Governance of the Ph.D. Program

The program is administered by the Executive Officer and through various committees.

The committee structure that governs the program and the responsibilities of each of these committees are summarized below. Only full-time doctoral faculty are eligible to serve on program committees. They are elected for a period of three years to coincide with the term of office of the Executive Officer. Each committee has student representatives who are elected by the student body for a term of one year. All students in good standing are eligible to vote for student members of the Committees. Students shall be full participants and voting members of all committees with the following exceptions: (1) Student members shall participate, but not vote, on matters affecting individual faculty members. (2) Students may not participate or vote on matters affecting individual students.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee has overall responsibility for the operation of the program. It develops and sets policies that govern the general activities of the program, and with the Faculty Membership Committee conducts a continuing review of the doctoral faculty. The Executive Committee works with the relevant college departments in recruiting new faculty.

Faculty Membership Committee

This committee nominates members of the program’s faculty with a view toward including faculty newly appointed at the colleges; maintains a roster of potential doctoral faculty appointments; and reviews all other actions taken in regard to membership on the doctoral faculty.

Curriculum and Examination Committee

This committee reviews the curriculum, recommends curricular changes, and recommends procedures and standards for the conduct of examinations. This committee recommends admission and awards procedures and standards for the program, and administers the procedures.

Election Committee

The Executive Committee appoints an Election Committee. The Committee is composed of the Executive Officer, three faculty members and three student members. The Faculty and Student Election Committee determine nominations for election of faculty or students to Graduate Council, the Executive Committee and standing committees. The Executive Officer is an ex-officio member of the Committee.

Student Advisory Committee

The Student Advisory Committee is composed of student representatives from each of three major committees of the program: Executive, Curriculum and Examination, Faculty Membership; and from Graduate Council and Doctoral Students Council. This five-member student committee may address issues affecting any aspect of student and program concern and communicate them directly to the Executive Officer and/or any of the foregoing committees. The committee will meet with the Executive Officer each semester if necessary.

Social Committee

The Social Committee is composed of first-year students who are matriculated on a full-time basis and serve for the initial academic year. The committee is responsible for all social activities that occur during the year.

Graduate Council

The Graduate Council is the academic governing body of The Graduate Center. Members of the Council include voting representatives of the faculty, students and administration. The Council is concerned with such matters as curriculum, degree requirements, standards of admission, academic performance and program governance. Much of the work of the Council is done through its standing committees. Each program elects faculty and student representatives to serve on the Council.

Doctoral Students’ Council

The Doctor Students' Council is the sole policymaking body representing students at the Graduate Center. Each program has representatives to the council who are elected on a proportional basis according to the number of students enrolled in the particular program. The DSC election for representatives is usually held in April. Students are advised to consult the Student Handbook for additional information regarding the functions of the DSC.

Back to Top