Committee Chair Report for Ph.D. Proposal
Dear Proposal Committee Chair,
 
To receive a 'pass' on the Proposal Exam, a student must:
  • demonstrate strong background knowledge in their field, based upon their answers to committee questioning;
  • clearly articulate an appropriate and realistic dissertation topic and research plan;
  • meet the quality standards expected of Ph.D. students in their written proposal document and oral presentation; and
  • present preliminary results to demonstrate their mastery of necessary skills, and the feasibility of their plan.
A 'conditional pass' can be used if only a few deficiencies are found in an otherwise strong proposal.

Ph.D. students are required to submit a yearly progress report to you starting on the second year after passing their Proposal.  Thank you for serving as Proposal Committee Chair.
 
 
Indicate the proposal examination outcome below. Please insert the committee's required or recommended actions, as appropriate. Required actions are not permissible for a "Pass" outcome, but recommended actions may be included. Required actions must be included for a "Conditional pass" or "Fail" outcome. 
 
For a previous "Conditional pass" or "Fail" outcome, select "All conditions have been met" after the student has completed all the required actions, and specify the completed actions.
Proposal examination outcome:
  •
Does the committee recommend this proposal for a Cleaver Award? If "Yes" is selected, the committee chair must submit a nomination letter to the Academic Office within two weeks of the proposal examination.
Cleaver nomination letter guidance:
  • The letter will not be shared with the advisor nor the student.
  • The letter should comment briefly but specifically on the quality of the Proposal document, the oral presentation, and the student's responses to questions.
  • The letter should clearly articulate why the student deserves the Cleaver award. What made this Proposal stand out?