Faculty Executive Committee

The Faculty Senate consists of all teaching faculty (at least half-time AC). The Faculty Senate exists as a forum for the discussion of issues not otherwise provided for in the regularly scheduled meetings; considers faculty related issues and coordinates the discussion of these issues with the administration; provides an opportunity for private discussion among members of topics that arise in overlapping areas of concern among the senate members, the administration, and the College.

To lead the Faculty Senate, an executive committee, consisting of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary, and four at-large representatives prepare the agenda for the senate meetings as well as ensure prompt communication with the administration on issues of concern.

Elections of the Executive Committee, Eligibility and Term of Service

The chairperson must be a tenured member of the faculty. The election occurs at the April senate meeting. The chairperson is elected for a one-year term. After completing that one year of service, the chairperson remains a member of the executive committee for the following year.

The vice-chairperson must be a tenured member of the faculty. The election occurs at the April senate meeting. The vice-chairperson is elected for a one-year term.

The secretary must have been a member of the faculty for at least three years. The election occurs at the April senate meeting. The secretary is elected for a one-year term.

An at-large representative must have been a member of the faculty for at least two years. The election of these individuals occurs at the May senate meeting. The term of service is two years. (Two of the four will be elected each year.) In addition, this group must include: one tenured faculty member; one non-tenured faculty member.

Functions of the Executive Committee

1. To discuss with the Provost and/or the President and other members of the administration any substantive matters of faculty interest which have been brought to the attention of committee members during senate meetings when so directed by a majority of the members present at the meeting; or to discuss matters which are of concern or interest to the President or other members of the administration when such a request is made by the administration. The chairperson and/or vice-chairperson and at least three members of the executive committee should be present at these meetings.
2. To meet with the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees and to present to that committee the position of the faculty on matters of concern to the faculty and to represent the diversity of that opinion where appropriate. The position of the faculty is to be ascertained during senate meetings held prior to the meetings with the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. After each meeting, the senate executive committee will report the substance of the discussions to senate members no later than the next regularly scheduled senate meeting.
3. To consult regularly with the faculty on issues that concern salaries and benefits so that the committee may convey faculty recommendations to the administration. The vice-chairperson of the senate will convene a subcommittee consisting of three elected members of the senate executive committee to meet with the Provost to discuss salaries and benefits during the fall semester before the College budget is drawn up for the next fiscal year.
4. To gather faculty evaluations of academic administrators should the College adopt a formal procedure for such evaluation.
5. It is the charge of the faculty senate executive committee to keep lines of communication open between the faculty senate and the committees of the College.
6. To meet with the President and his/her representatives (when appropriate) to make recommendations as to the composition and charges of various committees; when any new initiatives or duties are identified, either to recommend the appropriate standing committee to which these tasks should be assigned or to recommend the creation of a new committee; to recommend the elimination of existing committees that are no longer serving a useful purpose; and at the direction of the Senate to bring these matters to the full faculty for a vote.
7. To take direction from the Faculty Senate with regard to any issue not specifically mentioned in the above charges. As the College governance structure changes, additional tasks may be required of this group.