III. University and School Committees

Special Committees of the University Faculty
1. University Senate
2. University Faculty Council
Other Committees of the University Faculty
1. Committee on Committees
2. Standing Committees
School Committees

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A. Special Committees of the University Faculty

1. University Senate

a. Responsibilities

The University Senate considers proposals for all changes in degree programs, including new degrees. It examines and recommends to the Provost all policies dealing with the formal curricular and instructional program and cultural offerings of the University, including the library. It also considers academic matters affecting two or more divisions of the University and makes such recommendations as may be deemed advisable. Actions of the Senate are reported to the University Faculty for information.

b. Membership

Membership in the University Senate consists of the chairpersons of each of the academic departments in the several schools, two tenured members of the faculty of The T. C. Williams School of Law (nominated by the faculty and the Dean), one tenured faculty member of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies (nominated by the faculty and the dean), one full-time faculty member of the School of Continuing Studies (nominated by the faculty and the dean), the faculty representative on the Trustees' Academic Program Committee, the Dean of each college or school (including the Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Arts & Sciences and The Director of the MBA Program in the Robins School of Business), the Registrar, the University Librarian, the Provost, and the President.

c. Special Senate Committees

From time to time, the Senate may appoint such special committees as it deems necessary. Normally these committees are appointed to study one specific issue. A written charge will be given each special committee and this charge shall contain a specified date by which a report is expected. Each special committee is to be considered dissolved when its report is filed, whether with the Senate or a designated administrative officer. Each special committee will include at least one member of the Senate.

2. University Faculty Council

There shall be a University Faculty Council defined as follows: The purpose of the University Faculty Council shall be to provide information and advice to the President and Provost regarding faculty interests and concerns as they bear upon the life and operation of the institution, to communicate to the faculty the results of its deliberations, and to carry out such further functions as may be assigned to it by the faculty, in keeping with the By-Laws of the University. The University Faculty Council shall also nominate all faculty members to be appointed to screening and search committees for President and all Vice Presidents.

Note: Faculty refers to University Faculty unless otherwise noted.

a. Organization

The University Faculty Council shall consist of seventeen members to be nominated and elected by the five faculties from among their full-time colleagues who have continuing annually renewable appointments or who have been granted faculty status. There shall be ten members from Arts and Sciences, three from Business, two from Law, one from Leadership Studies, and one from Continuing Studies. Election procedures will be determined by the respective faculties. Faculty members who hold administrative positions in the offices of the President, Provost, or one of the deans of the schools are not eligible to serve as voting members of the Council.

(1). Members of the University Faculty Council shall be elected to staggered terms of three years. Regular elections to replace members whose terms are expiring shall be held in the spring. Expiring terms shall end and new terms begin at the end of the May University Faculty meeting.
(2). The term of an elected member of the University Faculty Council shall end at the time s/he becomes a part-time employee of the University, takes a leave of absence from the University, or assumes an administrative position in the offices of the President, Provost, or one of the Deans of the schools. In the event that a member anticipates being unable to serve for a year or more, a special election will be held to fill the position during the time s/he cannot serve. In the event that a member anticipates being unable to serve for less than a year, the Chair of the University Faculty Council, with the approval of the elected members of the Council, will appoint someone to fill the position. Any member temporarily replaced by either election or appointment will resume his/her place on the Council upon return, if her/his term of office has not ended.
(3). A member of the University Faculty Council elected to a three-year or shorter term shall be eligible for re-election to another three-year or shorter term. In no event, however, shall any member serve more than six years consecutively, and a member serving six consecutive years shall not be eligible for re-election until after two years have elapsed. A member who leaves University Faculty Council after three years or less of service is eligible to serve again after one semester, and a member who leaves after more than three but less than six years of service is eligible to serve again after one year.
(4). The University Faculty Council shall select from its elected members, according to procedures it shall determine, a chairman and a secretary. The selections shall be made at the first meeting of the Council following the Spring Break. The chairman's and the secretary's terms shall begin at the end of the May University Faculty meeting, terms of office being one year.
(5). A quorum for meeting of the Council shall consist of a majority of the elected membership. A majority of those present and voting shall be required to resolve any question.

