Physiology Manual

Department of Physiology

MANUAL

Revised: May 2001

Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE

A. MSU Department of Physiology
B. Bylaws of the Faculty

                        1.         The Faculty
                                    1.1        Composition of the faculty
                                    1.2        Procedures for evaluation for reappointment, tenure and promotion
                                    1.3        Faculty recruitment
                                    1.4        The voting faculty
                                    1.5        Faculty meetings
                                    1.6        Chairperson
                                    1.7        Faculty grievance procedures

                        2.         Committees
                                    2.6        Advisory Committee
                                    2.7        Graduate Affairs Committee
                                    2.8        Curriculum Committee
                                    2.9        Animal Use Committee
                                    2.10      Diversity Committee

3. Student Violations and Grievances

4. Interpretation and Amendment Process

C. Graduate Student Committees

                        1.         Physiology Graduate Student Committee
                        2.         Council of Graduate Students (COGS)
                        3.         Graduate Affairs Committee
                        4.         Physiology Departmental Faculty Meeting
                        5.         Physiology Curriculum Committee
                        6.         Diversity Committee
                        7.         Other committees

D. Graduate Student Elections

II. GRADUATE PROGRAM

A. Entry into the Graduate Program

1. Entrance requirements
2. Admission

B. Rate at Which Graduate Students Can Earn Credits

C. Transfer of Credits

D. Academic Standards

E. Evaluation of Graduate Student’s Progress

F. Guide to the Preparation of Master’s Thesis and/or Doctoral Dissertation

G. Departmental Financial Support

H. Departmental Seminars

I. Attendance at Professional Meetings

J. Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities

K. Summary Policy Statement

III. BACHELOR’S/MASTER’S PROGRAM

A. Admission

B. Curriculum

C. Course Work

IV. MASTER’S PROGRAM

A. Plan A (thesis)

                  1.         Admission
                  2.         Course Work
                  3.         Selecting a Thesis Advisor and Conducting Thesis Research
                  4.         Guidance Committee
                  5.         Certifying Examination
                  6.         Duration of the Program
                  7.         Additional University Requirements and Time Limit
                  8.         Financial Support

B. Plan B (non-thesis)

IV. DOCTORAL PROGRAM

A. Objectives

B. Formulation of Doctoral Program

                        1.         Admission
                        2.         Major adviser
                        3.         Guidance Committee

C. Degree Requirements

                        1.         Course Requirements
                        2.         Research and Thesis Requirements
                        3.         Evaluation of Progress

The Comprehensive Examination
The Final Oral Examination--Dissertation Defense

D. Teaching Responsibilities

1. Teaching experience
2. Teaching assignments

E. Summary of Program of Study

F. Dual Ph.D. Degree

G. Modification of Program and Final Certification

V. FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND SUPPLIES

A. Departmental Computer Facility

B. Departmental Library

C. Services and Supplies

                         1.        Animal Requisition, Care and Disposal
                         2.        Controlled Substances.
                         3.        Equipment and Supplies
                         4.        Freight
                         5.        Gas Cylinders
                         6.        Keys
                         7.        Laundry
                         8.        Mail
                         9.        Material Returns
                        10.       Office Supplies and Orders
                        11.       Paper Towels
                        12.       Recycling
                        13.       Salvage
                        14.       Secretarial Service
                        15.       Service Requests
                        16.       Stores and Services
                        17.       Time Sheets

D. Care and Use of Equipment

E. Emergencies/Spills

APPENDIX

Department of Physiology Courses
Department of Physiology Bachelor of Science Requirements
Procedures for Evaluating Faculty for Reappointment, Tenure, Promotion and Merit Raises
Guidelines for Judging Performance of Physiology Department Members
Graduate Student Evaluation Forms

A. MSU DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY

Michigan State University, founded in 1855 as the first land grant college, has awarded diplomas in undergraduate and graduate physiology since 1949. The department, established in 1923, has grown to be one of the largest in the United States and serves the university in several capacities including: 1) offering degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level; 2) teaching of "service courses" designed to meet the specific needs of other degree programs such as Biological Sciences, Nursing, Medical Technology, Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine; and 3) conducting basic and applied physiological research funded in part by the Agricultural Experiment Station and numerous other granting agencies.

