For Committee Chairs

Chair Responsibilities

As in other programs, committee chairs will work closely with students for an extended period of time. For a quick guide to who does what, consult this handy guide to academic advising. Please note, only members of the graduate faculty may chair Interdisciplinary Studies committees.

Faculty chairs will perform the following functions over the course of at least 2 semesters. 

Prior to the Student Taking MAIS 797: Proposal:

  • Familiarize themselves with Interdisciplinary Studies standards and requirements by examining the handouts on projects and theses at right.
  • Help the student develop their research idea in anticipation of the proposal writing class. 

While the Student Is Taking MAIS 797: Proposal:

  • Provide feedback on proposal elements. Committee chairs are asked to signal their availability for this purpose on a registration checklist before MAIS will register the student for MAIS 797.
  • Help the student identify potential committee members. 

While the Student Completes Their Proposal After MAIS 797:

  • Provide feedback on the proposal until it is satisfactory.
  • Provide guidance to students about the circulation of their proposals and projects/thesis for committee review.
  • Sign off on the proposal.
  • For projects (MAIS 798): Determine the appropriate number credits based on the anticipated amount of work the student will do. For the formulas governing the awarding of credit hours, see the sidebar at right.

While the Student Is Researching/Writing:

  • Serve as the instructor of record for an individualized section of MAIS 798 or 799. Committee chairs are asked to signal their willingness to serve in this capacity by signing the students MAIS 798/799 Registration Checklist.
  • Provide feedback on the student's research and project/thesis until it is satisfactory.

When the Student Is Finished:

  • Upload a grade for the project/thesis credits each semester. (IP while it is "in progress," and a final grade of S for "Satisfactory" after the project has been approved by every member of the committee.)
  • Sign off on the final project/thesis.
  • Ensure that the student submits the final thesis to University Dissertation & Thesis Services or the final project to Interdisciplinary Studies in hard copy.