admission of applicants to the Graduate College and to graduate degree programs, development of graduate curricula and approval of graduate programs, selection of graduate faculty, awards and fellowships and graduate student personnel practices. Reviews shall include, but are not limited to, existing programs, proposed new programs, significant program changes and academic standards of graduate level programs. The work of the council is accomplished through standing and ad hoc committees which act on behalf of the council, within the framework of its policies, subject to review by the council.

Council Standing Committees 

  1. Agenda Committee—prepares the agenda for meetings of the Graduate Studies Council.
  2. All-University Graduate Student Research and Creative Scholars Award Committee—reviews applications and makes recommendations as to the recipients of All-University Graduate Student Research and Creative Scholars Awards.
  3. All-University Graduate Student Teaching Effectiveness Award Committee—reviews applications and makes recommendations as to the recipients of All-University Graduate Student Teaching Effectiveness Awards.

2026-27 Charges

In addition to the specific responsibilities listed in the Graduate Studies Council’s role statement and the work of its standing committees if such exist, the Faculty Senate Executive Board charges the GSC to consider, as a committee of the whole or through the appropriate committee or task force, the following:

  1. Review, act, and vote on each graduate curriculum proposal that comes before GSC within 30 days and submit decisions to the WMU electronic curriculum system as well as include decisions in the council minutes.
  2. In collaboration with the Undergraduate Studies Council and Professional Concerns Committee, but under the direction of the Academic and Information Technology Council, review existing and emerging policy and provide best practices pertaining to integrity of academic assessment especially focused on changing technology and online education Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Executive Board or a Memorandum of Action.
  3. In collaboration with the Undergraduate Studies Council examine best practices of peer institutions in order to create a Memorandum of Action recommending changes to the WMU grading scale, and establish an implementation plan.
  4. In collaboration with the Campus Planning and Finance Council, examine the impact and develop best practices, of nonresidential tuition on graduate student recruitment and assistantships, and departmental budgets. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Executive Board or a Memorandum of Action.
  5. Review and propose action, if necessary, regarding the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requirement of 5000 and 6000 level courses for graduate programs. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Executive Board or a Memorandum of Action.
  6. Solicit, review, and award the All-University Graduate Student Research and Creative Scholar Awards, the All-University Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Awards, and any other awards to promote excellence in graduate education at WMU.
  7. Review the scope and description of the council’s role statement and assess the effectiveness of the council’s practices.
  8. At the annual April GSC meeting, the council members must review the draft year-end report, to be submitted to the Faculty Senate office, by the council chair no later than May 30.
  9. Address any continuing or outstanding issues or initiatives as directed by the Faculty Senate Executive Board, members of the council, faculty, and/or academic administrators. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Executive Board or a Memorandum of Action.

Approved by the Faculty Senate Executive Board on Aug. 14, 2026

Printable version of the GSC 2026-27 Charges.

NOTE: The GSC will seek information from the Graduate College and related administrative offices to maintain communications with those offices on issues directly related to them. Council recommendations are to be submitted to the Executive Board in the form of a memorandum of action (MOA) on which the recommendation(s) is/are stated. Draft MOAs should be submitted using the MOA template.

REPORTING: The GSC chairperson shall provide a written report of the council’s accomplishments and progress for the year; list the above charges noting each item’s progress and current status; any other activities undertaken; and draft charges for the 2027-28 academic year, no later than May 30, 2027. Reports should be submitted using the Year-End Report template.