Section 3: Governance Structure: Faculty Senate

The purpose of the Senate is to represent the interests of the faculty in shared responsibility and cooperative action within the university community. Further, the purpose of the Senate is to bring into closer relationships the various schools, programs, and offices of the campus in order to unify work and increase efficiency; to promote and encourage an understanding of the problems that are common to the schools and programs of the university; and to foster a spirit of mutual esteem and respect among members of the faculty.

Both faculty and administration share responsibility for advancing the mission, goals, and objectives of Shenandoah University. The Senate recognizes that the Board of Trustees has broad responsibility for setting institutional policies, securing financial resources to enable Shenandoah University to fulfill its mission, and selecting the president of the university; that the administration has the primary responsibility for the management of the institution; that the faculty has the primary responsibility for teaching, scholarship, developing curricula and programs, promoting quality through evaluation of faculty and curricular offerings, and active participation in the governance of the university.

The shared responsibility for governance is reflected in the organizational structure of the university through collaboration of the faculty, students, deans/directors, vice presidents and provost in matters pertaining to general educational policy such as curricula, academic requirements, admissions and registration, graduations and the granting of degrees and other honors; matters of faculty interest such as professional advancement, academic freedom, and programs for general faculty welfare; matters of student life such as general student conduct, extracurricular activities, attendance and scholarship; and matters of general university interest such as libraries and support services, expansion/alteration of the physical plant, and long-range planning and budgetary processes.

3.3.1 Senators

(Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12, May 2022)

The Senate shall consist of three senators duly elected from each of the following constituencies: College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Shenandoah Conservatory, School of Health Professions Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing, and Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. In addition, there shall be elected one senator each from the library and  Division of Education and Leadership. The provost is invited to all meetings of the Senate and is afforded the right to speak.

3.3.2 Election of Senators

(Amended by Faculty Senate April 23, 2003)

All full-time members of the faculty, including academic deans/directors and librarians having faculty status, shall be eligible to be elected senators. Senators shall be elected according to procedures established by their separate constituencies. In these elections, part-time faculty having a continuing relationship with the university as well as full-time faculty shall have a vote. The names of persons elected senator shall be reported to the president of the Senate no later than the first of March in the year of their election. The terms of senators, originally staggered in each constituency, shall be three years commencing on the first of May in the year of their election. In the event that a senator, for whatever reason, is unable to complete his/her or her term of office, the appropriate constituency shall name a new senator to the unexpired term of office, according to rules established by that constituency.

3.3.3 Officers

3.3.3.1 President

(Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12, May 2022)

The president shall be elected by the Senate during its March meeting, from among its members, for a term of one year, and begin at the end of academic year Faculty Assembly.

The president shall:

• be the presiding officer of the Senate and shall chair the Officers’ Committee
• represent the Senate as a voting member of the University Cabinet
• serve as a Senate representative on the Honorary Degree Committee
• have the right to participate in discussions and debate within the Senate; however, the president shall relinquish the chair when advocating a position within the debate, as opposed to providing information about and/or clarification of the issue
• be the official advocate of the Senate to the university community. The president alone (or their designee) can speak officially on behalf of the Senate as a body
• serve as a representative on the Academic Review Board as needed
• appoint members to the Intellectual Property Dispute Committee as needed

3.3.3.2 Vice President

(Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12, May 2022)

The vice president shall be elected by the Senate during its March meeting, from among its members, for a term of one year, and begin at the end of academic year Faculty Assembly.

The vice president shall:

• preside at meetings in the absence of the president and shall be a member of the Officers’ Committee.
• The vice president shall succeed to the office of president in the event the president is unable to serve or carry out his/her duties.
• represent the Senate as a voting member of the Academic Cabinet
• serve as a Senate representative on the Honorary Degree Committee
• represent the Senate on the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees

3.3.3.3 Secretary

(Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12)

The secretary shall be elected by the Senate during its March meeting, from among its members, for a term of one year, and begin at the end of academic year Faculty Assembly.

The secretary shall:

• arrange for the taking of the minutes, which shall record all motions and actions taken at Senate meetings
• furnish all senators with a copy of the minutes of the prior meeting and the agenda for the next meeting at least one week prior to a scheduled meeting
• serve as a member of the Officers’ Committee
• record all votes taken by the Senate
• serve on the Honorary Degree Committee

3.3.4 Officers’ Committee

3.3.4.1 Purpose

The Officers’ Committee shall coordinate the Senate’s activities. It is a non-deliberative body and has no authority independent of the Senate.

3.3.4.2 Membership

The Officers’ Committee shall consist of three members: the president, the vice president and the secretary.