In 1982, the University's biophysics program was blended into the Department of Physiology. The department presently has administrative ties to the Colleges of Natural Science, Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine.

Most physiology students are enrolled in the College of Natural Science while working on either the B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. degree. There are approximately 25 graduate and 500 undergraduate students in the program.

The Ph.D. and M.S. programs place heavy emphasis on original research which culminates in the preparation of a thesis. Most research is done in faculty laboratories, but the student is encouraged to make maximum use of the close cooperation with other science departments, thereby enhancing greatly the technological facilities available. In addition, the University Library, Computer Center, Cyclotron, Center for Electron Optics, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Center, Instructional Media Center, etc., are available to the student. A transgenic mouse facility will be the next major addition to the department's research resources.

B. BYLAWS OF THE FACULTY

(Revised: September 1994)

1. The Faculty

1.1. Composition of the faculty

1.1.1. Regular faculty shall consist of all persons in the department who have been appointed under the rules of tenure and who hold the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor or instructor.

1.1.1.1. Joint appointments to the faculty shall be made only after an affirmative vote of the Physiology faculty and with the concurrence of the applicant's primary department chairperson or supervisor (for appointment procedures, see section 1.3.). Appointees must have teaching responsibilities in formal courses and help in the training of graduate and postdoctoral students and may serve as chairperson of guidance committees. Joint appointees should serve on committees and attend faculty meetings though not as members necessary for a quorum. Appointees shall have a vote at departmental meetings.

1.1.2. Fixed term faculty shall consist of all persons who hold the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor or instructor, but who have not been appointed under the rules of tenure. Fixed term faculty shall have internal voting privileges in the college to which that person is appointed.

1.1.2.1. Adjunct appointments to the faculty shall be made only after an affirmative vote of the Physiology faculty and with the concurrence of the applicant's primary department chairperson or supervisor. Appointees are encouraged to attend faculty meetings and may be asked to serve on departmental committees. Appointees may serve as thesis advisers for graduate students. Adjunct appointees shall be renewed annually. Adjunct appointees shall not have a vote at departmental meetings.

1.1.3. Professors emeriti and visiting professors in the Department of Physiology shall be honorary faculty.

1.1.4. The Departmental Chairperson is a faculty member who has authority and responsibility delegated by the President and the Board of Trustees for the administration of the department.

1.2. Procedures for evaluation for reappointment, tenure and promotion

1.2.1. The procedures for evaluating faculty for reappointment, tenure, merit raises and promotion are contained in a Department of Physiology document, Procedures for Evaluating Faculty for Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion.

1.2.1.1. Copies of this document are available from the departmental office. (See Appendix C and D)

1.2.1.2. This document may be amended upon approval of two-thirds of all the regular faculty.

1.3. Faculty recruitment

1.3.1. In adding to the department faculty by a new appointment, the chairperson shall receive the advice of the faculty and graduate students through the Advisory Committee.

1.3.1.1. The Advisory Committee shall solicit the opinions of the regular faculty regarding the manpower needs of the department. The Advisory Committee shall then write a job description for the vacant position and recommend it to the chairperson.

1.3.1.2. The Advisory Committee shall solicit nominations for the vacancy from the entire faculty and forward these to the chairperson.

1.3.1.3. After a candidate has been interviewed on campus and has presented an open seminar, and after there has been ample opportunity for the faculty to talk with the candidate, the Advisory Committee shall poll the regular faculty and graduate students regarding the desirability of offering a position to the candidate. The Advisory Committee shall forward the results of the poll, together with its own recommendations, to the chairperson.

1.3.1.4. The Physiology Department has a policy of not discriminating on the basis of race, creed, ethnic origin, or sex.

1.4. The voting faculty

1.4.1. The regular faculty shall have voting privileges in the election of university councils and committees, in the election of departmental councils and committees, and in setting departmental policies and making decisions.

