Part 4: Academic Governance

(from SECTION II and IV of the Governance Manual, August, 2013)

NOTE: This is not a full list of the committee structure of the college. The full description of the committees of the College may be found in Sections II and IV of the Governance Manual. Below is a list summarizing the committees to which faculty members may be elected, and on which they are expected to serve.

4.1. COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY ASSEMBLY - from Section IV of Governance Manual

4.1.1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

cannot serve on nominating committee co-currently Chair-elect becomes Chair the following year

  • Chair: (Chair-elect from previous year)

    The Chair serves as the presiding officer of the Faculty Assembly and Chair of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Assembly. The Chair calls the Faculty Assembly into session and appoints ad hoc committees in accordance with provisions in Article VI of this Constitution.

  • Chair-elect (1 year, next year becomes Chair)

    The Chair-Elect, in the absence of the Chair or at the request of the Chair, serves as temporary Chair and/or presiding officer of the Faculty Assembly.

  • Secretary (1 year)

    The Secretary has the usual rights and duties pertaining to that office as well as serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Assembly. The Secretary, with the Executive Committee, prepares an official list of membership of the Faculty Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Article III of this Constitution.

4.1.2. COMMITTEE ON FACULTY AFFAIRS

3 year term, rotating

  • Humanities I (History, Humanistic Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies)
  • Humanities II (English, Modern Languages)
  • Social Sciences (Business Admin./Economics, Education, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology/Anthropology)
  • Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry/Physics, Mathematics, Nursing)
  • Fine Arts (Art, Communication studies/Dance/Theatre, Music, Phys.Ed.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. considers and makes recommendations regarding all matters relating to the professional development of the faculty;
  2. considers matters of concern to the faculty which are not specifically delegated to other councils and committees;
  3. members also serve as the faculty representatives on the Committee on Faculty Development Grants.

4.1.3. FACULTY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

3 year term, staggered

  • Associate Professor
  • Assistant Professor
  • Full Professor

RESPONSIBILITIES:

considers and makes recommendations regarding all matters concerning the economic status of the faculty.

4.1.4. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

2 year term, staggered, may not serve successive terms 5 positions, may NOT simultaneously be a member of the Executive Committee

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. recommends guidelines for consideration by the Faculty Assembly concerning the selection of candidates for election;
  2. prepares a list of candidate for faculty elections;
  3. proposes election procedures to the Assembly when they are not otherwise specified;
  4. presents an annual report to the Executive Committee identifying areas of the College’s governance structure that is in need of review.

4.1.5. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

5 positions-3 year term, staggered If one or more members of the committee are unable to serve on a particular grievance case, substitutes are to be elected by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Assembly from the group of past members of the Grievance Committee on a last served-first chosen basis until a committee of five impartial members is constructed

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. handles faculty grievances according to procedures approved by the Faculty Assembly;
  2. considers and recommends procedures to the Faculty Assembly for handling faculty grievances.

4.2. PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEES and COUNCILS - FROM SECTION II,D OF THE GOVERNANCE MANUAL

4.2.1. COMMITTEE ON RANK AND TENURE

[elected positions for faculty: 3 year term, 3 positions]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Committee on Rank and Tenure consists of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Faculty, and three tenured faculty members above the rank of Assistant Professor chosen by the Faculty Assembly. The faculty member who is in the second year of his/her term serves as the Chair. Faculty serving on this committee whose department colleagues are candidates for fourth-year review, tenure and/or promotion, are recused from the committee proceedings related to their departmental candidate’s review. The recused member will be replaced by the faculty member from a different department who most recently completed his/her term on the committee

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. establishes the criteria and procedures for tenure and promotion within the policy guidelines of the College;
  2. reviews the candidates for promotion and tenure;
  3. prepares a written statement for those faculty members in their fourth year, advising them on their progress toward tenure;
  4. prepares a confidential written recommendation on candidates for promotion and/or tenure for the President’s consideration.

