GSH Section 1 - Administration of Graduate Education at Ohio State

• Administration of Graduate Education 1.0
• Graduate School 1.1
• Vice Provost of Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School 1.2
• Graduate Council 1.3
• Graduate Studies Committees 1.4
• Graduate Faculty 1.5
• Petitions: Graduate School Rules 1.6

Administration of Graduate Education - 1.0

Graduate education and its governance are shared responsibilities. The most visible activity of graduate education is the intellectual interaction of faculty and students involved in learning and advancing knowledge. Supporting these endeavors are academic leaders in departments, colleges, and central university positions who are committed to providing an atmosphere in which graduate education and research can flourish. Faculty, students, and administrators working together, dedicated to the ideals of scholarship and high standards that characterize graduate education, share the responsibility for ensuring the quality of graduate programs and research.

Graduate School - 1.1

The Graduate School at The Ohio State University is comprised of university faculty (the Graduate Faculty) authorized to give graduate instruction, a representative advisory body (Graduate Council), and the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School, and administrative staff.

The Graduate School maintains a handbook that provides specific details for policies and procedures applicable to all graduate programs at The Ohio State University. In addition, each graduate program maintains a program-specific handbook that includes additional requirements for that program of study.

Vice Provost of Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School - 1.2

The chief officer of the Graduate School is the dean, who has responsibility for leadership in the activities of the Graduate School (University Rules 3335-3-29 and 3335-3-31). The dean has responsibility for appointing graduate school committees and for conferring with departments or schools in all matters concerning graduate work. The dean is to be consulted by college deans concerning appointment and promotion of faculty members offering graduate courses or advising graduate students. The administration of the Graduate School also includes associate and assistant deans and other staff members who carry out the various programs and services of the Graduate School.

Graduate Council - 1.3

University Rules, starting at Section 14 of the Graduate School Handbook, summarize the membership and responsibilities of the Graduate Council, which is the principal advisory body of the Graduate School and which participates in the development of rules, policies, and standards pertaining to graduate education and graduate programs.

Graduate Studies Committees - 1.4

Local Graduate Studies Committees are charged with the responsibility for conducting specific graduate programs within the context of the policies and rules established by the Graduate School. The Graduate School’s rules and policies are the minimum standards within which local Graduate Studies Committees formulate, publish, and enforce their own graduate program policies, rules, and procedures. Graduate Studies Committees serve as the primary liaison between the Graduate Faculty and the Graduate School. Section 13 of the Graduate School Handbook summarizes the responsibilities of Graduate Studies Committees and Graduate Studies Committee Chairs.

Graduate Faculty - 1.5

University Rules 3335-5-29 through 3335-5-31 cover the membership of the Graduate Faculty, powers and responsibilities, and meetings Section 12 of the Graduate School Handbook provides specific information about Graduate Faculty eligibility, responsibilities, and nomination procedures.

Petitions: Graduate School Rules - 1.6

Graduate students are expected to follow the rules approved by the Graduate Council and presented in this handbook. A student who believes that circumstances warrant a waiver of a rule may submit a petition to the Graduate School.

Petitions about Graduate School rules must be directed to the Graduate School (grad-schoolpetitions@osu.edu), must include a written statement from the student requesting the waiver of a specific rule and describing the circumstances, and must include written statements from the student’s advisor, the course instructor (if appropriate), and the Graduate Studies Committee Chair, reacting to the student’s request and providing any additional information pertinent to the waiver request.