APPENDIX 1—J

POLICIES GOVERNING PROFESSIONAL DEGREE COUNCILS

I—Purpose

The purpose of the Professional Degree Councils shall be to ensure the basic governance intent for professional programs as depicted in the attached organizational chart. Provision for such councils were recommended by the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Graduate Studies and Research on May 9, 1984 and subsequently, authorized by the Board of Trustees on July 30, 1984.

II—Terms of Reference

Section 1

Professional Degree Councils shall have the following terms of reference:

1. Have the delegated authority from the faculty of the sponsoring school to act as a Courses and Curriculum Committee for the professional program.
2. Develop academic, department, financial, and other policies of the program.
3. Review and approve program development policies and procedures.
4. Implement approved policy.
5. Formulate and approve general education requirements after consultation with the university General Education Committee.
6. Maintain appropriate communication with the other structural elements of the university.

Section 2

Professional Degree Councils shall be responsible to the faculty of the sponsoring school and the Professional Faculty of the university for its activities. (See Appendix 1-CC for authority and role of the Professional Faculty.)

Section 3

A Professional Degree Council shall be proposed by the Dean of the school for each professional degree- granting department whose faculty requests such a council. Approval of such a council shall be recommended by the faculty of the school and voted by the Board of Trustees.

III—Membership

Section 1

Members of the Professional Degree Councils are annually appointed by the president of the university; after consultation with the chair of the Department, the Dean of the school, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research and the Provost.

Section 2

Members of the Professional Degree Councils are selected to provide input from faculty within the department and from representative faculty selected from persons in other departments who are familiar with the needs of the department. Advice is also obtained from administrators who are ex officio.

Section 3

Specific membership details are as follows:

1. Ex-officio members: (3)
   1. Deans of the respective school;
   2. Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research if graduate degrees are offered by the program, (advisory without vote);
   3. Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the respective school; if graduate degrees are offered by the program (without vote except when acting on behalf of the Dean).
   4. Provost
2. All department faculties
3. A faculty representative from another department granting professional degrees who is nominated by the department: (1)
4. Faculty nominated by the department who teach in the program or who teach cognates required by the program.: (2)

Section 4

A membership term of service shall be for three years with rotation to provide continuity.

Section 5

Vacancies to the Council are filled by the president of the university; in the same manner as described in Section 1 above.

Section 6

The officers of the Professional Degree Councils shall be:

1. Chair: Dean of the school.
2. Vice-Chair (if graduate degree is offered): Coordinator of the Graduate Programs in the school.
3. Secretary: Chair, Department

Section 7

The duties of the officers of the Professional Degree Council shall be as follows:

1. Chair: Calls and presides at meetings of the Council and prepares the agenda in counsel with the secretary of the Council.
2. Vice-Chair: In the absence of the chair, the vice-chair officiates with the same privileges.
3. Secretary: Assists the chair in developing the agenda for the Council. Also keeps minutes of all meetings of the Council and circulates the same to those people eligible to receive them.

IV—Disposition of Minutes of the Professional Degree Council

Section 1

Minutes of the Council are distributed to all members of the Council, and all members of the Faculty of the respective school. If actions of the Council are not questioned within fourteen days after the minutes were circulated, they become part of the official actions of the Faculty meetings of the school.

Section 2

Actions of the council, which are questioned, are automatically referred to a specially appointed ad hoc faculty committee known as the Professional Degree Faculty Review Committee for final mediation. The recommendations of this ad hoc Committee on the matter of concern shall be considered binding.

V—Meetings

Section 1

Meetings of the Physical Therapy Professional Degree Councils shall meet at least once every quarter.

Section 2

Additional meetings of the Council may be convened at the call of the Council Chair as requested by the Department Chair.

Section 3

Notice of meetings shall be received at least seven days prior to the date scheduled for the meeting.

Section 4

A quorum shall be seven (7) with no less than five (5) professional faculty members present.