The Graduate Council establishes regulations and standards for graduate study with the approval of the Faculty Senate and advises the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies on exceptions or adjustments to policy. All college faculty representatives serve four-year terms, with two 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. The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies chairs the council and rules on all exceptions or adjustments to policy by and with the advice of the council.
Terms are for three years.
Council members are nominated within their respective units of the University and are appointed to the council by the Provost. The chair of the council is the Dean of Information and Learning Resources. In recommending to the Vice President for Research the allocation of all funds available for research and related purposes to be expended through the office of the Vice President for Research. Additional members may be added to the council upon recommendation of the Vice President for Research and approval by the senate. The council is chaired by the Vice President for Research.