University Senate Committees

The University Senate operates according to a modified version of Robert’s Rules of Order, exceptions being established by its own by-laws. Matters coming to the full University Senate for a vote must be introduced as motions in the form of a report and recommendation by a University Senate committee to which the matter has been assigned. Standing committees have mandated responsibilities for certain subject areas. Matters falling outside the responsibilities of standing committees may be handled by ad hoc committees established by the executive committee for this purpose.

Procedures for Standing Committees

With the exception of the executive committee, of which all its members are elected to membership, the membership of standing committees is by appointment by the executive committee and with the consent of the appointee. The outgoing executive committee shall meet after the spring elections and make committee assignments for the following year. It shall take into consideration such factors as past experience, the preference of the senator, and the need for balanced and well-structured committees (see By-Law Article 2.11).
A standing committee will elect a chair from among its members on an annual basis. Each committee in its first annual meeting shall adopt a schedule specifying the minimum number and dates of its meetings for the coming year.
The majority of the membership constitutes a quorum for meetings. Motions will be passed or defeated by the majority of those present. Other matters of meeting procedure will be settled in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.
A standing committee may appoint such ad hoc sub-committees as it may deem necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. Other members of the faculty or staff, who may or may not be members of the University Senate, may be invited to serve on sub-committees.
A member who for any legitimate reason, such as sabbatical leave or leave of absence, is unable to participate in committee meetings for a protracted period of time may be replaced by a substitute member chosen by the executive committee.
In the event of the resignation or incapacity to serve by a committee chair or secretary during the academic year, the University Senate chair must be informed. It is the responsibility of the outgoing chair or secretary to arrange for his or her successor through election by the committee concerned.
The absence of a committee member from three consecutive announced meetings of the University Senate or three consecutive announced meetings of a committee shall be reported to the University Senate chair and executive committee.

Executive Committee

Members are the chair of the University Senate, the vice-chair of the University Senate, the secretary of the University Senate, the chairs of the standing committees and two senators elected at large as members of the executive committee
Sets the time and place of meetings of the full University Senate and proposes agendas to be approved in the meetings. The executive committee acts as a committee of the organization and originates all matters pertaining to University Senate organization, by-laws, and procedures
Receives, reviews, and approves reports and proposed motions from University Senate committees for inclusion in the agenda of University Senate meetings
Is responsible for communications with the University president and administrative units concerning responses and actions relating to resolutions passed by the University Senate
Constitutes and charges ad hoc committees to address specific issues of concern to the University Senate
Shall act for the University Senate as a whole in emergencies between University Senate meetings
Meetings of the executive committee are held in executive session with participation by members and invitees only

Executive Committee 2015 - 2016
Executive Committee 2014 - 2015
Executive Committee 2013 - 2014
Executive Committee 2012 - 2013

Academic Affairs Committee

The academic affairs committee will:

Bear primary responsibility for upholding standards of excellence at the University in matters of instruction and research. The committee reviews, approves, and monitors standards and conduct of research and instruction; policies concerning the conduct of teaching and courses, academic quality, and academic integrity; and other matters pertaining to the academic mission of the University
Receive proposals and reviews for consideration and recommendation matters of instructional standards and policy; research standards and procedures; and other matters pertaining to the academic mission of the University
Consider proposals, decision, and actions from the provost, associate provosts, academic deans, vice president for student affairs, and others with pertinent responsibility on matters pertaining to university instructional and research standards, policy, and procedures
Request the provost, associate provosts, academic deans, vice president for student affairs, and others with pertinent administrative responsibility such information regarding academic policies and standards of research as deemed necessary to fulfill its mandated monitoring and consultative responsibilities
Consider and make recommendations on matters of instruction and research standards and policies referred to it by members of the University Senate and others in the University community in consultation with the executive committee

Administrative Affairs Committee

The administrative affairs committee will:

Review, monitor, and make recommendations in matters relating to the administration of the University, including institutional planning, human resources, legal affairs, facilities development and maintenance, environmental safety and health, and related areas
Receive proposals and reviews for consideration and recommendation matters pertaining to the administration of the University
Consider proposals, decisions, and actions from the president, executive vice president for administration and finance and others with pertinent responsibility on matters pertaining to University administration standards, policies, and procedures
Request of the president, executive vice president for administration and finance and others with pertinent responsibility on matters pertaining to university administration such information regarding administrative policies and procedures as deemed necessary to fulfill its mandated monitoring and consultative responsibilities
Consider and make recommendations on matters of administrative affairs referred to it by members of the Senate and others in the University community in consultation with the executive committee
Report, through the executive committee, to the University Senate as a whole its recommendations for University Senate approval on matters of administrative affairs
Report, through the executive committee, to the University Senate as a whole its recommendations for University Senate approval on matters of academic policy