1.5. Faculty meetings

1.5.1.    The faculty shall meet at least once each semester. The chairperson may call a meeting more often and must call a meeting at the written request of five regular faculty members.

1.5.2.    Postdoctoral appointees may attend faculty meetings without vote. In addition, one graduate student enrolled in the department will be included as a nonvoting member during discussions of non confidential matters. Such a representative will be selected by the Physiology Graduate Student Committee.

1.5.3.    The chairperson shall provide an agenda to the faculty one week prior to each faculty meeting.

1.5.4.    Robert's Pocket Manual of Rules of Order shall determine the parliamentary practice of faculty meetings.

1.5.5.    For purposes of conducting business, a quorum shall consist of those voting members of the faculty present at the meeting. Passage of any measure shall require a simple majority of those present, with the exception of amendments to, or revision of, these bylaws, which shall require two-thirds of the votes of the entire voting faculty.

1.5.6.    Any member of the faculty with the support of 30% of the voting members in attendance may call for a mail ballot referendum on a defeated or passed motion. In such cases, the departmental Advisory Committee shall prepare, distribute, collect and tally the ballots and shall report the results of the referendum to the faculty.

1.5.7.    A record of the important actions taken by the faculty at each meeting shall be kept in the departmental office and shall be available to the faculty, staff and graduate students.

1.6. Chairperson

1.6.1.    The chief administrator shall be designated chairperson

1.6.2.    The chairperson shall be responsible for educational, research and service programs, budgetary matters, physical facilities, and personnel matters in his/her jurisdiction. An assistant/associate chairperson may be appointed by the chairperson and shall assist the chairperson with delegated duties.

1.6.3.    A Director of Research and Graduate Studies shall be appointed by the chairperson and shall be responsible for coordination of all aspects of graduate training, as described in section 2.7 of these bylaws.

1.6.4.    A Director of Undergraduate Programs shall be appointed by the chairperson and shall be responsible for coordination of all aspects of the undergraduate program.

1.6.5.    A Director of Curricular Affairs shall be appointed by the chairperson and shall be responsible for evaluation and revision of the departmental curriculum.

1.6.6.    The chairperson or his/her designee shall be an ad hoc member of all standing committees and can call a meeting of any standing committee.

1.6.7.    At intervals not to exceed five years, the Deans of the Colleges of Human Medicine, Natural Science, Veterinary Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station shall review the reappointment of the chairperson.

1.6.8.    The department shall have shared responsibility with the deans and director on procedures for review of the chairperson.

1.6.9.    During the absence of both the chairperson and the assistant/associate chairperson his/her duties shall be performed by a member of the Advisory Committee.

1.7. Faculty grievance procedures

1.7.1.    Any faculty member either full-time or part-time with the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, lecturer, instructor, assistant instructor, research associate or specialist, including those with administrative duties, may initiate a grievance procedure with the chairperson, alleging a violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of existing policies and legislation in the unit.

1.7.2.   The department Advisory Committee shall be responsible for the execution of these procedures.

1.7.2.1. It shall assure that all hearings are conducted with appropriate due process.

1.7.2.2. It may seek advice on all matters related to grievance matters from the Faculty Grievance Official.

1.7.3.    Grievance procedures

1.7.3.1. A faculty member with a grievance may discuss the matter in a personal conference with the Faculty Grievance Official (FGO).

1.7.3.1.1.    The FGO shall make every reasonable effort to resolve a grievance informally. The FGO may recommend dropping the grievance as lacking in merit, outside the jurisdiction of the faculty, or for other just cause. Such a recommendation, however, shall not be binding on the grievant

1.7.3.1.2.    If the grievance is not resolved informally, the FGO shall determine the appropriate grievance channel, such as a department, college or university hearing board; the Faculty Tenure Committee; or the Anti-Discrimination Judicial Board.

1.7.3.1.3.    At the written request of the grievant, the FGO may initiate a formal grievance procedure to resolve the grievance by referring it in writing to the appropriate director, chairperson, dean, or provost.

