The Graduate Council establishes regulations and standards for graduate study with the approval of the Faculty Senate and advises the vice provost of graduate studies on exceptions or adjustments to policy. Graduate Council members assist with:
- Reviewing graduate program curriculum proposals: Proposals for new curricula or revisions to existing curricula (R401s) are reviewed and approved by the Graduate Council.
- Reviewing changes to Graduate School policy: Changes to Graduate School requirements (e.g., admission requirements) are reviewed and approved by the Graduate Council.
Members
The Graduate Council includes one representative from each of the eight colleges/schools, a representative from the Faculty Senate, a representative from the library and the USUSA graduate senator and graduate director, all of whom are voting members. The council is chaired by Dr. Richard Cutler, vice provost of Graduate Studies. An associate vice president for research serves as a non-voting member on the council.
The Graduate Council sends one member as a representative to the Curriculum Committee and one to the Educational Policies Committee.
All college faculty representatives serve four-year terms with two new members elected each year. The Faculty Senate representative is nominated by the Faculty Senate for a two-year term. The graduate students are appointed for one-year terms by the Graduate Student Senate.
| Member | Representing | Term End | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Reeve | Agriculture | jennifer.reeve@usu.edu | 2021 |
| John Neely | Arts | john.neely@usu.edu | 2024 |
| Chad Albrecht | Business | chad.albrecht@usu.edu | 2022 |
| Shelley Lindauer | Education | shelley.lindauer@usu.edu | 2022 |
| Rose Hu | Engineering | rose.hu@usu.edu | 2021 |
| Colleen O’Neill | Humanities | colleen.oneill@usu.edu | 2022 |
| Jim Lutz | Natural Resources | james.lutz@usu.edu | 2022 |
| Sean Johnson | Science | sean.johnson@usu.edu | 2023 |
| Jia Zhao | Faculty Senate | jia.zhao@usu.edu | 2026 |
| Jeanne Davidson | Library | jeanne.davidson@usu.edu | 2023 |
| Richard Cutler | Chair, Vice Provost of Graduate Studies | richard.cutler@usu.edu | |
| Niyonta Nahia Chowdhury-Magaña | USUSA Graduate Senator | gradsenator.ususa@usu.edu | 2022 |
| Brenna Merrill | Graduate Studies Director Graduate Student Council President |
graddirector.ususa@usu.edu | 2022 |
| Alexa Sand | Office of Research | alexa.sand@usu.edu | Non-expiring, Ex officio |
Meetings
The Graduate Council meets monthly during the academic year, typically on the third Wednesday of each month.
Agenda items are due by 5 p.m. on the dates listed below. Meeting agendas are distributed before each meeting.
If you are unable to attend a meeting, please contact Nicholas Berg and provide the name of who will substitute for you.
| Meeting Date | Agenda Items Due Date |
|---|---|
| Sept. 21 | Sep. 12 |
| Oct. 19 | Oct. 10 |
| Nov. 16 | Nov. 7 |
| Jan. 18 | Jan. 9 |
| Feb. 15 | Feb. 6 |
| Mar. 15 | Mar. 6 |
| Apr. 19 | Apr. 10 |