D. Policy Revision
The faculty is an integral and important part of the governance structure of Rochester University. The university acknowledges that the faculty possesses years of experience, training, and commitment, which if ignored, will prevent the fulfillment of the university’s mission. Each faculty member is encouraged to assist in the ongoing review of policies and to initiate action for improvements through committee assignments and active participation in the Faculty Senate. The process for revising policies varies depending on the nature of the policy.
1. Categories of Policies
- Editorial Updates
This includes the organization, wording, and relevance of the Faculty Handbook from the previous academic year.
- Academic Policies and Procedures
These policies and procedures are related to Sections IV and V of the Faculty Handbook:
- Academic policies (faculty with rank and adjunct faculty)
- Additional policies for faculty with rank
- Personnel Policies and Procedures
These policies and procedures are related to Sections VI, VII, and VIII of the Faculty Handbook:
- Recruitment and selection of new faculty members
- Rank, promotion, and tenure
- Faculty evaluation
2. Review Processes
- Editorial Reviews and Updates: Faculty Senate representative and Office of the Provost representative complete annual review.
- Review and Changes for Academic Policies and Procedures (completed as needed)
| Faculty Committees, Academic Cabinet, or Office of the Provost propose changes |
→ |
Faculty Senate review: approval or review |
→ |
Provost: final approval or more review |
| Faculty Senate |
→ |
Academic Cabinet |
→ |
Provost |
Faculty senate representatives have the opportunity to gather feedback from the Senate before decisions are made. Proposals that affect the Faculty Handbook will be on the Academic Cabinet agenda for no less than two months, with decisions happening no sooner than the second month. Faculty senate representatives will have the responsibility to get feedback in the interim month.
- Review and Changes for Personnel Policies (completed as needed)
| Faculty Committees, Faculty Senate, or Office of the Provost propose changes |
→ |
Faculty Senate review |
→ |
Provost: approval or review |
→ |
Academic Cabinet, President, or Board approval as needed |
Faculty senate representatives have the opportunity to gather feedback from the Senate before decisions are made. Proposals that affect the Faculty Handbook will be on the Academic Cabinet agenda for no less than two months, with decisions happening no sooner than the second month. Faculty senate representatives will have the responsibility to get feedback in the interim month.