1.7.3.2. A faculty member may initiate a grievance procedure independently by written request to the chairperson.

1.7.3.3.   A written request for a formal grievance procedure must be made within 30 days of the grievant's first knowledge of the alleged violation.

1.7.3.4. All written requests for formal grievance procedures shall state the grievance and the redress sought.

1.7.3.5. Any time formal proceedings are initiated, the chairperson shall send written notification to the FGO and may request the FGO to assist in attempting to achieve an informal resolution.

1.7.3.6. If a grievance is not resolved informally or if a procedure has been initiated in writing within the department, a formal resolution of the grievance may be sought.

1.7.3.6.1. A formal grievance procedure shall begin within 14 days of the written request.

1.7.3.6.2. Hearings shall be conducted and completed within 30 days.

1.7.3.7. A departmental hearing committee shall be established by the Advisory Committee in the following manner:

1.7.3.7.1. A hearing committee shall consist of three or five members, selected by lot from an initial panel of a larger number, drawn by lot from the faculty. All drawings shall be conducted by the Advisory Committee or its designee(s).

1.7.3.8. The Advisory Committee or its designee(s) shall meet with the parties to the grievance for the purpose of final selection of hearing committee members. Upon presentation of the names of the three or five persons selected for the committee, each party shall have the right to challenge any member for cause and, in addition, each party shall have the right of two peremptory challenges. Cause shall be determined by the Advisory Committee or its designee(s). After each challenge, the Advisory Committee or its designee(s) shall select another member from the panel, and shall replenish the panel whenever necessary.

1.7.3.9. Faculty members unwilling or unable to serve may be excused for cause by the Advisory Committee or its designee(s) and others substituted for them, selected as above.

1.7.4.    The hearing committee shall conduct a hearing according to these procedures and according to sections 2 and 4 of the Interim Faculty Grievance Procedure (IFGO).

1.7.4.1. The chairman of the Advisory Committee shall assemble the hearing committee and shall supervise selection of the Presiding Officer from among the members of the hearing committee.

1.7.4.2. The Presiding Officer shall establish the specific rules of procedure.

1.7.4.3. A hearing committee may decide as follows:

      A. There has been no violation of the rights of the faculty member.

      B.   There has been a violation of the faculty member's rights.

1.7.4.3.1. When a hearing committee finds that there has been a violation of faculty member's rights, the hearing committee shall determine the appropriate means of redress. Decisions shall not conflict with existing policy and legislation in the Department of Physiology.

1.7.4.3.2. Upon completion of the hearing, the hearing committee shall present its decision, in writing, to the chairperson.

1.7.5.    The chairperson shall provide written notification of the result of the hearing and of his/her decision to the parties to the grievance, and to the FGO within 14 days of the completion of the hearing.

1.7.6.    If the grievance is not satisfactorily resolved, either party may appeal the decision within 14 days according to the procedures established in section 3 of the FGO.

1.7.6.1. If the college hearing is the first hearing of the grievance or if the grievance concerns non-reappointment of non-tenured faculty in the tenure system and originated at the unit level and if the grievance has not been satisfactorily resolved, either party may appeal the decision within 14 days by requesting, in writing, the FGO to initiate a hearing by a University Appeals Board. Either party may independently appeal within 14 days at the university level by written request directly to the provost.

1.7.6.2. If the college hearing is the second hearing (the first having been a department or other academic unit hearing), the decision shall be forwarded to the president of the university for action according to Article 5 of the IFGO.

1.7.7.    Failure to appeal within the prescribed time constitutes acceptance of the decision.

2. Committees

2.1.      The standing committees shall be the Advisory Committee, Graduate Affairs Committee, Curriculum Committee, Animal Use Committee, and Diversity Committee.

