Policy 4001: The Faculty Senate and Its Committees

Category: Academic Affairs
Sub Category: Faculty Code
Covered Individuals: University Faculty
Responsible Executive: Provost
Policy Custodian: Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, Provost and Executive Vice President
Last Revised: 2026/03/20
Previous USU Policy Numbers: 402
Download the PDF File for Policy 4001

4001.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This Policy explains the role and authority of the Faculty Senate and its committees in shared governance and outlines the composition of those committees.

4001.2 POLICY

2.1 Authority of the Faculty to Review Faculty Senate Actions

Actions of the Faculty Senate (Faculty Senate or Senate) will be subject to the appellate power of the Faculty, as provided in USU Policy 4000: Composition and Authority of the Faculty. The agenda and actions of the Faculty Senate will be reported to the faculty as provided in section 2.4.2.3.

2.2 Authority and Role of the Faculty Senate

The authority of the faculty is delegated to the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate has statutory and institutional authority afforded to it pursuant to USU Policy 4000.2.8 Authority of the Faculty. Subject to the authority of the President, the Board of Trustees, and/or the Utah Board of Higher Education, the Faculty Senate will have the power to act for and represent the interests of the faculty in matters as outlined in USU Policy 4000: Composition and Authority of the Faculty, including requirements for admission, degrees, and certificates, and in curricular matters.

The Faculty Senate’s role includes the following (1) receive and consider reports regarding academic and faculty matters from any council, department, division, administrative officer, library, college, or faculty committee and to recommend appropriate action to the President; (2) consider matters of professional interest and faculty welfare and to make recommendations to the President and other administrative officers; and (3) propose to the President revisions to Faculty Code policies. Any recommendation or proposal from the Faculty Senate is subject to the final approval of the President, Board of Trustees, and/or the Utah Board of Higher Education, as required.

2.2.1 Faculty Senate Power of Internal Governance; Referral of Matters to the President

The Faculty Senate will have the power to make rules governing its own procedures and to establish its own order of business. The Executive Secretary will forward all other matters considered and approved by the Faculty Senate to the President for final approval. The President will forward matters to the Board of Trustees and/or the Utah Board of Higher Education (UBHE), as required by state law and/or UBHE Policy.

2.2.2 The President, University Administrators, and Board of Trustees

The Faculty Senate is an advisory body to the President of the University. While the Faculty Senate votes on policy and procedural issues, including but not limited to the policy and procedural issues enumerated in these policies, any vote, action, and/or recommendation of the Faculty Senate cannot be implemented without the approval of the President of the University. The Board of Trustees advises the President of the University and approves or disapproves policy or procedural changes, as required. Approval or disapproval of Faculty Senate actions, whether by the President of the University or by the Board of Trustees, will be reported back to the President of the Faculty Senate by the President of the University or a designee in a timely manner following the Faculty Senate action. When any Faculty Senate action receives final approval, University administrators and administrative bodies are responsible for implementing such action.

2.2.3 Senator's Handbook

Each senator will receive a current Senator's Handbook, which summarizes the role and operation of the Faculty Senate. The Handbook will include (1) provisions of this policy pertinent to Faculty Senate proceedings, rules, and membership; (2) a simplified statement of the Rules of Order; and (3) rules for calling meetings. The Faculty Senate Executive Secretary must ensure that each newly elected Senator receives a Handbook no later than the September meeting of the Faculty Senate.

2.3 Membership; Alternate Senators; Term; Vacancies

2.3.1 Membership

The Senate consists of:

1. sixty faculty members assigned in proportion to the number of tenured, tenure-eligible, and term-appointed faculty in each academic college, Extension, and the Library. Each academic college, Extension, and the Library is to be represented by at least two elected Senators. These sixty Faculty Senators will be elected by and from faculty members eligible to vote in Faculty Senate elections (see USU Policy 4000: Composition and Authority of the Faculty, also section 2.10.2.3);
2. the President and the Provost and Executive Vice President of the University or their designees;
3. eight appointees of the President of the University, who must be a vice president or dean, six of whom must hold faculty appointments and must be designated annually preceding elections to the Faculty Senate;
4. the chairs of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, the Budget and Faculty Welfare Committee, the Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee, the Faculty Development and Educational Leadership Committee, and the Faculty Evaluation Committee provided they are not one of the faculty members elected to the Faculty Senate; and
5. three students, who will include the Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) President or a designee, the USUSA Academic Senate President or a designee, and the elected graduate student representative or a designee.

All deans are responsible for ensuring that the number of Faculty Senate representatives and Alternate Senators is proportional to the number of faculty from the main campus and statewide campuses for their respective academic college, Extension, and the Library.