3.3.4.3. Charge

The primary duty of this committee is to ensure the effective functioning of the Senate and its committees. It will serve as a committee on committees to steer issues to the appropriate university and/or Senate standing committees for action and to refer actions already taken by committees directly to the Senate for its review and action. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to arrange the agenda for the Senate
• to serve as the channel through which any member of the university community may introduce matters to the Senate for consideration
• to refer problems and issues to the proper university standing committees and/or to establish ad hoc committees as recommended by the Senate
• to examine and coordinate the work of the various committees, to ensure interaction between committees when appropriate, and to prevent duplication of efforts in carrying out assignments
• to receive monthly minutes and annual reports from the university standing committees
• to maintain a record of any actions taken

3.3.4.4 Procedures

All faculty governance-related issues/proposals/actions, as defined in the Statement of Purpose (Section 3.2), and not clearly delineated as belonging to a defined standing committee, will be submitted to the Officers’ Committee. The Officers’ Committee will refer issues not clearly delineated as belonging to a defined standing committee to the appropriate committee for consideration, will submit the issue to the Senate for action, or will submit to the Senate a recommendation for the establishment of an ad hoc committee. Issues clearly falling within the charge of a specified standing committee will be submitted to the appropriate committee according to Senate and committee procedures. This provision, however, shall not limit the right of the Senate to consider the issue as well.

Minutes of all standing and ad hoc committee meetings shall be submitted to the Officers’ Committee no later than seven days following the meeting. Each standing committee chair shall submit an annual report to the Officers’ Committee.

The secretary will distribute the agenda to all members of the Senate a minimum of two days prior to the scheduled Senate meeting. The secretary shall ensure that the agenda and the minutes are available to all interested members of the university community.

3.3.5 Senate Meetings

(Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12)

 The Senate shall meet at least monthly during the academic year.

Senators and officers shall be expected to regularly attend Senate meetings. In the event a senator or officer is unable to attend a regular meeting of the Senate, he/she shall provide the secretary with advance notice of at least 24 hours that he/she will be unable to attend a regular meeting (except in unforeseen or emergency situations). Upon advance notification, the secretary shall record the absence as excused within the minutes of the meeting, upon approval of the Senate. Unexcused absences will be recorded for all members of the Senate who do not provide advance notice.

The presence of two-thirds of the senators shall constitute a quorum.

Parliamentary procedure in Senate meetings shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, except for such rules of parliamentary procedure as the Senate may adopt for itself from time to time.

Senate meetings shall be open to the university community; however, by simple majority vote the Senate may move to Executive Session (closed meeting).

Faculty, students, staff, administrators, and/or members of the Board of Trustees may address the Senate under procedures established by the Senate. The Senate has the right to invite members of the university community to address the Senate.

The presiding officer will normally decide who is recognized, but the Senate may vote to recognize a member or visitor whom the presiding officer has not recognized.

Procedure at meetings:

• approval of previous minutes
• approval/amendment of agenda
• unfinished business
• new business
• reports
• general discussion of issues

The Senate shall approve committee recommendations and forward them to the provost; disapprove such recommendations; or refer the recommendations back to the committee, offering opinion, advice, or dissent. Within six weeks of approval and forwarding to the provost, the provost shall report back to the Senate the action(s) taken on the recommendations.

Should the Provost take action contrary to a Senate recommendation, the Senate may reconsider and vote again on the recommendation. A two-thirds majority vote of the senators in favor of the recommendation will cause the recommendation to be forwarded directly to the University Cabinet as the recommendation of the Senate without the concurrence of the Provost.

Should the University Cabinet take action contrary to the Senate recommendation, the Senate may reconsider and vote again on the recommendation. A two-thirds majority vote of the senators in favor of the recommendation will cause the recommendation to be forwarded directly to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees as the recommendation of the Senate without the concurrence of the University Cabinet.

Voting shall be by voice vote, and all votes shall be recorded by the secretary.   Senators by motion may call for a roll call vote and, if approved by the Senate, the recorded vote will indicate the vote by name. The presiding officer shall declare the result of the vote. Senators shall vote “aye” when in favor of a proposal and “nay” when opposed. A vote of “present” shall be counted with the majority.

Minutes shall record which senators are present or absent. Furthermore, the minutes shall note in parentheses next to the absent senator’s name their cumulative number of unexcused absences.

3.4.1 Removal for Cause

Any senator or officer may be removed for cause by a two-thirds majority vote of all senators at any Senate meeting whenever, in the judgment of the Senate, the best interests of the Senate would thereby be served, provided, however, that the proposal for removal is presented at one meeting and acted upon at the next meeting. No senator or officer may be removed from office until the senator or officer shall have had the opportunity to appear before the Senate at its next scheduled meeting to defend his/her or her actions.

3.4.2 Removal for Absenteeism

Upon three unexcused absences in the current academic year, the senator or officer will automatically be removed from his/her or her position as a senator. 

