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Shared governance is vital to higher education.  Faculty and staff have an opportunity to participate in this process by actively serving as a member of a University committee or council.  University committees and councils aid in the effective operation of the University by studying various issues and recommending changes to, or institution of, policies and procedures.  The University Committees and Councils are appointed to bring together responsible people selected from the various departments and divisions, including students, for the general good of the University.  Each committee and council has the responsibility of continually reviewing practices and policies in its area of concern, as well as performing specifically designated duties.

University committees and councils may be appointed by the President, the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Executive Vice President, the Chief Business Officer, or the Vice President for Student Affairs.  Generally, creation and appointment of University committees and councils are done after consultation with related department heads/faculty chairs/program directors, academic deans, budget unit heads, the Faculty Senate and/or (in the case of the President) the related vice presidents. 

Decisions made by University committees and councils shall be regarded as recommendations until approved by the appointing agent and/or the President except in special cases as outlined in the particular committee or council charter. The format for conducting meetings and for preparing and filing the minutes of the University committees and councils may be found in Other Resources below.

University committee and council membership shall coincide with the University’s academic year. In order to retain a core of experienced members from one year to the next, each committee and council defines its own appointment terms. In the case of standing committees, appointments shall be made by August for terms that start with the fall semester. Ad hoc committees may be developed and appointed at any time by the President and are not bound by this deadline.

 


Other Resources:

Guidelines for University Committees/Councils Officers

Example of Format for Committees/Councils Meeting Minutes

Template - Committees/Councils Meeting Minutes (opens as Word .doc - File NOT available outside the university network)