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Faculty and Academic Staff Handbook

19th Edition, 2008


Chapter 3: Organization of the Faculty and Academic Staff

3.3 Faculty By-laws

Article I: Authority for Faculty By-laws

The authority for Faculty By-laws is found in Article VI, Section A, Item 4 of the Constitution of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Faculty (revised and approved Fall, 1974).

Article II: Operation of Committees

Section A

Committees are responsible to the Chancellor through the Faculty Senate unless directed to report elsewhere at the time of establishment. In their consideration of policies, problems, and programs, committees shall seek information from and the counsel of the Chancellor, faculty, and students.

Committees should keep appropriate groups and individuals (especially the Chancellor) informed of their activities and progress.

Committees, when necessary and appropriate, may establish ad hoc task forces to study specific problems and recommend action to the sponsoring committee.

Section B – Meetings

Committees shall meet at least once per academic term.
Committee chairs shall arrange meeting times which allow faculty, staff, and student committee members to attend the meeting.

Committee chairs will arrange for all interested faculty, staff, and students to present views and opinions on all issues being considered.

Section C – Methods of Reporting

Committees shall provide the Chancellor, the Chair and the Secretary of the Faculty Senate, and the President and Secretary of the Student Senate with minutes of each meeting. These minutes, unless otherwise designated in the description of the committee, shall be available on line to the faculty. After three years, minutes will be electronically archived.

Formal recommendations from committees should be prepared in triplicate, one copy each going to the Chancellor, the Faculty Senate, and the Student Senate. Upon receipt of a committee recommendation, the Faculty Senate may follow any one of three courses of action: it may (1) accept the recommendation without change or (2) accept it with modification, whereupon the committee recommendation becomes a faculty recommendation and is forwarded to the Chancellor for approval or veto, or it may (3) reject a committee recommendation.

Committees may ask, through the Senate or the Chancellor, that an issue be placed on the agenda for a faculty meeting. Such a request may grow out of the need for general discussion or information, or out of dissatisfaction with the action taken by the Senate or the Chancellor. Each committee shall prepare a written report to the faculty at least once a year, citing its activities, concerns, and accomplishments for that year. This report shall be submitted to the Secretary and the Chair of the Faculty Senate and to the Chancellor of the University.

Committees shall also provide interim reports when requested to do so.

Section D – General Functions of Committees

  • to continuously study and review those matters over which jurisdiction has been assigned
  • to formulate legislative recommendations for action by the Faculty Senate, the general faculty, or the Chancellor
  • to provide University-wide leadership and stimulate creative responses in coping with problems and questions in the assigned area
  • to coordinate University-wide activities and programs in the assigned area
  • to implement, supervise, or coordinate University policies when authorized to do so by the Faculty Senate or by procedures established by the By-laws
  • to report to the Faculty Senate and to the Chancellor their recommendations, favorable or unfavorable, on matters referred to them for study, examination, or research.

Section E – Appointment to Committees

Wherever practicable, committee membership shall include representation from each of the voting divisions of the faculty. Membership on the Senate shall not be a prerequisite for membership on a faculty committee. In cases where the business of a committee involves matters that are of interest and importance to students, there shall also be student membership on the faculty committee.

The Senate's Executive Committee will receive from the faculty its preferences as to committee appointments and will present to the Senate a list of nominees for existing vacancies. The Senate may propose alternative names or simply approve the Committee's slate. Final appointments to and removal from standing committees are, unless otherwise specified, made by the Faculty Senate with final approval by the Chancellor.

Unless otherwise specified within a committee’s description, the following appointment processes shall be used [FS 06/07 #68]:

  • Faculty, including Fourth Division faculty, are appointed by the Faculty Senate
  • Academic Staff members not identified as “faculty” are appointed by the Academic Staff Council
  • Classified Staff members are appointed by the Union
  • Student members are appointed by the Student Senate

The Chair of each committee will be designated annually by the Faculty Senate and shall preferably be a retained member of the committee and appointed by the same process as committee members.

Term of membership is provided for in the definition of each committee (see Article III, Bylaws); however, membership terms will be staggered so that each committee will be comprised of retained and new appointees. (Initial length of term will be determined by committee lot.) It is the intention that appointments to committees be rotated as much as possible.

A committee member who is unable to attend committee meetings may appoint a proxy for a period of time not to exceed one semester, subject to the committee's acceptance of that proxy.

Article III: Standing Committees

Section A – Academic Program and Policy Committee

  1. Membership: Nine faculty (at least three of whom are members of the graduate faculty and who are affirmed by the Graduate Council), the Provost and Vice Chancellor or the Provost and Vice Chancellor’s designee, and four students.
  2. Term of office: three years for faculty, one-third to be appointed each year; one year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to establish the goals and objectives of the undergraduate curriculum of the University
    b. to establish the goals and objectives of the graduate curriculum of the University in consultation with the Graduate Council
    c. to examine and evaluate the overall curriculum of the University for possible improvements, to recommend revisions, and to initiate suggestions for study and action
    d. to examine and recommend to the Faculty Senate proposals for new graduate degree and certificate programs, undergraduate minors and majors, and any other new academic programs. Graduate programs will be forwarded to the Academic
    Program and Policy Committee by the Graduate Council. [FS 03/04 #21, FS 07/08 #20]
    e. to examine and promote the development of new, experimental, and innovative curricular programs and offerings at both the graduate and undergraduate level
    f. to examine and recommend to the Faculty Senate proposals for substantial changes in graduate degrees and certificate programs and undergraduate majors and submajors
    g. if the committee rejects a proposal for a new program from a department or the Graduate Council, that body may request a vote on the proposal by the Faculty Senate. If the Faculty Senate rejects the proposal, the Senate will supply the department or Graduate Council with a summary of its reasons
    h. to approve the plan for assessment of General Education submitted by the Assessment Committee. The Assessment Committee will assess General Education every ten years in conjunction with and prior to the campus visit by the re-accreditation team of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  4. Procedure: The committee shall, in consultation with the Provost and Vice Chancellor, coordinate University-wide programs as specified under “Duties” above and require reports from faculty responsible for conducting such programs as requested.
  5. Recommendations dealing with new graduate and undergraduate programs and majors/minors are approved by Academic Policy & Program, Faculty Senate, the Provost and Vice Chancellor, and the Chancellor, in that order. [FS 06/07 #27, FS 07/08 #20]

