Graduate Council

Our Charge and Responsibilities

The Graduate Council shall advise the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies on matters pertaining to graduate study at the University of Oregon.

Specifically, and in addition to its advisory role, the Graduate Council:  

(1)  Establishes policies and regulations governing graduate study at the University of Oregon, and reviews and votes to approve changes or additions to such policies.

(2) Reviews and votes to approve new graduate programs, revisions to degree requirements for existing graduate programs, and other changes to existing graduate programs, while ensuring highest standards for graduate education.

(3) Reviews and makes recommendations to the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies on academic grievance appeals in accordance with the University’s established grievance procedures.

(4) Provides input and guidance to the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies on initiatives aimed at enhancing excellence, diversity, and access in graduate education.

(4) Provides University administration and Unit leaders across campus with opinion and counsel on university affairs affecting graduate education and graduate students, including issues of equity in service to graduate students.

Contact Us

senatecoordinator@uoregon.edu

Committee Type: Standing
Committee Category: Academic and Research
Selection Process: Elected
Time Commitment: 20-40 hours per year

Members

Academic Year 2024-2025

Seat: Voting Member
Term: -
Gabriela Martinez
gmartine@uoregon.edu
Teaching Faculty
Journalism and Communication
Journalism and Communication
Elected

Seat: Co-Chair , Voting Member
Term: -
Kathryn Mills
klmills@uoregon.edu
Teaching Faculty
CAS - Natural Sciences
Psychology Department
Elected

Seat: Co-Chair , Voting Member
Term: -
Barbara Muraca
bmuraca@uoregon.edu
Teaching Faculty
CAS - Humanities
Philosophy Department
Elected

View All 20 Committee Members

Quick Facts on Committee Service

Annual Committee appointment process for the 2021-2022 academic year is currently in process.

Please check back for updated membership.

Graduate Council

Leadership Structure

  • Chair: elected from the committee membership
  • Convener: Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
  • Staff: Office of the Provost for Graduate Studies

Election Schedule for the Chair: At the first meeting of fall term (usually October)

Membership Requirements

General Membership

Membership is fixed at 14 voting members, with no two from the same CAS department. The 12 teaching faculty must be at rank of Assistant Professor or above):

  • 2 faculty from CAS Humanities
  • 2 faculty from CAS Natural Sciences
  • 2 faculty from CAS Social Sciences
  • 1 faculty from College of Design
  • 1 faculty from College of Business
  • 1 faculty from College of Education
  • 1 faculty from School of Journalism & Communication
  • 1 faculty from School of Music & Dance
  • 1 faculty from Law School

The elected faculty members of the Graduate Council shall come from departments that have graduate major programs leading to a graduate degree and are conducted under the jurisdiction of the Division of Graduate Studies.

  • 1 Masters Student, chosen by Graduate School
  • 1 Doctoral Student, chosen by Graduate School

Ex-Officio, voting members

  • Representative from UO Committee on Courses (UOCC)

Ex-Officio, non-voting members

  • Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
  • Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Studies

The Vice Provost for Graduate Studies shall be empowered to appoint other Ex Officio, Non-Voting members to represent important constituencies of graduate students and faculty as needed.

Terms and Workload

Length of Term

  • Non-Students (faculty, OA's, OR's, Classified): 3 years, staggered
  • Students: 1 year
  • Ex Officio: indefinite

Term Limits

  • For the Chair: 1 term
  • For Committee Members: 2 consecutive terms
  • Ex Officio: none

Workload Designation

  • For the Chair: 20 - 40 hours/year (Tier 2). The chair (or designee) is an Ex Officio, Voting member of the Academic Council (Tier 3: 0 - 20 hours/year), and the Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards Committee (Tier 3: 0 - 20 hours/year).
  • For committee members: 20 - 40 hours/year (Tier 2)