The Graduate Council is the primary governing body for graduate studies and programs.  Its principal purpose is to study and determine general policies and procedures regarding graduate studies, graduate faculty and graduate students.  The Graduate Council shall have the power to consider subjects pertaining to the interests of the graduate programs, graduate students, and graduate faculty work in a cooperative fashion with the Faculty Senate on issues of joint oversight.  The Graduate Council shall, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Trustees of the University, have control of the graduate-level affairs of the University and academic regulations appertaining to the granting of graduate degrees.  The Graduate Council shall have the responsibility for developing the graduate programs and procedures necessary to carry out its functions.

The Graduate Council works closely with the office of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Graduate Dean serves as the primary administrative liason for all graduate and professional program matters.