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.