Governance and Committee Procedures

The Faculty Committee on the Graduate School

Princeton’s Faculty Committee on the Graduate School represents all 45 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.

The Graduate Student Committee on the Graduate School

Princeton’s Graduate Student Committee on the Graduate School is comprised of eight graduate students, two students representing each of the four academic divisions of the University. Each graduate student who serves on the committee also serves as a voting member on one of the four subcommittees of the Faculty Committee on the Graduate School.

Students are selected for one-year terms annually, with four of the eight students selected by the Graduate School and four selected by the Graduate Student Government (GSG).

Graduate Student Committee Meetings

The Graduate Student Committee on the Graduate School will meet together with staff from the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School, generally four times per academic year. The Deputy Dean of the Graduate School chairs these meetings

Subcommittees

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