3.4.3 Removal for Disqualification

A senator’s membership is concurrent with his/her or her faculty appointment that is governed by contract.  Thus, on termination of contract, Senate membership ends.

3.5  STANDING COMMITTEES

3.5.1. Senate Standing Committees (Amended by Faculty Senate May 2022)

There shall be two standing committees of the Senate; the Faculty Affairs Committee and the Faculty Equity Committee.

3.5.1.1. Faculty Affairs Committee

3.5.1.1.1. Membership (Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12

The president of the Senate shall appoint at least five members, with one of the five being appointed by the president to serve as chair. An additional member may be appointed by each constituency as defined in Section 3.3.1, according to its rules, soon after the president makes his/her appointments, which member must be qualified to be a senator.

3.5.1.1.2 Attendance

Committee members are expected to regularly attend committee meetings. In the event that a member is unable to attend a regularly scheduled meeting of the committee, he/she shall provide the chair with advance notice of at least 24 hours that he/she will be unable to attend a regular meeting (except in unforeseen or emergency situations). Unexcused absences will be recorded for all members who do not provide advance notice. Upon three unexcused absences in the current academic year, the member will automatically be removed from his/her position as a university or standing committee member.

3.5.1.1.3 Purpose

The purpose of the Faculty Affairs Committee is to make recommendations to the Senate concerning matters relating to general faculty welfare and to participate in the university budgeting process, in order to share with the administration the collegial responsibility for advancing the mission, goals and objectives of the university.

3.5.1.1.4 Charge

The primary focus of the committee will be the welfare of the faculty and the sharing of responsibility for effective university budgeting. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to study compensation for the faculty including, but not limited to, salary, benefits, workload, tuition exchange policies, and tuition remission policies, and to make recommendations to the Senate for changes in the compensation package for the faculty as a whole
• to develop and monitor policies concerning faculty treatment and behavior including, but not limited to, academic freedom, drugs and alcohol, sexual harassment, equal employment and affirmative action, leave of absence, and faculty appointments; to be responsible for reviewing, revising, and implementing the faculty grievance procedures as set forth in the Faculty Handbook
• to review and develop appropriate policy recommendations for change of the Faculty Handbook related to faculty and faculty welfare
• to participate in the university budgeting process through the Provost and to report to the Senate on the financial performance of the university relative to the budget
• to meet at least three times a year with the vice president for administration and finance to review the financial performance of the university relative to budget
• to provide the administration with timely information concerning issues surrounding general faculty welfare both during the budgeting process and during the budget implementation period
• to submit meeting minutes and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate
• to submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate

The Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee will serve on the Academic Review Board as needed.

3.5.1.2 Faculty Equity Committee (Added by Faculty Senate, May 2022)

3.5.1.2.1 Committee Membership

At least four senators are appointed by the senate president. No two committee members should be from the same constituency. Each member must have a minimum of 5 years employed by the university and at least 1 year of prior faculty senate service (need not be recent service). The committee will be chaired by one of the members, who will be elected by vote of the committee members.

3.5.1.2.2 Meetings

The committee shall meet regularly. Other meetings may be called as needed by the chair, as appropriate.

3.5.1.2.3 Attendance

Committee members are expected to regularly attend committee meetings. In the event that a member is unable to attend a regularly scheduled meeting of the committee, they shall provide the chair with advance notice of at least 24 hours that they will be unable to attend a regular meeting (except in unforeseen or emergency situations). Unexcused absences will be recorded for all members who do not provide advance notice. Upon three unexcused absences in the current academic year, the member will automatically be removed from their position as a committee member.

Committee members must recuse themselves from meetings regarding issues from their school. Recusals will be done by notifying the chair. If the committee chair needs to be recused, the committee will vote for a pro tempore chair for the duration of that issue.

3.5.1.2.4 Purpose

The purpose of the Faculty Equity Committee is to examine and address equity issues as they arise from the work of the senate and its committees, to examine and address equity issues that affect faculty, and to be the voice and advocate for faculty who feel they are experiencing inequitable treatment.                             

For the purposes of this committee, equity is the condition of full access, participation, and success for the entire community at Shenandoah University. This values the diversity of our community and therefore the equitable treatment of all, while simultaneously recognizing the lens and perspectives of individuals and groups affected by historic and/or persistent inequities due to systemic and institutional barriers.

