Graduate

Faculty

1. Purpose

The rationale for establishing criteria and a process governing membership in the Yeates School of Graduate Studies (YSGS) is, ultimately, to protect graduate students. Membership signifies commitment to scholarship, research and creative activity (SRC), and graduate studies. Such commitment enhances the graduate experience for students. Membership is not a right of employment.

2. Definitions

"Graduate faculty members" include all faculty who have formally been approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies for membership in YSGS.  A "Graduate Studies Program" is a program of graduate study leading to an advanced degree which has been approved by Academic Council and the Ryerson Board of Governors and is offered under the auspices of Ryerson University. Such a program includes all faculty members who are appointed specifically to that program. One need not be a member of YSGS to teach courses in a graduate studies program. However, one does need membership in order to supervise graduate students. The procedure for gaining membership is described below.

The Yeates School of Graduate Studies Membership Committee is responsible for reviewing applications to SGS in light of the rationale established for membership, and to submit these recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is also the role of the Committee to suggest changes to the process and the criteria from time to time.

In some faculties at Ryerson, "Directors" perform similar functions to "Chairs". In this statement, it is understood that though the reference is to ‘Chair’ the reader/applicant should substitute "Director" if that is the appropriate circumstance.

The term "Program Director" (PD) refers to a Graduate Program Director who is responsible to the Dean of SGS for the management of a graduate program. PDs are appointed by the Dean of SGS in consultation with the constituents of the graduate program concerned, and the appropriate Chair and Faculty Dean.

3. Appointment

Any faculty member of Ryerson University may apply to be a member of YSGS. The term of appointment for graduate faculty shall be no longer than the term of employment (except in the case of Professors Emeriti who already are members of SGS and are continuing their involvement with graduate studies).

Membership may be terminated at any time by the faculty member, or the Dean of Graduate Studies (following consultation with the individual concerned).

The term of appointment for Adjunct members is normally three years.

4. Criteria for Membership

In all cases, evident and expressed commitment to scholarly, research and creative activity, and graduate studies, shall be central to membership decisions. Given the diversity of SRC activity at Ryerson, two approaches to assessing such commitment are available.

4.1 Approach 1

In general, in this approach commitment to: (i) SRC is to be demonstrated by ongoing research activity (funded or unfunded), and published/disseminated materials; and, (ii) graduate studies is expressed by a willingness to be involved with the supervision (or co-supervision) of students (as required), and the activities (such as committees) of SGS as the occasion requires.

4.2 Approach 2

This approach is, perhaps, more suitable for those involved with creative practice — which can take many different forms such as: a) performance, film or other media; b) works of literary/journalistic merit; c) exhibitions or staging of works of design or art; d) original architectural or engineering designs; e) original clinical or therapeutic techniques; and, f) innovative practice. In cases such as these, an applicant must present evidence of disseminated activity in creative practice (including those ongoing) relevant to his/her field of potential graduate involvement.

5. Categories of Appointment

Appointment is to one of the following categories:

1. Member; 2. Adjunct member

5.1 Member. The applicant will:

1. hold the rank of assistant, associate, or full professor at Ryerson;

2. normally have the terminal degree in the field. This is most often the doctorate, but in some disciplines or fields a masters level credential may be appropriate (particularly when this is combined with professional or industry related experience and expertise).

5.2 Adjunct Member. The applicant will:

• meet the criteria outlined for members except for the requirement to hold a faculty position at Ryerson;
• meet a demonstrated need by a graduate studies program at Ryerson; and,
• be nominated by that graduate studies program.

6. Privileges and Duties

Members may supervise master's and doctoral students (as approved by the Program Director), sit on supervisory and examining committees, and serve on committees of SGS. Adjunct members may serve on supervisory and examining committees and supervise graduate students. It is understood that PDs will normally assign doctoral supervisions to members who have had satisfactory supervisory experience at least at the masters level.

7. Steps for Applying for Membership in YSGS — Approach 1

7.1  The faculty member submits a detailed curriculum vitae to his or her Chair and PD of the main graduate program with which s/he wishes to be involved, in OCGS format. To help with content and format, the faculty should refer to the "CV Guide" on the SGS web-site. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to submit a full and accurate curriculum vitae.

7.2  The applicant asks for a letter from her/his Chair confirming that the information contained in the CV is accurate, and requests that the letter be sent with the CV to the Dean of SGS.

7.3  The Membership Committee reviews the submitted materials, and submits its recommendation to the Dean of YSGS. The recommendation may be appointment to Member, or denial.

7.4  The decision regarding appointment is forwarded to the applicant by the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the Dean of YSGS disagrees with the Membership Committee's recommendation, the Dean and the Committee will discuss the application in an attempt to reconcile the differences. The result of the decision, with reasons given in the case of a negative decision, is communicated in writing.

The decision of the Dean of YSGS is final. An application, or re-application, may be submitted at any time.

8. Steps for Applying for Membership in YSGS: Approach 2.

8.1 The faculty member submits her or his CV to the Chair, including:

• an up-to-date CV in OCGS format. To help with content and format, the faculty member should refer to the "CV Guide" on the SGS web-site. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to submit a full and accurate CV;
• a statement articulating why this process is appropriate for assessing the application for membership in YSGS.
• The applicant asks for a letter from the Chair confirming that the submitted information is accurate, and requests that the letter, statement, and CV be sent to the Dean of YSGS.
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8.3  The Membership Committee reviews the submitted materials, and submits its recommendation to the Dean of YSGS. The recommendation may be appointment to Member, or denial.

8.4  The decision regarding appointment is forwarded to the applicant by the Dean of SGS. If the Dean disagrees with the Membership Committee's recommendation, the Dean and the Committee will discuss the application in an attempt to reconcile the differences. The result of the decision, with reasons given in the case of a negative decision, is communicated in writing.

The decision of the Dean of YSGS is final. An application, or re-application, may be submitted at any time.

9. Steps for Applying for Adjunct Membership in YSGS.

9.1 The applicant submits his or her CV, preferably in OCGS format, to the Chair of the most appropriate department related to the graduate program with which he or she wishes to be associated.  The OCGS format can be found on the YSGS website

9.2 Following discussion with the Program Director, the Chair of the department may forward to the Dean of YSGS, the CV and letter of recommendation that addresses the context/capacity in which the adjunct member would be involved in graduate studies.

9.3 The Membership Committee reviews the submitted materials, and submits its recommendation to the Dean of YSGS. The recommendation may be appointment to adjunct membership or denial.

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      1. The decision regarding appointment is forwarded to the applicant by the Dean of YSGS. If the Dean disagrees with the Membership Committee's recommendation, the Dean and the Committee will discuss the application in an attempt to reconcile the differences. The result of the decision, with reasons given in the case of a negative decision, is communicated in writing. The decision of the Dean is final.
      2. Re-appointment requests follow procedures 9.1 to 9.4. (Note: normally, adjunct appointments are for a three-year period).

10. Creative Professional Achievement

The Yeates School of Graduate Studies has established a process to review an applicants' creative professional achievements where this is appropriate. This process essentially follows that outlined for those applicants following Approach 2. There may, however, be certain particularities — these should be discussed with the Dean of YSGS prior to application.