Submitting a Graduate Faculty Status Request

Submitting Graduate Faculty Status Requests

Graduate faculty status is required for faculty members who serve on:

• Graduate student thesis or dissertation committees
• Graduate program admissions committees
• Graduate program curriculum committees

Refer to Graduate Faculty Categories for details on Level I, Level II, and Ad Hoc status.

Important notes:

• Requests must be submitted by the graduate program director, program administrator, or department chair.
• Postdoctoral trainees are not eligible for Graduate Faculty Status.
• Retired or emeritus UAB faculty should be submitted using Ad Hoc instructions (see below).

Level I or Level II

Step 1: Verify Existing Status

Go to the Graduate School Faculty Affiliation system and search by the faculty member’s name or BlazerID. 

• The Graduate School Faculty Affiliation Status field will show the current review stage:
  • Yes, active affiliation - No action needed
  • Expired Must Renew - See "Renewing Status" below
  • No active affiliation - Follow the steps below
• If a packet has been submitted, but has not yet been approved, this message will display:

Note: Ad Hoc members are not tracked in this system. For Ad Hoc inquiries, email gradschool@uab.edu.

Step 2: Submit a New Request

If the faculty member does not have Graduate Faculty Status:

• Select Add Graduate Faculty Status
• Upload one combined PDF that includes:
  • Recommendation for Graduate Faculty status form
• • Letter of nomination from the department chair or School/College dean addressed to the Dean of the Graduate School stating the nominee’s role (mentor/chair/member) and a brief explanation of their qualifications
  • Applicant’s current CV

Step 3: Approval Notification

The individual who submitted the request will receive an email notification once final approval is complete.

Renewing Status

If a faculty member’s graduate faculty status has expired, locate the faculty member in the Graduate School Faculty Affiliation system, select the appropriate Level, upload a current CV, and submit the request. 

Ad Hoc Graduate Faculty Status

Ad Hoc status is used for:

• Retired or emeritus faculty
• External/non-UAB committee members

Submission Process

Email one combined PDF to rdanner@uab.edu that includes:

• Recommendation for Graduate Faculty status form
• Letter of nomination from the graduate program director or department chair addressed to the Dean of the Graduate School stating the nominee’s qualifications
• Applicant’s current CV

Timeline

The contact person listed on the form will be notified by email of the decision within 10 business days.

Quick Reminders

• Always check the system before submitting a new Level I or Level II request
• Combine all documents into a single PDF
• Ad Hoc faculty will not appear in the Faculty Affiliation system