3.5.1.2.5 Charge

The primary focus of the committee will be to assist in fostering a culture of equity across the university. An additional interest is to ensure that individual faculty are treated with equity. To facilitate this, the committee will have access to top levels of SU administration up to and including the provost’s office and the president’s office. The specific duties of the committee are to:

• examine all proposals coming out of the faculty senate with an equity lens
• examine university policies and be advocates for fair processes
• be available to advise university bodies on equity issues that affect faculty
• meet with faculty who need support and advocacy during an equity issue. Protect the identity of faculty during this process.
• meet with any university administrator when equity issues arise that warrant such a meeting. This meeting will be granted in a timely manner, and requests for identity protection regarding individuals involved in equity issues will be honored until such time as mutually agreed upon by both parties.
• make recommendations regarding equitable resolution of issues to the appropriate parties.
• submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate.

3.5.2 University Standing Committees

There shall be six university standing committees:

• Academic Policies
• Curriculum
• Information and Technology
• Faculty Evaluation
• Faculty Development
• Faculty Handbook 

3.5.2.1 University Standing Committee Membership

(Amended by Faculty Senate 11/9/12, August 2017, May 2020)

There are four categories of university standing committee membership, and the following membership categories apply to all university standing committees unless otherwise noted:

• the committee chair, that will be a member of the Senate and shall be elected by the Senate except that if the Senate does not fill the office, the president may do so by appointment
• a committee co-chair for the University Curriculum Committee, that will be a member of the Senate and shall be elected by the Senate except that if the Senate does not fill the office, the president may do so by appointment. Other committees may elect to choose a committee co-chair, as they, themselves, shall determine; who shall be qualified to be a member of the Senate.
• a representative of each of the university’s constituencies as defined in 3.3.1, appointed according to the rules of the respective constituency at the same time that the constituency elects its senators; which representative may be a part-time faculty member having a continuing relationship with the university as well as a full-time faculty member
• two student representatives, one an undergraduate and the other a graduate student, to the Academic Policies and the Information and Technology Committees, appointed by the Student Government Association at the same time that faculty senators are elected except that if the Student Government Association does not fill the office the chair of the committee may do so by appointment
• one representative of the professional staff of the libraries, one representative from the School of Education and Leadership (SOEL) and one representative from the Division of Applied Technology (DAT) to the Curriculum Committee, appointed at the same time that faculty senators are elected
• ex officio members, including the president of the university and the Provost, neither of whom shall have the right to vote within the committees, and:
• the registrar, who shall be a member of the Curriculum Committee and shall serve as its secretary
• the director of the University Libraries, director of Institutional Computing, director of Academic Computing Technology, and director of the Transformative Teaching and Learning shall be members of the Information and Technology Committee
• one representative from SOEL and one representative from DAT shall serve as full voting members of the Information and Technology Committee 
• the Faculty Handbook Committee will also include a representative from the Office of the Provost

3.5.2.2 University Standing Committee Student and Ex Officio Members

The following committees will include specific members:

• Academic Policies and Information and Technology Committees:
  • two student representatives, one an undergraduate and the other a graduate student will be appointed to the Academic Policies and to the Information and Technology Committees, appointed by the Student Government Association at the same time that faculty senators are elected except that. If the Student Government Association does not fill the office the chair of the committee may do so by appointment
• Information and Technology Committee:
  • the director of the University Libraries, director of Institutional Computing, director of Academic Computing Technology, and director of the Transformative Teaching and Learning shall be members of the Information and Technology Committee
  • one representative from SOEL and one representative from DAT shall serve on the Information and Technology Committee
• Curriculum Committee:
  • one representative of the professional staff of the libraries, one representative from the School of Education and Leadership (SOEL) and one representative from the Division of Applied Technology (DAT) will be appointed to the Curriculum Committee, appointed at the same time that faculty senators are elected
    • the registrar shall be a member of the Curriculum Committee and serve as its secretary
    • Faculty Handbook Committee:
      • the Faculty Handbook Committee will include a representative from the Office of the Provost

3.5.2.3 Terms

Terms of office on university standing committees are determined by the specific membership category:

• the chairs of university committees shall serve one-year terms with the exception of the chair and co-chair of the University Curriculum Committee, each of whom shall serve non-overlapping two-year terms, with the first year as co-chair, and the second year as chair.
• school representatives to university committees shall serve three-year terms, with elections staggered so that one-third of committee is serving in its first year; one-third in its second year; and one-third in its third year.
• student representatives to university committees shall serve one-year terms.
• other representatives to university committees shall serve renewable one-year terms.

3.5.2.4 Filling Vacancies

In the event that a member of a university standing committee, for whatever reason, is unable to complete his/her term of office, the appropriate constituency shall name a new member to the unexpired term of the office, according to rules established by that constituency.

3.5.2.5 Committee Rotation Schedule

(Amended by Faculty Senate 12/4/19)

3.5.2.6 Eligibility for Re-Election

(Amended by Faculty Senate April 23, 2003)

All committee members may serve for unlimited consecutive three-year terms.