2.2.       Faculty membership in all standing committees shall be limited to the regular faculty.

2.3.       Faculty membership on all standing committees shall be by majority vote of the regular faculty.

2.4.       At the first regular faculty meeting of each academic year, nominations and/or volunteers shall be obtained for election to each standing committee. With the exception of the Advisory, Graduate Affairs and Curriculum Committee, each committee shall elect its chairperson. All members of the committees shall serve for three years. Current members of the Advisory, Graduate Affairs, and Curriculum Committee may not stand for immediate re-election. Current members of the Animal Use and Diversity Committees may stand for immediate reelection.

2.5.       All committees shall meet no less than once each year. A report of each committee shall be submitted annually at the regular faculty meeting of the spring semester.

2.6. Advisory Committee

2.6.1.    The Advisory Committee shall consist of the chairperson and/or his/her designee and five members of the regular departmental faculty.

2.6.2.    The Advisory Committee shall be consulted by the chairperson for appointments, promotions, tenure. In formulating its advice, the committee shall consult with at least one woman and one minority group member. If no such individuals are available within the department, this consultation shall occur by external peer review and/or review at the college level.

2.6.3.    The Advisory Committee shall annually evaluate each faculty member according to the guidelines contained in the Procedures for Evaluating Faculty for Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion. The conclusions and any recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be forwarded to the departmental chairperson.

2.6.4.    The Department Bylaws shall be reviewed by the Advisory Committee at intervals not to exceed five years.

2.7. Graduate Affairs Committee

2.7.1.    The Graduate Affairs Committee shall consist of four regular faculty members and the Director of Research and Graduate Studies. Within the limits of confidentiality of student records as judged by the committee, a graduate student enrolled in the Physiology Department will be included as a voting member of the committee. Such a representative will be selected by the Physiology Graduate Student Committee. The Director of Research and Graduate Studies shall chair this committee.

2.7.2.    The Graduate Affairs Committee shall examine applications for admission to graduate study and advise the chairperson in the selection of departmental graduate students. The committee shall also recommend the awarding of stipends to qualified students.

2.7.3.    All graduate student teaching assignments shall be made by the Graduate Affairs Committee by July 15 for the entire academic year.

2.7.4.    The Graduate Affairs Committee shall monitor student progress within the graduate program and make appropriate recommendations to the chairperson.

2.7.5.    This committee shall review the Department of Physiology Manual at intervals not to exceed five years. It shall make appropriate recommendations for changes to the faculty for approval by majority vote.

2.8. Curriculum Committee

2.8.1.    This committee shall consist of five regular faculty members and one graduate student selected by the Physiology Graduate Student Committee. The Director for Curricular Affairs shall chair this committee as well as serve as an ex officio member of the committee. The Director of Research and Graduate Studies and the Director of Undergraduate Programs shall also serve as ex officio members of the committee.

2.8.2.    This committee shall review and evaluate the curriculum for the graduate, professional and undergraduate programs and recommend revisions as needed. It shall evaluate the course offerings with respect to adequacy of coverage in the discipline of physiology in the graduate and undergraduate programs, and the relevance of course offerings in the various curricula of which physiology is a part.

2.8.3.    This committee shall also be responsible for the construction and administration of any examination required by the department except those which are given by the Guidance or Academic Committee to an individual student.

2.9. Animal Use Committee

2.9.1. This committee shall consist of three regular faculty members and one Physiology graduate student selected by the Physiology Graduate Student Committee. This committee shall elect a chairperson from its membership.

2.9.2. This committee shall be responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the chairperson concerning all animal use forms required prior to initiation of teaching or research utilizing vertebrate animals. This committee shall also be responsible for promoting and monitoring departmental compliance with the Policies, Procedures, and Responsibilities for Animal Use and Care at Michigan State University.

2.10. Diversity Committee

2.10.1. This committee shall consist of one ad hoc member from the Advisory Committee and two elected faculty members. One representative each from the department staff, undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Physiology shall be elected by their peers to this committee. The committee shall elect a chairperson from its membership.

2.10.2. This committee shall promote diversity of departmental composition and programs by following up on and facilitating the implementation of the recommendations in the Physiology Department MSU-IDEA Document.