With the exception of faculty holding special or emeritus appointments, any member of the faculty who is not designated as a Presidential appointee is eligible for election to the Faculty Senate. The Committee on Committees (CoC) oversees the annual apportionment of senate seats, assigns Senators to committees as required, and provides information to appropriate administrators regarding elections for Senators, Alternate Senators, and committee members. (See section 2.12.2.2).

2.3.2 Alternates for Elected Members

Faculty Senate members are expected to attend Senate meetings regularly. In cases of unexcused absence, including sabbatical leave, professional development leave, assigned teaching, and unpaid leaves of absence, Senators will arrange for an Alternate Senator to attend in their place. Alternate Senators are elected at the same time and in the same manner as Faculty Senate members. (See section 2.10.2). Alternate Senators will have full voting rights.

Senators must notify the Executive Secretary of the Faculty Senate in writing (email is acceptable) whenever an Alternate Senator will replace them at a Faculty Senate Meeting. If a Senator fails to make a documented effort to arrange for an Alternate Senator to attend in their stead twice during any academic year, then that Senator’s position will be considered vacant. (See section 2.3.4).

2.3.3 Term

Faculty members elected to the Faculty Senate will serve three-year terms or, as provided in section 2.3.4, complete the three-year term vacated by a faculty member. Terms will begin on July 1, following the elections. Senators may be re-elected once, after which a faculty member is ineligible to stand for election for one year. The term of office for student members of the Faculty Senate will be one year and will coincide with the terms of USUSA and graduate student officers, and will begin on the third Friday in April. The term of office for Presidential appointees will be one year and will begin on July 1. A Presidential appointee can be reappointed to consecutive terms, up to a maximum of six years, after which the appointee is ineligible for appointment for one year.

2.3.4 Vacancies

A Faculty Senate seat will be declared vacant if a Senator (1) resigns from the Faculty Senate; (2) is no longer a member of the faculty of the academic college, Extension, or Library from which they were elected; or (3) has two unexcused absences for regularly scheduled Faculty Senate meetings during an academic year without making a documented effort to arrange for an Alternate Senator to attend in their stead and keeping the Executive Secretary of the Faculty Senate informed in writing (email is acceptable). The Executive Secretary of the Faculty Senate reports all vacancies to the Committee on Committees. The Committee on Committees will then contact the affected dean or vice president, who will then appoint one of the already elected Alternate Senators to fill the seat within thirty days. (See sections 2.3.2. and 2.10.2). Academic colleges, Extension, and the Library, whose Alternate Senators are not responsive to requests to fill in for Senators with planned absences or who do not have a sufficient number of Alternate Senators, will be required to run a replacement election. (See sections 2.3 .1, 2.10.2). The Faculty Senate President will address other vacancies on a case-by-case basis. For vacancies among Presidential appointees, the President will appoint a new senator within thirty days. (See section 2.3.1).

2.4 Records; Agenda; Minutes; Order of Business

2.4.1 Records

The Executive Secretary will keep the records of the Faculty Senate for the use by the members of the faculty, the President of the University, and the Board of Trustees. Records are public unless otherwise specified by action of the Faculty Senate in accordance with state law. (See section 2.8).

Under the supervision of the President of the Faculty Senate, the Executive Secretary will ensure that Faculty Senate actions approved by the President of the University, or where necessary by the President and the Board of Trustees, are distributed to faculty across all campuses within an appropriate time frame and included in the Faculty Senate records.

2.4.2 Agenda and Minutes

2.4.2.1 Faculty Senate Agenda

The Executive Committee (see section 2.12.1) will meet at least fourteen days in advance of regularly scheduled Faculty Senate meetings to prepare the agenda and make assignments to those who are to report to the Faculty Senate. A copy of the Executive Committee meeting agenda must be sent to each executive committee member at least five days before regularly scheduled meetings.

2.4.2.2 Faculty Petition to Place an Item on the Agenda

Any twenty-five faculty members may petition the Faculty Senate to obtain consideration of any matter within the Faculty Senate's authority. The petition will be presented in writing (email is acceptable) to any Faculty Senate member, who will then notify the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will place the matter raised in the petition on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled Faculty Senate meeting or, at the discretion of the Faculty Senate President, on the agenda of a special meeting called in accordance with section 2.6.2.

2.4.2.3 Distribution of Agenda and Minutes

One week prior to each Faculty Senate meeting, the Executive Secretary will make a copy of the agenda for the next Faculty Senate meeting and minutes from the prior Senate meeting available to all faculty.

2.4.2.4 Publicizing and Publication of Recommended Changes in Policies or Procedures

Faculty Senate actions recommending a change to this Policy or to any other University policies or procedures will follow the process outlined in USU Policy 1001:University Policy System. Under the supervision of the President of the Faculty Senate, the Executive Secretary will ensure that proposed revisions are communicated in a timely manner.

2.4.3 Order of Business

Except as otherwise provided by the Faculty Senate, the order of business for any Faculty Senate meeting will be as follows: call to order (quorum), approval of minutes, University business, information items, reports, special orders (only if needed), unfinished business, and new business.

