Committees of the University Senate
Last updated 01/08/07
Membership of the Standing Committees (University Senate Bylaws, Article V, Section 2.A)
V.Section2.A.1. There shall be four standing committees: the Academic Governance Committee, the University Services Committee, the Budget and Planning Committee, and the Student Affairs Committee.
V.Section2.A.2. There shall be fifteen (15) members on each standing committee, one of which is appointed as specified in V.Section2.C. The remaining fourteen (14) members shall be nominated by the Committee on Nominations and elected by the University Senate. Each School and the Library shall be represented on each standing committee and there shall be no fewer than eight (8) senators on each standing committee. Each standing committee shall include at least one (1) student nominated by the Student Government Association.
(University Senate Bylaws, Article IV, Section 4)
All members of the University Senate shall have at least one University Senate committee assignment. Faculty, staff, administrators and students who are not members of the University Senate may be nominated to University Senate committees if the Committee on Nominations deems that appropriate. Committee members who are not members of the University Senate shall be afforded all rights of committee membership, including voting, but shall have none of these rights in the University Senate.
Academic Governance Committee (AGC) (University Senate Bylaws, Article V, Section 2.C.1)
V.Section2.C.1.a. This committee shall be composed of fourteen (14) members elected by the University Senate, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs/ Dean of Faculties.
V.Section2.C.1.b. This committee shall have the responsibility of considering and making policy recommendations regarding all issues that affect Corps of Instruction faculty, curriculum, instruction, and academic programs and policies that affect the entire University. The committee shall address issues relating to the quality of instruction and shall make recommendations concerning the nature and structure of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, general accreditation compliance, core curriculum, admissions, advisement, retention, and academic practices. The committee shall also recommend policies and procedures concerning professional development and research opportunities for faculty including the use of human subjects in research, faculty awards (teaching, research, service, and program), intellectual property rights, research awards, distinguished service awards, and honorary degrees. The committee shall also recommend university-wide policies concerning faculty workloads, salaries, and tenure and promotion. This committee shall consider recommendations on the procedures for faculty recruitment, faculty grievance resolution, and academic administrator evaluation. The committee shall also be concerned with issues related to the Honors & Scholars Program, continuing education and non-degree programs, international education, and experiential learning. Recommendations on academic programs including but not limited to the academic calendar, this committee shall also consider registration, retention and student academic appeals processes.
University Services Committee (USC) (University Senate Bylaws, Article V, Section 2.C.2)
V.Section2.C.2.a. This committee shall be composed of fourteen (14) members elected by the University Senate, and the Director of Legal Affairs.
V.Section2.C.2.b. The responsibility of this committee includes the review and recommendation of policies related to technological services, practices and fees that affects faculty, staff, and students, and issues regarding the health, welfare, and safety of the University Community including, but not to be limited to, policies and procedures regarding alcohol and illegal drugs on campus, safety and risk management, Homeland Security, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, affirmative action, conflict resolution, and student health services.
Budget and Planning Committee (BPC) (University Senate Bylaws, Article V, Section 2.C.3)
V.Section2.C.3.a. This committee shall be composed of fourteen (14) members elected by the University Senate, and the Vice President for Business and Finance.
V.Section2.C.3.b. This committee shall have the responsibility of considering and making recommendations regarding the budgeting process and its impact on the general educational policy and welfare of the University Community. These responsibilities include University Senate recommendations to the President concerning the University Strategic Plan, budgeting (including long range planning and the annual budget), marketing, facilities, and campus master planning.
Student Affairs Committee (SAC) (University Senate Bylaws, Article V, Section 2.C.4)
V.Section2.C.4.a. This committee shall be composed of fourteen (14) members elected by the University Senate, and the Vice President for Student Affairs.
V.Section2.C.4.b. This committee shall have the responsibility of considering and making recommendations and policies concerning student housing, the quality of residence life, scholarships, orientation, first year academic experience activities, graduation and other student ceremonies (Honors Day, Convocation), athletics and NCAA practices, rules and regulations affecting student life and activities, non-academic student appeals process, and University Diversity Planning.