b. Procedures

(1). The University Faculty Council shall meet at least twice each semester during the regular academic session. The times and places of the meetings shall be set by the chairman, who shall see that adequate notice is given to each member. The chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Council except that, in his/her absence or his/her discretion, another elected Council member shall be selected to preside. The secretary shall inform all faculty members of meetings through appropriate and timely notices.
(2). The Council chairman shall call a meeting of the Council within ten days after a request for a meeting is made to him/her by two or more members of the Council. The chairman may also call a meeting of the Council upon the request of the President or the Provost.
(3). The Council shall invite the President and Provost of the University to attend its meeting at which they shall have voice, but shall not make motions or vote.
(4). The Council shall place itself at the disposal of its electorate. It shall report through its chairman, or his/her designee, to its faculty electorate at least once each semester, either at a regular meeting of the University Faculty or at regular meetings of the three divisional faculties. At such meetings the Council shall solicit questions and suggestions from all members of the faculty. The Council shall be responsible to discuss in its meetings all questions and suggestions put to it by members of its faculty electorate and, may, on due deliberation, convey recommendations to the President and Provost of the University, pursuant to the purpose of the Council as stated in the first paragraph above.
(5). The meetings and minutes of the Council shall be open to the faculty. The Council shall record in its minutes the substance and the outcome of its deliberations, except when meeting in executive session.
(6). Upon due authorization of the Council, the chair shall appoint committees to assist the body in the expeditious performance of its work. While the chair and a majority of the membership of any Council committee shall consist of elected Council members, other members of the faculty may also be appointed. In making such appointments, the chair shall see that diversity of the faculties is taken into account.
(7). In acting on personnel issues, the Council shall conform to the provision contained in the faculty personnel procedures determining its rules of operation.

c. Amendments

These rules and regulations shall be amended at the proposal of the University Faculty Council or of any member of the faculty upon ratification by a majority vote of a quorum of the University Faculty in regular meeting, provided that any proposed amendment be presented to the Secretary of the Faculty in writing and either distributed or read aloud to the Faculty in one meeting, the vote to be taken on the proposed amendment at a subsequent meeting of the Faculty no sooner than thirty days thereafter.

B. Other Committees of the University Faculty

The faculty shall play a significant role in determining the nature and membership of University committees dealing with faculty concerns. The structure of faculty committees shall generally reflect the following principles:

Committees shall represent as broad a spectrum of the faculty as possible;
Election to committee membership shall be the responsibility of the faculty, and shall be for a stated term, usually with a possibility of reappointment;
The committee structure shall reflect the interests of and the avowed purposes of the University as well as the interest of the faculty and the aims of its efforts;
Untenured, tenure-track faculty shall not ordinarily be asked to serve as chairs of university committees.

In the spirit of mutual concern for the well-being of the University and the spirit of cooperation which this concern entails, the President of the University delegates to the faculty the responsibility for selecting members of the standing committees of the faculty.

1. Committee on Committees

The selection of members for University Committees, subject to ratification as herein provided, shall be vested in the University Committee on Committees as follows:

a.  Membership of the University Committee on Committees
     (1). One representative elected by Arts and Sciences (A&S)
   (2). One representative elected by T.C. Williams School of Law (TCW)
     (3). One representative elected by The Robins School of Business (RSB)
     (4). One representative elected by The Jepson School of Leadership
            Studies (JSLS)
     (5). One representative elected by The School of Continuing Studies (SCS)
     (6). Provost
     (7). University Faculty Council Chair
b. Membership for one-year term, maximum of three years consecutively,
     except for the Provost and the University Faculty Council Chair.
c.  A faculty representative shall be selected by the Committee as chair.
d. The chair shall serve a one-year term, with reelection possible.
e. Charges to the University Committee on Committees shall be:
     (1). To review annually the University committee structure;
     (2). To recommend changes in committee charges and structure to the
            University faculty;
     (3). To recommend to the faculty the terms of office of the various
            committees;
     (4). To make changes in the size and/or representation where warranted;
     (5). To gauge the expertise, interest, and willingness to serve for the entire
faculty;
     (6). To select a slate of members for each standing University committee;
     (7). To see that committee membership is broadly representative;
     (8). To select members for any ad hoc faculty committees or task forces
           deemed necessary (this shall be done in consultation with University
           Faculty Council);
     (9). To see that there shall be representation from each school on every
            University committee where the faculty of a school requests it, or
            where the University Committee on Committees thinks it would be
            desirable;
   (10). To consult with the Provost of the University before the Committee
            on Committees submits its slates to the faculty;
   (11). To submit the entire slate of University committee members to the
            University faculty for ratification;
   (12). To reconsider and return to the faculty for action slates not ratified.
f.  Slates for faculty representatives for the following current standing
    committees shall be prepared by the Committee on Committees:
    (1).  Athletic Committee and Athletic Council
    (2). Board of Publications
    (3). Cultural Affairs
    (4). Faculty Representatives to the Board of Trustees Committees
    (5). Grievance
    (6). Honorary Degrees
    (7). International Education
    (8). Library
    (9). Program for Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness (PETE)
  (10). Planning and Priorities
(11). Radio Station Board
(12). Richmond College Student Affairs Committee
(13). Undergraduate Admissions Committee
(14). Westhampton College Student Affairs Committee
g. The normal term of appointment to a university committee is three years
     with reappointment possible for up to three years.
h.  Each Committee shall select its own chair except as otherwise stated.
     (See Athletics)
i.   University Committee on Committees is empowered to fill any
     unexpected vacancy for the duration of the term of office without faculty
     approval.
j.   The following current committees and representative bodies will not be
     chosen by the University Committee on Committees:
     (1). All school committees
     (2). University Faculty Council
     (3). Richmond College and Westhampton College Counselors
     (4).  Faculty representatives on screening and search committees for the
             President and all Vice Presidents
     (5). Graduate Council
     (6). General Education Committee
     (7). Academic Disabilities Accommodation Committee
k. The President and Provost shall be ex officio members, with voice but not
     vote, of all school and University committees.
l. Students shall be appointed to committees where their contribution is
     deemed valuable and necessary by the Committee on Committees in
     consultation with student leaders. A Student Committee on Committees
     composed of student representatives from each school (RC, WC, RSB,
     TCWSL) selected by procedures established by each student govern-
     ment shall recommend student members for each designated committee.
m. Resource persons shall be appointed to committees where their contri-
     butions would be valuable; each committee shall decide where resource
     persons will be appropriate and set the procedures for recruiting them.

2. Standing Committees

a. Academic Disabilities Accommodation Committee

The Academic Disabilities Accommodation Committee is composed of the Deans of Richmond and Westhampton Colleges; the Deans of the Law, Leadership Studies, Continuing Studies and Business schools (or their delegate); the chairs of the Classical Studies, Mathematics & Computer Science, and Modern Languages & Literatures departments; the University Registrar (or delegate); the Dean of Admission (or delegate); the professional evaluator on the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff as designated by the Director of CAPS; and the Director of CAPS, who shall serve as Chair.

Charge: The Academic Disabilities Accommodation Committee (ADAC) will advise CAPS on questions involving requests for academic accommodations or waivers for those students with demonstrated disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities) which directly impact academic performance. ADAC and CAPS will work to develop accommodation policies in accordance with current law and in support of the mission of the institution. The Committee will meet as required, with the convener and chair being the Director of CAPS.

b. Faculty Athletic Committee

The Faculty Athletic Committee is comprised of five faculty members serving staggered 3-year terms and two ex-officio members. Both the Faculty Athletic Representative (a faculty member appointed annually by the University president in accordance with NCAA rules) and the Athletic Department's Assistant Director of Athletics/Academics serve as ex-officio members. The Committee on Committees nominates individual faculty to serve on the committee; members are elected by action of the University Faculty. The Committee's Chair is elected annually by its faculty members.

Charge: The Faculty Athletic Committee represents University faculty on the Athletic Council. The committee also presents to the Athletic Department faculty concerns related to the University's athletic programs, reports to the faculty on matters brought before the Athletic Council, and recommends to the faculty and administration policies that will enhance the educational experiences of our student athletes. The committee serves Student-Athlete Academic Support Services in an advisory role and works with the Athletics Department to help ensure that student-athletes establish and maintain a proper balance among academic, athletic, and social commitments.

In short, the Faculty Athletic Committee provides information, advice, and faculty perspectives on all issues related to the educational experiences of student-athletes.

c. Board of Publications

The Board of Publications is a registered corporation in its own right. It consists of the Vice President for Student Affairs; the Controller; the Director of Communications; a faculty member nominated by the Committee on Committees and elected by the faculty; the Presidents of the Student Government Associations of Richmond College, Westhampton College, The Robins School of Business and The T. C. Williams School of Law; as well as an at-large Richmond College student appointed by the President of the RCSGA; an at-large Westhampton College student appointed by the President of the WCSGA; and appointed in alternating years, an at-large student from The Robins School of Business or The T. C. Williams School of Law. Additionally, the President of the University appoints one alumnus/a upon nomination by the Board of Directors of the University of Richmond Publications.