2.5  Parliamentary Procedure

All actions of the Faculty Senate will be in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

2.6 Faculty Senate Meetings; Quorum

2.6.1 Scheduled Meetings

Regularly scheduled meetings of the Faculty Senate will be held on the first Monday of the month at 3:00 PM from September through May unless otherwise specified by the Faculty Senate.

2.6.2 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Faculty Senate will be held at the call of the Senate President or upon petition of any ten Senators. The petition must be in writing (email is acceptable), must state the purpose of the special meeting, and must be submitted to the Senate President. Upon receipt of any such petition, the Senate President must call a special meeting within twelve working days. Senators will receive at least five days’ notice of the special meeting and its agenda unless a majority of the Faculty Senate waives that notice prior to or at the meeting.

2.6.3 Quorum and Voting

A majority of the members of the Faculty Senate will constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting Senate business. All actions or recommendations of the Faculty Senate will be made by majority vote of the members and Alternate Senators present. Voting will be by secret ballot upon passage of a motion to that effect.

2.6.4 Consulting with Constituents

The elected Senators will communicate and/or meet regularly with the faculty they represent to answer questions and discuss Faculty Senate business.

2.7 Faculty Senate President, President-Elect, and Immediate Past President

2.7.1 Duties of the Senate President

The Senate President will preside over and conduct meetings of the Senate and its Executive Committee, and the Faculty Forum and its Executive Committee. The Senate President will ensure that Senate actions are accurately recorded and that all approved actions are implemented or forwarded as appropriate.

2.7.2 Duties of the Senate President-Elect

The Senate President-Elect will perform the functions and duties of the Senate President when the latter is unable to exercise them or when the Senate President designates the Senate President-Elect to perform in the Senate President's stead.

2.7.3 Duties of the Immediate Past President

The immediate past president will serve as a voting member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and the Faculty Senate for a period of one year immediately following their term as Senate President. The immediate past Senate President will also serve as a member of the Faculty Senate Handbook Committee (See section 2.12.9.9 ).

2.7.4 Eligibility and Term

Faculty Senate members will elect the Senate President-Elect annually from among the already elected members of the Senate, as provided in section 2.10.3.3. The elected individual will serve a three-year, non-renewable term: the first year, as Senate President-Elect; the second year, as Senate President; and the third year, as Immediate Past Senate President.

To be eligible to serve as President-Elect, an elected faculty senator must have completed, or be near completion of, at least one year of their current Senate term.

Election to the role of President Elect automatically extends the elected individual’s senate term to cover the complete three-year presidential cycle. If such an extension exceeds the elected individual’s original senate term, the individual will serve as a supernumerary member of the Senate, meaning no additional Senate seat is created, and the regular Senate election schedule for the elected individual’s academic college, Extension, or the Library will remain unchanged.

2.8 Faculty Senate Executive Secretary

The President of the University will appoint an Executive Secretary of the Faculty Senate, see USU Policy 4000: Composition and Authority of the Faculty. The duties of the Executive Secretary are

1. under the direction of the Senate President, to prepare agendas for all meetings of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Forum, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and the Faculty Forum Executive Committee;
2. under the direction of the Senate President, to keep minutes of the meetings of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Forum, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and the Faculty Executive Committee;
3. to post agenda and minutes;
4. to forward actions, policies, and reports of the Faculty Senate to the President of the University;
5. to gather items and data that the Faculty Senate Executive Committee may present at Senate meetings;
6. to prepare and present, at the September and March Faculty Senate meetings, an accounting of the implementation or non-implementation of motions passed by the Faculty Senate;
7. to apprise Senate committees of items which the Faculty Senate has requested that they study;
8. to maintain an archive of the minutes of each meeting of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, the Faculty Forum, the Faculty Forum Executive Committee, and all Faculty Senate committees;
9. to keep University faculty informed of the action and the proposed business of the Faculty Senate by publicizing agendas, Senate actions, and the results of Faculty Senate elections as provided in section 2.4.2.3; and
10. to provide each senator with a copy of the Senator's Handbook on an annual basis. (See section 2.2.3).

2.9 Faculty Forum

2.9.1 Membership of the Faculty Forum; Description

The Faculty Forum consists of all elected Faculty Senate members and the chairs of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, the Budget and Faculty Welfare Committee, the Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee, the Faculty Development and Educational Leadership Committee, and the Faculty Evaluation Committee. Faculty Forum meetings are intended to be a means of open discussion between elected Faculty Senate members and committee chairs without participation by or from the President, the Provost and Executive Vice President, the presidential appointees serving on Faculty Senate, deans and department heads, or the student members of the Senate, unless their participation is specifically requested by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Forum. (See section 2.9.3.2). During Faculty Forum meetings, participants may discuss subjects of current interest, question and debate any policies and procedures, and formulate recommendations for consideration by the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Forum does not exercise the legislative authority of the Faculty Senate.