4.2.2. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL

[elected positions for faculty: 2 at-large, not otherwise a member of the council]

(– Chair of Faculty Assembly is automatically a member)

MEMBERSHIP:

The Academic Affairs Council consists of the President, the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Faculty, one academic administrator appointed by the President; the Chair of the Faculty Assembly; a faculty representative from the Curriculum and Academic Standards Committees; a representative from the Admission and Scholarship, Cultural Affairs, and Library Committees; a faculty representative from the following additional academic committees – the Graduate Program Committee, the Program Review Committee, the Sophia Program Curriculum Committee, and the Sophia Program Oversight Committee; two at-large faculty representatives selected by the Faculty Assembly; the Student Government Association Vice President ; and a student elected from among the student representatives on the Student Affairs Council. No one may hold more than one seat on the Council. All the members are voting members. The President serves as the Chair of the Council.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. recommends changes in academic policies to the President who consults with the Faculty Assembly before acting on major changes in areas of academic policy;
  2. approves guidelines for the operation of its standing committees;
  3. receives from and acts on proposals from its standing committees;
  4. acts on proposals submitted to it by the Faculty Assembly;
  5. proposes to the Board of Trustees procedures for its consideration in the search for a President;
  6. advises the President on the procedures in the search for a Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs;
  7. represents the recipients of the following College honors and awards: honorary degree recipients, graduation speakers; Spes Unica Award; Maria Pieta Award; Multicultural Award.

4.2.3. COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC STANDARDS

[elected position for faculty: 6 members, 3 year terms, staggered in 3 groups]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Academic Standards Committee consists of the Dean of Faculty, or a designated representative; the Senior Academic Advisor; the Associate Dean for Advising; the Vice President for Enrollment Management or the Director of Admission when designated; the Vice President for Student Affairs; six faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly; and two students selected according to the procedures outlined in the Student Government Association Constitution. Meetings, or parts of meetings, which relate to specific students are not open to student members. The Registrar serves the committee as a resource person. The Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, or the Dean’s representative, serves as chair. The committee selects one faculty member to serve on the Academic Affairs Council.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews and recommends the criteria for acceptable and unacceptable student scholarship;
  2. reviews and recommends policy for students’ continuation in College;
  3. provides the staff and mechanism for hearing cases of alleged violation of academic honesty policy through the creation of the Academic Hearing Board and the Academic Appellate Board;
  4. studies and recommends revisions of the academic policies of the College;
  5. advises the appropriate academic officers on the individual student’s continuation in College;
  6. ensures that the regulations in relevant sections of the Bulletin and other College manuals conform to the College policy;
  7. determines the student recipients of College-wide-academic honors and awards;
  8. selects the recipient of the Saint Catherine Medal.

4.2.4. ADMISSIONS AND SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

[elected positions for faculty: 5 members, 3 year terms]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Admission and Scholarship Committee consists of the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director of Admission, the Associate Dean for Advising, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director of Financial Aid, the Coordinator of International Recruitment, the Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment, five faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly and two students chosen according to the procedures outlined in the Student Government Association Constitution. The Director of Institutional Research, though not a member, serves as a resource person. The Vice President for Enrollment Management serves as Chair of the Committee. In the Vice President for Enrollment Management’s absence, the Director of Admission serves as the Chair of this Committee. The Committee selects one of its members to serve on the Academic Affairs Council.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. recommends policies on admission and financial aid;
  2. studies and recommends revisions of the admission and scholarship policies of the College in particular as they relate to international and multicultural recruitment;
  3. ensures that the regulations and policy statements in relevant sections of the Bulletin and other College manuals conform to College policy.

4.2.5. RETENTION COMMITTEE

[elected positions for faculty: 2 members]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Retention Committee consists of the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Vice President for Student Affairs, Directors of Admission, Financial Aid, Institutional Research, Athletics, Student Involvement and Multicultural Services, Campus Ministry, Residence Life and Community Standards, and Women’s Health, the Associate Dean for Advising, the Registrar, two faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly, and two students chosen according to the procedures outlined in the Student Government Association Constitution. The Vice President for Enrollment Management serves as Chair of this Committee; in the absence of the Vice President for Enrollment and Management, the Vice President for Student Affairs chairs this Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. assists the Vice President for Enrollment Management in developing and implementing and enrollment management philosophy at Saint Mary’s;
  2. gathers, evaluates, and assesses data designed to assist the College in understanding what attracts students to Saint Mary’s, what causes student to leave, and what factors have a positive impact on increased student satisfaction with their Saint Mary’s experience?;
  3. monitors and assesses the college’s progress in achieving retention and graduation benchmarks established in the President’s Strategic Plan for Saint Mary’s: Boldly Forward, 2017 21
  4. examines and enhances those programs already in place that have a positive impact on increased student satisfaction across campus;
  5. assesses and evaluates peer institutions and their retention/student satisfaction efforts for possible implementation at Saint Mary’s.