Section B – Academic Standards Committee

  1. Membership: Six faculty; The Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dean of the College of Business and Economics, the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, or their designees; the Registrar; the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action (ex-officio, non-voting); and four students.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty, one-third being appointed each year; one year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to develop and recommend academic policies in the following areas: admission, drop-add, graduation requirements, pass-fail, probation, retention, scholastic standards, student academic load, student program changes, transfer, re-entry and withdrawal
    b. to recommend procedures for the implementation of academic policies
    c. to interpret academic policies upon the request of the Provost and Vice Chancellor and/or the Registrar
    d. to hear appeals relative to academic policy implementation
  4. Procedure:
    a. The Registrar will carry out the academic policies of the University under the direction of the Provost and Vice Chancellor.
    b. Each Academic Dean shall have the prerogative within the established policy to make decisions regarding requirements in his or her own College. Appeal of the Dean’s decisions may be made to the Academic Standards Committee by students or faculty.
    c. All policy questions about University requirements shall be referred to the Academic Standards Committee
    d. Decisions of the Academic Standards Committee may be appealed by the student to the Provost and Vice Chancellor.

Section C – Advising Committee

  1. Membership: Five faculty members: one from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, two from the College of Arts and Sciences, one from the College of Business and Economics, one from the College of Education and Professional Studies; the Director of the Academic Success Center, the Associate Director of the Academic Success Center, and two students - one appointed by Student Senate and one appointed by the Student Advisory Board of the Academic Success Center.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty, one year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to examine and develop innovative and/or experimental programs for advising students deemed at risk
    b. to evaluate periodically the student academic advising system and recommend changes that will increase the system's effectiveness c. to recommend policies for implementing new advising programs and improving current ones
    d. to serve in an advisory capacity for activities that involve academic, career, and personal counseling
    e. to encourage recognition of the importance of advising as a part of faculty responsibility and to recommend and revise procedures for evaluating faculty participation in advising

Section D – Affirmative Action Advisory Committee

[FS 06/07 #43]

This committee is established under the requirements of Regent Policy Document 17-4 (former 75-5) that requires, in part, “Establish and maintain an affirmative action committee (or committees, as appropriate) composed of faculty, academic staff, classified employees, and students to advise the administration on affirmative action needs and concerns, and to assist affirmative action directors in designing and implementing programs.”

  1. Membership: Five faculty (if possible, one faculty member should hold the rank of lecturer), the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action, the Director of Human Resources or designee, a member of the classified staff, an academic staff member, and a student.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty and academic staff, one to two members appointed each year. One year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to advise the University administration and the Office of Equity and Affirmative Action on issues and concerns relevant to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment
    b. to advise the University administration and the Office of Equity and Affirmative Action on programs designed to ensure equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment
    c. to review policies, at either the Committee’s own initiative or upon request, dealing with affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment
    d. to communicate issues raised within Affirmative Action Advisory Committee meetings to the appropriate group(s), e.g., University administration, academic or administrative units, governance groups, the University community at large, and so on
    e. to provide policy recommendations to University governance groups, e.g., the Faculty Senate and the Academic Staff Council

Section E – Assessment Committee

  1. Membership: Voting members will consist of nine Faculty/Staff (appointed by Faculty Senate; with two from each College and one from the Fourth Division) and two students (appointed by Student Senate). Ex-officio, non-voting members will consist of the Provost and Vice Chancellor (or representative), the Director of Institutional Research, and one representative from each Academic Dean’s office.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for each faculty, one-third to be appointed each year; one year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to examine the University's assessment effort in light of the select mission and nature of UWRF
    b. to propose changes in the assessment effort to the Faculty Senate, when necessary
    c. to provide Faculty input into University reports on assessment
    d. to assess General Education and University requirements. The Assessment Committee will recommend instruments, methods, timetable and design for the General Education and University requirements assessment to the AP&P Committee. The AP&P Committee will approve or disapprove the Assessment Committee's plan. Once the plan is approved, the Assessment Committee will coordinate the collection of data needed for the assessment. The Assessment Committee will tabulate their results and give them to the AP&P committee [FS 06/07 #81]
    e. to act as a resource on academic assessment. The Assessment Committee will work with academic programs to provide guidance on the form and structure of their assessment plans
    f. to approve the academic program assessment plans
    g. to monitor assessment activities. As part of the regular 7-year program review of
    majors, the committee will review the assessment plans, the plans’ results, and
    any revisions suggested by the department

Section F – Athletic Committee

[FS 06-07 #46]

  1. Membership: Four faculty (with equal representation of women and men), the Student Senate Athletic Representative and one additional student from the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (with equal representation of women and men), the Athletic Director, the Senior Woman Athletic Administrator, The Chair of Health and Human Performance, the women’s and men’s Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR), and the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty with one-third being appointed each year. Students should be appointed on an annual basis.
  3. Duties:
    a. to review and remain current on the policies prescribed by the NCAA and WIAC
    b. to approve the final recommendations regarding how the money received from the Student Senate is budgeted
    c. to review budgeted funds, statements, gate receipts, and expenditures of the Athletic Department and to review and audit report
    d. to promote athletic programs and develop relations with other institutions
    e. to recommend policies for the improvement of the athletic programs and facilities of the University. Increase involvement in the areas of responsibility in athletic programs
    f. to recommend to the Faculty Senate candidates for appointment as Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs)
    g. to notify all head coaches and the Recreation Leadership Coordinator of forthcoming athletic committee meetings and agenda items
    h. to review equity issues involving men's and women's athletics.