2.9.2 Meetings; Agenda; Notice

The Faculty Forum meets annually. The annual Faculty Forum will typically be scheduled by the Officers and Executive Committee of the Faculty Forum (see section 2.9.3) to occur during the Spring semester. This annual scheduled meeting of the Faculty Forum is open to all faculty members to attend and speak, with the exception of those excluded by section 2.9.1. The notice and agenda for the annual Faculty Forum meeting will be provided during the previous Faculty Senate meeting and distributed to faculty on all campuses.

Additional special meetings of the Faculty Forum may be held (1) when called by the Faculty Forum President; (2) upon written request of a majority of the Faculty Forum Executive Committee; (3) upon written petition of ten members of the Faculty Forum; or (4) upon written petition of twenty-five faculty members. Special meetings of the Faculty Forum will be scheduled whenever possible within two weeks after receipt of any such petition(s) by the Faculty Forum President. Faculty Forum members will conduct business at special meetings of the Faculty Forum. The Faculty Forum Executive Committee will set the agenda for all Faculty Forum meetings. The agenda will include all items raised by the petition(s), together with items deemed pertinent by the Executive Committee, and will be distributed prior to the meeting.

The minutes for any Faculty Forum meeting will be distributed within two weeks of any meeting.

2.9.3 Officers and Executive Committee of the Faculty Forum

2.9.3.1 Officers

The Senate President will preside over and conduct meetings of the Faculty Forum and the Faculty Forum Executive Committee. The Senate President-Elect will serve as the President-Elect of both the Faculty Forum and the Faculty Forum Executive Committee and will perform the duties of the Senate President when they are unable to exercise them or when the Senate President designates the Senate President-Elect to perform in the Senate President's stead.

2.9.3.2 Executive Committee of the Faculty Forum

The Faculty Forum Executive Committee will consist of the elected faculty members on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee (See section 2.12.1).

2.10 Faculty Senate Elections

2.10.1 Apportionment of Elected Faculty Positions

Annually, the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees will oversee apportionment of the number of elective Senate positions to the academic colleges, Extension, and the Library in proportion to the number of tenured, tenure-eligible, and term-appointed faculty. The minimum representation from each of these academic units will be two.

2.10.2 Election of Faculty Members to the Senate

2.10.2.1 Scheduled Date; Notice to Deans, the Vice President for Extension

Elections of faculty representatives to the Faculty Senate and sufficient Alternate Senators to serve when regular Senators cannot attend are held by academic colleges, Extension, and the Library.

Elections will be supervised by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees. Elections will be conducted during the spring semester of each academic year, in time to be announced at the penultimate meeting of the Faculty Senate. Additional elections will be held as necessary to ensure the availability of Alternate Senators to fill vacancies for the duration of any unexpired term. The Faculty Senate Committee on Committees will notify the appropriate deans and the Vice President for Extension of the number of Senators to be elected annually by their faculty and the date by which the elections must be completed.

2.10.2.2 Nominations

After receipt of notice regarding the date that annual elections will be completed, the appropriate deans and the Vice President for Extension will communicate with their faculty members eligible to vote in Faculty Senate elections (i.e., tenured or tenure-eligible faculty and faculty with term appointments) for the purpose of nominating Faculty Senate candidates and Alternate Senators. It is recommended that each unit submit at least two candidates for each vacancy.

2.10.2.3 Voting

All faculty members with tenured or tenure-eligible appointments and faculty members with term appointments may nominate and vote for candidates and Alternate Senators in Faculty Senate elections. Balloting within each academic college, Extension, and the Library will be by an appropriate method to ensure timeliness, fairness, and verifiability.

2.10.2.4 Verification and Notice of Election Results

The academic colleges, Extension, and the Library must submit the names of their elected representatives to the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees on or before the final date set for the conclusion of elections. The Committee on Committees will verify all election results and then inform the Faculty Senate of the names of all newly elected Senate members at its last regularly scheduled meeting of the academic year. Election results will be made public.

2.10.3 Elections within the Senate

Nominations for the office of President-Elect will occur from the floor during the penultimate regular Faculty Senate meeting of the academic year. Elections will be by secret ballot and completed prior to the last Faculty Senate meeting of the academic year.

2.11 Senate Committees: Authority, Action, and Procedures

2.11.1 Purpose; Reporting

The Faculty Senate has the authority to appoint and discontinue any standing and/or ad hoc committee as it deems necessary to carry out its duties.

The Faculty Senate has authority to establish advisory committees to (1) study and to make reports and recommendations to it on matters under faculty jurisdiction; and (2) carry out the decisions of the Faculty Senate relating to its functions and responsibilities. Faculty Senate committees receive their authority from the Senate and will report their work and make their recommendations to the Senate. No Faculty Senate committee may alter the reports or the recommendations of another Faculty Senate committee.

