Special Committee
A J.S.D. student’s Special Committee is usually made up of three members of the graduate faculty in the Field of Law who are knowledgeable in the areas of the student’s academic interests. Additional members may be added to cover other areas of interest. The Special Committee is wholly responsible for overseeing the student’s course of study, progress, administering the Prospectus and B examinations, confirming degree requirements are satisfied, ensuring that the student is well prepared in his/her field, overseeing the dissertation, and recommending that the degree be awarded when all requirements have been met.
The Special Committee consists of a Chair, who often represents the major area of concentration and supervises the dissertation, and at least two other graduate faculty members, usually representing other areas of concentration.
Students are expected to keep their full Special Committee updated on degree progress and should schedule at least one meeting each term with all Committee members either as a group or individually. Regular communication with the Chair and other Special Committee members is required so that all are aware of degree progress.
Within the Field of Law, students are expected to identify a Chair within their first few weeks and must submit their selection in the Student Center no later than three weeks after the start of their first semester. Students should consult the DGS for assistance in confirming or changing advisors.
Students having trouble identifying Special Committee members should contact the DGS as early as possible. Failure to secure a chair within the first three weeks of the program and a full Special Committee no later than the end of the second semester will impact academic standing and funding.
If a chair or committee member steps down, students must find a replacement within expected timeframes outlined in the Code of Legislation of the Graduate Faculty to remain in good standing. Students may not remain registered in the Graduate School if they fail to reconstitute a committee. If a student is unable to find a new chair within the required timeframes, they will be withdrawn from the program.
J.S.D. students may make changes to their Special Committee at any time prior to the Prospectus. Committee changes after the Prospectus require the Graduate School dean’s approval.
Updates must be submitted through the Student Center.
Chair
The graduate faculty member who directs your dissertation work is usually considered the major advisor/chairperson of your Special Committee. This advisor is most often identified prior to your enrollment and will guide you through graduate study. Your chair should be recorded with the Graduate School within the first three weeks of admission. Use the “Special Committee Selection and Change” option to assign your chairperson. The chair must be chosen by the end of the third week of the first semester. If a chair has not yet been selected, the student may submit the DGS as a temporary chair. If a student selects a temporary chair, they must provide the name of their permanent chair to the Graduate School by the end of their first semester.
Once a student has chosen a chairperson, that individual will serve as the principal consultant on a variety of matters.
Members
Other members of the Special Committee represent minor interests in the Field of Law as pertinent to the student’s research topic. The full Special Committee should be chosen by the end of the second semester of the J.S.D. program, but no later than the end of the third semester. Selection of the minor members is best done in consultation with the major advisor/chairperson. Feel free to interview various members of the Field faculty before making your decision. Discuss your academic goals to ensure your interests align. Two minor members are required for a J.S.D. Special Committee in addition to the chair. Use the “Special Committee Selection and Change” option to assign your members.
Ad Hoc Members
Although members of a student’s Special Committee are normally drawn from active graduate field faculty, Committee members from outside that body (ad hoc members) may be added under special circumstances. Such a member should either have special expertise in the student’s subject area that cannot be fulfilled by a member of the Field faculty, or should have a close working association with the student and his/her research.
To place an ad hoc member on the Special Committee, the Graduate School must be sent that person’s credentials for review. The student must submit the Ad Hoc Committee Member Request form. Once the form has been processed, the student will be informed via email that the ad hoc member has been approved; the ad hoc member will not appear on the Committee list in the Student Center. While the ad hoc member can attend exams, they do not sign off on exams or Graduate School petitions. It is up to the student to provide the ad hoc member with the date, time, and location information of their exams.
Field Appointed Committee Member
The DGS may assign an additional member of the Field of Law to participate in your Prospectus and/or final exam (B Examination). This person would be recorded on the B Examination form under Special Committee as: Field Appointment Member for Exam.
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