1.7.2.17.2 Bylaws of the Graduate Council

Bylaw 1: Membership

Section A: Council Membership

Voting members of the Graduate Council include the chair or director of each graduate program and the School Dean, or their designee. The Associate Provost of Graduate and Professional Studies and a representative from the Admissions Office and Office of the Registrar serve on the council as ex-officio, non-voting members.

Section B: Graduate Council Chair

One faculty member of graduate council serves as chair. The chair also serves as the representative to the APC – Curriculum Committee. As representative, the chair will speak for Graduate Council and the interests of the graduate programs and serve as a liaison regarding proposals that affect graduate curriculum. Graduate council members will elect a chair by majority vote. The election will take place in April before the academic year in which new chair takes office. The chair will serve a two-year term and may be reelected without term limits.

Bylaw 2: Meetings

Regular meetings will be held 1 time per month on Mondays of the academic year. Meetings may be held in-person or virtually, at the discretion of the Associate Provost of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Bylaw 3: Proposals and Motions

Any member of the graduate council may make a proposal or motion at any time.

To be considered a motion on the agenda, constitutional or policy amendment proposals must be submitted to all members at least 30 days before the next regularly scheduled council meeting. The council must ensure the proposal does not conflict with the Ithaca College Policy Manual.

Curricular or other general business motions will be placed on the agenda 1-2 weeks in advance of the regularly scheduled meeting or may be proposed during the meeting.

Bylaw 4: Voting

Section A: Regular Voting

A vote may be held at any regular meeting, whether that meeting is in-person or held virtually. Quorum is established when a majority of eligible voters are present. Approval of curriculum or other general business motions requires a majority vote. Approval of amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws requires 2/3 vote.

Section B: Special Cases Voting

At times, an electronic vote (asynchronous) is necessary. Quorum is established by electronic receipt of the ballot. Approval is determined by the bylaws established in Bylaw 4, Section 1.

Section C: Absentee Voting

Absentee ballots may be accepted from members unable to attend a meeting. Absentee ballots must be sent electronically to the council chair prior to the meeting at which the motion is being considered.

Bylaw 5: Graduate Curriculum

The graduate programs at Ithaca College are registered with the New York State Education Department. All graduate program curricular changes will follow the established College, department, and school processes for development and approval. Once approved by the relevant school committees, graduate curricular changes move to APC-(Curriculum). Reports on curricular revisions that are approved or discussed at APC-(Curriculum) will be communicated back to Graduate Council by the Graduate Council chair.