Standing Committees of the Academic Senate
The Academic Senate has a number of standing committees and faculty, HEOs, and students serve on them. They are quite valuable to the operation of the College and are influential in shaping practices and policies of the College. Service in the Academic Senate and on its Standing Committees is considered an important contribution to the College, as college service, which is an important part of the personnel review process for reappointment, tenure and promotion. However, just volunteering and being elected to a Committee is not enough to be considered as actual service in this regard; the contributions actually made to the committee are the basis for evaluation.
The agenda, minutes, and reports of all committees are now placed in the archives (print and digital) of the College. They report on the actual work being done in service to the college and to further the development of the College.
Senate Committee Meeting Times
There was once a tradition whereby all senate committees met on Tuesday afternoons. That is still recommended if at all possible. If a set meeting time is established then faculty wishing to serve on that committee can have their teaching schedules set to avoid a conflict and in support of their attending committee meetings. The Academic Senate itself meets on the second Tuesday of each month of the academic year at 3pm. Committees might want to meet before or after that time or even at the same time understanding that committee members might need to attend the Senate itself when it does meet. In the listing below are the times the committees have been meeting. Some committees have a fixed time that has been observed for decades: Committees on Curriculum, and Course and Standing, and Admissions.
Senate Committee Membership
The Academic Senate elects members of the Standing and Special Committees of the Senate at the April meeting of the Senate each year. Members presently serve three year terms. If a member wishes to be nominated and elected for another three year term, a request should be made to either the Steering Committee or the CoC. Exceptions are made for a number of reasons including: continuity of the committee, multiple year projects, and preparation of a new chairperson. Each committee has two designees (without vote) appointed one each by the College President and the Steering Committee of the Academic Senate.
Senate Committee Operations
The committees have their charges set out in the bylaws and they receive further instruction on what they are expected to be doing from the Steering Committee of the Academic Senate. In addition, the President has a designee on each committee who may communicate items that the administration wishes the committee to address. The committees meet as needed to fulfill their charges. Some meet nearly every week while others meet once a month or less. They meet in locations they determine and at times most facilitating attendance.
Standing Committees of the Senate can submit proposals for adoption by the Academic Senate through the Steering Committee that sets each agenda for regular meetings of the Senate.
Nominations for Committee Service
The Committee on Committees (COC) receives nomination forms or forms with which faculty request service on a particular committee or their preferences for service relate to several committees. The Committee on Committees receives all such nominations and proceeds to produce a slate of nominees for each committee to be voted upon at the Academic Senate in April. The COC consults with the current chairs of all committees and with the Steering Committee in an attempt to nominate faculty who are well suited for service on particular committees due to their experience and prior service. Also considered are the rank and seniority of the faculty and in the case of many committees a balance on committees in relation to academic disciplines and academic programs.
At the April meeting of the Academic Senate there can be additional nominees, self nominated or otherwise. The record does show that in almost all cases the Academic Senate votes to accept the entire slate as proposed by the COC.