2.11.2 Membership; Elections; Terms; Vacancies

Only members of the faculty eligible to vote in Faculty Senate elections are eligible to serve on Senate standing committees (i.e., tenured or tenure-eligible faculty and faculty with term appointments). Elected Faculty Senate members are appointed to serve on a Senate standing committee. Each year, the Committee on Committees will prepare a slate of recommended appointees during the summer for approval by the Faculty Senate at its first meeting of the fall semester. The term length for appointed Senate standing committee members is committee-dependent but will be two or three years, as indicated in each committee’s respective policy below (see section 2.12), and will be renewable once. Terms will be staggered.

Non-Senator Faculty are appointed to serve on Senate standing committees. Unless governed by committee procedures otherwise stipulated in section 2.12, non-Senators of Senate standing committees will serve a term of three years, which will begin July 1 following elections, and is renewable once, after which a faculty member is ineligible to stand for appointment for one year. Non-Senator standing committee member terms will be staggered so that approximately one-third of them expire annually.

Any Senate standing committee position (whether filled by an elected Faculty Senate member or a Non-Senator Faculty) will be declared vacant if the committee member (1) resigns; (2) is terminated; (3) goes on extended medical leave; or (4) has three or more unexcused absences from regularly scheduled committee meetings during an academic year. If a vacancy occurs, then a replacement committee member will be appointed. The Faculty Senate Committee on Committees will appoint seats vacated by appointed Faculty Senate members, and the appropriate deans and the Vice President for Extension will appoint seats vacated by Non-Senator Faculty members.

2.11.3 Senate Committee Procedures

2.11.3.1 Committee Action; Meetings; Quorum; Majority and Minority Reports

Senate committees will not act independently of the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate will approve all statements and actions of Senate committees before they are official, except for routine actions of the Educational Policies Committee (see section 2.12.6), which will be submitted to the Faculty Senate as information items. ommittee work will be accomplished as a body. Committee meetings will be held as required to fulfil the committee's duties. Meetings will be held at the call of the committee chair or upon written request, submitted to the chair, by committee members or the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. A majority of committee members will constitute a quorum for conducting business. Committee actions will be by majority vote of the quorum present. Minority committee reports may be submitted to the Faculty Senate by dissenting committee members.

2.11.3.2 Committee Minutes

Minutes will be taken at all committee meetings, and a copy will be filed with the Faculty Senate Executive Secretary as part of the Senate records. The minutes will include copies of all forms, statements, and reports that are presented to the Faculty Senate for action.

2.11.3.3 Chairs

Unless otherwise specified, all standing committees and subcommittees of the Faculty Senate will elect chairs annually, preferably at the last meeting of the academic year.

2.12 Senate Standing Committees

2.12.1 Executive Committee

2.12.1.1 Membership

The Faculty Senate Executive Committee will consist of the following members

1. the Senate President;
2. the Senate President-Elect;
3. the Immediate Past President;
4. one faculty senator selected to represent each of the academic colleges, Extension, and the Library;
5. the President of the University and Provost and Executive Vice President, who will serve as ex-officio members; and
6. a senator appointed by the President of the University and approved by the Faculty Senate.

All members, except ex-officio members, have a vote.

2.12.1.2 Duties

The Senate Executive Committee shall consist of the following members:

1. prepare Faculty Senate meeting agendas;
2. propose such standing and special committees of the Faculty Senate as may be needed;
3. examine the work of the Senate committees to discourage duplication of effort and to ensure that all committee assignments are carried out;
4. act as a steering committee to direct problems to the proper committees;
5. act as a liaison to harmonize the work of all committees;
6. organize and conduct the faculty forum; and
7. transact such business as may be referred to it by the Faculty Senate.

2.12.1.3 Eligibility; Election; Term

Any elected senator who is completing or has completed one year of a Faculty Senate term is eligible to serve on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, subject to the following exceptions (1) Senators with only one year remaining in their terms; and (2) Senators who are completing their terms, unless they have been re-elected to the Faculty Senate for an additional, successive term.

The selection of Executive Committee members will be conducted each spring following the election of new members to the Faculty Senate. Selections will be made by a separate caucus of faculty Senators within each academic college, Extension, and the Library. Caucuses will be held within one week following the penultimate meeting of the Faculty Senate.

A faculty senator selected for the Executive Committee will serve for a two-year term, renewable once.

2.12.1.4 Joint Meeting of New and Old Executive Committees

Newly elected Executive Committee members will attend the April meeting of the old Executive Committee.

2.12.1.5 Meetings; Faculty Senate Agenda

The Executive Committee will meet at least fourteen days in advance of regularly scheduled Faculty Senate meetings to prepare the agenda and make assignments to those who are to report to the Faculty Senate.