3.5.2.7 Voting

The chairs of university standing committees may not vote except to break a tie. School representatives, student representatives, and ex officio members have voting privileges, except as specified in Section 3.5.1.3

3.5.2.8 Meetings

(Amended by Faculty Senate May 2022)

specified in the respective committees’ charges. Other meetings may be called as needed by the chair, which is bound to call a meeting at the request of any ex officio member, any two other members, the president of the Senate, or the Senate.

3.5.1.9 Attendance

Committee members are expected to regularly attend committee meetings. In the event that a member is unable to attend a regularly scheduled meeting of the committee, he/she shall provide the chair with advance notice of at least 24 hours that he/she will be unable to attend a regular meeting (except in unforeseen or emergency situations). Unexcused absences will be recorded for all members who do not provide advance notice. Upon three unexcused absences in the current academic year, the member will automatically be removed from his/her position as a university or committee member.

3.5.1.10 Procedures

Items may be introduced to the various university standing committees in any of several ways:

• items may be directed to a committee’s chair by the president of the Senate or the Senate
• matters originating in schools, divisions, or departments should first be considered by the appropriate school/division/department committee, faculty, and dean/director; the dean/director of the school/division may then submit the matter directly to the appropriate university committee or through the school/division’s representative to the committee
• matters originating in university offices should first be considered by the staff and vice president of that office; the vice president of the office may then submit the matter directly to the appropriate university committee
• matters originating in the Student Government Association (SGA) should first be considered by the appropriate SGA committee and membership; the president of the SGA may submit the matter directly to the appropriate university committee or through the SGA representative to the committee
• any member of the university community may directly request that a university committee consider an issue

Committee agendas shall be set, published and distributed to each member of the committee by the chair or his/her designate one week prior to the scheduled monthly meeting.

Committees are expected to take action on all items on their agenda and to report monthly to the Senate.  Each committee should be ready to present a monthly oral report to the Senate.  Each committee will present an annual report to the Senate at the end of the academic year.

3.5.2 Academic Policies Committee

3.5.2.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Academic Policies Committee is to make recommendations to the Senate concerning matters of academic standards.

3.5.2.2 Charge

The primary focus of this committee is on the academic regulations and policies that influence the level of academic achievement required for the completion of education programs in keeping with the educational aims of the university. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to review and make recommendations to the Senate about policies concerning: 
  • academic standing of students (ie. academic standards, admissions, recruiting and retention, probation, dismissal, and re-admission)
  • student academic appeals in borderline cases regarding admissions, probation, dismissal, or re-admission
  • changes to the academic integrity code. To include: academic integrity policy, academic integrity procedure, and academic integrity documentation
  • the registration process including course add/drop policies
  • academic record keeping
  • advising
  • graduation, granting of degrees, and recognition of student achievement
  • transfer articulation and assessment including, transcript evaluation, credit by examination, and credit for life experiences
  • requirements for degrees
  • student rights and privacy
• to submit monthly minutes and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate
• to submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate

3.5.3 Curriculum Committee

3.5.3.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Curriculum Committee is to make recommendations to the Senate concerning matters of undergraduate and graduate curriculum, program development and review, and policies and procedures regarding curriculum and academic programs in keeping with the educational aims of the university.

3.5.3.2 Charge

The primary focus of this committee is on courses and curricula. In addition, it is concerned with the overall educational aims of the university. It is through the curricula that these aims are achieved; thus, this committee is involved in academic planning and priority-setting as well as review of specific programs, curricula, and course offerings. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to review and recommend changes in the educational aims of the university and to establish academic priorities in light of these aims and objectives
• to review and make recommendations about policies and procedures for curriculum codification, academic program development and review, and related matters
• to review and act on all curriculum and program modifications proposed by individual school curriculum committees, including, but not necessarily limited to, course additions, deletions, modifications, changes of title or number of courses, substantial changes in content or prerequisites for an existing course, degree and institutional requirements, and new program proposals
• to establish and review policies for granting academic credit for courses
• to establish and review procedures for responsible review of existing academic programs, making recommendations regarding continuance or discontinuance of programs in light of educational aims of the university
• to submit monthly minutes and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate
• to submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate

3.5.3.3 Provisional Course Offerings

Credit-bearing courses offered on- or off-campus, whether in a traditional format or by way of alternate media (including videotape, interactive television, computers, mechanical correspondence or any combination of media) equally imply university endorsement of the content, curriculum, performance requirements of the course, and the professional credentials of the instructor. Therefore, any credit-bearing course offered, either on- or off-campus, ought to be discussed and acted upon with the same rigor, moving completely through school review, to the University Curriculum Committee, to the Senate. Ordinarily, all substantive changes in course offerings are previewed and approved before they are implemented. Courses that alter the core curriculum or the requirements for the major must undergo the complete approval process before they can be offered. All curricula should be developed through careful research and planning. It is recognized, however, that occasionally requests for courses must be acted upon much too rapidly than the total review process allows. In that instance, the following shall be observed and followed:

• in the event that credit-bearing courses need to be offered rapidly and cannot be accommodated within the structures of seminar or topic offerings (which by their nature are one-time offerings) the appropriate school/division dean/director may authorize an offering of such a course
• the dean/director must first, however, consult with faculty in the appropriate discipline and secure documentation of faculty approval before the course is provisionally authorized
• the dean/director must verify the credentials of instructors who are not regular members of the university’s faculty
• as far as is relevant, the dean/director must insure that the course offered meets the criteria for any new course offering, as outlined in the “Checklist for Submitting Course Proposal to University Curriculum Committee.” Any course approved on the dean/director’s authority must include a brief explanation of the genesis, purpose and likely future of that course.
• the dean/director must then notify the registrar of the provisionally-approved course
• the registrar must, in turn, notify the Curriculum Committee of any provisionally-approved courses
• the dean/director must also notify the appropriate school curriculum committee at its next meeting of any provisional approvals

By the end of the third consecutive semester after a provisionally-approved course is offered, it must be reviewed completely, as outlined in Section 3.5.3.2.

3.5.4 Information and Technology Committee

3.5.4.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Information and Technology Committee is to make recommendations to the Senate concerning the development, acquisition, utilization of and training for appropriate computer technology, library, media, and other support services in order to support and fulfill the university’s academic mission.

3.5.4.2 Charge

The primary focus of this committee is on the university’s employment and development of computer technology, the Alson H. Smith, Jr., Library, and the Media Center as strong resources for the academic community at the university. As such, this committee shall have a close relationship with the Curriculum Committee, in keeping with curricular needs and anticipated academic growth and development. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to study and make recommendations to the Senate concerning policy about academic resources including computer technology, library and media acquisitions (equipment and materials), and all other academic/research support services in view of the academic programs and educational mission of the university
• to provide information and recommendations to the director of Institutional Computing concerning matters of computer policy, needs of the faculty, and use of the computing facilities, including software, hardware, and training
• to develop guidelines for the development and acquisition of library collections, audiovisual equipment and materials, and other academic/research support services in keeping with the needs and requirements of the academic programs and the educational aims of the university
• to provide information and recommendations to the director of University Libraries and library staff, including the Media Center, concerning matters of library policy, needs of the faculty, and use of the library/media facilities, including improvement of the physical plant of the library
• to submit monthly minutes and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate
• to submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate

3.5.5 Faculty Development Committee

3.5.5.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Faculty Development Committee is to make recommendations to the Senate concerning the development and implementation of policies and procedures for ongoing faculty development, research, and scholarly/professional activities.

3.5.5.2 Charge

The primary focus of this committee is faculty development. It is concerned with ensuring ongoing attention to resource development and equitable allocation of available funds among individual faculty, and providing activities and opportunity for enhancing the faculty’s abilities in teaching, research, scholarship, and service to the university and the community. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to review and recommend incentives and changes in the faculty development, research, and scholarly aims of the university
• to propose an institutional policy on faculty development, research, and scholarship
• to propose policies, procedures, and guidelines for applications of available institutionally-funded development activities
• as appropriate, to consider and make recommendations to the Provost on applications for institutionally-funded faculty development funds
• to review and recommend changes in university copyright and patent policy, as set forth in the Faculty Handbook
• to monitor compliance with all applicable regulations concerning the use of human or animal subjects
• to coordinate with the Office of Advancement and the Provost the solicitation of external funding for faculty development, research, and scholarly activities
• to assist the Provost in planning and implementing campus-wide faculty development activities including, but not limited to, the annual Faculty Retreat and May Workshop
• to submit monthly minutes and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate
• to submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate

Nothing in this policy is intended to restrict the designation or contribution of funds for specific purposes. Such funds do not fall within the purview of this committee.

3.5.5.3 Procedures

Proposals for faculty development funds will be submitted to the committee following the guidelines set forth in the Faculty Handbook (Section 4.13.2.1).

Recommendations/actions of the Faculty Development Committee regarding individual faculty applications for funding will be submitted to the Provost for expediting approval. Any action by the Provost contrary to the recommendations of the committee will be reported in writing to the committee.

Recommendations/actions of the Faculty Development Committee regarding committee policies, procedures, and functioning will be forwarded to the Senate.

3.5.6 Faculty Evaluation Committee

3.5.6.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Faculty Evaluation Committee is to make recommendations to the Provost concerning decisions related to career faculty contracts and promotion.