3. Student Violations and Grievances

3.1. Introduction. The fundamentals of fair play in the adjudication of student violations and student grievances shall prevail. This is in keeping with Article 6 of the Bylaws for Academic Governance, 1992.

3.1.1.    Student allegations may be classed as either grievances or complaints.

3.1.1.1. A complaint is a general allegation which does not propose or permit a specific remedy, or which proposes a remedy beyond the authority of the hearing committee to recommend. A complaint cannot be acted upon by a hearing committee. Where appropriate, students may seek redress through informal resolution by first discussing the matter with the instructor; then, if necessary, with the chief administrator of the unit and/or the ombudsman.

3.1.1.2. A grievance is a specific allegation of a violation of a student's academic rights or of the Code of Teaching Responsibility for which a remedy, specific to the situation being challenged and within the authority of the hearing committee to recommend, is sought. Details of the allegation and of the proposed remedy must be in writing before redress is sought.

3.1.2.    The following procedures will be followed when students with Registrar classifications 1,2,3,4 and 5 (undergraduate and non-degree graduate) file grievances alleging violation of their academic rights.

3.1.2.1.Grievances must normally be initiated no later than midterm of the semester following the one wherein the alleged violation occurred. Exceptions shall be made in cases where the involved instructor or student is absent from the university during that semester.

3.1.2.2. Students must first seek to resolve any grievance informally by discussion with the instructor; if unresolved, then the chief administrator of the unit and/or the ombudsman may be consulted.

3.1.2.3. Grievances unresolved by the ombudsman which seem to the ombudsman to warrant a hearing will be reported in writing to the chief administrators of the teaching unit involved

3.1.2.4. The chief administrators of the teaching units or their designees are obligated to refer written grievances unresolved at the unit level or by the ombudsman to the student-faculty committees. The judiciary shall be composed of the department chairperson or designated deputy (to act as chairperson) and an equal number of faculty and undergraduate Physiology majors selected by the Advisory Committee. A copy of any grievance transmitted shall be sent to the instructor.

3.1.2.5. A unit may, at its option, create an advisory subcommittee composed of the undergraduate members of the unit hearing committee. A summary of the grievance may first be presented orally to this subcommittee, which would decide by majority vote whether the grievance warrants a hearing. Should the subcommittee decide against a hearing, the student may appeal the decision to the full committee.

3.1.2.6. Units shall establish their own hearing procedures according to their governance processes and shall file a copy of the procedures with the Office of the Ombudsman. Parties to the grievance shall be given timely notice of the hearing and copies of the written grievance; and opportunities to state their cases, present evidence, designate witnesses, ask questions and rebut contrary positions. A collegial atmosphere shall be maintained throughout the proceedings and, though parties to the grievance may solicit advice prior to hearing, normally the purpose of the hearings will be better served by proceeding without counsel. If counsel is to be involved, counsel shall be limited to a member of the student body, faculty, or staff of the University. To further the development and maintenance of this collegial atmosphere, each unit is encouraged to have student participation in all judiciary committees.

3.1.2.7. A written report of the action or recommendation of the unit hearing committees will be forwarded to the student, the instructor, and to the ombudsman in cases forwarded by that office, normally within ten class days of the hearing of the grievance. All parties involved are expected to respect the confidentiality of this report.

3.1.2.8. Either party may appeal the action or recommendation of a departmental committee to the college committee charged with hearing such appeals.

3.1.2.9. All appeals must be filed within ten class days following notification of all parties of a hearing committee disposition. Dispositions are held in abeyance while the action of recommendation is being appealed.

3.1.2.10. Except in cases involving a charge of academic dishonesty, there shall be no appeal beyond the college committee except to the dean of the college, who may ask, upon a showing, that a given case be reconsidered.

3.2.      The following procedures (3.2.,3.3.,3.4.) will be followed when students with Registrar's Classification 6 and 7 (graduate students) and Registrar's Classification 8 and 9 (medical students) file grievances alleging violations of their academic rights.