4.2.6. COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS

[elected positions for faculty: 3 year terms, 5 elected members as follows:

  • 3 at large
  • 1 from Humanities I (History, Humanistic Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies)
  • 1 from Humanities II (English, Modern Languages)]

MEMBERSHIP:

Cultural Affairs Committee consists of the Director of Special Events, the Director of Student Activities, the Director of Media and Community Relations, the Director of the Art Gallery, the Director of the Multicultural Services and Student Programs, the Assistant Director of Special Events/Internal, five faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly, and five students. The five faculty representatives are to include two from the humanities and three at large. The student representatives are to include one sophomore, one junior, and one senior selected according to procedures outlined in the Student Government Association Constitution, one individual representing the student Board of Governance (BOG), and one representative from the Student Academic Council (SAG) The Director of Special Events serves as Chair, appoints one of the faculty members to serve on the Academic Affairs Council, and is responsible for all administrative matters pertaining to the Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

provides a cross-section of cultural activity from a variety of perspectives. All scheduled cultural events are to be presented with an eye toward entertaining, enlightening, and promoting an awareness of diversity of culture in its many forms within contemporary society.

4.2.7. CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

[elected positions for faculty: 3 year terms, 6 elected members as follows :

  • Fine Arts (Art, Communication, Theatre, Music or Physical Education)
  • Science (Biology Chemistry-Physics, Mathematics, or Nursing)
  • Social Science (Business Administration and Economics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work)
  • Humanities I (History, Humanistic Studies, Philosophy or Religious Studies)
  • Humanities II (English or Modern Languages)
  • Education

MEMBERSHIP:

The Curriculum Committee consists of the Dean of Faculty, her/his designated representative; the Associate Dean of Faculty; six faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly, one from each of six curriculum areas: Fine Arts (Art, Communication, Theatre, Music or Physical Education); Science (Biology, Chemistry-Physics, Mathematics, or Nursing); Social Science (Business Administration and Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work); Humanities I (History, Humanistic Studies, Philosophy, or Religious Studies); Humanities II (English or Modern Languages), and Education. The Associate Dean for Advising sits as a non-voting member unless he/she is serving as the designated representative of the Dean of Faculty. Two student members are chosen according to the procedures outlined in the Student Government Association Constitution. The Committee elects a faculty member a chair and it selects a member to serve on the Academic Affairs Council. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews and recommends the addition of academic programs, degrees, and majors;
  2. reviews and recommends proposed changes in the number, kind, or distribution of requirements in Major Programs;
  3. reviews and recommends the general guidelines for Minor Programs;
  4. reviews and approves proposals for new courses, (including those forwarded from the Sophia Program Curriculum Committee) and, including the expeditious review and approval of experimental, special topics, and topics in courses. The Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs gives temporary approval to experimental programs;
  5. reviews and recommends the addition of minors and the changes within minors which meet the general guidelines for Minor Programs;
  6. reviews and approves proposed changes in course offerings which affect the degree requirements of more than one department;
  7. ensures that the Bulletin and other relevant College manuals conform to College Policy. An outside agency's approval is not a substitute for the Curriculum Committee's approval of a new course.

4.2.8. LIBRARY COMMITTEE

[elected positions for faculty: 6 elected members, 3 year terms, at least one must be a librarian]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Library Committee consists of Director of the Cushwa-Leighton Library; the Associate Dean of Faculty; six faculty elected by the Faculty Assembly, at least one of which must be from the library department; and two students selected according to the procedures outlined in the Student Government Association Constitution.

The Director of the Library serves as Chair, and the Committee selects one of its members to serve on the Academic Affairs Council.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. makes policy recommendations for the improvement of library services;
  2. studies and makes recommendations for the acquisition and placement of library materials;
  3. advises on the policies relative to the use of the library and its materials.