Section G – Calendar Committee

[FS 06/07 #42, #84]

  1. Membership: Five faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate (one from each college and the Fourth Division), the Provost (or designee), the Registrar (or designee), the Director of Outreach (or designee), and a student appointed by the Student Senate [FS 06/07 #84]
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty and academic staff, one to two members appointed each year. One year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. To provide calendar recommendations to the Faculty Senate using the following guidelines:
    1) The academic calendar shall conform in its entirety to the faculty contract period of 39 contiguous weeks per academic year, including Fall and Spring Semesters.
    2) Under the balanced calendar framework, both Fall and Spring semesters shall each consist of one week of pre-class advising, 14 weeks of classes, one week of final exams, and one week of grading, for a minimum length of 17 weeks per semester. The two semesters, plus five weeks of interims, Spring Break, and administrative weeks, shall constitute the 39-week academic year.
    3) The scheduling of a study day is required between the last day of regular classes and the first day of final exams every semester.
    4) The deadline for submission of final course grades to the Registrar’s Office shall be not less than five full working days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) after the last day of final exams.
    b. To provide policy recommendations regarding both the calendar and calendar scheduling to the Faculty Senate.

Curriculum Committee – See Section T, University Curriculum Committee

Section H – Disability Advisory Committee

[FS 06/07 #34]

This committee is established under the requirements of Regent Policy Document 14-10 (former 96-6), Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability, which requires that each UW institution establish an advisory committee to, “provide information and recommendations responsive to the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities.”

  1. Membership: Five faculty, two students, the Coordinator of Disability Services, the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action, and the American with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty, one to two members appointed each year. One year for students.
  3. Duties: [FS 07/08 #8]
    a. to make policy recommendations regarding disability issues to Faculty Senate
    b. to advise the Disability Services Staff on policy and procedures
    c. to review the annual Disability Services Report
    d. to review other relevant reports and information
    e. to review periodical needs assessments of students and faculty
    f. to recommend training and workshops
    g. to respond to student appeals of accommodation decisions; the committee chair will designate a hearing committee made up of three committee members

Section I -- Diversity Committee

[FS 06/07 #40]

  1. Membership: Four faculty members, the University’s Inclusivity Initiative Pointperson (appointed by the Faculty Senate), an academic staff member appointed by the Academic Staff Council, the Multicultural/Disadvantaged Coordinator, the Director of the Academic Success Center (or designee), the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action, and two students.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty and academic staff, one-third appointed each year. One year for students.
  3. Diversity and diverse, for the purposes of this committee’s responsibilities, include race, national origin, religion, socio-economic status, age, culture, gender, gender identities, and sexual orientation.
  4. Duties:
    a. to recommend recruitment and retention policies and programs that encourage the development of a diverse University community
    b. to seek ways to encourage faculty and academic staff development focused on diversity issues
    c. to assess reports and information on the campus climate as it relates to diversity issues and make appropriate recommendations for improvement
    d. to review the status and progress of the University's strategic diversity initiatives and make appropriate recommendations
    e. to establish and maintain communication links between the committee and relevant student organizations so that committee members stay aware of campus issues and events
    f. to provide guidance to the Faculty Senate on policy decisions related to diversity issues
    g. to seek ways to encourage infusion of diversity content into the University curriculum and courses
    h. to identify and refine pathways and strategies for eliminating inequities in educational opportunities and outcomes
    i. to provide appropriate recommendations to facilitate the professional advancement of diverse populations
    j. to represent the needs and interests of diverse campus populations to the broader community
    k. to review and recommend approval of reports related to UW-System diversity initiatives
    l. to receive reports on the Library collections and to make recommendations regarding the acquisition of materials regarding diversity [FS 06/07 #58]

Section J – External Relations Committee

  1. Membership: Ten faculty members with at least one representative from each of the four Colleges and the Fourth Division; the Chancellor’s designee; the Director of the News Bureau (ex officio, non voting); the Executive Director for University Advancement or designee (ex officio, non voting); the Director of Development and Alumni Relations (ex officio, non voting); and two representatives from Student
    Senate.
  2. Term of Office: Three-year staggered terms for faculty; two years for the Student Senate representative.
  3. Duties:
    a. to increase faculty and staff awareness of important actions being proposed at the state level
    b. to assist with Faculty and Staff contact with appropriate state officials
    c. to improve the state government’s knowledge of the effects of their actions on the students and staff at UWRF
    d. to actively evaluate current public relations efforts
    e. to initiate activities and publications which enhance the public relations of the University
    f. to maintain communications and the exchange of information between the University’s and Colleges’ Public Relations Committees and the administration
    g. to seek out public relations ideas from members of the University community to promote a positive image of the University
    h. to be responsible for recommending and inviting the speakers for the Fall and Spring commencement exercises and to coordinate this effort with the offices of the Registrar and the Chancellor
    i. to function as the Honorary Degree Committee (see Chapter 8.12)
    j. to advise the Executive Director for University Advancement and the Director of Development and Alumni Relations on activities relating to alumni concerns and events such as Homecoming, Alumni Weekend, and chapter meetings
    k. to seek nominations for the Distinguished Alumnus Award based on outstanding professional achievement and contributions to society; to forward a recommendation for this award to the Chancellor for final approval
    l. to seek nominations for the Outstanding Service Award and to forward recommendations for this award to the Chancellor for final approval; those eligible are persons outside of the University community who have made exemplary contributions to UW-River Falls through their support of the University’s goals and their volunteer efforts on behalf of the University

