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Administrative Structure
Graduate Education Committee
The Graduate Education Committee (GEC) consists of at least six trainers and at least one current PhD candidate. Trainers are nominated by the Chair of Pathology and the Chair of the GEC (who is also the chair of the CMP Graduate Program). The GEC Chair is appointed by the Chair of Pathology. The GEC Chair ensures that the GEC carries out its responsibilities as detailed below. Specifically, this includes calling meetings and acting as an official liaison to the office of the Dean of the Graduate School. Additionally, the GEC Chair is responsible for signing all legal documents and warrants related to the membership of the program.
Responsibilities of the GEC
  • Review applications for trainer status in the CMP program
  • Attend to the formation and ongoing composition of the administrative subcommittees, as well as oversee the functioning of the subcommittees and delegate responsibilities to subcommittee members. The members of these subcommittees are appointed by the GEC in early fall. Any responsibilities not expressly delegated to a subcommittee reside with the GEC chair.
  • Ruling on petitions to obtain exceptions of changes to existing guidelines, requirements, and policies. Any faculty member or student in the CMP Graduate Program has the right to petition the GEC to consider specific exceptions or changes to existing guidelines, requirements, or policies. The petitioner is expected to present arguments to demonstrate that the circumstances are sufficient to warrant exception. The GEC has complete authority to grant or deny exceptions and changes. Exceptions and changes are decided by a majority vote of the GEC.
  • Update, revise, and publish the Program’s poster, website, and marketing materials
  • Identify a mechanism for raising flexible funding for the CMP Graduate Program
GEC Contacts
Subcommittees
Admission and Recruitment Committee
The Admissions and Recruitment Committee may be comprised of both trainers and student representatives. This subcommittee’s responsibilities are to:
  • Annually review applicants
    • Begin meeting prior to January 1 each year to consider applicants for the upcoming fall semester
    • Review each applicant’s credentials (GRE, statement of purpose, TOEFL (if applicable), letters of recommendation, and transcripts) and make recommendations to the GEC based on the criteria listed as follows: the Admission and Recruitment Committee creates a ranked list of students recommended for general admission to the program. Final decisions on admission are made by a vote of the GEC. Students that meet or surpass departmental minimum application standards, but are not ranked for offers of general admission to the program, are placed on a list available for direct admission offers by program trainers.
  • Make recommendations for nominating applicants for Graduate School fellowships and training grant slots
  • Evaluate the credentials of students requesting a transfer into the program from other graduate programs on campus
Advising and Orientation Committee
The Advising and Orientation Committee is comprised of trainers and student representatives. This subcommittee plays an integral role during the spring and fall of each year with responsibilities to:
  • Plan, organize, and implement the orientation during the beginning of the fall semester
  • Act as advisors to incoming students, making recommendations for courses and rotations during the first semester and providing general course information.
  • Provide general information about program requirements and steps for satisfactory progress toward PhD
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee may be comprised of trainers and student representatives. This subcommittee’s responsibilities are to:
  • Encourage the development of new courses and guidelines to further improve the curriculum of the program
  • Select and approve new courses for the program
Focus Groups
Focus Groups may be comprised of trainers and student representatives. This subcommittee’s responsibilities are to:
  • Create a sense of community among the focus group members and students
  • Create learning environments, such as journal clubs
Student Advisory Committees
Student Advisory Committees operate within the guidelines specified by the curriculum requirements. Their responsibilities are to:
  • Determine the formal training requirements (i.e., courses, seminars, and other educational experiences) that must be fulfilled by the student to achieve a PhD degree in Cellular and Molecular Pathology
  • Administer Preliminary Examinations A and B
  • Monitor the progress of the each student, meeting at least once per year
  • Administer the PhD defense
  • Communicate, in writing, any decisions and/or requirements implemented by an Advisory Committee to the GEC. Any written decisions and/or requirements and the thesis become part of the student’s file. Decisions of the Advisory Committee may be formally appealed to the GEC, which maintains final authority for student certification. Any member of the Advisory Committee, or the student, may file the appeal.
Social Committee
The Social Committee may be comprised of trainers and student representatives. It is responsible for the organization and implementation of a regular potluck supper and any other social functions of the Graduate Program.