D. Faculty Committees

Participation in committee work is considered a normal part of faculty duties. The chair of each committee will arrange for minutes to be taken. As needed, the chair will give committee updates and recommendations at Faculty Senate meetings.

All committee members shall have one vote (except ex officio members). A simple majority of voting members is necessary in order for a vote to be called. If a simple majority is not present at the meeting, the vote may be carried out via e-mail. Committee chairs are responsible for archiving meeting minutes.

1. Assessment Committee

The Assessment Committee meets during the second week of every month (September through April). It is composed of faculty from a cross-section of academic departments, and is chaired by the Director of Assessment. The purpose of this committee is to implement general education and program assessment plans by:

Reviewing program learning outcomes and assessment plans provided by the curriculum committee and making recommendations for clarification and improvement;
Providing guidelines, policies, and structures to facilitate cross-campus conversations on the assessment of student learning.
Review, revise, and oversee the assessment calendar; communicate deadlines to program directors and chairs.
Coordinating the collection, analysis, and reporting of student learning outcomes data in cross-campus programs and activities including General Education, Capstone Conference, and Student Life; making recommendations to appropriate directors and chairs to improve student learning in these programs.

2022-2023 Assessment Committee Members
Chair: Brandon Langeland
Zac Watson
Gary Turner
Linda Park
Melissa St. Pierre
Vikki Bentley
Allison Jimenez
Keith Huey

Brandon Hensley

Mark Manry, Ex Officio
Anne Nichols, Ex Officio
Julayne Hughes, Ex Officio

2. Curriculum Committee

The curriculum committee meets during the first week of every month (September through April). Faculty are voting members. Ex officio members include representatives from the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Registrar, and the Center for Advising & Vocation Services. The committee reviews and either approves or denies course proposals and program proposals. All curricular changes that affect the catalog must be approved by this committee. Changes with budget implications may be vetoed by the provost. In the case of proposals for new programs, the committee makes a recommendation to the provost, who will make the final decision. The curriculum committee ensures the following:

Changes made in one school will not adversely affect students in another.
The integrity of the general education curriculum. Major general education revisions require input from the Faculty Senate and Academic Cabinet.
There is sufficient academic need and student demand for all additions to the curriculum.
Curricular changes are driven by assessment.
Changes are clearly communicated to all campus stakeholders, and the appropriate publications are updated.

2022-2023 Curriculum Committee Members

Chair: Rebekah Pinchback

Carol Cooper

Katie Stokes

Cynthia Clark

Greg Stevenson

David Greer

Susan Wizinsky

Amy Guitar

Anne Nichols, Ex Officio

Linda DeJarnette, Ex Officio

Debi Rutledge, Ex Officio

Lisa Rastigue, Ex Officio

3. Discipline and Appeals Committee

This committee convenes as needed for student conduct hearings and to resolve student appeals. The committee handles the following for all Rochester University students:

Academic Appeals: These appeals follow the process outlined in the catalog and are the final level of appeal for complaints regarding course grades and class policies, as well as institutional academic policies. All meeting minutes should be filed with the Registrar’s office, and all decisions should be communicated to the Provost. Deans will recuse themselves from appeals involving their school.
Conduct Hearings and Student Life Appeals: These hearings and appeals follow the process outlined in the Student Handbook. At the request of the Dean of Students, the committee makes decisions regarding student discipline for conduct that is inconsistent with the principles and policies of Rochester University. Additionally, the committee is the final level of appeal for policy complaints received through the Student Grievance Form.
Tuition and Fees: Rochester University rarely makes exceptions to our policies regarding tuition and fees. However, should an extenuating circumstance warrant consideration, the student’s appeal will be reviewed by this committee.
SAP: Members of the discipline and appeals committee will also be voting members of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) committee.

2022-2023 Discipline and Appeals Committee Members

Chair: Vivian Turner

Lora Hutson

Garth Pleasant

Bethany Musallam

Jennifer Robinson

Remy Bruder, Ex Officio

4. Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee is a product of the Rochester University Diversity Blueprint that maps out a trajectory for an improved campus environment where all individuals feel they can have a voice and feel like they have a place to belong. The Diversity Committee will work toward actionable goals in improving the policies, processes, and initiatives on campus in relation to diversity, inclusion, and equity at Rochester University. The committee includes faculty, staff, and administration and is co-chaired by Sharia Hays and Evan Green.

2022-2023 Faculty delegates to the Diversity Committee
Co-Chairs: Scott Samuels and Evan Green
Jaymes Vettraino

Bonnie McIntosh

5. Institutional Review Board

Faculty and students who wish to conduct research with human participants must first receive approval from Rochester University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Members of the IRB are expected to maintain CITI certification by completing the Faculty/Staff course in Human Subjects Research. For more information, please see: www.citiprogram.org.

2022-2023 Institutional Review Board Committee Members

Co-Chairs: Mike Muhitch and Anne Nichols

Robin Siegel-Hinson

Katharyn Cochrane

Megan Hogue

Joel Hachem

6. Promotion and Tenure Committee

This committee approves or denies applications for promotion and tenure, following the policies in the Faculty Handbook. This committee can also propose changes to the promotion and tenure policies, which must be approved by the faculty association and the Provost. Members include the Provost (Chair), Deans of the Schools, and 3 representatives elected by the Faculty Senate. If these 3 openings are not filled, they will default to the officers of the Faculty Senate, starting with the President.

2022-2023 Promotion and Tenure Committee Members

Chair: David Brackney

Jessica Matyas

Rob Arbaugh

7. Graduate Council

The Graduate Council is a principal advisory and coordinating body for graduate study at RU. The council has the responsibility for developing and maintaining policies that establish the rules and standards pertaining to graduate programs. The decisions of the council are subject to review by the Faculty Senate and final approval of the provost.

2022-2023 Graduate Council Members

Chair: Dave Hutson

Mark Love

Natalie Magnusson

8. GEO Committee

The GEO Committee is a principal advisory and coordinating body for Global Educational Opportunities at RU. The committee has the responsibility for developing and maintaining policies and processes for academic trips, both domestic and international. The decisions of the committee are subject to review by the Faculty Senate and final approval of the provost.

2022-2023 GEO Committee Members

Chair: Keith Huey

Allison Jimenez

Rob Arbaugh

9. Academic Cabinet

Representative: John Collins

See Academic Cabinet section of this handbook for more details.

10. RU Faculty Senate Officers

This committee runs the Faculty Senate. Officer duties can be found in the RUFS Constitution.

Chair: Naomi Walters

Vice-chair: Jessica Matyas

Secretary: David Sirka

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