Section K – Faculty Compensation Committee

[FS 06/07 #85]

  1. Membership: Eight faculty with at least one from each of the following: academic staff and/or the rank of lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, professor; and two students. In addition, the UW-River Falls faculty representative to the UWSystem's Faculty/Staff Compensation Advisory Committee is a full, voting member. [FS 03/04 #2] The Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action, the Provost and Vice Chancellor or the Provost and Vice Chancellor's designee, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, and the Special Assistant to the Chancellor are all ex-officio, non-voting members.
  2. Term of Office: Three years, with two or three appointed each year in accordance with the number of vacancies occurring.
  3. Duties:
    a. to develop, continuously evaluate, recommend, and inform the faculty of policies and procedures relating to the following:
    1) salary and salary issues, including—but not restricted to—J-term
    compensation, summer session compensation, overloads, reassigned time and compression
    2) personnel evaluation and recommendations which pertain to salary and salary increases
    3) existing and proposed changes to personnel fringe benefits, including sick leave, collegial coverage and medical plan options
    b. to provide an annual written summary to the Senate and all faculty each April
    addressing the biennial compensation plan, and any additional relevant issues
    reflected under duties: a. 1)-3) above

Section L – Faculty Hearing, Grievance, and Appeals Committee

  1. Membership:
    a. Eight tenured faculty with each College represented and with as many ranks as possible represented; and one academic staff member. [FS 04/05 #7]
    b. If members of the Committee perceive a possible conflict of interest regarding a particular hearing or appeal, the Chair of the Committee reserves the right to request the Chair of the Faculty Senate to appoint substitute members to serve on the Committee. These substitute members will be selected from those who have served previously as members of the Faculty Hearing, Grievance, and Appeals Committee.
  2. Term of Office: Three years, with one-third appointed each year.
  3. Duties: To function as a hearing body to review appeals and grievances. Appeals and grievances are defined as:
    a. those allegations made by a faculty member(s) charging deprivation or invasion of academic freedom and/or a denial of equitable treatment in matters covered by the policies adopted by the faculty and administration relating to:
    1) appointments, promotions, tenure and salary
    2) teaching loads and duties, i.e., working conditions generally
    3) retention/non-retention of probationary faculty
    b. claims of violation of those standards and their application given in Wisconsin Statutes, Administrative Code, Personnel Guidelines, and other Board of Regents Rules and Regulations other than cases which fall within the province of the Termination Committee
  4. The findings of fact and conclusions and/or recommendations of the Committee shall not be regarded as preventing grievants from further appeal to such professional associations as the grievants may call upon
  5. To sit as a judiciary body to hear appeals of individual faculty members concerning decisions or actions in the foregoing areas. The Committee will investigate the appeal and make recommendations to the Faculty Senate and parties concerned.
  6. Procedure for Appeals: In the event that the previous procedure has not resolved the grievance, grievance procedures as stated in the Faculty and Academic Staff Handbook Chapter IV, Faculty Personnel Rules sections 4.6, 4.9, and 4.10, will be followed or as designated by the Board of Regents Policy, Personnel Guidelines, or State Statute.
  7. The confidentiality of the proceedings of this Committee shall be maintained. The minutes of the Committee will be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, the Chancellor, and to the grievant. The findings and recommendations of each grievance case shall be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, the Chancellor, and the grievant.

Section M – Faculty Welfare and Personnel Policies Committee

[FS 06/07 #85]

  1. Membership: Seven faculty with at least one each from the following, provided sufficient volunteers exist: academic staff and/or the rank of lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, professor; and two students. The Assistant to the Chancellor for Equity, Compliance, and Affirmative Action, the Provost or Provost’s designee, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance or designee, the Director of Human Resources or designee, and the Special Assistant to the Chancellor are all ex-officio, nonvoting members.
  2. Term of Office: Three years, with two or three appointed each year in accordance with the number of vacancies occurring.
  3. Duties:
    a. to develop, continuously evaluate, recommend, and inform the faculty of policies and procedures relating to:
    1) equity and affirmative action
    2) appointments and dismissal (academic year, summer, and extension)
    3) promotions and determination of rank
    4) personnel evaluations and recommendations
    5) tenure
    6) leaves of absence, faculty development leaves, etc.
    7) faculty working conditions
    b. to consider and recommend such additional guidelines and/or policies as may be conducive to faculty welfare
    c. to consult with the Executive Council of the Student Senate on items of mutual interest involving 1), 2), 3), and 4) under a. above
    d. to provide to any member of the unclassified staff consultation and advice on the application of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter UWS 8, Unclassified Staff Code of Ethics
    e. to develop policies and procedures that shall, at a minimum, provide:
    1) standards concerning the use of University facilities and personnel in connection with outside activities
    2) standards concerning absence from regular duties for the purpose of engaging in outside activities
    3) guidelines identifying types or categories of outside activities which may result in a material conflict of interest and
    4) for such reports of anticipated outside activities as are necessary to insure compliance with UWS 8.04
    f. To develop and monitor the use of an instrument to report outside interests and activities of faculty and academic staff as required under UWS 8.025.