4.2.9. STUDENT AFFAIRS COUNCIL

[faculty members not elected by Faculty Assembly]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Student Affairs Council consists of the President of the College; the Vice President for Student Affairs; two Directors within the Division of Student Affairs; two faculty members; one member of the Division for Mission; and three students. The faculty members and the three students are elected by the Committee on Student Affairs. The two Directors serve staggered appointments. The President of the College serves as Chair.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. advises the President of the College on policies which affect all aspects of student life;
  2. acts on reports prepared by the Committee on Student Affairs;
  3. advises the President on the procedures in the search for a Vice President for Student Affairs;
  4. proposes policies and reviews proposals for new student publications;
  5. participates in the selection of the Student Trustee and the recipient of the Lumen Christi award.

4.2.10. COMMITTEE ON STUDENT AFFAIRS

Reports directly to Student Affairs Council

[elected positions for faculty: 3 positions, staggered one year, 3 year terms]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Committee on Student Affairs consists of the Vice President for Student Affairs, each Department Director in the Division of Student Affairs, three faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly, the Student Body President or her designee, the Student Government Association Vice President or her designee, the President of the Residence Hall Association or her designee, and the President of the Student Diversity Board or her designee. The Committee selects two of its faculty members and three of its students to serve on the Student Affairs Council.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. provides a campus-wide forum for the discussion of student life;
  2. serves as a forum for input from students and faculty regarding the programs and services in the Division of Student Affairs;
  3. offers recommendations to the Division of Student Affairs;
  4. may submit proposals to the Vice President for Student Affairs regarding changes in programs or services offered in the Division of Student Affairs.

4.2.11. PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL ON MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

[elected positions for faculty: 2 positions, 2 year terms? Staggered one year.]

MEMBERSHIP:

The President’s Council on Multicultural Affairs consists of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for College Relations, Vice President for Mission, Director of Admission, The Special Assistant to the President, Director of Human Resources, Director of the Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership, Director of Multicultural Services and Student Programs, two appointed faculty members, two elected faculty members, two staff members, the President of the Student Diversity Board, and the President of the Residence Hall Association and an appointed student at large. The Chair of the Council is chosen by the President of the College.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The President’s Council on Multicultural Affairs will monitor the racial and ethnic diversification of students, faculty, staff, and administrators; and receive annual reports from Human Resources and Admission regarding the College’s efforts to create a more racially and ethnically diverse student body and workforce.

  1. oversee the ongoing education and development of the entire College community (faculty, staff, administrators, and students) in the area of multicultural diversity and receive assessment reports on these efforts;
  2. recommend, in conjunction with the appropriate units ( e.g . Human Resources), policies and procedures on harassment;
  3. propose initiatives to improve the campus climate and the racial and ethnic diversification of the College community.

4.2.12. GOVERNANCE MANUAL COMMITTEE

[Elected positions for faculty: 3, Chair of Faculty Assembly is ex-officio]

MEMBERSHIP:

2 administrators appointed by the President, 3 elected faculty members, the Chair of the Faculty Assembly, Director of Human Resources, the Assistant to the President who will chair the committee

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. to develop procedures for the orderly review and revision of the Governance Manual
  2. to receive and review new proposals and proposed revisions to the Governance Manual and to advise the President for appropriate action
  3. to maintain the Governance Manual in current and operational form on a yearly basis
  4. to oversee compatibility between the Governance Manual and other college manuals and consistency within the Governance Manual

4.2.13. GOING GREEN COMMITTEE

[elected positions for faculty: 2 positions]

MEMBERSHIP:

Vice President for Mission, Director of Facilities, Manager of Sodexho, the Program Director of the Environmental Studies Minor, College's Compliance Officer, a Director from the Divisions of Mission and Student Affairs, two faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly and a student representatives from the Student Government Association. The Vice President for Mission servces as the chair.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Advises the Vice President for Mission on sustainability and other matters of environmental concern;
  2. Shares and facilitates coordination across departments, divisions and constituencies to enhance sustainability initiatives and practices between the College and neighboring communities;
  3. Supports sustainability practices across campus. This may include, but not be limited to: engage in consciousness raising on sustainability initiatives; assist in implementing green initiatives and create lists, identifying sustainability needs for strategic planning;
  4. Articulates and shares the place of sustainability, environmental justice and other environmental concerns in the Mission of the College

4.3. COMMITTEES OF THE PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

4.3.1. TEACHING/LEARNING TECHNOLOGY ROUNDTABLE (TLTR)

(Reports to the Provost)

