7.1 Senate
The University Senate consists of approximately 65 members, including the Chancellor, the President (Chair), the Vice-Presidents and Vice-Provosts, the Vice-Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies, the Faculty Deans, three members from the Board of Governors, four members from the Alumni Association, and 32 faculty members. In addition, there are 12 student members, one graduate and one undergraduate from each of the six Faculties. The students are elected by and from the students in their respective Faculties.
The Senate has ultimate responsibility for determining academic policy, which includes new academic programs, changes in curriculum, standards for admission to the University, matters arising in connection with the award of scholarships and prizes, examination policy, academic regulations, procedures for student appeals, criteria and procedures for granting tenure and promotion to faculty members, the codes of conduct for students and so on. Website: http://www.mcmaster.ca/univsec
7.2 Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is a deliberative, administrative, and executive body responsible directly to Senate but otherwise autonomous. Its membership consists of the Chancellor, the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Vice-Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies (Chair), the Associate Deans of Graduate Studies, the Faculty Deans, the University Librarian, the University Registrar, the Secretary of Senate, the Vice-President (Research and International Affairs), the Assistant Dean (Graduate Student Life and Research Training, the Director of Finance of the School of Graduate Studies, the Associate Graduate Registrar and Secretary of the School of Graduate Studies, eighteen faculty members (three from each faculty), and twelve graduate students (two from each faculty).
The responsibilities of the Graduate Council have been specified in some detail by Senate and are outlined in the By-laws of the Senate of McMaster University and the Senate Resolutions. The more significant ones may be summarized by noting that it regulates matters concerning graduate work of common concern to the entire University, acts upon recommendations concerning graduate work from each Faculty upon matters of particular concern to that Faculty, reports to Senate on graduate matters, recommends candidates for graduate degrees, stipulates conditions for the awarding of graduate scholarships, and stipulates the departments eligible to offer graduate work.
7.2.1 Executive Committee of Graduate Council
The Executive Committee of Graduate Council is composed of the Vice-Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies (who acts as Chair), the Associate Deans of Graduate Studies as Deputy Chairs, the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), one faculty member from each Faculty, and the Associate Graduate Registrar and Secretary of Graduate Studies.
The Executive acts as nominating committee, academic policy committee, and on any other matters put before it by Graduate Council or the Vice-Provost & Dean. This body acts on behalf of Council in instances where there is some urgency (e.g., during the summer months when there are no regularly scheduled meetings).
7.2.2 Scholarships Committee of Graduate Council
The Scholarships Committee of Graduate Council is composed of the Associate Deans of Graduate Studies (who act as co-chairs) and faculty members (representing all six faculties). This committee is responsible for acting upon all recommendations and applications for internal endowed fellowships and scholarships, and external scholarships.
7.3 Standing Committees
7.3.1 Faculty Graduate Curriculum and Policy Committees
Each of the six Faculties has a Committee on Graduate Curriculum and Policy which is responsible for dealing with matters of policy and curriculum affecting the Faculty, including new developments, course changes, changes in degree requirements, and new programs and fields of study arising from departmental proposals. The Faculty then acts upon the recommendations of this committee.
7.3.2 Faculty Graduate Admissions and Study Committees
For each Faculty, there is also a Committee on Graduate Admissions and Study responsible for determining admissibility of any applicant on the recommendation of the department, approving each student’s course program, reviewing annually the progress of each student, making necessary decisions thereon, recommending awarding of degrees, deciding upon applications from students for special consideration, and acts on the final decisions from a hearings committee for student appeals and cases of alleged academic dishonesty and research misconduct. Normally, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for the Faculty handles the matters on behalf of the committee. The Secretary of all Committees, to whom business items may be addressed, is the Associate Graduate Registrar and Secretary of Graduate Studies.
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