Article I

Name

Graduate Council

Article II

Mission

Graduate programs at Ithaca College provide advanced preparation in specific fields based on the recognition that effective leadership in these and related fields requires additional knowledge and specialized skills beyond the baccalaureate level. Graduate education at Ithaca College involves the attainment of both an extended and more sophisticated knowledge of the discipline. In the course of graduate study, students enhance their ability to apply new skills and information to challenging professional situations. Graduate study in these disciplines fosters the qualities that characterize an educated person and skilled professional: logical interpretation and application of information; independent thought; intellectual and creative initiative; and an informed approach to problems and situations.

Article III

Function of the Graduate Council

The Graduate Council determines and recommends to the Provost and vice president for educational affairs policies and procedures in the general administration and conduct of the graduate program, including approval of the members of the graduate faculty. The council is responsible for reviewing and recommending curricula, determining the eligibility of candidates for degrees, and prescribing the conditions on which degrees are awarded.

Article IV

Bylaws

The council shall have the authority to make bylaws on such matters as membership, meeting procedures, voting, elections, committees, and other organizational matters and needs of the council. Such bylaws may not be in conflict with the charter or bylaws of the Ithaca College Board of Trustees or any other governing group recognized by the Board of Trustees of Ithaca College.

Article V

Amendments to the Constitution

Amendments to the constitution of the Graduate Council may be proposed to the council at any time by any member. If necessary, the council may choose to establish an ad hoc committee to address issues surrounding the proposal. The proposal must be submitted to all council members at the regularly scheduled council meeting prior to the meeting at which the proposal will be considered for a vote. The constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote of approval by the Graduate Council. To accommodate this procedure, absentee votes by ballot are required from members who wish to vote and are unable to attend the meeting. Such ballots are to be delivered to the council chair prior to the meeting at which the amendment is being considered. The council must assure the proposal does not conflict with the Ithaca College governance structure as found in section 1.6 of the Ithaca College Policy Manual.

Article I

Membership

Membership on the Graduate Council includes a chair of the council, deans of the schools offering graduate programs, the registrar, the director of continuing education and summer sessions, the chair of each graduate program, and one student representative from each graduate program. Student terms are for one year, but the student may be reappointed, the registrar and the director of continuing education and summer sessions serve the council as ex-officio non-voting members.

Article II

Policy Changes

The council reserves the right to change any graduate policy stated in this policy manual and the Ithaca College Graduate Catalog and to add and delete courses as it deems necessary without prior notice. The graduate programs at Ithaca College are registered with the New York State Education Department.

Article III

Amendment Procedures

Follow procedures as outlined in Article V (found above) of the Constitution of the Graduate Council.

Article IV

Voting

Each member of the council is a voting member except the dean of Graduate Studies and ex-officio members. A majority of the voting members constitutes a quorum. Approval of motions, other than amendments to the constitution or bylaws, requires a majority vote of the quorum.