Proposed Changes to
the Faculty Handbook
Section I
Organization of the Faculty:
Bylaws and
Regulations of the University Faculty Senate
Section III Standing
Committee System of the Faculty and Its Senate
General Provisions
Regarding Committees
Dear Members of the Rules Committee:
Because the roll of Chairperson of the Undergraduate Studies Committee is a very important one, and the work load is heavy and requires a significant learning curve, it would be beneficial to the Senate as well as the Undergraduate Studies Committee to amend the charge of the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the University Faculty Senate to increase the position of chairperson to a two-year term. The Graduate Studies Committee currently has this rule in place, and I feel the same would benefit the Undergraduate Studies Committee as well.
It has become increasingly difficult to fill these positions, and having the responsibility reduced to every other year for the position of Chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee would also be beneficial to the Committee on Committees and Nominations.
In addition, it would also be beneficial to amend the charge
to indicate the Graduate Studies Committee representative be the Chairperson of
the Graduate Studies Committee. The Chairperson of the Graduate Studies
committee is the representative that usually attends the Undergraduate Studies
committee meetings, and it has worked very well. The Chairperson
continues on the Graduate Studies Committee for two years which helps
provide continuity to the Undergraduate Studies committee. The GS
Chairperson also has the charge of approving the Challenge list among
other things that the UGS Chairperson must do as well, and having them
both on the committee results in the two Chairs providing assistance
to one another in these approval rolls.
The proposed changes are in red below.
Thank you for your consideration,
Karren Helsel-Spry
University Faculty Senate
This committee
shall consist of the Provost or his/her designee; the Director of Admissions or
his/her designee; the University Registrar or his/her designee; three faculty
members from the College of Arts and Science (if feasible, one from natural
sciences and mathematics, one from arts and humanities, and one from social and
behavioral sciences) and one faculty member from each other undergraduate
college, one of whom shall be chairperson; one representative the
chairperson of the Committee on Graduate Studies; and
three undergraduate students.
The Chairperson of the Undergraduate Studies
Committee shall be selected by the Committee on Committees, and Nominations and
shall be confirmed by the Senate for a two-year term.