Governance and Committee Procedures

The Faculty Committee on the Graduate School

Princeton’s Faculty Committee on the Graduate School represents all 43 degree-granting departments and programs that admit students to the University. Directors of Graduate Studies (DGSs) serve as voting members and fill roles as voting members on subcommittees.

The committee is charged with:

  • Advising the dean of the Graduate School
  • Serving as the governance and oversight body for changes to Graduate School requirements, policies, or practices that require faculty approval
  • Making recommendations to the full faculty of the University, as necessary, whether as a whole or through its subcommittees (Matters that are approved by a subcommittee and require additional approval are normally sent either to the Faculty Committee or the full faculty at a University-wide faculty meeting, but not both.)

Faculty Committee (DGS) Meetings

Faculty Committee meetings are scheduled regularly during the fall and spring semesters. Informally called “DGS meetings,” they include directors of graduate studies from all departments and programs. Meetings are chaired by the dean of the Graduate School, who regularly asks Graduate School staff and invited guests to update the Committee about matters relevant to graduate education.  

A DGS who is unable to attend may send another faculty member from their department or program, to ensure representation and to vote on important matters. Administrative staff of the Graduate School and graduate program administrators may attend as non-voting members.

Subcommittees

The Faculty Committee is advised by four subcommittees that carry out much of its regular work.