2.12.1.6 Reports and Recommendations of Other Senate Committees

The Executive Committee will place reports and recommendations of other Senate committees on the Faculty Senate agenda without alteration.

2.12.2 Committee on Committees (CoC)

2.12.2.1 Membership

The Committee on Committees will consist of three elected faculty Senators serving staggered three-year terms. No later than the last day of the Spring semester and before the terms of the newly elected members begin, the Committee will elect from among its members a new chair to serve a one-year term beginning July 1. Any member who has at least one year remaining in a committee term or who has been re-elected to an additional, successive term is eligible to serve as chair.

One faculty senator is selected to serve on the committee each year. They will be selected annually from and by elected Faculty Senate members to serve for a three-year, non-renewable term.

Senators who have completed at least one year of their Faculty Senate terms are eligible to serve on the Committee on Committees unless they are at the end of their Faculty Senate service and have not been re-elected. If a senate term extension is necessary to complete the 3-year Committee on Committees term, then the individual will become a supernumerary member of the Faculty Senate, meaning the regular schedule of elections to the Faculty Senate from that individual’s academic college, Extension, or the Library will be unaffected.

2.12.2.2 Duties

The responsibility of the Committee on Committees is to (1) oversee the apportionment Senate elective positions annually; (2) coordinate and supervise the election of members and Alternate Senators to the Faculty Senate; (3) prepare eligibility slates and supervise nominations and elections within the Faculty Senate; (4) recommend to the Faculty Senate the appointed members of all Senate committees and the members of University committees that include Faculty Senate representatives; and (5) appoint replacement committee members as vacancies occur.

2.12.3 Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee (AFT)

2.12.3.1 Membership

The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee consists of the following members

1. three faculty members appointed by the Committee on Committees from the elected faculty Senators, each representing different colleges; and
2. one faculty member elected by and from the faculty in each of the remaining academic colleges, Extension, and the Library.

2.12.3.2 Election and Appointment of Members; Terms

Committee members elected from the faculty will be elected and will serve terms in accordance with section 2.11.2.2, . Committee members appointed from the Faculty Senate will be selected in accordance with section 2.12.2.2 and will serve three-year terms.

2.12.3.3 Duties

The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee will

1. recommend to the Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee possible policy revisions arising from within the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee’s jurisdiction; and
2. review, for consideration by the Faculty Senate, all matters pertaining to faculty rights, academic freedom, and tenure.

2.12.3.3.1 Jurisdiction as an Administrative Hearing Body

The Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, as represented by each of its hearing panels, is an administrative hearing body with jurisdiction in matters related to academic freedom, tenure, promotion, and sanctions. In relation to these matters, the committee may hear both complaints initiated by the University against a faculty member and grievance petitions brought by a faculty member.

2.12.3.3.2 Procedural Due Process

Hearing panels of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee will, when hearing grievances, determine whether procedural due process was granted the petitioner as provided in this policy and determine whether the grievance is valid or not valid. (See USU Policy 4006: Academic Due Process: Sanctions and Hearing Procedures). The recommendation of the hearing panel will be binding on the general membership of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee.

2.12.3.4 Officers; Eligibility; Election; Term 

No later than the last day of the Spring semester (before the terms of the newly elected Faculty Senate members begin), the Committee will elect from among its members a new chair and vice chair, each to serve a one-year term beginning July 1. Any committee member who has at least one year remaining in a committee term or who has been re-elected to an additional, successive term is eligible to serve as chair or vice chair.

2.12.3.5 Responsibilities of the Chair and Vice Chair 

The chair will set the agenda for and preside at Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee meetings, and appoint hearing panels as required. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair will assume these duties. The vice chair will be responsible for the recording of the minutes.

2.12.3.6 Supplemental Appointments 

If necessary, in order to hear grievances in a timely manner, supplemental members of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee may be appointed by the Committee on Committees from the elected members of the Faculty Senate. The chair of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee will initiate this appointment process. The terms of these appointees will expire on June 30 following their appointment.

2.12.3.7 Hearing Panels

Hearing panels will be appointed as necessary to hear grievances. A hearing panel will consist of five members. Four members will be appointed by the chair of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, and the remaining member will be an administrator who holds a faculty appointment, appointed by the President of the University.

Faculty members of hearing panels will be selected by the chair of the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee on a rotating basis. All five panel members have a vote. Even if their Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee terms expire, hearing panel members will serve until the hearing panel's recommendation has been submitted to the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee and the President of the University.

2.12.4 Budget and Faculty Welfare Committee (BFW)

2.12.4.1 Membership

The Budget and Faculty Welfare Committee consists of the following members

1. three faculty members appointed by the Committee on Committees from the elected faculty Senators, each representing different colleges; and
2. one faculty member elected by and from the faculty in each of the remaining academic colleges, Extension, and the Library.