3.2.1.    Judicial Structure. An appropriate judicial structure shall be established for hearing and adjudicating all cases brought by and against students in the following areas:

(1)     Academic Rights and Responsibilities

(2)    Professional Rights and Duties of Assistants

(3)     Professional Rights and Duties of Other Graduate Students

3.2.2.    Departmental level. Adjudication necessitated on the departmental level should be handled informally if possible or, if a party or parties insist, formally through a departmental judiciary. The judiciary shall be composed of the departmental chairperson or designated deputy (to act as chairperson) and an equal number of faculty selected by the Advisory Committee, and students selected by the Physiology Graduate Student Committee (in the case of a graduate student grievance) or from the relevant medical college (in the case of a medical student grievance) so as to reflect the composition of their groups.

3.2.3.    The judiciary shall provide for a suitable number of alternate members, chosen in accordance with the procedures established above.

3.2.4.    Term of office. Judiciary members and alternates at all levels shall be selected in the fall of the year, by the department Advisory Committee and shall serve one year. The one-year term shall not preclude reappointment of any member the following year.

3.2.5.    Conflict of interest. Members of a judiciary involved in a case at issue shall be disqualified from sitting on the judiciary for that specific case.

3.3. Judicial process

3.3.1.    Any member of the academic community of Michigan State University may initiate a case involving the rights and responsibilities of graduate students. All such grievances must be initiated no later than the next academic semester exclusive of summer semester, following the term of the alleged violation.

3.3.2.    Any of the parties may appeal a decision or the penalty to the next higher level within 10 class days after receipt of the decision or penalty.

3.3.2.1. The appellate body shall limit its jurisdiction to review of the prior adjudication.

3.3.2.2. A judiciary hearing a case may decide as follows:

(1) NOT PROVEN.

      (1) There has been no proven infringement of the rights of the graduate student.

      (2) There has been no proven neglect of the graduate student's responsibilities.

(2) PROVEN.

      (1) There has been a violation of the graduate student's rights.

      (2) The graduate student has neglected the responsibilities of a graduate student.

3.3.2.3. In cases of proven violation of a student's rights, the judiciary handing down the decision shall direct appropriate and expeditious redress.

3.3.2.4. In cases of proven neglect by the graduate student, the judiciary may select from the following penalties:

(1) Warning: an official written reprimand.

      (2) Probation: a period of probation with specific stipulations.

      (3) Dismissal from the academic program in which enrolled.

3.4. Due process

3.4.1.    Once a grievance has been filed with a judiciary, it shall be the responsibility of the chairperson to notify, in writing, all parties involved within a period of five class days.

3.4.2.    If the party charged in the grievance chooses not to contest it, the judiciary may be requested to take appropriate action. The penalty or redress may be appealed to the next higher judiciary.

3.4.3.    If the party charged in the grievance chooses to contest it, the judiciary shall conduct a hearing according to the procedures outlined herein.

3.4.4. At least 72 hours prior to a hearing the chairperson of a judiciary shall provide to the complainant and respondent:

      (1) A written statement of the charges of sufficient particularity to enable the parties to prepare their cases.

      (2) Written notification of the time and place of the hearing.

      (3) A copy of this document and all other relevant documents.

3.4.5.    All parties shall be entitled to appear in person to present their case to the judiciary, and may call witnesses on their behalf. Any party may elect not to appear before the judiciary, in which case the hearing shall be held in the party's absence. Absence of a party shall not be prejudicial to the case.

3.4.6.    All parties shall be entitled to counsel of their choice, chosen from within the university community.

3.4.7.    Any party or counsel shall be entitled to ask questions of the opposing party or of any witnesses.

3.4.8.    Any party shall be entitled to refuse to answer questions.

3.4.9.    All parties shall be entitled to an expeditious hearing of a case.

3.4.10. In urgent cases in which it is alleged that a regulation, administrative decision or action threatens immediate and irreparable damage to any of the parties involved, the judiciary shall make every effort to expedite a hearing and final disposition of the case. A judiciary is empowered to direct an individual or unit to discontinue or postpone, pending final disposition of the case, any action which threatens to cause irreparable harm.

