Memo to Graduate Studies Subcommittee

12 February 2024

To:        Graduate Studies Subcommittee

From:        Karen Moranski, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

RE:        Clarifying the Role of Graduate Studies Subcommittee in Relation to Responsibilities and Assigned Time for Graduate Program Coordinators

I am informed by Dr. Stacey Bosick, Dean of Graduate Studies, that the Graduate Studies Subcommittee has begun discussion of metrics for assigned time for Graduate Program Coordinators. In keeping with our discussion in GSS on October 5 and with your memo to me in December 2023, the Omnibus Proposal of December 7, 2023 discussed graduate program coordination as follows:

Graduate coordination is at the program rather than at the department or school level and is not, therefore, part of this proposal. The Graduate Studies Subcommittee has recommended that equitable metrics and compensation for graduate program coordination and compensation be established. GSS may make further recommendations as part of the Academic Master Plan process.

In addition, in the January 18, 2024 memo on chair assigned time, I indicated that assigned time guidelines for graduate program coordination would be developed in Spring 2024, and I asked GSS to review any existing guidelines and submit recommendations for changes to me by March 1, 2024.

As we move forward with this GSS review, I am writing to clarify the role and opportunities of GSS to provide recommendations. I am asking for the following specific recommendations:

1. Please review and update the general position description for graduate coordinators (provided as an attachment to this memo). The position description needs to be viable for all graduate coordinators across the disciplines but may indicate that some graduate coordinator positions have specialized responsibilities.
2. Please recommend metrics for equitable distribution of workload and assigned time for graduate coordination. Possible metrics could include but are not limited to average headcount over a range of years (such as a 3-year period), average FTES over a range of years, and FTEF (faculty teaching in the graduate program) over a range of years. You might also consider metrics related to specialized supervision, accreditation, and any other specialized workload that is distinct from department or school chair responsibilities.

Please provide your recommendations to provost@sonoma.edu by March 1, 2024. I understand that time is short, so if you require additional time to complete these two tasks, please let me know. Thank you for your participation in this important equity process.