[elected positions for faculty: 3 elected members, 3 year terms ]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Teaching, Learning, and Technology Roundtable reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and is open to any member of the Saint Mary’s community interested in instructional technology. The representative standing membership, or Steering Committee, consists of: the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Chief Information Officer, the Director of the Center for Academic Innovation, the Director of the Library (or other Librarian representative), one Computer Science faculty member from the Mathematics Department, the Director of Instructional Technology, the Director of Instructional Technologies and Support for Granduate Programs, and three faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly, and a representative from the Student Government Association. A Chair is elected by the Steering Committee from among its representative standing membership.Typically, the group operates by discussion and reaching consensus. However, if during any meeting or discussion of the TLTR the Chair feels there is a need for a vote on an issue, the Steering Committee has voting authority.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. advises the College on the teaching and learning technology vision and initiatives at Saint Mary’s College and assesses the implementation of those initiatives and the effectiveness of efforts to realize it;
  2. studies and recommends the acquisition and placement of information technologies for teaching and learning purposes;
  3. reviews proposals, makes recommendations, and advises the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Information Officer on how information technology can be linked with curricular, budgetary, and facilities planning;
  4. reviews, makes recommendations, and advises the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs on courses to be taught online during Saint Mary’s College’s summer sessions.

4.3.2. ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CWIL COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

(Gov. Man. p. 51) Reports to the Provost, 1 position, 2 year term

MEMBERSHIP:

The Advisory Committee for Community Connections consists of a Senior level Administrator, a Special Events representative, a student representative, an elected faculty representative (2 year term), two Community liaisons, three appointed faculty members from related academic departments: social work and anthropology, nursing and education, the CWIL Community Coordinator, a CWIL Fellow, and the CWIL Director of Community Connections who serves as chair.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews and supports on-going programmatic efforts for linkages and learning opportunities, including reviewing bridging grants;
  2. looks for interdepartmental linkages between the Community Connections programs and other Saint Mary’s academic and non-academic departments to build campus collaborations;
  3. considers and supports possible internships, mentoring, research, experiential learning, and other formal and non-formal student learning opportunities that relate to the Community Connections work;
  4. engages community resources to support the College’s diversity commitments.

4.3.3. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON GLOBAL EDUCATION

(reports to the Provost)

2 positions, 2 year term, staggered

MEMBERSHIP:

The Advisory Committee on Global Education consists of a campus administrator, one elected faculty representatives, the faculty coordinator of study abroad programs, a faculty coordinator of short-term study abroad programs, a student representative, the CWIL Assistant Director for Global Education, and the CWIL Director, who serves as chair.

The Advisory Committee on Intercultural Education guides decisions and directions of the international and intercultural education at Saint Mary’s.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews proposals for new Saint Mary’s College off-campus intercultural programs or affiliations (in conjunction with the Curriculum Committee as laid out in the policy for approval of such programs); and
  2. reviews proposals for CWIL study and travel grants and departmental materials grants; and
  3. advises on policy recommendations for and overall direction of Saint Mary’s College global education and for faculty development to support it across the curriculum.

4.3.4. ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CWIL SCHOLARSHIP

(Gov. Man. p. 52) reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

2 positions, 2 year terms, staggered

The Advisory Committee for CWIL Scholarship offers counsel to CWIL regarding faculty travel grants, speaker’s bureau and educational programs

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews and approves co-sponsorship requests
  2. reviews and approves faculty travel grants
  3. reviews and approves group travel grants
  4. advises CWIL Director and staff on speakers and visiting scholars, 
  5. advises CWIL Director on the Status of Girls project

4.3.5. GRADUATE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

(reports to the Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs)

[no elected positions] The Faculty Assembly elects a representative to the Academic Affairs Council from the faculty members of the committee.

MEMBERSHIP:

The Graduate Program Committee shall consist of the following:
voting members: one faculty member from each graduate program proposed and /or offered by Saint Mary’s College (in time, these members will come from graduate programs offered by Saint Mary’s); one member from the Graduate Student Association (when established); and one Library faculty. In addition, the following ex officio, non-voting members: the Provost (to be replaced by a Graduate Program Director when appointed); Director of Admissions; Director of Financial Aid; and the Assistant Vice President for Integrated Marketing (for an initial period).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. review and recommend approval or disapproval, with supporting reasons of new graduate degree programs, graduate certificate programs, and changes to graduate programs to the Academic Affairs Council;
  2. recommend policies regarding the delivery of a graduate program of study, such as the graduate curriculum approval process, graduate student admissions requirements, degree completion requirements, etc. to the Academic Affairs Council;
  3. review and recommend approval or disapproval, with supporting reasons, of proposed new graduate courses to the Provost (or his/her designee);
  4. hear appeals and other relevant requests.