Section N – General Education and University Requirements Committee

[FS 03/04 #17, 07/08 #20]

  1. Purpose: to supervise the General Education Program at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
  2. Membership: proportional representation of the faculty by college (determination to be based on FTE) not to exceed 10 faculty members appointed by Faculty Senate for three year terms, plus two student members appointed by the Student Senate. Each academic college must have at least one representative. Non-voting representatives will include the Assessment Coordinator and representatives from the Registrar’s Office and the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. [FS 07/08 #13]
  3. Term of Office: Three years for faculty
  4. Duties [FS 07/08 #20]:
    a. to promote and support the General Education program on the UWRF campus
    b. to define and review the policies for the General Education course submission procedure
    c. to approve/disapprove courses for the General Education program and communicate these decisions to the campus community
    d. to approve/disapprove courses for the American Cultural Diversity and Global Perspectives requirements and communicate these decisions to the campus community
    e. to carry out a review of General Education, American Cultural Diversity, and Global Perspectives courses on a 5-year cycle
    f. to evaluate all assessment results and provide feedback to all relevant parties
    g. to recommend changes in the General Education structure to the Faculty Senate [FS 06/07 #27]
    h. to promote opportunities for faculty development related to General Education
    i. to develop processes and procedures for removal of General Education courses from the curriculum
    j. to determine whether or not the course offerings for each General Education goal are sufficient to meet student needs

Section O – Information and Instructional Technology Council

[FS 06/07 #67]

The Information and Instructional Technology Council is the primary advisory and decisionmaking group for information technology at UW-River Falls. The council has three subcommittees: Instructional and Learning Technology, Infrastructure, and Information Systems. The issues that each deals with are detailed below and in the following pages.

Information and Instructional Technology Council Chart (pdf)

The Information and Instructional Technology Council and its three subcommittees are all “hybrid” groups. The division of topics around which they are organized are commonly used in universities and other organizations. Each group will deal with a range of issues, allowing for a collaborative and inclusive approach to guiding information technology. When an issue comes before any of these groups that is under the purview of a shared governance body, designated members of the Information & Instructional Technology Council will vote and make a recommendation to the appropriate governance group.

Most of the issues that the Instructional and Learning Technology Committee will deliberate will be issues that fall within the purview of faculty governance. However, faculty and student governance issues may arise in the Infrastructure and Information Systems groups as well. Shared governance issues will be acted upon by the appropriate designated members of the Information & Instructional Technology Council.

  1. Purpose: The Information & Instructional Technology Council serves as an overall point of coordination, planning and policy development for information technology at the University.
  2. Membership (23 total):
    a. Faculty COEPS (1) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    b. Faculty CAS (1) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    c. Faculty CAS (1) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    d. Faculty CAFES (1) Faculty Senate Appointment)
    e. Faculty CBE (1) (Faculty Senate Appointment
    f. Faculty at-large (1) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    g. Chair of the Instructional and Learning Technology Committee
    h. Chair of the Infrastructure Committee
    i. Chair of the Information Systems Committee
    j. Students (6) (Student Senate Appointment)
    k. Staff Enrollment Services (Administrative Appointment)
    l. Staff Library (Administrative Appointment)
    m. Information technology staff Chief Information Officer
    n. Information technology staff Student Affairs IT
    o. Information technology staff Manager Network Services
    p. Information technology staff Manager Information Systems
    q. Information technology staff Manager Computer Support
    r. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or designee
    s. Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs or designee
  3. Chair: Faculty member appointed by Faculty Senate (should have at least one year experience on the committee)
  4. Vice-chair: Chief Information Officer
  5. Term of Office: Faculty term is three years with 1-2 new appointments each year. Student terms are one year with the option for reappointment. Administrative members have no defined term length.
  6. Duties:
    a. to align the information technology strategic plan with the University strategic plan
    b. to create an annual plan for information technology and make funding recommendations
    c. to prioritize campus technology projects and monitor their progress
    d. to develop policies related to information technology in areas such as but not limited to security, access, and use
    e. to develop a long range equipment and software replacement plan
    f. to define key performance indicators for information technology, track them, assess outcomes, and utilize results to refine annual and strategic planning
    g. to evaluate the effectiveness of the information technology shared governance structure and make recommendations for improvements
    h. to charge and create short-term ad hoc task teams to address specific issues i. Issues to be addressed include but are not limited to strategic IT plan, annual IT plan, accountability, reporting, and funding recommendations.
  7. Decisions and voting:
    a. faculty members of Information & Instructional Technology Council appointed by the Faculty Senate form the voting bloc for faculty governance issues
    b. student members of Information & Instructional Technology Council appointed by the Student Senate form the voting bloc for student governance issues
    c. faculty members of Information & Instructional Technology Council appointed by the Faculty Senate plus the student members of Information & Instructional Technology Council appointed by the Student Senate form the voting bloc for joint faculty and student governance issues
    d. other decisions are made by consensus, majority vote if consensus cannot be reached
  8. Conduit for action: Faculty governance decisions are forwarded to Faculty Senate, student governance decisions are forwarded to Student Senate, and administrative issues are forwarded to the appropriate administrator. As necessary, the chair will consult with governance groups regarding shared governance authority.

