Faculty governance rests on the assumption that faculty hold a substantive role in decision-making in several identified areas in the life of the College including the curriculum, faculty professional development, and criteria for tenure and promotion. Please refer to the Faculty Senate website for more information on the Senate, its legislative responsibilities, and Senate procedures.
THE FACULTY SENATE
As the elected representative body of the faculty, the Senate has legislative responsibility for these areas. However, to ensure that the work of the Faculty Senate is effective and occurs in an environment where decision-making is valued, the Senate affirms that:
- A shared commitment to the mission of the College informs all decision-making and
structures of governance. - Governance is informed by maximum collaboration and consultation, respectful and
reasoned discussion, trust between administration and faculty, and consistent
communication. - Governance occurs in multiple venues, is flexible to accommodate emerging institutional challenges and opportunities, and is accomplished in an institutional culture that balances stability and innovation.
- Areas of responsibility and the roles of faculty involved in governance must be unambiguous.
- Structures of governance must be as simple and straightforward as possible and respect the time commitment of all involved.
The Senate shall have legislative powers concerning academic policies and procedures including curriculum, faculty governance, and promotion and tenure criteria. After the Senate approves or rejects policies and/or procedures, said action(s) shall be presented to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President of the College for ratification. If the Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or the President of the College do not ratify the proposed action(s), they must give written notice of the basis of their decision within sixty (60) days of the submission for ratification.
Faculty Committees
A current list of all elected faculty committees and their membership can be found on the Faculty Committees webpage.