1 Introduction

I. Introduction

History and Background

Music activities began at the North Dakota Agricultural College in 1903, and have been a part of the institution ever since.

  • The current graduate program in performance and conducting was started in 2002.
  • The master’s in music education was added in 2008.
  • The master’s and doctoral tracks in collaborative piano were added in 2015.
  • The master’s degree in music theory pedagogy began in 2019.

We feature the only master’s and doctoral program in performance and conducting in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, western Minnesota, and eastern Washington.

We have prepared professional teachers, performers, conductors, and faculty members in higher education with a high degree of musical and employment success.

  • The NDSU School of Music (formerly the Department of Music) was inaugurated on September 26, 2012.
  • As a result of a generous endowment gift from the Robert and Sheila Challey family, the School of Music was named the Challey School of Music (CSoM) on October 8, 2014, and is the only named academic unit at North Dakota State University.

Roles

Graduate students in the School of Music assume two distinct but interrelated roles:

  1. Graduate Scholars

    • Students in the most rigorous sense—expected to further their musical education in their specialty areas as well as in music coursework and experiences that directly support those specialties.
    • Expectations are uncompromising, based on the philosophy that anything less than excellence is unacceptable.

  2. Assistantship Staff Members (if applicable)

    • Charged with responsibility to act as teachers, performers, scholars, researchers, and staff assistants.
    • Assist in nurturing other NDSU students and supporting NDSU faculty members.
    • Expectations are equally rigorous and uncompromising.

Behavior

Graduate students must comport themselves as role models for other students, and if they have assistantships, also as responsible staff members.

  • NDSU graduate students:
    • Treat all students with respect and understanding.
    • Encourage student learning and reward excellence.
    • Behave compassionately and ethically in all interactions with the NDSU community.
    • Act as respected and respectful representatives of NDSU and the Challey School of Music.

Any graduate student who does not continuously demonstrate these characteristics may lose privileges or support, or may be dismissed from the program.

Policy Requirements:

  • Students must read and follow NDSU Policy 601: Code of Student Conduct.
  • Students must follow NDSU Policy 162.1: Consensual Relationships, since assistantship responsibilities often involve “power differential” relationships.
  • Students must complete annual sexual harassment training and Title IX training.

Professionalism in Teaching/Supervisory Roles:

  • Graduate students with assistantships in teaching or supervisory positions must uphold standards of professionalism in behavior, appearance, dress, and manner.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistants are not in a peer relationship with students when teaching or supervising.
  • Neatness in dress and appearance is expected.
  • If questions arise about what is appropriate, consult your advisor or the graduate coordinator.

Evaluation

Graduate students with assistantships are evaluated every year, usually every semester.

  • The evaluation is administered by the advisor and other involved faculty members.
  • A written summary of the evaluation is placed in the student’s file.
  • These evaluations are used in:
    • Renewal of assistantships.
    • Letters of recommendation.

Disciplinary Actions

Problematic progress toward degree, performance of duties, or behavior may result in:

  • Change of academic status
  • Counseling
  • Reprimand
  • Loss of privileges or assistantship benefits
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal from the program

Process:

  • Actions are taken after consideration by and recommendation of the advisor, faculty, and CSoM administration.
  • A student may appeal such a decision through a written request (with documentation) to the Director of the School of Music within one week of the action.
  • In the case of appeal, the Director may:
    • Call a meeting of appropriate individuals for further information.
    • Rule on the appeal after consultation with the advisor and relevant faculty.
  • The result of the appeal will be communicated to the student, the faculty, the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Communication

  • The NDSU email address is the official communication channel used by instructors, colleges, departments, and administrative offices.
  • Graduate students are expected to:
    • Check their email several times daily.
    • Be prompt in replying.

The Handbook

This document is updated continually, and the most current revision always applies unless waived or modified through petition with the graduate coordinator.

  • The current version of the Handbook is available online via the School of Music webpage.
  • The Handbook is to be used in conjunction with the Graduate School Catalog, found online on the Graduate School webpages.

If there are differences among:

  • The current Handbook,
  • The version of the Handbook in effect at matriculation,
  • The Graduate Catalog,

Consult the graduate coordinator. Resolution is always ultimately a decision of the faculty of the Challey School of Music.

Responsibility:
It is the responsibility of the graduate student to know the requirements of their program.