4.3.6. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)

(reports to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs)

[elected positions for faculty: 1 position]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Institutional Review Board consists of faculty members who are knowledgeable about the experimental design, as least one each from the Social Sciences and the natural Sciences; at least one member of the faculty at large who is not a scientist; one representative from the Student Affairs Division; one person from outside the institution whose training or profession is relevant; at least one member of the College administration; one discretionary consultant (non-voting) who may be invited for clarification. IRB Chair will be selected by the committee. Faculty members and administrators are nominated by the continuing members of the IRB subject to appointment by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. One faculty at large will be elected by the Faculty Assembly. Outside members and consultants are nominated by the IRB subject to appointment by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. While there are no fixed terms on the IRB, appointments should be made to insure both continuity and refreshed membership. Not more than two IRB members shall be from the same department. In compliance with federal regulations, the IRB will not be single sex (all male or all female) in compositions. If a member of IRB is involved in the research proposal under review, she or he will absent her/himself from the deliberations. (Four members from the institution and one outside member are required for full committee reviews.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews, approves, or rejects, requires modifications, and monitors all research involving human participants conducted at Saint Mary’s College, or by Saint Mary’s student or personnel;
  2. ensures that information given to participants as informed consent is in accord with Federal guidelines;
  3. reviews and approves continuing research projects at least annually, and more frequently, if a project has an increased degree of risk;
  4. observes or has a third party observe the consent process and the research if there are any questions; reviews and approves all previously approved research when significant changes in the research protocol are deemed necessary by the investigator;
  5. informs investigators and the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs of decisions. In case of rejection of a research activity, the IRB shall include in its written response the reasons for this decision, and allow the investigator to respond in person or in writing;
  6. maintains a file of active and past approved and rejected research proposals along with sample consent forms, progress reports, and reports of injuries. All applications and decisions reached on those applications must be kept for a minimum of three years. These files shall be open to inspection by IRB members and appropriate members of Saint Mary’s College Administration
  7. suspends or terminates approval of research that is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s requirements or that has been associated with unexpected serious harm to participants. Such termination must be communicated, with reasons, to the investigator and the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs;
  8. keeps minutes of IRB meetings that include records of attendance, actions taken, the vote on each proposal, the basis for requiring changes in or approving research, and a written summary of the discussion of controversies and their resolutions.

4.4. COMMITTEES OF THE DEAN OF FACULTY

4.4.1. ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE

(reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[elected positions for faculty: 3 year terms, 5 members from different departments as described below)]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Assessment Committee consists of the Dean of Faculty; five faculty members, elected by the Faculty Assembly to staggered three-year terms, one each from: Fine Arts and Communication (Art, Music, Communication, Dance, or Theater), Sciences and Math (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics), Social Sciences (Psychology and Communicative Disorders, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, or Economics), Professional Programs (Social Work, Business Administration, Nursing, or Education), Humanities (Religious Studies, Philosophy, History, Humanistic Studies, English, Modern Languages, or Library), and a staff member from the Office of Institutional Research. A faculty member selected by the committee serves as chair.

Members of the Assessment Committee having a conflict of interest (e.g. applying for one of the assessment grants) must withdraw from the committee for those proceedings which create this conflict. If a replacement is needed for reasons of conflict of interest or because of sabbatical or other leaves of absence, the Assessment Committee will recommend that replacement to the Dean of Faculty for temporary appointment (for staff positions) or to the Nominating Committee (for Faculty positions).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assessment Committee serves as an advisory committee on assessment. The Committee reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. In coordinating assessment activities and resources, the Committee works in conjunction with academic departments, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President for Mission, and the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. The Assessment Committee:

  1. acts as a resource, channeling appropriate advice and assistance on assessment issues to departments, committees, faculty, and administrators of the College;
  2. fosters College-wide discussion of assessment of student achievement;
  3. serves as an advisory committee regarding policies related to assessment;
  4. recommends applications for assessment grants to the Dean of Fauclty; and
  5. collaborates with the Office of Institutional Research and other relevant committees on assessment projects, including those related to the accreditation.