Section O: I – Instructional and Learning Technology Committee

[FS 06/07 #67]

  1. Purpose: The Instructional and Learning Technology Committee facilitates the effective use of information technology in teaching, learning and research.
  2. Membership (15 total):
    a. Faculty at-large (2) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    b. Faculty COEPS (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    c. Faculty CAS (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    d. Faculty CAFES (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    e. Faculty CBE (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    f. Student (3) (appointed by Information & Instructional Technology Council)
    g. Staff Library
    h. Staff Manager Computer Support
    i. Staff information technology Lab Manager
    j. Staff Learning Technology Development Council Representative
    k. Staff Student Affairs IT
    l. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or designee
  3. Chair: Faculty member appointed by Faculty Senate (will also serve as a member of the Information and Instructional Technology Council).
  4. Term of Office: Faculty term is three years with 1-2 new appointments each year. Student terms are one year with the option for reappointment. Administrative members have no defined term length
  5. Duties:
    a. to facilitate the effective use of information technology in teaching, learning and research
    b. to develop and recommend policies related to use of technology in teaching and learning
    c. to evaluate the effectiveness of institutional support for teaching and learning technologies
    d. to promote the use of instructional and learning technologies through communication, advocacy, faculty and staff development and ongoing support for all users
    e. to investigate emerging technologies and promote their use as appropriate
    f. to assure effective teaching and the achievement of intended learning outcomes for alternative course delivery systems that utilize technology
    g. Issues to be addressed include but are not limited to classroom technology, lab technology, learning management system, distance education, emerging technologies, user support and faculty and staff development.
  6. Decisions and voting:
    a. Shared Governance decisions are submitted to the Information and Instructional Technology Council for action by appropriate voting bloc of that group and subsequent forwarding to appropriate governance group.
    b. Other decisions are made by consensus, or by majority vote if consensus cannot be reached.
  7. Conduit for action: Shared governance decisions are submitted to the Information and Instructional Technology Council for action by appropriate voting bloc of that group and subsequent forwarding to appropriate governance group. Review, consultation, discussion and collaborative problem-solving on non-governance issues occur within the work group and do not require movement through the governance process.

Section O: II – Infrastructure Committee

[FS 06/07 #67]

  1. Purpose: The Infrastructure Committee assures that the campus network and basic technology support the work of the University.
  2. Membership (7 total):
    a. Faculty at-large (2) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    b. Student (appointed by Information & Instructional Technology Council)
    c. Staff Student Affairs IT
    d. Staff Manager Network Services
    e. Staff Manager Computer Support Services
    f. Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance or designee
  3. Chair: Faculty member appointed by Faculty Senate (will also serve as a member of the Information and Instructional Technology Council).
  4. Term of Office: Faculty term is three years with staggered appointment years. Student terms are one year with the option for reappointment. Administrative members have no defined term length.
  5. Duties:
    a. to assure the effectiveness of the infrastructure that supports the campus’s use of information technology
    b. to develop policies and plans related to security, disaster recovery and access
    c. to assure that the basic productivity and telecommunication tools used by faculty, staff and students meet their needs
    d. to advise the institution on the acquisition and use of infrastructure-related software applications (e-mail, calendar, network monitoring, patching, etc.)
    e. to monitor the effectiveness of the University’s desktop replacement program
    f. Technical issues to be addressed include but are not limited to networking, wireless, workstations, software applications, productivity tools, file services, and telephone.
  6. Decisions and voting:
    a. Shared governance decisions are submitted to the Information and Instructional Technology Council for action by the appropriate voting bloc of that group and subsequent forwarding to the appropriate governance group.
    b. Other decisions are made by consensus or by majority vote if consensus cannot be reached.
  7. Conduit for action: Shared governance decisions are submitted to the Information and Instructional Technology Council for action by appropriate voting bloc of that group and subsequent forwarding to appropriate governance group. Review, consultation, discussion and collaborative problem-solving on non-governance issues occur within the work group and do not require movement through the governance process.

Section O: III – Information Systems Committee

[FS 06/07 #67]

  1. Purpose: The Information Systems Committee provides coordination and oversight for information, productivity and transactions systems used and shared by the University community.
  2. Membership (12 total):
    a. Faculty at-large (2) (Faculty Senate Appointment)
    b. Students (2) (appointed by Information & Instructional Technology Council)
    c. Staff Manager Information Systems
    d. Staff Student Affairs IT
    e. Staff Library
    f. Staff e-SIS Coordinator
    g. Staff Enrollment Services
    h. Staff Enrollment Services
    i. Staff Webmaster
    j. Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance or designee
  3. Chair: Faculty member appointed by Faculty Senate (will also serve as a member of the Information and Instructional Technology Council).
  4. Term of Office: Faculty term is three years with staggered appointment years. Student terms are one year with the option for reappointment. Administrative members have no defined term length.
  5. Duties:
    a. to monitor the effectiveness of the information and transaction systems used by University faculty, staff and students including accessibility, usability, and functionality
    b. to monitor needs of campus offices in regard to information and transaction systems and recommended changes and additions
    c. to develop policies related to information and transaction systems
    d. to investigate new systems and recommend their consideration for implementation
    e. Issues to be addressed include but are not limited to student information system, web, degree audit system, shared financial system, reporting tools, room reservation, event management system, point of sale, door security, document management system and human resources system.
    f. to disseminate information to internal and external audiences
  6. Decisions and voting:
    a. Shared governance decisions are submitted to the Information and Instructional Council for action by the appropriate voting bloc of that group and subsequent forwarding to the appropriate governance group.
    b. Other decisions made by consensus or by majority vote if consensus cannot be reached.
  7. Conduit for action: Shared governance decisions are submitted to the Information and Instructional Technology Council for action by appropriate voting bloc of that group and subsequent forwarding to appropriate governance group. Review, consultation, discussion and collaborative problem-solving on non-governance issues occur within the work group and do not require movement through the governance process.

