The following committees operate as faculty committees by conducting business consistent with the faculty responsibility to oversee the curriculum and academic policies of the University and by working with other administrative units of the University to coordinate their duties and visions with the academic programs. Thus committees become very important in giving opportunity for full discussion and fact-finding before presentation to the entire faculty and final action.
General procedures for committees are as follows: (1) members are appointed by the Office of Academic Affairs in consultation with the Faculty Council, unless committee guidelines state otherwise; (2) appointments are generally for two-year terms, though the Office of Academic Affairs may change an appointment after one year or reappoint for additional two-year terms; (3) committee chairs are appointed by the Provost; (4) all committee meetings are scheduled by the chair; (5) committee minutes are to be distributed to the Faculty Clerk, the Provost, and committee members, with minutes also posted electronically so that they are available to all members of the faculty; (6) committee recommendations and action items may be forwarded to the consideration of the Curriculum Review Committee, the Undergraduate or Graduate Policies and Procedures Committees, or directly to the Faculty Business Meeting, with committee chairs consulting with the Provost and the Faculty Clerk to determine which place such business should go; (7) committee agendas may come from the Provost, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, School Deans, committee members, or individual faculty members; and (8) committees should be composed of at least five faculty members unless committee guidelines state otherwise.
Academic Appeals Committee
This committee is responsible for grade appeals for both undergraduate and graduate courses. Appeals to this committee may come from students or faculty members; they are presented to the committee only after the appropriate Dean has ruled concerning a grade appeal. The full process for grade appeals is available in the Office of Academic Affairs.
Academic Assessment Committee
This committee is responsible for facilitating and guiding faculty assessment of general education courses and departmental majors; reviewing annually the assessment summaries submitted by all academic departments; and making recommendations to the Provost, the General Education Committee, and individual academic departments toward improving the academic life and future academic assessment activities at the University. The committee is chaired by the Director of Assessment.
Animal Care Committee
This committee is responsible for oversight of the welfare of live USDA-regulated vertebrate animals used in teaching and research activities at the University. Specifically, it is responsible for preparing and submitting annually the USDA/APHIS Form for Report of Animals Used or Under Control of Research Facility; approving and maintaining a current file of animal use protocols; maintaining an animal care facility in accordance with current USDA guidelines; and convening at least once each semester for (1) inspection of animal care facilities, (2) review of the number of animals used, and (3) review of the justification for the number and type of animals used in each animal use protocol. The committee consists of the faculty chair, three additional faculty members, one student representative, one representative of the community of Newberg, and one veterinarian.
Athletics Committee
This committee is responsible for serving as an advisory group in questions of athletic policy and general operations to the Director of Athletics; conveying faculty suggestions and concerns regarding the operation of the athletic program within the academic environment of the University to the Athletic Director, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Provost; and conveying suggestions and concerns regarding the effective operation of the athletic program from the athletic department to the faculty. It is chaired by the faculty athletic representative to the NCAA.
Faculty Computers Committee
This committee is responsible for overseeing University computer distribution among faculty, allocating resources for support of University computer use by faculty, tracking the use of University computers and related technology used by faculty members, and reviewing and recommending policy regarding use of technology by faculty members.
Faculty Development Committee
This committee is responsible for overseeing the faculty development program, including issuing calls for research grants and leaves each year; monitoring the progress of recipients of research grants and leaves, and encouraging recipients to report their findings in public venues; serving as the selection committee for research grants and leaves; coordinating the annual Faculty Lectures; and promoting on-campus lectures and performances such as Faculty Research Forums to showcase recent scholarship by faculty members. The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as a member.
General Education Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing all proposals for changes to the undergraduate general education requirements, with proposals forwarded to the committee by the Office of Academic Affairs, the Curriculum Review Committee, or the Undergraduate Policies and Procedures Committee; recommending the acceptance or rejection of proposals for changes to the general education program to the Curriculum Review Committee and/or the Faculty Business Meeting; serving as a study and revision committee when the faculty or the Office of Academic Affairs requests a study of the overall general education package or one aspect of it; developing new proposals concerning the general education requirements when asked to do so by the Office of Academic Affairs; and, when necessary, studying and developing the criteria for the inclusion of courses in the general education requirements. A representative of the Office of Academic Affairs serves as a member.
Human Subjects Research Committee
The Human Subjects Research Committee is responsible for reviewing proposed research involving human participants to ensure compliance with the policies and procedures for the protection of human subjects. In cases of "minimal risk" research, the chair, or designated member of the committee, may review the proposed research. The chair of the committee is responsible for maintaining and distributing guidelines for conducting research with human subjects. The committee is composed of a minimum of five members.
Intercultural Concerns Committee
This committee is responsible for serving as a resource for faculty for multicultural curriculum issues, providing support and encouragement for students and faculty of diverse backgrounds, encouraging opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to share cross-cultural insights, supporting the activities of Multicultural Services, and identifying and addressing areas of faculty concern related to cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity.