The purposes of the corporation are to stimulate, develop and encourage among the student of the University of Richmond a higher degree of literary endeavors; to sponsor among the students various literary activities; to stimulate, develop and encourage their interests in literature; and to keep the students, alumni and friends of the University informed of the literary and other activities of the University; and to secure suitable news, pictures and literary material and to print, publish and distribute the same through the following media (1) a literary magazine, one or more issues each of a periodical; and (2) a general newspaper, a weekly publication covering news of a university-wide nature; and to cooperate with the Law School in securing suitable news, pictures and literary material when their faculty or students initiate publication of Juris Publici, a newspaper devoted primarily to coverage of news of interest to The T. C. Williams School of Law.

d. Cultural Affairs Committee

The membership on this committee consists of six faculty members and a representative from the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences, and a representative from the Modlin Center for the Arts as an ex officio member.

Charge: The committee plans and assists in administering a program of University cultural events--chiefly lectures, concerts, exhibitions, and theatrical performances; and periodically assesses the value of the various cultural programs.

e. Faculty Representatives to Board of Trustees Committees

The President appoints one faculty member and one student to serve on each of the following committees: Academic Program Committee, Business Management Committee, Advancement Committee, and Student Affairs Committee. The faculty members on these committees are nominated by the Committee on Committees and approved by the faculty. Normally they serve for two years. They shall give reports annually.

f. General Education Committee

The General Education Committee is responsible for reviewing and proposing changes in the general education requirements for undergraduates in Arts and Sciences, Business, and Leadership Studies. Members of the committee include the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee which includes nine (9) faculty and two (2) students from Arts and Sciences, two (2) faculty members from the Business School and one (1) from the Leadership School selected by their respective faculties, plus one (1) student alternating between Business School and Leadership Studies. The Deans of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Leadership Studies or their delegates are ex officio members, and the chair of the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee will serve as chair of the General Education Committee. (Total=18). The Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences will have administrative responsibility for the general education program.

The General Education Petitions Committee will deal with student petitions for exemption or substitution of general education requirements. The committee will be chaired by the Registrar, as a non-voting chairperson, and will consist of one faculty member from each of the undergraduate schools, appointed by procedures determined by each school. The actions of the committee will be reported at the University Faculty Meeting at the end of the year.

g. Grievance Committee

This committee shall be composed of two tenured faculty members from each of the following divisions elected by their respective faculties: Arts and Sciences, The Robins School of Business, The T. C. Williams School of Law; and one tenured faculty member elected by the Jepson School of Leadership Studies faculty.

The grievance procedures are defined in Chapter III of the Faculty Handbook.

h. Honorary Degrees

The Committee shall solicit and serve as a screening and review panel for suggestions regarding possible recipients of honorary degrees, and shall provide the President and, through the President, the Trustees, timely consultation and advice representing faculty perspectives with regard to proposed recipients of honorary degrees.

i. International Education Committee

The International Education Committee, representing all schools of the University, is comprised of five members of the School of Arts and Sciences, two from The Robins School of Business (Associate Dean of International Business Studies, ex officio, plus one elected faculty member) and one each from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies(represented by the Associate Dean), The T. C. William School of Law (represented by the Law School's Director of International Studies), and the School of Continuing Studies (represented by the Director of Summer Programs). The Dean of International Education serves as the ex officio chair of the committee.

In addition, the Committee includes, as non-voting members, representatives of the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of the Registrar, Admissions, the School of Continuing Studies, Student Development and the Director of International Programs.

Charge: The committee is charged with developing policies for international education, including educational opportunities on campus and study abroad programs. It refers academic issues to the faculty and recommends policies to the administration for approval, as appropriate. It is also responsible for overseeing the implementation of such policies.

j. Library Committee

The membership of the Library Committee is composed of six faculty members, the University Librarian, and three students.