Instructional Improvement Committee [disbanded, subsumed into Q, Learning Resources
Committee, FS 06/07 #45]

Section P – International Programs Committee

[FS 06/07 #33]

  1. Membership: Five faculty members including at least one from each college representing the University community. One representative of the Deans’ Council, one student, the Director of the Office of Global Connections, and the Director of the International Studies Program.
  2. Term of Office: Non-student members will serve three year terms with approximately one-third being appointed each year. Student members will serve for one year.
  3. Duties:
    a. to make recommendations to the Academic Standards Committee regarding standards for International Programs
    b. to establish and maintain standards for faculty leaders and student participants in International Programs
    c. to establish strategies for institutional internationalization
    d. to establish policies and procedures to be implemented by the Office of Global Connections
    e. to review and make recommendations to the Provost regarding study-abroad proposals
    f. to develop an assessment procedure, complete required assessments, and act as coordinator of assessment of all credit-bearing programs requiring international travel [FS 06/07 #110]

Library Committee [disbanded, subsumed into Q, Learning Resources Committee, [FS 06/07 #45]

Section Q – Learning Resources Committee

[FS 06/07 #45]

  1. Membership: Five faculty members with at least one from each college, a representative of the Faculty/Academic Staff Development Board, the Provost (or designee), the Director of the Library (or designee), the Executive Director for Advancement (or designee), and two students.
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty and academic staff, one-third appointed each year. One year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to initiate and conduct activities that enhance teaching and learning
    b. to work cooperatively with the Faculty/Academic Staff Development Board (e.g., helping to plan the programs for fall and spring faculty development days)
    c. to receive advance notice of significant issues and changes that may affect the mission of the Library and effectively communicate these to the faculty and staff
    d. to provide a mechanism for input regarding the Library's collections, services, faculty and student needs, etc.
    e. to receive annual summaries of the Library budget and periodic updates as significant changes are made to the budget
    f. to advocate on behalf of the development of the Library's resources and services
    g. to administer a visiting professor grant from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Foundation, using the following process (The Committee may modify this procedure as appropriate to facilitate the search and to assure fairness in the selection process):
    1) The Committee will solicit nominations from all of the academic departments of the University for potential visiting professors who have outstanding academic credentials, can remain a minimum of three days, and whose presentations may have appeal to a reasonable portion of the University community.
    2) Departments will submit their nominations with supporting background information.
    3) The Committee will select a candidate, providing preference to candidates from disciplinary areas and/or colleges not recently represented by visiting professors, and may request that the sponsoring department(s) initiate contact with the candidate to obtain a curriculum vitae and to determine the feasibility of the candidate's visit.
    4) The Committee will submit a proposal to the UWRF Foundation requesting the funds needed for travel, lodging, meals, honorarium, and so on.
    5) After the visiting professor has been selected, the academic department(s) most relevant to this person's discipline, with assistance from the Committee, should organize activities for the visit (e.g. public lectures) within a schedule designed to provide students, faculty, and staff opportunities for informal conversation and discussion with the Visiting Professor.

Multicultural Advisory Committee [disbanded, subsumed into I, Diversity Committee, FS 06/07 #40]

Section R – Recruitment, Admissions and Retention Committee

  1. Membership: Seven faculty, with at least one each from the academic staff and/or rank of lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor; and three students. The Director of Admissions will be an ex-officio member of this committee [FS 03/04 #32].
  2. Term of Office: Three years for faculty, one-third being appointed each year; one year for students.
  3. Duties:
    a. to examine and develop new, innovative, and/or experimental programs for the identification and recruitment of potential students and the retention of existing students
    b. to recommend policies for implementation of new recruitment and retention programs
    c. to coordinate with the External Relations Committee in the examination and recommendation of methods for making the public aware of the academic programs offered at UW-River Falls, as well as the strong commitment to teaching and academic excellence on the campus

Section S – Termination Committee

  1. Membership: The Termination Committee is established by the faculty, in response to the requirements of UWS 4.03 and UWS 5.11 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, as a standing committee of nine tenured, full-time faculty members, nominated and elected by the faculty. (Academic staff shall not participate in the election of this committee.)
  2. Term of Office: Three years with one-third (three members) being elected each year. The term of office begins in September.
  3. Election procedures:
    a. Committee members shall be nominated and elected at large.
    b. The Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate shall supervise both nominations and elections to the Termination Committee.
    c. All faculty members (but not academic staff) shall be eligible to nominate and vote for members of the Termination Committee.
    d. During spring semester, the Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate shall furnish each voting member with a list of all tenured members of the faculty eligible for nomination. Each faculty member may nominate one person for each vacancy that exists on the Committee.
    1) Two persons will be nominated for each vacancy. Those nominated will be faculty members receiving the largest number of votes.
    2) The Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate will contact the nominees and obtain their consent before placing their names on the election ballot. If any nominee declines, the person having the next largest number of votes shall have his or her name placed on the ballot once it is determined by the Vice Chair that he or she accepts the nomination.
    3) The Vice Chair shall inform the voting faculty of the list of nominees and conduct the election by the end of the spring semester.
    4) Election shall be by secret ballot. The persons receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected and the vote will be published.
    5) Ties will be broken by lot.
  4. Internal Organization
    a. The Termination Committee shall elect a chair and other necessary officers from among its members. Such officers shall not serve beyond the beginning of the next fall semester unless re-elected.
    b. For hearings, the Chair of the Termination Committee shall select five panelists by lot from the nine elected Committee members. No one who has participated directly in the lay-off, dismissal or termination decision under consideration shall serve on that panel.
    c. If insufficient panelists are eligible from the nine standing Committee members, the chair shall select additional members by lot from the eligible faculty in order to complete the hearing panel of five members.
    d. Each committee impaneled to conduct a hearing shall elect its own chair.
    e. A panel may select an advisor to assist it in the conduct of the hearing in such ways as it directs. Such an advisor shall have no vote in the deliberations of the panel.
  5. Powers and Responsibilities:
    a. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures stipulated in UWS 4 or UWS 5 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and any additional procedures deemed necessary to conduct business.
    b. The Termination Committee and the hearing panels are empowered to adopt such other procedures as they deem necessary for the proper conduct of their business.