The Executive Committee (ECUS) (University Senate Bylaws, Article V, Section 1.A)
V.Section1.A. The Executive Committee of the University Senate shall consist of the University President, the Vice President and Dean of Faculties, and four (4) elected members of the University Senate. Within ten (10) calendar days of these elections, the incoming Executive Committee shall hold an organizational meeting at which they elect a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary. These elections shall be presided over by the University President.
V.Section1.A.1. The election of the four Senators to the Executive Committee shall proceed as follows. At the spring organizational meeting of the incoming University Senate, the outgoing Committee on Nominations shall nominate four elected Senators from the incoming University Senate. The presiding officer shall then call for other nominations from the floor. Should there be more than four (4) nominees, the incoming University Senate will vote, with members casting votes for up to four (4) nominees. The four (4) Senators receiving the most votes will constitute the elected members of the Executive Committee. There will be an additional vote in the case of a tie.
V.Section1.A.2. Should the chair of the outgoing Executive Committee not be reelected to the Executive Committee, (s)he shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the incoming Executive Committee to assist with continuity for the following academic year.
V.Section1.B. The Executive Committee shall meet as needed throughout the year to facilitate the functioning of the University Senate. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be called by the Chair, President, or by written request from a majority of the Executive Committee membership. A majority of the Executive Committee membership shall constitute a quorum.
V.Section1.C. The duties of the Executive Committee shall include the following:
V.Section1.C.1. The members of the Executive Committee shall constitute an advisory committee of the faculty that the University President may consult.
V.Section1.C.2. The Executive Committee shall set the agenda for regular and called meetings of the University Senate. The agenda shall be disseminated to members of the University Senate no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the meeting. The Executive Committee shall also provide the text and any other supplemental information in a timely manner, when available, regarding any motions that are to be proposed to the Senate.
V.Section1.C.3. The four elected members of the Executive Committee shall serve as the informal body of inquiry (the “body of inquiry”), as described in Board of Regent’s policy (803.1102), to mitigate the removal of any tenured or non-tenured faculty member. The body of inquiry shall be responsible for the determination of confidentiality relating to such informal inquiries, especially when sensitive information about particular individuals would be otherwise revealed. If the body of inquiry has failed to effect an adjustment, they shall advise the president whether dismissal proceedings shall be undertaken. The body of inquiry’s recommendation shall not be binding on the president.
V.Section1.C.4. Except when the University Senate gives specific directions, the Executive Committee shall, when consideration is being given to referring any matter to a standing committee, determine the standing committee which shall have jurisdiction; provided, however, that nothing in this responsibility shall challenge the University President's authority and responsibility for interpretation of the Statutes and bylaws or for determining ultimate jurisdiction when conflicts arise.
V.Section1.C.5. The Executive Committee shall receive and disseminate reports of all standing committees prior to meetings of the University Senate. The Executive Committee may review the reports and, when deemed appropriate, make its own recommendations in addition to forwarding those of the committees.
V.Section1.C.6. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Committee on Nominations as specified in V.Section1.D.1.
V.Section1.C.7. The Executive Committee may recommend to the University Senate for their consideration and approval such standing and/or special committees as it deems necessary.
V.Section1.C.8. The Executive Committee may consider and recommend to the University Senate any matters that are within the powers of the University Senate.
V.Section1.C.9. The Executive Committee shall have the responsibility for initiating and maintaining the system of overlapping terms, for verifying representatives authorized to each academic unit, and for resolving questions related to the faculty election process.
V.Section1.C.10. The Executive Committee shall ensure that up-to-date versions of any documents (statutes, bylaws, policy manuals, handbooks) that define or reference the governance structure in any unit of the University are archived in both "hard" and "electronic" format to facilitate access.
V.Section1.C.11. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for maintaining a calendar of University Senate activity.
V.Section1.C.12. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for maintaining and disseminating the minutes of University Senate, the minutes of the Executive Committee, and the minutes of standing committees, sub-committees, and ad hoc committees to the faculty, staff and students of the University. The Secretary of the Executive Committee will also serve as the Secretary of the University Senate. The Secretary of the Executive Committee, with the approval of the Executive Committee, will appoint an Archivist.
V.Section1.C.12.a. The Archivist shall maintain a historical record of University Senate activity both on paper and electronically and make the electronic version of this archive available to the University Community.