The Mission of the Graduate Council: 

The mission of the Graduate Council at Central Washington University is to ensure that programs provide a high quality graduate school experience for students, to foster exceptional faculty scholarship and teaching, and to promote contributions to society through effective post-baccalaureate programs.

Graduate Council By-laws

Information about the Graduate Council:

The Graduate Council is the faculty council that is responsible for proposing policy in an advisory capacity to the School of Graduate Studies and Research in terms of the academic standards of graduate programs, the curriculum offered by the graduate programs, procedures governing who may be part of the graduate faculty, minimum admission standards for students to the graduate school, and other issues that relate to faculty governance of the graduate programs.  The council may serve in advisory capacity at the request of graduate students, graduate faculty, university administration, or others requiring advice on issues that involve the graduate school and/or graduate programs.  The Graduate Council seeks to support the School of Graduate Studies and Research at Central Washington University in both mission and vision.

The Graduate Council is comprised of the graduate coordinators of graduate programs that have been properly vetted and approved by the Graduate Council, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Faculty Senate.  The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, sit in an ex officio capacity on the council.  Other non-voting members may sit on the council if the council deems it appropriate (e.g. graduate students and the Provost).  The chair of the council and the chair of the standing committees (Academic Standards Committee, Curriculum Committee, and the Procedures Committee) are elected to two year terms by members of the council.  Chair of the Graduate Council serves as the chair of the council’s executive committee with the chairs of the other standing committees making up the rest of the executive council.  The Chair of the Academic Standards Committee serves as the vice chair of the council.

COUNCIL MEETINGS
Graduate Council meetings for 2021-2022 Academic Year will Take Place from 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Executive: This committee represents the leadership of Graduate Council and serves as the representative advisory body to the graduate dean. This committee meets regularly with the Dean to receive updates about internal and external activities that impact graduate education at CWU. The committee also works with the Dean to strategize/set priorities for graduate studies at CWU.

Non-Voting Ex Officio Executive Members:

Procedures: This committee reviews applications for membership on the graduate faculty. This committee also sets the standards for membership on graduate faculty (e.g. terminal degree status, research activity, etc.). It considers the applications of outside (i.e. outside of CWU) thesis committee members for temporary 'courtesy' graduate faculty membership. The Chair of this committee also serves on the Executive Committee of Graduate Council.
 

Curriculum: This committee reviews changes to existing courses/programs and reviews new courses and programs. It also reviews programs every 5 years to ensure that those programs meet discipline-specific graduate standards as well as standards set by the graduate faculty. The Chair of this committee also serves on the Executive Committee of Graduate Council.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Committee: This committee works within the Graduate Council and across the university to address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity that impact graduate students, faculty and staff. This committee engages with various stakeholders to create a learning environment that is responsive to the needs of all students. This committee is a resource for all graduate students, faculty and staff who seek guidance, support, or education on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. This committee strives to identify and promote the scholastic achievements of CWU students, faculty, and staff which focus on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity.  Finally, this committee is empowered to examine all aspects of graduate education through the lenses of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. The chair of this committee serves on the executive committee of the Graduate Council.

Academic Standards: This committee reviews existing and/or develops academic policies and procedures for graduate studies. Examples of policies include: minimum admissions standards, requirements for international students, conditional admits (stated conditions, number of admits/year in program/graduate studies overall), probation, dismissal, and capstone requirements. The Chair of this committee also serves on the Executive Committee of Graduate Council.

Additional Links:

• Full list of graduate programs and coordinators

• Meeting Minutes

• Graduate Faculty Recommendation Form