2.12.4.2 Duties

The duties of the Budget and Faculty Welfare Committee are to

1. participate in the University budget preparation process;
2. periodically evaluate and report to the Faculty Senate on matters relating to faculty salaries, insurance programs, retirement benefits, sabbatical leaves, consulting policies, and other faculty benefits;
3. review the financial and budgetary implications of proposals for changes in academic degrees and programs, and report to the Faculty Senate prior to action relating to such proposals;
4. report to the Faculty Senate significant fiscal and budgetary trends which may affect the academic programs of the University; and
5. provide faculty representatives for the Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC).

2.12.5 Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee (PRPC)

2.12.5.1 Membership

The membership of this committee will consist of seven Faculty Senators appointed by the Committee on Committees.

2.12.5.2 Duties

The Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee will advise the Faculty Senate regarding composition, interpretation, and revision of 4000-level policies in the University Policy Library. Recommended revisions will be submitted to the Faculty Senate for its consideration. The procedures for code amendments are specified in USU Policy 1001: University Policy System.

2.12.5.3 Responsibilities of the Chair and Vice Chair 

The chair will set the agenda for and preside at Professional Responsibilities and Procedures Committee meetings. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair will assume these duties. The vice chair will be responsible for the recording of the minutes.

2.12.6 Educational Policies Committee (EPC)

2.12.6.1 Membership

The Educational Policies Committee consists of

1. the Provost and Executive Vice President or their designee;
2. one faculty representative from each remaining academic college and the Library;
3. one faculty representative from the Graduate Council;
4. he chairs of the EPC Curriculum Subcommittee, General Education Subcommittee, and Academic Standards Subcommittee;
5. one student officer from the elected USUSA student government;
6. one elected graduate student representative; and
7. one Faculty Senate Representative (could be part of (b))

The faculty representatives are elected to the committee in accordance with section 2.11.2.

Note of explanation: Extension has no credit-bearing curriculum. There is no need for a representative from Extension to sit on this committee.

2.12.6.2 Duties

The major function of this committee will be to serve as the Faculty Senate committee on educational policy, including program discontinuance for academic reasons. (See USU Policy 4005: Program Discontinuance, Financial Exigency and Financial Crisis). Additionally, the committee will conduct studies and make recommendations as specifically instructed by the Faculty Senate or at the committee’s own discretion.

Routine actions taken under established policy, such as approval for specific course changes, additions, or deletions, will be submitted to the Faculty Senate as information items. All policy recommendations and major actions will be referred to the Faculty Senate for approval or disapproval. Specific duties of the Educational Policies Committee will include consideration of standards and requirements for University-designated honors such as cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude.

2.12.6.3 Term of Members

The term of office for faculty members on the Educational Policies Committee will be three years in accordance with section 2.11.2. The term of office for student members will be one year.

2.12.6.4 Chair

The Provost and Executive Vice President or their designated representative will serve as chair of the Educational Policies Committee. The Committee will elect a vice chair from among its members to serve in the chair's absence. The chair or their designee will report to the Faculty Senate on the committee's actions.

2.12.6.5 Curriculum Subcommittee

The Curriculum Subcommittee will formulate recommendations on curricular matters, such as course changes, and forward the same to the Educational Policies Committee. This subcommittee will consist of (a) the chairs of the curriculum committee of each academic college; (b) three faculty members appointed from the elected membership of the Educational Policies Committee; (c) one faculty representative each from the Library; and (d) two students, one from the USUSA and one elected graduate student representative. Additional non-voting members may be appointed by the chair in order to assist with committee operations as needed. The terms of the Educational Policies Committee members on the subcommittee will correspond to their terms on the Educational Policies Committee. The term of office for student members will be one year. The subcommittee will elect a chair to serve a two-year term, preferably at the last meeting of the academic year.

2.12.6.6 General Education Subcommittee

The General Education Subcommittee formulates and reviews policy with respect to general education. The subcommittee will consist of three faculty members and one student appointed by the Educational Policies Committee. Their terms will correspond to those of their Educational Policies Committee. Additional members may be appointed to the subcommittee for two-year terms by the Educational Policies Committee to lend academic expertise to the areas of emphasis in the University's general education program. Recommendations developed by the General Education Subcommittee will be submitted to the Educational Policies Committee. The subcommittee will elect a chair to serve a two-year term, preferably at the last meeting of the academic year.

2.12.6.7 Academic Standards Subcommittee

The Academic Standards Subcommittee (a) recommends policy on all matters pertaining to academic evaluation of students, including admission, retention, grade assignment, and graduation; (b) recommends discipline policy regarding student academic dishonesty; and (c) approves the process for discipline regarding alleged academic violations by students and for grievance hearings in cases of alleged student academic dishonesty.

