Summary of UCGS Matrix of Responsibilities

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Summary of UCGS Matrix of Responsibilities

From the Michigan State University Bylaws for Academic Governance (4/15/16)

  • 1.3. MODES OF PARTICIPATION 
    There are four modes of faculty and student participation identified for use in Academic 
    Governance.
  • 1.3.1. Consultation 
    A body of faculty or students consults with and informs an administrator who has 
    authority and responsibility to make a decision. Such a committee is not a deliberative 
    body; it does not vote. Rather, the members express their views to inform an
    administrator's decision.
  • 1.3.2. Advisory 
    A deliberative body of faculty or students recommends policies to an administrator who 
    is authorized to make decisions. The administrator is not bound by the recommendations 
    and accepts responsibility for the decisions.
  • 1.3.3. Shared Responsibility
    A deliberative body of facultyor students makes recommendations to an administrator. If 
    the administrator and deliberative body cannot agree and action must be taken, the 
    recommendations of the administrator and the deliberative body will be submitted in 
    writing to the appropriate administrator at the next higher administrative level for 
    decisions by that administrator.
  • 1.3.4. Delegated Authority 
    A deliberative body of faculty or students is authorized to make decisions on specified 
    matters. Such decisions are subject to administrative review, but will be altered only in 
    exceptional circumstances. 

Table 1. Functions of University Committee on Graduate Studies by Mode of Participation

Function/ActivityMode of Participation
ConsultAdviseShared ResponsibilityDelegated AuthorityOther
  1. Review grading policy (4.8.3)
   Y 
  1. Review changes, recommend approval/rejection to UCC for all changes in graduate and professional academic programs (4.8.4) 
   Y 
  1. Consult with Provost on:
    • establishment, moratoria on admissions, disbandment, and merger of graduate programs
    • policies pertaining to:
      • instructional methods
      • evaluation of instruction
      • advising and counseling
      • admission/retention of grad. students
      • administration of programs (4.8.5)
    • policies pertaining to:
      • financial aid and employment of GS
      • use/distribution of educational and research
    • resources related to grad and grad-professional programs and students (4.8.7) 
Y with Dean of Graduate School  
  1. Advise the Provost on coordination of graduate and 
    graduate-professional programs (4.8.6)
 Ywith Dean of the Graduate School  
  1. Advise and consult with the Grad. School Dean and the VP for Research and Graduate Studies on:
    • policies re: research development as they pertain to grad and grad-professional students (4.8.8)
YY   
  1. Maintain liaison with:
    • other academic units with graduate programs (4.8.9)
    • Council of Graduate Students (4.8.10) 
    Y
  1. Coordinate UGC activities with UCC, UC on 
    Academic Policy, and other Standing Committees
    (4.8.11)
    Y
  1. Evaluate the MSU Intellectual Integrity Officer 
    biennially (Procedures Concerning Misconduct)
   Y a/ 
  1. Review and recommend revisions in:
    a. Procedures concerning allegations of misconduct in 
    research or creative activities
    b. Graduate Student Rights & Responsibilities
    c. Medical Student Rights & Responsibilities
   Y a/ 

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Sources: Functions 1-7 Michigan State University, Bylaws for Academic Governance (2016); functions 8 and 9a: Procedures Concerning Allegations of Misconduct in Research and Creative Activitie ; functions 9.b and c: Article 7, Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities, and Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities.

a/ UCGS recommendations require approval by President for transmission to Board of Trustees.