FAQ – Executive Committee of Graduate Studies

What are the responsibilities of the ExCo?

The Executive Committee of the Graduate School is the principal policy making body of the Graduate School. It oversees the academic quality of graduate programs. In particular, the Executive Committee: establishes guidelines for the external and internal review of existing programs; reviews proposals for new programs or significant alterations of existing programs and either accepts or rejects the proposals; and conducts all general graduate program reviews. In addition, it approves appointments to the Research Steering Committee and the Internal Research Committee. See more details about ExCo responsibilities on the EXCO Overview page.

Who serves on the ExCo and how are they appointed?

Ex Officio, with full privileges: The Dean (Chair), Provost, and Executive Vice President for Health Sciences. Sixteen tenured members of the faculty.

Two members shall be elected as representatives from each of the following cohorts: humanities, social sciences, languages and linguistics, natural sciences, medical center basic sciences, and interdisciplinary masters programs.

One member shall be elected from each of the following schools and programs: Business, Nursing, Public Policy, and Foreign Service. Cohort representatives shall be elected by the relevant Graduate Cohort Committees.

One representative of the Graduate Student Organization, to have full privileges. Term of office shall be one year, renewable for one term.

In the event that a member of the Executive Committee cannot attend a meeting, he or she may designate a replacement who shall have full privileges. If the member represents a particular school, program, or other organization, the designee shall be a member of the same academic unit. If a member represents a graduate cohort committee, the designee shall be a member of that same committee. Replacements for members unable to serve their full terms shall be elected by the relevant cohort committee, school, program, or organization. The terms of replacement members shall be those of the members whom they are replacing.

How does an item get on the agenda?

The meeting agenda shall normally be set by the Dean. Any member of the Executive Committee may place an item on the agenda, to be considered not later than the meeting following placement of the agenda item.

How is the agenda circulated?

One week prior to the meeting, the agenda is emailed to all members of the Executive Committee. In addition, it is emailed to the Directors of Graduate Studies for each of our departments and programs.

How are the minutes distributed?

The minutes are distributed electronically to ExCo members. They are then posted to GU Box. Meeting minutes are available upon request to university appointed faculty and staff. Requests may be sent to graddean@georgetown.edu.

If you have additional questions about the Graduate School Executive Committee, please write to graddean@georgetown.edu.