4.4.2. PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE

(reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[elected faculty positions: 6 positions, tenured, staggered, 3 year terms

MEMBERSHIP:

The PRC will consist of six elected representative faculty, the Associate Dean of Faculty (nonvoting), and the Dean of Faculty. Faculty should be tenured and will have long standing membership (3 calendar years, staggered terms) on the committee. One each will be elected from the following groups: Humanities I; Humanities II; Natural Science; Social Science; Professional Programs; Fine Arts/Library. At least one of the six elected members must also be a representative of an interdisciplinary program (eligible candidates should be active members of an interdisciplinary committee). If it is not possible to provide interdisciplinary representation through the six elected faculty, a separate interdisciplinary program representative will be elected as a 7th faculty member on the PRC for a term of 1-3 years as needed. Members of the PRC may not be from the same academic department. One member each year will be appointed to represent the PRC on the Academic Affairs Council. PRC members will recuse themselves from reviews of the programs of study in their departments or interdisciplinary program. An alternate faculty member will be selected to replace PRC members who are recused from a program review.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. annually review approximately one-fifth of the College’s curricular programs in accordance with the guidelines and procedures of the Internal Program Review Policy;
  2. recommend actions outlined by the Internal Program Review policy to the Academic Affairs Council;
  3. serve as liaisons to programs within their academic group to assist with any questions during the review process;
  4. receive recovery plans from programs as outlined in the Internal Program Graduate review policy and forward them to Academic Affairs Council along with the PRC recommendation;
  5. hear and respond to appeals regarding actions recommended to the Academic Affairs Council;
  6. assist in the development of the proper procedures regarding the advertising of curriculum changes and affected faculty as a result of the elimination of academic programs;
  7. make recommendations to the Academic Affairs Council regarding Voluntary Internal Program removal as outlined in the Internal Program Review Policy;
  8. make all decisions with regard to both the materials submitted by the program as well as the Mission of Saint Mary’s College as a “Catholic, residential, women’s college in the liberal arts tradition

4.4.3. SOPHIA PROGRAM CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

(reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[elected positions for faculty: 6 elected members, 3 year terms, distributed as follows:

  • 2 from Humanities (Philosophy, Religious Studies, English, History, Humanities, Modern Languages)
  • 2 from Science, Natural and Social) and Math (Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • 1 from Fine Arts/COMM/Library (Art, Communications, Dance, Music, Theatre, Library)
  • 1 from the Professional programs (Education, Social Work, Nursing, Business and Administration)

MEMBERSHIP:

Voting Members include two faculty representatives from the Humanities, two from Social and Natural Sciences/Math, one from Fine Arts/COMM/Library, one from the Professional programs, and the Student Sophia Program Commissioner. Non-voting members include the Associate Dean of Faculty and the Associate Dean for Advising.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. a. certify courses, sections, or non-course experiences that meet the relevant Sophia Program Learning Outcomes;
  2. certify Sophia Program designation for new courses going to the Curriculum Committee for approval;
  3. exist for five years and then, in conversation with the (regular) Curriculum Committee assess the need for its continuation as a curriculum committee.

4.4.4. SOPHIA PROGRAM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

(reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[elected positions for faculty: 4 elected faculty members who are not currently serving as Sophia Program Committee members, from selected departments as described below]

  • 1 from Humanities (Philosophy, Religious Studies, English, History, Humanities, Modern Languages)
  • 1 from Science, Natural and Social) and Math (Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • 1 from Fine Arts/COMM/Library (Art, Communications, Dance, Music, Theatre, Library)
  • 1 from the Professional programs (Education, Social Work, Nursing, Business and Administration)

MEMBERSHIP:

The Dean of Faculty; four elected faculty member, for three staggered terms. Of the four faculty members, one representative will be needed from the following areas:
humanities, fine arts, professional art, and math/natural sciences/social sciences; and the following non-voting, ex officio members: Director of Institutional Research, a representative from the SPCC, a representative from the Assessment Committee, and others appointed by the Dean.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. implement an Assessment Plan for the Sophia Program and recomend changes based on assessment results;
  2. regularly review the health, effectiveness, and sustainability of the Sophia Program in Liberal Learning;
  3. recommend changes to Sophia Program learning outcomes and program structure to the Academic Council.

