The GSR must be a productive scholar in his or her own research area that may differ from that of the student’s dissertation project. The GSR represents the broad concerns of the Graduate School with respect to high standards of scholarly performance, ensuring that the student’s mastery of the subject matter is broad and comprehensive. The GSR is a voting member of the committee and must attest to the validity of examinations, indicate approval of the process by which examinations are conducted, ensure that the student is treated in an unbiased manner, and represent the Graduate School in ensuring university-wide standards of scholarly performance. The GSR must sign the warrant and submit a standardized report on the examination process to the Dean of the Graduate School. As a full voting member of the dissertation supervisory committee, the GSR provides an important service function to the Graduate School and the university.
It is vital to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest in the selection of the GSR. Budgetary relationships, personal relationships, or research and/or publication relationships between the GSR and either the student or the committee chair are examples of possible conflicts of interest. The GSR is responsible for ensuring that no such conflicts of interest, or appearance of conflicts of interest, exist, and must attest to this upon request.
In order to serve as a Graduate School Representative (GSR), the proposed committee member:
- Must be a Graduate Faculty member with an endorsement to chair (check Graduate Faculty Locator).
- Must be clear of any conflicts of interest (see below). The GSR is responsible for ensuring that no such conflicts of interest, or appearance of conflicts of interest, exist, and must attest to this upon request.
| Primary Appt. | Joint Appt. | Affiliate Appt. | Adjunct Appt. | |
| Proposed GSR has appt in student’s/committee chair’s dept | No | No | No | Yes |
| Proposed GSR does not have appt in student’s/committee chair’s dept | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Proposed GSR has conflict of interest* | No | No | No | No |
Yes = eligible to serve
No = not eligible to serve
Please visit this link for more information about GSR eligibility: https://grad.uw.edu/policies-procedures/doctoral-degree-policies/graduate-school-representative-gsr-eligibility/