3.5.6.2 Charge

The Faculty Evaluation Committee is concerned with ensuring systematic and comprehensive evaluation of faculty members regarding their professional growth and teaching excellence and, when making recommendations to the Provost, applying the same to specific faculty members. The specific duties of the committee are:

• to establish a comprehensive evaluation system for all faculty in cooperation with the deans/directors of schools/divisions, the Provost, and two student representatives appointed by the president of the Student Government Association
• to review and recommend changes in the criteria set for promotion in rank and advancement to career faculty contracts, in the Faculty Handbook in cooperation with the deans/directors, the Provost, and two representatives appointed by the president of the Student Government Association
• to consider and make recommendations to the Provost about all applications for advancement in rank or appointment to career faculty contracts according to criteria set forth in the Faculty Handbook and by individual schools/divisions
• to seek such information and ensure that such records as needed to fulfill its functions are maintained, including confidential records, and to maintain confidential records of its deliberations as far as legally permitted
• to meet with each faculty member undergoing periodic evaluation or seeking promotion, or multi-year contracts, to discuss the recommendations of the committee
• to serve as a Faculty Merit Award Selection Committee, soliciting nominations and making recommendations to the Provost
• to submit monthly minutes and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate
• to submit a final annual report and recommendations, to be voted on by the Senate

3.5.6.3 Procedures

Faculty members wishing to be considered for promotion and/or career faculty contracts shall submit appropriate materials to the committee according to the guidelines delineated in the Faculty Handbook (Section 4.10). Upon completion of evaluations, the committee will report its recommendations to the Provost. Decisions by the Provost contrary to the recommendations of the Faculty Evaluation Committee will be reported in writing to the committee.

Recommendations/actions of the Faculty Evaluation Committee regarding the evaluation system and committee procedures will be forwarded to the Senate.

3.5.6.4 Membership

In order for a member of the faculty to serve on the Faculty Evaluation Committee, the faculty member must simultaneously fulfill each of the following four conditions:

• hold the rank of either full professor or associate professor;
• be a tenured member of the faculty or serve as a full-time member of the faculty under the three-year professional contract or its equivalent;
• not intend to make a request for promotion during the term of membership on the committee; and,
• not be a member of school’s Faculty Evaluation Committee.

3.5.7 Faculty Handbook Committee

(Approved by the Faculty Senate April 2016)

3.5.7.1 Purpose

(Revised by Faculty Senate and approved by Academic Cabinet October 2019)

The purpose of the Faculty Handbook Committee (FHC) is to solicit and consider changes to the Faculty Handbook and make recommendations to the Senate regarding those changes.

3.5.7.2 Charge

(Amended by Faculty Senate March 2020)

The FHC shall meet as needed, at least twice each year.

The specific duties of the committee are to:

• consider suggestions for changes to Section 3 of the Faculty Handbook from the Faculty Senate.
• compile a list of suggestions each year and track the consideration and disposition of each suggestion.
• consider suggestions for changes to the Faculty Handbook that are submitted to the committee by March 1st, for inclusion in the following academic year’s handbook.
• vote to take one of the following actions on each suggestion:
  • recommend approval of the suggestion
  • decline to recommend approval of the suggestion
  • modify the suggestion in any way it deems appropriate for a recommendation of approval
  • refer a suggestion for discussion to the Faculty Senate
• send its draft of recommended changes, additions or deletions to the Faculty Senate.
• post the recommendations with other Senate materials to inform the faculty.
• conduct an ongoing review of the entire faculty handbook, and submit suggestions to the Faculty Senate.
• submit a final report to the Faculty Senate.

3.5.7.3 Procedures

Faculty members wishing to be considered for promotion and/or career faculty contracts shall submit appropriate materials to the committee according to the guidelines delineated in the Faculty Handbook (Section 4.10). Upon completion of evaluations, the committee will report its recommendations to the provost. Decisions by the Provost contrary to the recommendations of the Faculty Evaluation Committee will be reported in writing to the committee.

Recommendations/actions of the Faculty Evaluation Committee regarding the evaluation system and committee procedures will be forwarded to the Senate.

3.5.7.4 Membership

In order for a member of the faculty to serve on the Faculty Evaluation Committee, the faculty member must simultaneously fulfill each of the following four conditions:

• hold the rank of either full professor or associate professor;
• be a career member of the faculty or serve as a full-time member of the faculty under the three-year professional contract or its equivalent;
• not intend to make a request for promotion during the term of membership on the committee; and,
• not be a member of a school’s Faculty Evaluation Committee.

3.5.8 FACULTY HANDBOOK COMMITTEE

3.5.8.1 Purpose

(Amended by Faculty Senate October 2019)

The purpose of the Faculty Handbook Committee (FHC) is to solicit and consider changes to the Faculty Handbook and make recommendations to the Senate regarding those changes.