Section T – University Curriculum Committee

  1. Purpose:
    a. to provide a University-wide forum for the critical reading of and response to new course proposals and all changes to existing course proposals
    b. to facilitate the resolution of differences between colleges where duplication of course content occurs
    c. to provide continuity and guidance regarding course proposal format
    d. to provide continuity and guidance regarding the amount of detail in course proposals
    e. to maintain a standardized form to be used for all course proposals and accompanying transmittal forms
  2. Membership: Nine faculty (at least three of whom are members of the graduate faculty and who are affirmed by the Graduate Council), the Provost and Vice Chancellor or the Provost and Vice Chancellor’s designee, and one student. The nine faculty members selected will include at least one representative from each of the colleges. The Registrar or designee, a representative from the Library, and a representative from the Office of Graduate Studies will sit as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Committee. [FS 06/07 #31]
  3. Term of Office: Three years for faculty, one-third to be appointed each year, one year for students.
  4. Duties:
    a. to receive and evaluate, according to University Curriculum Committee purposes, all new and revised courses that have been approved by the appropriate college curriculum committee and/or the Graduate Council. The University Curriculum Committee will review courses and make recommendations in relation to their quality and the application of credit. The Committee will also adjudicate and make recommendations in those cases that involve University regulations or cross college overlap [FS 06/07 #31]
    b. to coordinate procedures with all college curriculum committees and/or the Graduate Council
    c. to suggest changes in format of the course proposal form and transmittal form
  5. Procedure:
    a. Courses are usually generated and developed by department faculty. Course proposals must be reviewed and approved at the departmental level. Letters of support from persons in departments that were consulted where possible curriculum overlap may occur must be forwarded with the proposal. Letters of acknowledgment are required from consulted departments whose course enrollments may be affected due to changes in or additions of course prerequisites in the proposal. The originating department must sign off on the accompanying transmittal form. The proposal is then sent to the college curriculum committee or
    other appropriate committees if the course is intercollege or graduate in nature.
    b. The Dean of the College approves or disapproves new courses and/or changes in course offerings by signing off on the accompanying transmittal form. This signature is an indication that the Dean acknowledges the impact the course may have on faculty load and financial requirements.
    c. Graduate level courses must be approved or disapproved by the Graduate Council and signed by the Director of Graduate Studies before being submitted to the University Curriculum Committee.
    d. Course proposals approved by the Deans (and the Director of Graduate Studies, for graduate courses) are forwarded to the University Curriculum Committee (one copy per member plus an updated electronic copy). When a course is revised or changed, copies of the old original proposal must also be sent to the University
    Curriculum Committee. A signed transmittal form must accompany all course proposals.
    e. The University Curriculum Committee Chair will publish in the committee's agenda a list of all courses to be reviewed by the University Curriculum Committee so as to inform the University faculty. Information will be published in accordance with Wisconsin open meeting statutes.
    f. At the request of the University Curriculum Committee Chair, a departmental representative must be at the meeting to represent new and revised course proposals. The representative should be prepared to provide a short verbal explanation/justification of the new or revised course proposal. The representative will serve as a liaison between the University Curriculum Committee and the department in which the proposal originated. The committee may ask the representative to clarify information and provide background material.
    g. Guidelines for review and approval of course proposals:
    1) Review for accuracy information prompts, such as year of first offering, minor/major requirements.
    2) Check for the inclusion of appropriate prerequisites.
    3) Review for adequacy of course outlines and attachments including letters of support from persons in departments that were consulted where possible curriculum content overlap may occur.
    4) Adjudicate and make recommendations in those cases of overlap or other conflicts involving University regulations or intercollegiate differences.
    5) If substantive changes to the course proposal are deemed necessary for the course to be approved by the University Curriculum Committee, the proposal may be sent back to the appropriate college curriculum committee or the Graduate Council.
    h. Guidelines for information dissemination after committee action:
    1) Minutes of all the meetings will be sent to:
    a) all committee members
    b) all college curriculum committee chairs
    c) all college Deans and the Director of Graduate Studies
    d) the chair and secretary of the Faculty Senate
    e) the President of the Student Senate
    2) The original course proposal with accompanying transmittal form will be sent to the Dean's Office of the appropriate college, or the Office of Graduate Studies (for graduate courses), for the permanent/official files. Copies, including transmittal form, will also be sent to the person who submitted the course proposal and one to the Department(s) in which the course will be taught.

Visiting Professor Committee [disbanded, subsumed into Q, Learning Resources Committee, FS 06/07 #45]

Administrative Committees: See the end of Chapter II for Administrative Committees.