Program Bylaws

Preamble

Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) report to the Dean of the Graduate College through the Faculty Director of GIDPs. The Roshan Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP) offers MA and PhD degrees in Persian and Iranian Studies. In the following Articles and Bylaws, operating procedures and policies for the GIDP are outlined, and they conform to the guidelines for GIDPs.  

Article 1. Faculty Membership in the Program  

Faculty Membership in the Roshan Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Persian and Iranian Studies is open to faculty at the University of Arizona (or any participating faculty members outside the University of Arizona by special permission) who are willing to make a commitment to the GIDP. This commitment should be expressed through participation in developing and maintaining the GIDP, teaching courses, serving on thesis and dissertation committees, and serving as a major or minor advising professor. Tenured or tenure-eligible faculty will hold regular memberships, and untenured or non-tenure-eligible faculty and administrators may hold associate memberships.  

Criteria for membership are a commitment to interdisciplinary work and excellence in research and teaching as demonstrated by research funding, publication record, and superior teaching evaluation or awards. Members of the Roshan Graduate Interdisciplinary Program will be reviewed periodically by the Executive Committee (EC) to ensure that they continue to meet these standards.    

Membership can be made by self-nomination or nomination by a current member of the Roshan GIDP. Nominations are initiated by submission of a candidate’s curriculum vitae and a letter of commitment to the Executive Committee. If the EC votes to recommend membership, a request is then submitted to the Faculty Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs for approval and appointment. 

The members of the Roshan Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Persian and Iranian Studies will meet at least once a year to review the program.   

Article 2. Executive Committee (EC) and Chair of the Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Persian and Iranian Studies

The Roshan GIDP in Persian and Iranian Studies is administered by a Chair and an Executive Committee (EC), consisting of at least three members. The Chair and EC are appointed for potentially renewable five-year terms. Both the Chair and the EC members will be chosen by vote of faculty membership. Nominations from faculty membership for both positions will be received by the EC. Faculty may run for one or both positions. Majority vote of those present at a meeting or 51% return of ballots will rule. The roster of elected members will be forwarded to the Faculty Director of GIDPs for approval and appointment. The EC also might have one graduate student member elected by the students to a renewable one-year term.    

A. The Responsibilities of the Executive Committee

  1. Draft and implement procedures to be followed in selecting and reviewing members of the Roshan GIDP;
  2. Draft and implement appropriate policies and procedures for the operation of the graduate program, such as admissions, curriculum, student supervision, completion of degree program requirements, and decisions regarding program resources; 
  3. Appoint or recommend members to serve on the GIDP’s two standing committees: the Graduate Student Admissions and Advisory Committees; 
  4. Constitute ad hoc committees as needed for effective operation;
  5. Act on recommendations of the Graduate Student Admissions, Advisory, and Progress Committee (GSAAPC) regarding academic counsel to new students and evaluations of students at various stages of academic progress in the program; 
  6. Conduct regular academic program reviews as required by UA and ABOR; 
  7. Facilitate interaction and communication within the Roshan GIDP and with supporting academic unit heads and deans; 
  8. Seek funding from appropriate university, state, federal, and private sources; 
  9. Solicit nominations for vacated Executive Committee positions to ensure continuity over time.   

B. The Responsibilities of the Chair of the Executive Committee (and Chair of the GIDP)

  1. Administers the Program and activities of the EC with the assistance of the program coordinator of the Roshan GIDP; 
  2. Convenes and chairs meetings of the EC;
  3. Acts on behalf of the EC and the Roshan GIDP to implement policies of the Program; 
  4. Serves as representative of the program to the university administration, granting agencies, prospective students, and other constituencies; 
  5. Prepares and submits an annual report of activities and accomplishments of the Roshan GIDP in accordance with UA and ABOR policies.  

The Roshan Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Persian and Iranian Studies’ Program Coordinator works closely with the Chair of the EC and the students, faculty, EC, and standing and ad hoc committees to ensure timely fulfillment of policies and to facilitate communication.

Article 3. Admissions and Evaluations of GIDP Students

Admissions, Financial Aid, and Awards for Graduate Students will be the responsibility of the GIDP Executive Committee. Membership in the Executive committee is outlined in Article 1, section 5, above.

The EC is responsible for evaluating graduate student admissions applications, organizing the campus visits of finalists, recommending students for admission to the program, and coordinating efforts to recruit admitted students. The EC might invite additional faculty for evaluation of applications and students' progress.

The committee is also responsible for advising all first-year students who have not identified an advisor, and solicit and evaluate progress reports from all students. EC also solicits and evaluates graduate student annual academic progress reports and reports of individual student advisory committees to make recommendations about student advancement, probation, or termination. With student input, it evaluates program policies, procedures, and revisions of the program handbook.    

Article 4. Amendments & Quorum of Member Voting  

The bylaws shall be amended or revised by movement of the EC and a two-thirds positive vote by the regular membership of the program.   

Article 5. External Advisory Board

The Roshan GIDP Chair and EC will select advisory board members from across campus, community, and elsewhere in the United States. The External Advisory Board will be managed by the Chair of the Roshan GIDP. Advisory Board duties include: to advise on scholarly speakers to present to students, faculty, and the Tucson community and to ensure regular internal review of all program projects and events. The board helps organize an awards ceremony to celebrate exceptional Persian and Iranian Studies faculty and students. If the Roshan GIDP in Persian and Iranian Studies chooses to offer a private convocation for family and friends of graduating students, the board would help to plan this ceremony. More broadly, the board helps in strategic planning, fundraising, and connecting the Roshan GIDP to the local, state, national, and international communities. 

Article 6. Graduate Advisor

A Graduate Advisor will be appointed by the Chair from among the members of the Executive Committee of the Roshan GIDP, with approval of the Executive Committee. Along with the students' thesis or dissertation committee chair, the graduate advisor will be responsible for student advising, course work, and for scheduling and coordinating the qualifying examinations. S/he will continue to serve as a voting member of the EC.

EC Vote to Accept Bylaws: February 8, 2016