3.5.8.2 Charge

(Amended by Faculty Senate March 2020, May 2022)

The FHC shall meet as needed, at least twice each year. The specific duties of the committee are to:

• consider suggestions for changes to Section 3 of the Faculty Handbook from the Faculty Senate.
• consider suggestions for changes to the Faculty Handbook that are submitted to the Faculty Handbook Committee by March 1st, for inclusion in the following academic year’s handbook.
• conduct an ongoing review of the entire faculty handbook and submit suggestions to the Faculty Senate.
• compile a list of suggestions each year and track the consideration and disposition of each suggestion.
• vote to take one of the following actions on each suggestion:
  • recommend approval of the suggestion
  • decline to recommend approval of the suggestion
  • modify the suggestion in any way it deems appropriate for a recommendation of approval
  • refer a suggestion for discussion to the Faculty Senate
• send its draft of recommended changes, additions or deletions to the Faculty Senate.
• post the recommendations with other Senate materials to inform the faculty.
• compile a list of suggestions each year and track the consideration and disposition of each suggestion.
• submit any Senate approved changes to the provost’s office by June 1st for inclusion in the following academic year’s faculty handbook.
• submit a final report to the Faculty Senate.

Estate Committees are joint committees of the Senate, administration, and Board of Trustees.

3.6.1 Honorary Degree Committee

3.6.1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Honorary Degree Committee will be to identify for recognition individuals who have made significant contributions in education or government, to a profession, community or church; or, who have made unusually meritorious contributions to Shenandoah University. The university usually awards one of the following to an honorary degree recipient: Doctor of Humane Letters, Doctor of Humanities, Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Arts, or Doctor of Music. Recipients must be presented the award in person, normally at a convocation or commencement. On rare occasions the award may be made posthumously.

3.6.1.2 Charge

The committee will screen nominees submitted by any member of the university community and recommend approval to the Senate. If approved by the Senate, the nominees will be recommended to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

3.6.1.3 Membership

The Honorary Degree Committee shall consist of the chair of the Board of Trustees, the chair of the Academic Affairs and Faculty Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Provost, the officers of the Senate, and the president of the university who calls and chairs the meetings.

3.7.1 Purpose

Senators will be designated to represent the Senate on policies and issues and to report to the Senate the discussions and decisions of the Board of Trustees.

3.7.2 Charge

The representatives of the Senate to the Committees of the Board of Trustees shall attend all scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, present and advocate positions adopted by the Senate, and report to the Senate the discussions and decisions of the Board of Trustees.

3.7.3 Representation

(Amended by Faculty Senate March 5, 2014)

The Senate shall be represented on the Committees of the Board of Trustees as follows:

3.8.1 Official Version

(Amended May 2020)

The current version of the Shenandoah University Faculty Handbook supersedes all previous versions, and its terms replace the terms contained in previous versions. The university expressly reserves the right to change policies, benefits, and procedures, and faculty members shall be bound by changes as they become effective. The Provost will maintain the official version of the Faculty Handbook. The official version shall be maintained on the university server, and may be referenced at www.su.edu/academics/faculty-handbook and is the only authoritative version to be used for reference. 

The individual faculty member is responsible for informing himself or herself of the provisions currently in effect.   Faculty members should also familiarize themselves with the Shenandoah University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs, administrative policies and benefit information. References to these can be found in the Appendix.

This handbook may be amended as necessary according to the procedures outlined below. The date of the revision will be indicated in the section modified.  Older versions of the handbook are archived annually in the Office of the Provost for reference.  

3.8.2 Procedures

(Amended by Faculty Senate November 2019)

Revisions to Section 3 (Faculty Governance) are the responsibility of the Faculty Senate. The FHC will send recommended changes to Section 3 to the Senate for approval. Once approved by the Senate, the recommended changes will generally take effect at the beginning of the next fall semester. The representative from the Office of the Provost will make the changes in the official version of the Faculty Handbook hosted on the SU server and archive the previous version.  (See flow-chart below)

Section 4 of the handbook is the contract statement between the University and the faculty. Recommendations for changes to Section 4 can be initiated by any individual or group at the University and should be referred to the Provost. If the Provost chooses to move a recommendation forward, they will seek input from the Senate and the Academic Cabinet. Additionally, the University Cabinet may be consulted if the Provost and President deem such approval necessary. Once a change is approved, the representative from the Office of the Provost will make the changes in the official version of the Faculty Handbook hosted on the SU server and archive the previous version. (See flow-chart below).

* Recommendations for changes to the Faculty Handbook can be initiated by the FHC, Faculty Senate, SU Administration, Board of Trustees, and/or other stakeholder groups at SU.  

Changes to sections other than 3 and 4 are informational and will be updated by the Office of the Provost.  Review by the Faculty Senate may be requested, but is not required.