The work of the Council is carried out on a biweekly basis. Historically the Council has made such decisions as requiring GRE exams for all graduate applicants, and the establishment and modification of the present Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College.
All graduate faculty are eligible for membership.
Because its decisions and advice have far-reaching consequences for all areas of the University of Iowa, last spring the graduate faculty increased the number of Council faculty representatives from nine to 12, with at least one faculty representative from each college. The number of student members, who are selected by the Graduate Student Senate, was increased from three to four. Additionally, two at-large Council members are chosen by the graduate faculty as a whole.