International Program Committee
The International Program Committee oversees and distributes information and coordinates activities related to specific types of international programs at George Fox University. The committee is made up of a cross-campus team of individuals who seek to provide direction to international foreign student and faculty exchange programs and to formulate policy proposals regarding international projects, including establishing and maintaining sister school relationships and exchanges. One of the committee's key efforts is to increase the number and variety of international students and faculty at George Fox University. Committee members include representatives from undergraduate admissions, ESL, Foreign Language, International Studies, Study Abroad, and University Relations, and a cultural advisor. The Director of Global Studies serves as chair.
Library Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing the policies and procedures of the University libraries, serving as an advisory board to the University Librarian, promoting the use of the library and a program of library education for all students and faculty, and reviewing concerns arising in areas of the library, the archives, and the campus museum. The University librarian serves as a member.
Scholarship Committee
This committee is responsible for working with the Student Financial Services Office in establishing financial aid policy as it affects the academic program of the University, serving as the liaison between the Student Financial Services Office and the academic departments of the University in the annual awarding of scholarships for students in specific fields of study, serving as an advisory body regarding academic issues to the Director of Student Financial Services, conveying faculty suggestions and concerns regarding the operation of the financial aid program to the Director of Student Financial Services, and communicating to the faculty matters of information regarding the financial aid program of the University.
Spiritual Life Committee
This committee is responsible for providing a forum for ideas, feedback, and dialogue on the spiritual life of the campus; serving as an advisory body to the Campus Pastor and the Campus Ministries staff; conveying to the Campus Pastor concerns and suggestions regarding the spiritual formation program as it affects the academic program of the University; communicating to the faculty the policies and procedures of the spiritual formation program as it impacts the academic program of the University; and collaborating with the Campus Pastor and the President's Cabinet in creating and maintaining a Christ-centered spiritual life environment consistent with the mission of the University.
This body consists of the biennially elected faculty representative and four additional elected faculty. Each year, two new representatives are elected for two-year terms. The council is to facilitate communication between faculty and administration (both ways). It serves the following advisory functions:
Before the fall semester, the council is to advise the Provost in completing faculty committee assignments, delegating to appropriate committees the institutional issues that need faculty input, and specifying dates by which committee recommendations should be shared with the Provost and a Faculty Business Meeting for review and action.
The council is available at any time during the year to consider the concerns of either faculty members or administrators. It is intended to act as a preventive mechanism and to moderate controversial, community-shattering action on the part of faculty members or administrators. It may help to identify issues that could be referred to the University dispute resolution process.
The council may represent and advocate faculty needs in such matters as salary, promotion, tenure, academic scholarships, and program budgets.
The faculty representative consults with the council in planning the regular faculty sharing sessions held for worship and/or discussion.
Faculty Personnel Committee
This committee consists of six tenured faculty members, each serving a term of three years. Two positions are elected each year. A third-year member is chosen by the committee to serve as chair. There will be a representative on the committee from each of the following schools: Education, Management, Seminary, and Behavioral and Health Sciences; and two representatives from the School of Arts and Sciences, one from the humanities and one from the sciences. Members are nominated and elected by the full faculty each April. Faculty Council members are ineligible to serve. If a school does not have an eligible faculty member, or if no one from that school is willing to serve, the position on the committee will be elected from an at-large list of faculty willing to serve. This at-large position will also serve for three years. The Personnel Committee works in conjunction with the Office of Academic Affairs, providing oversight responsibility in the management of the tenure process.
This committee is responsible for serving closely with the Office of Academic Affairs to oversee a tenure process that is fair and orderly, and functions in the best interests of both the faculty and the institution; reviewing tenure documentation materials; determining if faculty members undergoing sixth-year reviews meet the criteria for tenure in teaching, scholarship, and service; notifying reviewees and the Office of Academic Affairs of its recommendation whether the candidate should or should not continue to pursue tenure; working with the Office of Academic Affairs to establish and approve third-year and other peer review committees (except sixth-year review committees); and reviewing copies of all peer reviews and updates of Faculty Growth Plans as a result of peer reviews.
This committee is responsible for reviewing student appeals of academic suspension, advising students on academic probation and suspension concerning their academic performance, and advising the Registrar regarding the academic status of students who do not meet grade point average (GPA) requirements. The Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs is a member of this committee.
Graduate Academic Standing Review Committee
This committee is responsible for reviewing graduate student appeals of academic standing. Appeals are limited to questions concerning proper use of the process for determining academic standing. Evaluations based on the academic performance of the student are to take place within the department.
Student Appeals Board
The purpose of the Student Appeals Board is to maximize the opportunity for reconciliation and establish fair treatment for appeals of administrative, faculty, or staff member action with respect to any individual student.
Admissions Committees
Each of these admissions committees serves as an advisory body to the Executive Director of Admissions, helping that person to understand more specifically who can be served at George Fox University. The committees help establish procedures and monitor recruitment methods. Final decisions are made on all provisional admissions, limiting acceptance only to those students who are good prospects to be helped by the George Fox University Academic Success Program.