4.4.5. STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE WRITING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM

(reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[elected positions for faculty members: 3 elected members, staggered 3 year terms]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Steering Committee of the Writing Proficiency Program consists of the Director and Assistant Director of the Writing Proficiency Program, a max of six prior directors, the Director of the Writing Center, the Associate Dean for Advising, the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and First Year Studies, and three faculty members serving staggered three-year terms (ordinary members)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. nominates the ordinary members as openings arise;
  2. makes policy decisions congruent with the philosophy and goals of the Writing Proficiency Program;
  3. forwards to the appropriate curricular or academic committees of the College its recommendations for policy or other changes;
  4. receives recommendations for changes in the Writing Proficiency Program from members of the Writing Proficiency Committee and from the larger academic community;
  5. approves or disapproves exceptions to the transfer-student portfolio review policy administered by the Associate Dean for Advising;
  6. serves as reviews for students who appeal the decision to deny the W;
  7. keeps the Dean of Faculty informed about the Writing Proficiency Program’s current policies and procedures.

4.4.6. WRITING PROFICIENCY COMMITTEE

(reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[no elected positions]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Writing Proficiency Committee consists of past and current teaches of W courses, those planning to teach a course, the Director and Assistant Director of the Writing Proficiency Program, the Director of the Writing Center, the Associate Dean for Advising, and the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and First Year Studies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. staffs W courses in sufficient numbers to provide instruction for all students who need W certification;
  2. participates as readers in the Portfolio review;
  3. evaluates portfolios of transfer students;
  4. reads entries submitted for the Writing Proficiency Program essay contest.

4.4.7. CENTER FOR ACADEMIC INNOVATION GRANTS COMMITTEE (CFAI)

( reports to the Dean of Faculty)

[elected position for faculty: 5 positions, 3 year term, as described below]

MEMBERSHIP:

The Center for Academic Innovation (CFAI) Grants Committee consists of the Director of the CFAI, who serves as chair; and five faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly: one from the area of Fine Arts (Art, Music, Communication, Dance, Theater, or Physical Education), one from the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Nursing, or Mathematics), one from Social Sciences (Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work, Business Administration, Economics, or Education), and two from the Humanities (one from Religious Studies, Philosophy, History, or Humanistic Studies, and one from English or Modern Languages). The normal term of appointment for faculty members is three years. During SISTAR deliberations, the Committee will also include two students chosen from and by the Student Academic Council. The student members may not be current applicants for SISTAR grants. The Nominating Committee of the Faculty Assembly provides for the orderly rotation of the faculty members so that no more than two of the members’ terms expire in the same year. Members of the CFAI grants Committee having a conflict of interest must withdraw from the committee; replacements are appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Assembly. The replacement must represent the same general academic area as the person who withdraws.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. reviews the guidelines and forms used by the Committee;
  2. distributes the guidelines and application forms to all full-time faculty in a timely fashion;
  3. reviews applications and determines awards;
  4. receives reports on the activity from award recipients.

4.5. COMMITTEES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

4.5.1. JUDICIAL APPELLATE BOARD

2 elected positions, 3 years, staggered

4.5.2. VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS HEARING BOARD

2 elected positions, 3 years, staggered

COMMITTEES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF MISSION

4.6.1. MISSION COUNCIL

(Gov. Man. p. 54)

2 positions, 3 years, staggered

MEMBERSHIP:

The Mission Council consists of representatives from all campus constituencies and two elected faculty members. The Vice President for Mission serves as chair.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. assists members of the College community to learn about the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and its history and tradition as they relate to the College;
  2. guides process that enable College constituencies to understand the mission of the College;
  3. ensures that there are objectives and programs to implement the missions and values of the College;
  4. encourages the integration of missions/values in the processes of strategic planning, budgeting, marketing, policy, and decision-making;
  5. fosters a climate for interpretation and integration of the mission and values of all sectors of the College; 
  6. participates in the selection of the recipient of the Lumen Christi Award;
  7. serves as an advisory group to provide guidance to all departments in planning, selecting and maintaining appropriate religious symbolism and spiritual art throughout all of Saint Mary's College