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Program Governance and Committees

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The Graduate Program in Neuroscience is an interdepartmental research training program whose activities are dependent on the voluntary participation of faculty from participating departments in model of shared governance. The following is a list of current committees and administrative roles in Program:

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

UMMC Neuro Institute – Along with the SGSHS, the Operating Board of the Neuro Institute is the oversight body for the Program. The charge of this group includes budgetary approval and oversight, selection and review of the Program Director, and long-range programmatic planning, the latter in the context of the larger scale development of neuroscience research, education, and clinical services at UMMC.

Director – The Director is responsible for providing oversight for all aspects of the operation of the Graduate Program, the progress of students and all program activities. The Program Director reports to the Operating Board of the Neuro Institute and the Graduate School, chairs the Executive Committee, and works with the Associate Director and Executive Committee to develop the curriculum, oversee recruitment and admission of students, support the credentialing of faculty, and oversee other program events. The Director will serve as the primary program representative on the SGSHS Graduate Council and other committees as needed. The Director is appointed by the Operating Board of the Neuro Institute for a fixed term of 3 years.

Associate Director – The Associate Director has responsibility for all aspects of student recruitment and the annual admissions process, including the preparation of recruitment materials, organization of on-site and off-site recruitment events, the interview and selection process, and communications with applicants and faculty related to admissions. As noted above, the Associate Director serves as a member of the Executive Committee, and as Chair of a Recruitment and Admissions Committee comprised of EC members and other PIN faculty. In addition, the Associate Director serves as an alternate representative for the Program on the SGSHS Graduate Council and other committees as needed. The Associate Director is appointed by the Operating Board of the Neuro Institute for a 3-year term.

Executive Committee – The Executive Committee (EC), chaired by the Director, will be responsible for operations of the program, including its curriculum, recruitment and admissions, student guidance, and mentoring and career development support. The EC is comprised of 3 elected faculty members plus the Director and Associate Director. EC members are elected by majority vote of the PIN faculty from a slate of candidates drawn from all current PIN faculty, which is reviewed and approved by the PIN EC prior to the election. Subcommittees may be developed to assist the EC in its duties. The 5 faculty members are voting members of the EC. The EC also includes one non-voting student member, who is elected by majority vote of the PIN graduate student body. The EC meets at least monthly; motions require a simple majority to carry, but changes in Program policies or training goals must also be approved by the Operating Board of the Neuro Institute. Faculty members serve a 3-year term; the student member serves a 1-year term.

Recruitment/Admissions Committee – The Recruitment/Admissions Committee is chaired by the Associate Director and is responsible for reviewing application materials from prospective students, interviewing prospective students, participating in recruitment events, and providing recommendations for admission offers to the Executive committee. Members are invited to join by the Director and Associate Director and serve a 3-year term.

Curriculum Committee – The Curriculum Committee is chaired by the Director and provides oversight of the program curriculum. The Committee is responsible for evaluation and modification of existing courses and developing new course offering/program activities to augment training in scientific knowledge, research skills, communication skills, professionalism and other core competencies. Members of the Curriculum Committee are invited to join by the Director, and typically consist of current course directors.

Program Education Coordinator – The Program Education Coordinator provides administrative support to students, Course Directors, Program Director, Associate Director, and Executive Committee, and assists in the preparation of periodic reports to the Operating Board of the Neuro Institute, SGSHS, and other bodies.