Southern Polytechnic State University Original Date: February, 1989
Policy and Procedure Manual Previous Revisions: March 10, 2006
P & P 203.07 Approved: July 19, 2007
This section describes the Graduate Programs Committee, as set forth in the statutes (VI.A.2.a). The Graduate Programs Committee (GPC) is one of the standing committees of the faculty.
The Graduate Programs Committee shall consist of one graduate faculty representative elected from each academic department having a graduate degree program.
Each department having a graduate degree program elects a representative from the eligible Faculty in Spring Semester every other year. Representatives then serve a two-year term beginning the following Fall Semester, with one half of the members' terms expiring each year to preserve continuity. The committee elects a chairperson each year. He or she calls meetings as needed, but no less than twice per academic semester and during the summer as needed.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Director of Graduate Studies, the Director of the Library, the Registrar, and the Deans of schools that have graduate programs are non-voting, ex-officio members.
Responsibility of the Committee
The Graduate Programs Committee receives, reviews, and makes recommendations on
proposed graduate admission requirements
policy on academic standing for graduate students
petitions from graduate students for exceptions to academic regulations stated in the catalog
petitions from graduate students for exceptions to curriculum requirements for graduation
requests for new graduate curricula
modifications to existing graduate curricula
appointments of faculty members to graduate status
policies and procedures governing graduate programs and their administration, faculty, organizational structure, and instructional programs
cross-university graduate-level scholarship and activities
1. Department Chairs submit requests for changes to existing courses or programs or proposals for new courses to the Dean of their school, following the guidelines established by the Graduate Programs Committee. The request form can be found on the web, currently at http://www2.spsu.edu/registrar/committees.html.
2. The Dean will forward the request to the Graduate Programs Committee with his or her recommendation.
3. The GPC Chair or Secretary receives the request and forwards individual copies of the request to the GPC members, Deans, Department Chairs, and Administrators prior to the GPC meeting.
4. The committee may consider the matter during its regularly scheduled meeting each semester or call a special meeting to address the request.
5. Recommendations of the committee are included in minutes. An electronic copy and a signed copy of the minutes are forward to the Secretary of the Faculty. Committee minutes are then distributed to the faculty and presented for a vote at the General Faculty meeting.
1. Students complete a form which they obtain from the Registrar's Office to petition for a change in or exception to academic regulations or curriculum requirements.
i. If the petition corresponds to individual courses, the course instructor’s signatures and recommendations should be sought, and the courses Department Chair’s signatures and recommendations must be present.
ii. The form must also be signed by the Department Chair in the student's major, along with his or her recommendation.
iii. The form will then be submitted by the student to the Registrars Office.
2. The Registrar will forward the request to the Graduate Programs Committee.
3. The GPC Chair or Secretary receives the request and forwards individual copies of the request to the GPC members, Deans, Department Chairs, and Administrators prior to the GPC meeting.
4. The committee may consider the matter during its regularly scheduled meeting each semester or call a special meeting to address the request.
5. The secretary of the committee issues signed minutes describing its recommendations, which are forwarded to the Secretary of the Faculty for distribution to the Faculty.
6. After consideration by the faculty, the student and his/her major department are notified. Each receives a copy of the form indicating the committee’s decision. The department’s copy is placed in the student’s file.
7. Decisions of the Graduate Programs Committee regarding student petitions may be appealed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Appeals should be in writing, providing necessary documentation and stating all relevant facts.
This is governed by P&P No. 803.01.01
1. Issues are submitted for consideration by any member of the committee.
2. The GPC Chair or Secretary receives the request and forwards individual copies of the request to the GPC members, Deans, Department Chairs, and Administrators prior to the GPC meeting.
3. The committee may consider the matter during its regularly scheduled meeting each semester or call a special meeting to address the request.
4. Recommendations of the committee are included in minutes. An electronic copy and a signed copy of the minutes are forward to the Secretary of the Faculty. Committee minutes are then distributed to the faculty and presented for a vote at the General Faculty meeting.