UNIVERSITY SENATE PROFILE
Georgia College & State University (last updated 04-10-08)
WHO is on the University Senate?
A University Senator database provides membership rosters of the University Senate and its committees.
The University Senate is a governance body consisting of forty nine (49) members including the University President who serves as an ex-officio non-voting member, thirty seven (37) elected faculty senators, four (4) staff members selected by Staff Council, two (2) student members selected by the Student Government Association, and five (5) members that are appointed by the University President. The University Senate elects one of its current elected faculty senator members to serve for a one year term as Presiding Officer.
WHAT does the University Senate do?
A University Senate Online Motion database archives all motions acted on by the University Senate.
The University Senate is endowed with all the legislative powers and authority of the University Faculty by the institutional statutes, and exists to promote and implement effective shared governance at the university. It is expressly charged with recommending academic and institutional policy subject to the approval of the University President. In addition to its policy recommending responsibility, the University Senate serves in an advisory role to the administration, particularly in the implementation of policy or improvement of processes that have broad institutional impact or implications, including but not limited to planning and budgetary processes. The University Senate strives to be mindful and respectful of matters that are more appropriately handled at the divisional, school and department levels, but may make recommendations concerning matters within these areas that have broader institutional impact or implications.
WHEN did University Senate begin?
A transition from a faculty senate to a university senate occurred between 2000 and 2002. While the faculty senate was populated exclusively by faculty, the university senate was designed with the intent of promoting a shared sense of purpose and collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and administrators. The ideals of shared information, transparent decision-making, and collegiality guide its continued development.
WHAT is the Committee Structure of the University Senate For more information about committees, click here
The ACADEMIC POLICY COMMITTEE (APC) shall be concerned with policy relating to undergraduate and graduate education matters that have broad impact or implication to the university as a whole.
The CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT POLICY COMMITTEE (CAPC) shall be concerned with policy relating to curriculum and academic assessment.
The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the University Senate (ECUS) is a faculty advisory body to the University President and serves as the Steering Committee of the University Senate
The FACULTY AFFAIRS POLICY COMMITTEE (FAPC) shall be concerned with policy relating to faculty welfare (e.g. authorities, responsibilities, rights, recognitions, privileges, and opportunities
The STUDENT AFFAIRS POLICY COMMITTEE (SAPC) shall be concerned with policy relating to the general social, cultural, and practical welfare of students.
The RESOURCES, PLANNING, AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICY COMMITTEE (RPIPC) shall be concerned with policy relating to non-instructional personnel (including administrative personnel) and institutional budget and planning functions
HOW can a member of the faculty serve on the University Senate or its committees?
The eligibility requirements to be nominated to serve as an Elected Faculty Senator are
o membership in the Corps of Instruction, meaning full-time status at the rank of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, Senior Lecturer, or Lecturer, and
o the completion of at least two years of service at the university at the time the term of service begins.
In addition, there are Non-Senator positions on the standing committees available for Corps of Instruction faculty not presently serving on the University Senate.
WHERE can I get more information about the University Senate?
Visit the University Senate webpage http://us.gcsu.edu OR visit the University Senate tab within myCATS.