Charge: The Library Committee advises the University Librarian on those library policies and plans directly related to academic programs and the use of the libraries by faculty and students. Included are issues regarding the library's mission to the University and community, long-range planning, collections development and review, technology innovation, and other issues which affect the type and quality of service provided. The Library Committee, serving in its advisory capacity, will review with the Librarian the proposed library budget priorities. In addition, the Library Committee, working with the Librarian, shall solicit information from departments and students regarding the levels of service provided, and be a vehicle for exchange of information between faculty and librarians. The Library Committee will make the recommendations to the Librarian and the Provost, and keep the faculty informed on an on-going basis, regarding library matters.

k. PETE (Program for the Enhancement of Teaching Effectiveness)

The Committee on the Program for the Enhancement of Teaching Effectiveness (PETE) shall be composed of nine members: four from the School of Arts and Sciences, two from the Robins School of Business, and one each from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, the T. C. Williams School of Law, and the School for Continuing Studies. The Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology shall serve as the Coordinator of PETE and as a non-voting member of the committee.

Charge: The University provides a variety of teaching enrichment grants through PETE. Such grants may be used for faculty members to attend seminars on teaching effectiveness, for research designed to improve an individual faculty member's teaching effectiveness, and for minor equipment and supplies designed to improve teaching effectiveness. PETE also sponsors seminars on effective teaching and all faculty members are encouraged to attend. The PETE Committee should be contacted for further information and for application materials.

l. Planning and Priorities Committee

Membership of this committee includes seven faculty members (four from Arts and Sciences and one each from Business, Law, and Leadership Studies) who are nominated by the Committee on Committees and elected by the faculty, in addition to administrators as designated by the President, including the vice presidents and academic deans. The Internal Auditor and Executive Assistant to the President provide support for the committee. The committee is chaired by the President.

Charge: This University committee is advisory to the President. The committee's focus is on strategic planning. It assists in shaping institutional priorities and in establishing the direction of resource allocation. The committee reviews university priorities and updates progress on the strategic plan on a regular basis and makes recommendations to the President regarding the budget annually. The committee shall have full access to financial and other relevant information needed for the accomplishment of its responsibilities. All information of a sensitive and confidential nature disclosed to the committee shall be treated as such by the committee.

m. Radio Station Board

The Radio Station Board is a registered corporation in its own right. The membership of the Board shall consist of at least three members but not more than fifteen members. Among these members are the Presidents of the Student Associations of Richmond College, Westhampton College, The Robins School of Business, and The T. C. Williams School of Law; as well as the student station manager; and the student business manager; and elected faculty members. Additionally, the President of the University may appoint administrative staff, faculty, alumni/ae, or other students to the Board.

n. Richmond College Student Affairs Committee

The Richmond College Student Affairs Committee is comprised of: the Dean of Richmond College (who serves as the chair), two Arts and Sciences faculty members, one faculty member from The Robins School of Business, one faculty member from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, the Director of Student Activities, the Director of CAPS, and ten Richmond College students. The committee concerns itself with the quality of life of Richmond College students both inside and outside the classroom and makes recommendations for improving the college to the appropriate administrators and faculty. In addition, the committee, along with the Westhampton College Student Affairs Committee, hears requests for new student organization recognition and forwards approved requests to the faculty for further action.

o. Undergraduate Admissions Committee

The Undergraduate Admissions Committee is composed of four faculty members from the School of Arts and Sciences and one faculty member each from the Schools of Business and Leadership Studies, the Deans of Richmond College and Westhampton Colleges, the Dean of Admissions, plus four students, two from Arts & Sciences and one each from Business and Leadership Studies.

The slate of members is recommended by the University Committee on Committees. The Undergraduate Admissions Committee is responsible for recommending changes in the admissions policies for undergraduates to the University Undergraduate Faculty and the administration and for advising the Admissions staff on matters brought to the committee by the staff. The committee also reviews admissions policies from time to time to ensure their effectiveness.

p. Westhampton College Student Affairs Committee

The Westhampton College Student Affairs Committee is comprised of: the Dean of Westhampton College, the Assistant Dean for Programming and Leadership Development (who serves as the chair), two Arts and Sciences faculty members, one faculty member from The Robins School of Business, one faculty member from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, a member of the Student Activities staff, and ten Westhampton College students, who are selected based on their leadership role in ten Westhampton College student organizations. The committee concerns itself with the quality of life of Westhampton College students both inside and outside the classroom and makes recommendations for improving the college to the appropriate administrators and faculty. In addition, the committee, along with the Richmond College Student Affairs Committee, hears requests for new student organization recognition and forwards approved requests to the faculty for further action.

C. School Committees

1. The Jepson School of Leadership Studies 
2. The Robins School of Business 
3. The School of Arts and Sciences  
4. The School of Continuing Studies  
5. The T. C. Williams School of Law