Budget Review Committee

The responsibility of the budget review committee is to ensure senate consultation in the budget preparation process. The involvement in the budget preparation includes the participation of at least two members from the budget review committee in the planning phase for the following year’s budget. Under conditions of confidentiality, the committee has the right of access to full budget information. In addition, the Office of Budget and Financial Planning is responsible to provide access to all data related to the budget at the beginning of each academic year to the budget review committee. In addition to senators, the budget review committee may appoint to its voting membership two faculty members chosen for their expertise in financial and budgetary matters. Budget review committee members are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement with the University. The Budget Review Committee was recognized as a standing committee of the Senate in Resolution 351 passed March 17, 2004, and approved by the University president May 3, 2004.

In consultation with the executive vice president for administration and finance and the provost, the committee identifies major financial and policy issues in the coming year’s budget in advance of the annual meeting of the board of trustees and communicates to the president the views of the Senate on the issues identified
The committee reviews the budget adopted by the board of trustees and communicates to the University Senate the major points arising from its review for consideration during the preparation of the following year’s budget
The committee also advises the executive committee and the full University Senate on budgeting policy and related budgetary matters

Curriculum Committee

The curriculum committee will:

Review, approve and monitor curricula and programs. The committee is responsible for the content of the University catalog
Receive and review for consideration of recommendation proposals for modification, addition, and subtraction programs of instruction to be included in the catalog
Request the provost, academic deans, and others with pertinent administrative responsibility such information regarding curricula and programs of instruction as deemed necessary to fulfill its mandated responsibilities
Establish and maintain a liaison with relevant committees within the units and departments of the University concerned with matters of curriculum and programs of instruction
Report, via the executive committee, to the University Senate as a whole its recommendations for Senate approval on matters of curriculum and programs of instruction

Faculty Affairs Committee

The faculty affairs committee develops, reviews, approves and monitors policies and other matters relating to faculty personnel matters. It is responsible for the contents of the faculty handbook governing faculty appointments and conditions of service [see University Senate By-Law 1.8(c)]. It is responsible for recommendations to the University Senate of policies and procedures relating to faculty appointments, promotion and tenure, and compensation and benefits.

The faculty affairs committee:

Receives and reviews for consideration of recommendation proposals for modification, addition, and subtraction policies relating to faculty appointment, performance evaluation, promotion and tenure, and compensation and benefits
Requests from the provost, academic deans, and others with pertinent administrative responsibilities their proposals, assessments, and recommendations for policies relating to faculty affairs as deemed necessary to fulfill its mandated monitoring and assessment responsibilities
Will receive from the deans of the academic schools, dean of libraries and learning technologies, dean of continuing education, and others with pertinent administrative responsibilities their decisions and recommendations on policies relating to faculty affairs for committee consideration and recommendation
Requests of the deans of the academic schools, dean of continuing education, and others with pertinent administrative responsibilities such as information regarding policies relating to faculty personnel matters as deemed necessary to fulfill its mandated monitoring responsibilities
Will establish and maintain liaison with officers and committees within the various units and departments of the University that deal with issues pertaining to faculty affairs
Considers, report, and make recommendations to the University Senate, via the executive committee, any policies relating to faculty affairs

Senate Grievance Committee

The senate grievance committee is responsible for:

Considering grievance cases pursued through the University grievance policy and procedure. As such, the committee is bound by the procedures specified in the policy and by strict confidentiality
Submitting written reports of its case investigations and its recommendations for resolution to the University Senate chair, who forwards the reports to the area heads concerned or directly to the President, should the area head be a respondent in the grievance
The chair of the senate grievance committee is responsible for monitoring the results of the grievance resolution process and reporting them to the senate chair for further action, if necessary
Making recommendations to the University Senate for modifications or changes to the University grievance policy and procedure are the responsibility of the administrative affairs committee, in consultation with the grievance committee

Student Affairs Committee

The student affairs committee will:

Review, recommend and monitor policies and procedures concerning recruitment, admissions, registration, advising, academic performance, and university life of students at AUC, including extra-curricular activities and student welfare and conduct [see University Senate By-Law 1.8(d)]
Receive proposals, consider and make recommendations on any matters related to student affairs policies
Request from the provost, vice president for student affairs, academic deans and others with pertinent administrative responsibilities their proposals, assessments, and recommendations for policies relating to student affairs as deemed necessary to fulfill its mandated monitoring and assessment responsibilities
Establish and maintain liaison with officers and committees within the various units and departments of the University that deal with issues pertaining to student affairs
Consider, report and make recommendations to the Senate, via the executive committee, any policies relating to student affairs
Student senators are automatically voting members of the student affairs committee