Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Ecosystem Genomics (ECGN GIDP) Bylaws
April 2022
The Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Ecosystem Genomics offers a PhD minor and graduate certificate in the emerging interdisciplinary science of Ecosystem Genomics. This GIDP represents a portion of the training program initiated through the National Science Foundation-supported NRT: Building Resources for InterDisciplinary Training in Genomics and Ecosystem Sciences (BRIDGES) program.
In the following Articles and Bylaws, operating procedures, and policies of the Program are outlined.
I. Reporting Structure
The Chair of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP reports to the Dean of the Graduate College, through the Faculty Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs.
II. Membership
Membership in the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP is open to faculty at the University of Arizona who are willing to make a commitment to the GIDP. This commitment should be expressed through participation in developing and maintaining the GIDP, teaching courses, advising students, and supporting the programmatic activities of the GIDP. Both tenured or tenure-eligible faculty and untenured or non-tenure-eligible faculty may hold memberships.
Criteria for membership are (1) commitment to interdisciplinary approaches to ecosystem science, genomic sciences, and related fields, and (2) commitment to activity and excellence in research or Extension as demonstrated by research funding, publication record, and service as advisor or coadvisor to students in these fields or affiliated social sciences.
Members of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program will be reviewed periodically by the Executive Committee to ensure that they continue to meet these standards.
Membership can be proposed by faculty candidates themselves or through nomination by a currently affiliated faculty member of the Program. Consideration of candidacy is initiated by submission of curriculum vitae and a letter of commitment to the Executive Committee. Requests will be reviewed in fall each year. If the Executive Committee votes to recommend membership, a request is then submitted to the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs for approval and appointment.
The Ecosystem Genomics GIDP defers to the policies outlined for graduate faculty: https://grad.arizona.edu/policies/academic-policies/graduate-faculty-policy
The members of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP will meet at least once a year to review the state of the program.
III. Executive Committee (EC) and Chair
The Ecosystem Genomics GIDP is administered by a Chair, Vice-Chair and Executive Committee (EC) consisting of at least five members. The Executive Committee will be made up of faculty members from at least two colleges and at least three academic units, ideally with members from all participating colleges.
The Chair is appointed for a renewable three-year term and EC members are appointed for renewable one, two, or three-year terms. The Chair, Vice-Chair, and EC members will be chosen by vote by participating faculty that hold regular memberships. Nominations from participating faculty for both the Chair and Vice-Chair positions will be received by the EC. A faculty member may run for one or both positions. Fifty-one percent of the members will constitute a quorum. Majority vote of those present at a meeting or 51% return of the ballots will rule.
The roster of elected members will be forwarded to the Director of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs for approval and appointment.
A) The responsibilities of the Executive Committee are to:
- Devise and implement procedures to be followed in selecting and reviewing members of the Ecosystem Genomics GIDP;
- Devise and implement appropriate policies and procedure for the operation of the graduate program, such as admissions, curriculum, student supervision, completion of degree program requirements, and decisions regarding program resources;
- Appoint GIDP faculty members to serve on the GIDP’s one standing committee: the Graduate student Admissions and Progress Committee (GS-APC); see Article IV;
- Appoint other ad hoc committees as needed for effective operation;
- Act on recommendations of the GS-APC regarding academic counsel to new students and evaluations of students at various stages of progress through the program;
- Prepare and submit annual reports of the program’s activities and accomplishments to the Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs;
- Ensure that regular academic program reviews, consistent with the Board of Regents requirements, are carried out;
- Facilitate interaction and communication within the program with supporting academic units heads and deans;
- Seek funding from appropriate University, state, federal and private sources;
- Solicit nominations to fill vacated slot(s) on the Executive Committee, with an aim to ensure continuity over time; and,
- Move, consider and approve (by majority vote) all proposals to change the requirements for the minor and certificate.
B) The responsibilities of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee (and the GIDP) are to:
- Administer the Program and EC activities with the assistance of the program coordinator;
- Convene and chair meetings of the EC as needed, not less than once per semester;
- Act on behalf of the EC and the GIDP to implement policies of the Program;
- Serve as representative of the Program to the University Administration, granting agencies, prospective students, etc.;
- Prepare and submit an annual report of activities and accomplishments of the Program according to University regulations;
- Provide advice to students in the Program;
- Act as Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Program (Chair).
The GIDP’s Program Coordinator works closely with the Chair and Vice-Chair as well as the students, faculty, EC and standing committees to ensure timely fulfillment of the policies of UArizona and GIDP, as well as the flow of the information among all concerned.
IV. Standing Committees
In addition to the EC, the Graduate student Admissions and Progress Committee (GS-APC) carries important responsibilities for the operation and welfare of the Program:
- It is responsible for evaluating applications from prospective graduate students who are applying to Masters and Ph.D. programs in GIDP-affiliated majors and units at the University of Arizona with an interest in the ECGN GIDP.
- It advises the EC with the respect to publicizing the program.
- With external and internal evaluations it solicits and reviews evaluations and progress reports from students.
- It advises the EC regarding the Program policies and procedures as well as revisions of the Program Handbook. Student input will be encouraged.
V. Amendments
The Bylaws shall be amended or revised by the movement of the EC and a two-thirds positive vote by the regular membership of the Program. Bylaws also are reviewed and approved by the GIDP Faculty Director and Dean of the Graduate College.
Last Updated & Approved: April 2022