The subcommittee will consist of (a) a representative from each college, and (b) one student appointed by the Educational Policies Committee. Their terms will correspond to those of their Educational Policies Committee terms. Additional members providing needed expertise may be appointed to the subcommittee for two-year terms by the Academic Standards chair.

Recommendations from this subcommittee will be submitted to the Educational Policies Committee. The subcommittee will elect a chair to serve a two-year term, preferably at the last meeting of the academic year.

2.12.7 Faculty Evaluation Committee (FEC)

2.12.7.1 Membership

The committee will consist of

1. three faculty members appointed by the Committee on Committees from the elected faculty Senators, each representing different colleges;
2. one faculty representative from each of the remaining academic colleges, Extension, and the Library;
3. two student officers from the USUSA; and
4. one elected graduate student representative.

The faculty representatives are elected to the committee in accordance with section 2.11.2. The committee will elect a chair annually, preferably at the last meeting of the academic year.

2.12.7.2 Duties

The Faculty Evaluation Committee will

1. assess methods for evaluating faculty;
2. recommend improvements to methods for evaluating faculty; and
3. decide University awards for Eldon J. Gardner Teacher of the Year, Undergraduate Faculty Mentor of the Year, and Faculty University Service Award.

2.12.8 Faculty Development and Educational Leadership Committee (FSEL) 

2.12.8.1 Membership

The Faculty Development and Educational Leadership Committee consists of the following members

1. three faculty members appointed by the Committee on Committees from the elected faculty Senators, each representing different colleges; and
2. one faculty member elected by and from the faculty in each of the remaining academic colleges, Extension, and the Library.

2.12.8.2 Duties

The duties of the Faculty Development and Educational Leadership Committee are to

1. collect data and identify and promote best practices for faculty development, mentoring, and work/learning environments to facilitate the success of USU faculty and students;
2. provide feedback and advocate processes for faculty recruitment, promotion, and retention that are welcoming to all, promote fair pay standards, and enhance work/life balance;
3. report on the status of faculty development, mentoring, and workplace satisfaction;
4. identify opportunities for faculty to lead out in ensuring educational access, support, and achievement for all students; and
5. make recommendations for the implementation of proposals related to committee duties.

2.12.9 Faculty Senate Handbook Committee (SHC) 

The Faculty Senate Handbook Committee composes and/or revises annually the Senate Handbook. (See section 2.2.3). This committee consists of the Senate President, President-Elect of the Senate, and the Immediate Past President of the Senate. Additional members may be appointed by the Committee on Committees.

2.13 University Councils And Committees With Faculty Representatives

The Senate Committee on Committees recommends to the Faculty Senate faculty members to be appointed to the following University councils, boards, and committees: Athletic Council, Graduate Council, University Research Council, Council on Teacher Education, University Libraries Advisory Council, Honors Program Advisory Board, Calendar Committee, Bookstore Committee, Honorary Degrees and Awards Committee, Parking/Transportation Advisory Committee, Student Conduct Hearing Board, University Assessment Coordinating Council, Commencement Steering Committee, and Facilities Naming Committee. The faculty representative need not be a Faculty Senate member unless their role on the council, committee, or board is to represent the Faculty Senate specifically as well as the faculty generally. See also sections 2.10.3, 2.11.2, and 2.12.2. In the spirit of shared governance, at the Statewide Campuses and USU Eastern, the Vice President for Statewide Campuses will establish procedures whereby faculty members on those campuses can be actively engaged and represented in key local decisions parallel to the councils, committees, and boards described in this paragraph.

4001.3 REFERENCES

• Utah Code § 53H-3-303

4001.4 RELATED USU POLICIES

• Policy 4000: Composition and Authority of the Faculty
• Policy 4005: Program Discontinuance, Financial Exigency, and Financial Crisis
• Policy 4006: Academic Due Process, Sanctions, and Hearing Procedures

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Information below is not included as part of the contents of the official Policy. It is provided only as a convenience for readers/users and may be changed at any time by persons authorized by the President, subject to review by the USU Policy Committee.

RESOURCES

Related Forms and Tools

• Faculty Senate Committee Explanation Table
• Faculty Senate Handbook

Contacts

• Faculty Senate website: https://www.usu.edu/fsenate/index
• Executive Secretary: Michele Hillard

POLICY HISTORY

Original issue date: 1997/07/01
Last review date: 2026/03/20
Next scheduled review date: 2029/02/01
Previous revision dates: 2001/11/16, 2002/04/29, 2007/01/12, 2007/04/30, 2009/03/06, 2010/08/13, 2011/07/08, 2012/01/06, 2014/02/28, 2014/05/02, 2015/05/01, 2015/07/17, 2015/10/30, 2016/03/04, 2016/05/06, 2016/06/24, 2017/03/22, 2021/09/01