ABSTRACT
The functions performed by the graduate committee vary from one college or university to another. This chapter explains about how to select committee members. On most graduate committees, there is a chairperson and from one to four other members. Many programs will seek our recommendation regarding potential committee members as part of the selection process. Even if it is not part of the process, it makes sense to formalize our suggestions regarding potential committee members and send your recommendation in writing to the administrator or professor who has final responsibility for making committee selections. The Committee Member Selection Guide (CMSG) has been designed to help us determine which characteristics of effective committee members are important to you and the degree to which faculty demonstrate attainment of those characteristics. Throughout this chapter, the importance of becoming known by our committee members and of them getting to know us has been stressed.
