Governance and Principles
Governance and Principles
Approved by the Board of Governors on July 19, 2000, the School of Graduate Studies is an academic unit within the University of Lethbridge (hereafter referred to as the “University”) whose activities and functions complement those of other faculties and schools. Like other faculties and schools, the School of Graduate Studies functions under the provisions of the Post-Secondary Learning Act, and its governing and administrative structures follow the processes and procedures approved by General Faculties Council (GFC) and the Board of Governors. The School of Graduate Studies has a broad mandate to facilitate the development, improvement, and advancement of graduate education at the University. Working closely with all faculties and schools, it does so by maintaining and establishing quality graduate programs, by providing institutional support for graduate students, faculty, and existing programs and by maintaining a close relationship between graduate education and quality research, performance, and creative activities.
Subject to the control of the GFC, the School of Graduate Studies’ Graduate Council (hereafter referred to as the “Graduate Council”) is the governing body of the School and has the mandate to enact and amend standing rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of the School’s business. This mandate is carried out in collaboration and co-operation with the graduate program committees, which are subject to the control of the Graduate Council. Like other faculty and school councils, the Graduate Council shall have an Executive Committee. It may also establish standing or ad-hoc committees to perform various functions or to serve specific purposes.
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies chairs the Graduate Council and its Executive Committee, and reports to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic). The Dean is responsible for the general supervision, facilitation, and administration of graduate education, ensuring that each program meets the requisite academic standards and conforms to principles and policies set out by GFC and the School of Graduate Studies. The Dean works closely with the Deans of Faculties and Schools, and with graduate program committee chairs, in order to further the academic objectives of the University.
The guiding principles of the School of Graduate Studies are
- to support graduate students in applying for, registering in, and completing their graduate programs at the University of Lethbridge;
- to encourage and support the creation of new graduate programming that meets the strategic objectives of the University of Lethbridge;
- to identify and address barriers in access to graduate programs in accordance with best practices in EDI; and
- to ensure that the University of Lethbridge continues to provide high quality relevant graduate opportunities.
Membership and Associate Membership of the School
With the establishment of the School of Graduate Studies, the GFC and the Board of Governors deemed it desirable to establish University criteria for membership of faculty members in the School of Graduate Studies, to ensure and enhance the academic quality of graduate studies at the University.
Membership in the School of Graduate Studies is divided into two status categories, those being members and associate members,
Criteria for Membership
To be a member of the School of Graduate Studies, the individual shall be:
- a member of the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association;
- normally an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor at the University of Lethbridge, holding the terminal degree appropriate to the field; and
- demonstrate evidence of a continuing record of productivity in scholarship, research, creative work, or performance.
Duties and Responsibilities of Members
Members of the School of Graduate Studies are eligible for consideration to engage in the following graduate education activities:
- instruct a graduate course;
- chair a graduate comprehensive examination committee;
- chair a graduate thesis/dissertation/project examination committee;
- supervise a graduate student;
- be a member of a graduate supervisory committee;
- be a member of a comprehensive examination committee;
- be a member of a thesis examination committee;
- be a member of a Doctor of Philosophy transfer examination committee;
- be a chair or member of a graduate program committee; and
- be considered a member of the Graduate Council and/or of a committee of the School of Graduate Studies, based on criteria established for each.
Criteria for Associate Membership
Associate Membership exists to accommodate individuals who may not meet criteria for full membership in the School of Graduate Studies, but who are qualified to teach and/or supervise graduate students at the University. Associate Members may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Indigenous Elders, Indigenous community leaders, or Traditional Knowledge Holders;
- University of Lethbridge faculty members in non-professorial ranks;
- emeritus and retired University of Lethbridge faculty members;
- faculty members employed at external post-secondary institutions; or
- credentialed professionals working external to the university.
To be an associate member of the School of Graduate Studies the individual shall normally:
- possess a relevant terminal degree appropriate for the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor at an accredited university;
- demonstrate evidence of a continuing record of productivity in teaching, research, creative work, performance, or other professional activity appropriate for the fulfillment of duties and responsibilities of an associate member; or
- possess significant Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous community standing appropriate for the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities of an associate member.
Other rationale for Associate Membership will be considered.
Duties and Responsibilities of Associate Members
Duties and Responsibilities of Associate Members
Associate members of the School of Graduate Studies are eligible for consideration to engage in the following graduate education activities:
- instruct a graduate course under a contractual arrangement with the University of Lethbridge;
- co-instruct a graduate independent studies course with a member of the School of Graduate Studies;
- co-supervise a graduate student;
- be a member of a graduate supervisory committee;
- be a member of a comprehensive examination committee;
- be a member of a thesis examination committee; and
- be a member of a Doctor of Philosophy transfer examination committee.
Processes for Membership and Associate Membership
a) Membership in the School of Graduate Studies is not mandatory for faculty members of the University. A faculty member who wishes to seek membership in the School of Graduate Studies must be recommended by the Dean of their faculty/school.
b)Individuals who are not faculty members may seek associate membership in the School of Graduate Studies. These individuals must be recommended for associate membership by the Dean of the faculty/school in which the relevant graduate program is delivered. The Dean of the faculty/school must indicate the requested length of the term and the nature of the duties that will be assigned to the prospective associate member.
c) The Dean of each faculty/school shall recommend individuals meeting the criteria for membership or associate membership to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, who will review and approve all requests by delegated authority from Graduate Council.
d) Where a Dean of a faculty or school considers that an individual warrants membership or associate membership, but that individual does not meet normal eligibility criteria, the Dean may recommend them providing a rationale for why membership or associate membership is warranted. In cases where an individual recommended for membership or associate membership does not meet the normal eligibility criteria, such cases will come to the Executive Committee of Graduate Council for review and approval by delegated authority from Graduate Council1. When quorum of the Executive Committee cannot be obtained, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies will evaluate such cases by delegated authority from Graduate Council.
e) Membership in the School of Graduate Studies is on a continuing basis, unless otherwise specified (e.g., for term appointees and adjuncts), provided the member remains employed as a faculty member at the University. Associate membership is normally granted only for a limited term, for the purpose of performing specified duties. It is strongly recommended that members on leave who are involved in supervisory activities appoint co-supervisors who will serve in this role for the duration of the leave.
f) Membership or associate membership of an individual may be revoked for cause. Where revocation of membership or associate membership is contemplated for a University of Lethbridge Faculty Association (ULFA) member, such action will be held to constitute major discipline and the appropriate provisions of the Faculty Handbook shall be invoked accordingly. Where revocation is contemplated for a non-ULFA member, such action shall be undertaken at the discretion of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.