Academic Senate Committees

Joint decision-making and consultation between the administration and the General Faculty have been recognized by the legislature of the State of California as the long-accepted manner of governing institutions of higher learning and are essential to the educational missions of such institutions. In order to participate fully in the process of joint decision-making and consultation with the administration, the Academic Senate is empowered to exercise all legislative and advisory powers on behalf of the General Faculty. These legislative powers shall include all educational matters that affect the General Faculty (e.g., curricula, academic personnel policies, and academic standards). Advisory powers shall include, but not be limited to, budget policy, administrative appointments, determination of campus administrative policy, University organization, and facilities use and planning.

The Budget and Long Range Planning Committee shall provide oversight and make recommendations concerning policy for the allocation of budgeted resources. This includes the review of matters related to the allocation of budgeted resources and representation on bodies formed to review the mechanisms by which campuswide resource allocations are made.  In addition, the Budget and Long Range Planning Committee shall also develop recommendations concerning future actions, policies, and goals of the university.

There will be a standing subcommittee of the Curriculum Committee for the initial review of courses proposed to fulfill the Cultural Pluralism Baccalaureate requirement. This subcommittee shall consist of seven voting members, one from each college and one from Professional Consultative Services. Terms shall be for two years, staggered to ensure continuity. Academic Senate caucuses will solicit and receive applications for membership. The slate of applicants will be forwarded to the Curriculum Committee who will appoint members.
A chair of this subcommittee will be elected from the subcommittee members each academic year. Ex officio members shall be the Director of Ethnic Studies, the Director of Women’s Studies, a representative from both the General Education Program and the Curriculum Committee, and an ASI representative. Selection of courses to fulfill the requirement shall follow the criteria listed in AS-

The Curriculum Committee shall develop recommendations regarding academic master planning and curriculum, academic programs, university requirements for graduation, general education, cultural pluralism, and library oversight as it relates to instruction. Members will meet at least quarterly and as needed. The chair shall be responsible for Academic Affairs office.  The Chair of the Curriculum Committee shall meet regularly with the Chair of the Instruction Committee, Chair of the Program Review and Improvement Committee, and the Chair of the Academic Senate.

The Distinguished Scholarship Awards Committee shall conduct the selection process and determine the policies and procedures to be used for judging potential candidates for the Distinguished Scholarship Award.

The Faculty Awards Committee shall conduct the selection process and determine the policies and procedures to be used for judging potential candidates for the Distinguished Teaching Award. Nominations for the award will be received by the committee during the fall quarter, and final selection will be made no later than the sixth week of the spring quarter.

The Faculty Affairs Committee shall be the advisory body of the Academic Senate on faculty policy and its administration and procedures. The scope of faculty procedures and policies coming within its purview includes standards and criteria concerning appointment, promotion, tenure, academic freedom, leave of absence, retention, professional relations and ethics, promotion, research, grievance, layoff procedures, and lecturers' rights and responsibilities.

The procedures to be followed and the problems to be considered shall be approved by the Academic Senate and published as a document entitled, Fairness Board Description and Procedures. Changes in the document shall be made by the Senate upon recommendation of the Fairness Board. The Board shall report to the Academic Senate.

Responsibilities
(1) In coordination with the Research and Professional Development Committee, develop and recommend policies and procedures for the review of grant proposals referred to it, including the State Faculty Support Grants (SFSG).
(2) Solicit, receive, and evaluate requests for State Faculty Support Grants and make recommendations for funding, when appropriate, to the Dean for Research and Graduate Programs.
(3) Make recommendations concerning the funding of other internal grants when appropriate.
(4) Evaluate requests for special leaves for research or creative activity and, when appropriate, rank order them for consideration and transmit this ranking through the Academic Senate Chair to the President.

Responsibilities:
The Instruction Committee shall be responsible for recommendations regarding subjects that impinge directly on the quality of teaching, and for providing policy recommendations concerning grading as well as admissions policies and requirements. It will also provide review and input concerning electronic teaching techniques.
In accordance with CAM 481 and AS-357-91/IC, the Instruction Committee shall review the Academic Calendar as proposed by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs before its final submission to the President for approval.
The Chair of the Instruction Committee shall meet regularly with the Chair of the Curriculum Committee, the Chair of the Program Review and Improvement Committee, and the Chair of the Academic Senate.

Responsibilities:
The duties of the Library Committee are threefold:
(1) to actively monitor campus concerns about University library resources, policy, and services;
(2) to work with the Dean of the Library in developing library policies which meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students; and
(3) to advise and consult with the University administration about: (a) the state of the Library’s resources, services, and policies, and (b) the University commitment necessary to assure that the Library adequately serves the teaching, research, and public service missions of the University.

The Research and Professional Development Committee shall provide oversight for research and professional development activities on campus. Make recommendations concerning all policies and procedures for research and professional development activities on campus. Conduct a regular review of research centers and institutes on campus. Provide library oversight as it relates to research and professional development. Review and make recommendations on disputed university professional leaves. Provide oversight to the Grants Review Committee.

Responsibilities:

Shall inform and support the activities of other committees whose scope encompasses environmental responsibility and shall make recommendations to the Academic Senate, as appropriate, regarding the provisions of the Tallories Declaration.