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.
2023-2024 Assessment Committee Members
Chair: Brandon Langeland
Linda Park
Vikki Bentley
Brandon Hensley
Allison Jimenez
Melissa St. Pierre
Mark Manry, 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.
2023-2024 Curriculum Committee Members
Chair: Cynthia Clark
Vice Chair: David Greer
Carol Cooper
Susan Wizinsky
Rebekah Pinchback
Gary Turner
Zac Watson
Linda DeJarnette, Ex Officio
Debi Rutledge, Ex Officio
Lisa Rastigue, Ex Officio
3. Appeals Committee
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.
SAP: Members of the discipline and appeals committee will also be voting members of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) committee.
2023-2024 Discipline and Appeals Committee Members
Chair: Lora Hutson
Vivian Turner
Jennifer Robinson
Greg Stevenson
Keith Huey
Amy Guitar
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.
2023-2024 Faculty delegates to the Diversity Committee
Jaymes Vettraino
Joel Hachem
Naomi Walters, Ex Officio
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.
2023-2024 Institutional Review Board Committee Members
Co-Chairs: Mike Muhitch and Robin Siegel-Hinson
Katharyn Cochrane
Megan Hogue
Bonnie McIntosh
Bethany Musallam
Jerrica Pitzen
6. Promotion and Tenure Committee
The Promotion and Tenure Committee consists of the provost, a dean selected by the Academic Cabinet, and three representatives selected by the Faculty Senate. Academic Quality and Innovation members from the Board of Trustees are invited to all meetings to provide input about procedures and promotion and tenure decisions.
The provost communicates approval of tenure recommendations to the president. AQI members communicate promotion recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
2023-2024 Promotion and Tenure Committee Members
Chair: David Brackney
Rob Arbaugh
Katie Stokes
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.
2023-2024 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.
2023-2024 GEO Committee Members
Chair: Keith Huey
Allison Jimenez
David Geer
9. Academic Cabinet
Representative: John Collins
Jessica Matyas, Ex Officio
See Academic Cabinet section of this handbook for more details.
10. Faculty Senate
This committee runs the Faculty Senate. Officer duties can be found in the RUFS Constitution.
2023-2024 Faculty Senate Officers
Chair: Naomi Walters
Vice Chair: Jessica Matyas
Secretary: David Sirka