Graduate Studies Council

The Graduate Studies Council (GSC) prepares and recommends for approval to the Senate all institutional policies, procedures and regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. The GSC is engaged in the on-going review and oversight of all matters related to graduate studies, including but not limited to, graduate curriculum, academic regulations and policies (including degree and program requirements), academic standards, academic awards and academic or non-academic student services. The GSC sets the criteria for membership in the Graduate Faculty and oversees the development of new graduate programs.

Terms of Reference

The Graduate Studies Council is composed of the following members:                 

• Vice-President Academic & Research or Designate (non-voting)    
• Dean/Director of Graduate Studies or Designate (non-voting)
• Registrar or designate (non-voting)
• Executive Director of Library Services or designate (non-voting)
• Deans of Faculties with graduate programs, or Designate    
• Graduate Advisors / Graduate Chairs from each graduate program 
• 1 Full Graduate Faculty member from each of the following disciplines Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, and Education, elected by the Graduate Faculty for 2 year
• 1 graduate student from each discipline area (Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, and Education

• Recommend to the Senate the new academic policies, procedures and regulations of the School of Graduate Studies
• Advise the Senate on the necessary resources and support for graduate studies and to recommend to the Senate the introduction of new services or changes to existing services which would enhance the graduate student experience or make the University more attractive to prospective graduate students;         
• Revise and up-date the regulations and procedures of current graduate programs for harmonization throughout the SGS
• Review student admission policies for graduate programs and make recommendations to the Dean/Director of Graduate Studies or Designate of Graduate Studies
• Ensure adherence to time-to-completion requirements
• Recommend to the Senate changes to graduate curriculum or proposals for new graduate programs 
• Assist departments in the development of new graduate programs, in compliance with IQAP requirements
• Finalize proposals for new programs, including the Business Plan, before submission to APC and the Senate
• Make recommendations on any matter related to graduate studies to the appropriate Senate Committees (APC, URC)
• Periodically review the overall graduate awards program of the University, and make recommendations to Senate regarding changes in the program       
• Ensure that all existing and new graduate scholarships, medals, bursaries and other awards are consistent with established and approved terms, conditions and criteria. Review and approve nominations for graduate scholarships (Tri-council, OCGS, others)
• Review the annual report on the School of Graduate Studies’                                  activities
• Establish the criteria for membership in the Graduate Faculty                                   following OCGS standard

• Review and approve admissions of existing faculty members to the Graduate Faculty in accordance with SGS and OCGS criteria    
• Make the final selections of students eligible for academic awards, as identified by the Registrar Office
• Review the report following their periodic appraisal of a program and to recommend to the Senate any measure that could improve the program

   * decisions are final and may not be appealed

The Graduate Studies Council will ensure that other administrative services whose support is required for the development or management of the graduate program and resources are consulted prior to the meetings and that resource persons are informed and/or invited to the meetings.