Christian Ministries (CMN) Admission Committee
Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) Admission Committee
Department of Professional Studies (DPS) Graduate Admission Committee
Department of Professional Studies (DPS) Undergraduate Admission Committee
Educational Foundations and Leadership (EDFL) Admission Committee
MA in Counseling & Family Therapy (MA Counseling/MFT) Admission Committee
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Community Admission Committee
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)Daytime Admission Committee
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)Night Admission Committee
Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) Admission Committee
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Admission Committee
Master of Divinity (M. Div.) Admission Committee
Doctor of Psychology (PSY.D.) Admission Committee
Master of Arts in School Counseling Admission Committee
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation (SFD) Admission Committee
Among the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, as stated in Article II of the George Fox University bylaws, is to "establish and review the educational programs of the University and establish the academic standards to be observed by the University." The Chairperson of the Board consults with the President to determine which proposals warrant discussion by the academic affairs committee of the Board and the full Board.
Among the stated duties of the President is to "secure the endorsement of the Board of Trustees for changes in policy adopted by the faculty, and to delegate to appropriate officers the implementation of such policies." This partnership of the administrators and the faculty in processing proposed changes in programs and policies requires careful consultation throughout the process.
Faculty members individually and corporately have major responsibilities in developing and processing program and policy proposals. Academic departments, committees, and councils process ideas that arise from any source. The faculty as a corporate body then discusses and acts on the programs and proposals referred to it.
Working effectively in academic governance requires careful and regular attention to these issues:
The university's mission.
The financial results of proposals.
The impact on student learning and spiritual growth.
Communication with the other "stakeholders" in the governance process.
The chart (Figure 1), shows the flow of discussion and approval of academic proposals, as described in this narrative.
Stage One: Development and Refinement of Ideas
Ideas may originate from individuals connected with any part of the triangle (departments and schools, administrators, committees) in Stage One. Refining and improving the ideas may take place within any of the points of the triangle. Further testing and refining of the ideas moves forward by consulting with the appropriate individuals in the other parts of the triangle. There might or might not be a committee with responsibilities connected with the initiative, but in every case there should be consultation with the appropriate academic dean and/or the Provost. Because major initiatives may require the approval of the Cabinet or even the Board, the Provost should base his or her comments in part on the likelihood of Cabinet and Board approval.
Stage Two: Preliminary or Final discussion and Action
Academic program and policy proposals are generally discussed, reviewed, and approved at the school level and then taken to the appropriate faculty review committee: Curriculum Review, Undergraduate Policies and Procedures, or Graduate Policies and Procedures. These committees, chaired by faculty members, determine whether they have jurisdiction to make a final decision regarding the proposal according to the decision-making matrix (see Figure 2). These committees may request the presenter to provide additional information or to make changes in the proposals that are submitted. All proposals must follow the University Prospectus for Curriculum Change template (see figure three). When the committees act on the proposals, they should determine whether the proposals are significant enough to warrant discussion and action by the full faculty. Generally, significant changes in the catalog require faculty approval.
At this stage, curriculum and policy and procedures proposals are simultaneously taken to the Provost's Council by the various Deans for discussion.
Stage Three: Faculty Discussion and Approval
When the Faculty Clerk and the Provost determine that proposals have been processed appropriately at the first two stages, they place them on the agenda for discussion and action at a Faculty Business Meeting. Minor actions by the Curriculum Review Committee, the Undergraduate Policies and Procedures Committee, the Graduate Policies and Procedures Committee, and other faculty committees should be reported to the faculty and may be noted in the faculty meetings for information.
The Faculty Business Meeting may approve a program in two ways:
Approval in Concept/Preliminary Approval:
The purpose of the approval-in-concept judgment is to promote early review of proposals and early feedback by the wider faculty, so that subunits may be directed and encouraged in their labors. Such early review keeps faculty as a whole informed as to what is going on and helps subunits expend their efforts wisely. Approval in concept indicates that the relevant subunit is encouraged to continue developing a proposal, with due attention to concerns expressed in the Faculty Business Meeting, with the presumption (but not assurance) that a suitably revised and completed proposal will probably be endorsed by the faculty meeting at a later date.
Proposals approved in concept must still be given approval at a Faculty Business Meeting.
Approval/Final Approval
Approval is typically the final Faculty Business Meeting action with respect to a new proposal, even when a proposal may require some modification before implementation. Approval indicates that the faculty now trust the plan and the planners enough that further details can be worked out at the level of department and Dean or relevant council. Even before implementation, an approved proposal has the status of an existing program and is subject to the same processes of oversight.
A proposal presented for final approval need not have been previously approved in concept.
Stage Four: Cabinet Discussion and Approval
The Provost consults with the President to determine if proposals from the faculty require Cabinet approval. Issues of financial impact and relevance to the University's mission will be considered in this determination. Relatively minor academic actions may be presented to Cabinet members for information.
Stage Five: Board Discussion and Approval
After Cabinet discussion and approval, the President determines if academic programs and policies approved by the Cabinet should be presented to the Board's Academic Affairs Committee and the full Board. As noted above, the Board has the responsibility to act on proposals with major consequences for the University's mission and financial strength.
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