Both students and supervisors need to know which individuals and University bodies are responsible for different administrative decisions, since confusion about who does what can lead to missed deadlines and missed opportunities.
Each person or administrative body in the following list has responsibilities in specific areas.
The graduate student, supervisor and supervisory committee:
- student's degree program, including required and elective courses or labs
- scope and topics of comprehensive exams or comprehensive research papers
- master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation topic
- master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation research methodology
- structure and content of thesis/dissertation
The graduate program, department or school:
- recommendations to FoGS regarding merit-based awards
- delegation of graduate program teaching assistantships
- delegation of graduate program research assistantships
- nature of the comprehensive exam
- final Master’s exam or defense
The Faculty of Graduate Studies:
- admission to graduate school
- selection of merit-based UBC awards and fellowships
- final doctoral defense scheduling and standing
- processing changes to student's academic record or registration
- approving membership on a supervisory committee for people who do not conform to requirements (doctoral only)
- leaves of absence, extensions and transfers
- student withdrawal from graduate program
- informal appeals and mediation
The UBC Board of Governors:
- tuition fee amounts
The UBC Senate:
- approval of academic policies of the University
- approval of requirements of all graduate programs and degrees
- approval of students for graduation
The UBC Senate Committee on Student Appeals on Academic Standing:
- academic appeals
- disciplinary appeals
The President’s Advisory Committee on Student Discipline:
- decisions regarding suspension
Enrolment Services:
- tuition fee assessment and collection
The Office of Awards and Financial Aid:
- recipients of need-based awards and bursaries