3.4.11. Parties shall be entitled to an adequately explained written decision. It shall be the responsibility of the chairperson of a judiciary to file a copy of this decision with the chairperson of the department or unit, the dean of the college and the dean of the Graduate School. Adverse decisions shall be made a part of the person's record.

3.4.12. All parties shall be notified in writing of their right to appeal the decision of a judiciary. Should an appeal be instituted, any action, redress or penalty ordered by the judiciary shall be held in suspension until acted upon by a higher judiciary.

3.4.13. The dean of the Graduate School shall direct the implementation of any redress or penalty stipulated by any judiciary.

4. Interpretation and Amendment Process

4.1.      The departmental Advisory Committee shall interpret the bylaws. The Advisory Committee's interpretation may be appealed to the faculty.

4.2.      Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted to the departmental Advisory Committee for inclusion on the agenda of the next faculty meeting. Favorable action at the faculty meeting shall be the decision to submit the proposed amendment to the voting faculty of the department by mail ballot conducted by the departmental Advisory Committee. A two-thirds majority of the votes of the regular faculty shall be required for passage of an amendment.

4.3.       These Bylaws of the Faculty, 1994, Department of Physiology replace the printed Bylaws of the Faculty, 1990, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University.

C. GRADUATE STUDENT COMMITTEES

1. Physiology Graduate Student Committee

This committee is composed of five physiology graduate students elected each fall semester. The functions of this committee are:

a.   To encourage student assemblies for open discussion of university, college and departmental regulations and policies.

b.   To communicate information queries and opinions between the faculty and student body.

c.   To appoint representatives to fill vacancies on various university, college and department committees.

d.   To supervise graduate student elections.

e.   To sponsor social functions.

2. Council of Graduate Students (COGS)

This committee represents graduate students at the university level and is composed of one representative from each department who attends bimonthly meetings. The objectives of COGS are:

a. To promote the academic, social and economic aims of graduate students at MSU.

b. To establish effective communication among graduate students and create channels of communication with other student organizations and with the academic administrative units of the university.

3. Graduate Affairs Committee

This departmental faculty committee has one graduate student member, who is elected each fall semester. The responsibilities of this committee are:

a.   To advise the departmental chairperson in the admission of new graduate students,

b.   To award graduate stipends,

c.   To assign graduate student teaching duties,

d.   To give final approval of individual graduate programs (i.e., approve Guidance Committee Report Forms).

4. Physiology Departmental Faculty Meeting

The graduate students have one representative to these meetings, elected each fall semester, whose duties are:

a.   To attend faculty meetings to provide student input,

b.   To report to the Graduate Student Committee any business that transpired that may affect graduate students,

c.   To keep a copy of the minutes of the meetings available for graduate students on request.

5. Physiology Curriculum Committee

This departmental faculty committee has one graduate student member who is elected each fall semester. The objectives of this committee are:

a. To review and evaluate the curriculum for physiology graduate, undergraduate, and professional students,

b. To review and evaluate graduate, undergraduate, and professional courses offered by the Physiology Department,

c. To administer the departmental Comprehensive Examination.

6. Diversity Committee

This departmental committee has one graduate student member.

a. To promote diversity of departmental composition and programs by following up on and facilitating the implementation of the recommendations in the Physiology Department MSU-IDEA Document.

7. Other Committees

There are many committees in two of the colleges, to which the Physiology Department belongs, which have graduate student representatives. These positions are elected each fall semester. A list of these committees is presented below.

College of Veterinary Medicine
(2 year term) (Contact the Assistant Dean for Research)

a. Graduate Studies and Research Committee, graduate student representative.

College of Natural Science
(Contact the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs)

a. Graduate Student Council, one graduate student representative from each department. This committee provides representatives to other College of Natural Science Committees.

D. GRADUATE STUDENT ELECTIONS

Nominations for representatives to the committees listed above will be accepted beginning the first day of classes fall semester, and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the third day of classes. Names of nominees will be posted as received.

Voting will