University of Tulsa Faculty Senate
CHARGES TO STANDING COMMITTEES
As Approved on August 21,
2003
Standing Charge: The Academic Affairs Committee shall concern itself with policies and problems related to the academic mission of the University.
2003-2004 Charges to the Academic Affairs Committee:
Continue to review on-line student evaluation, insofar as trials continue in the CBA and CENS, and present a status report on on-line evaluation to Senate.
Revisit the issue of plus/minus grading, drawing on its recent implementation in the Law School and on a review of the undergraduate grading systems characteristic of the University’s peer institutions.
Assess the use of and consider the abolition of the WF grade. Examine whether all withdrawing students should receive W. [Some members of the faculty argue that WF is unevenly applied, unduly penalizes students, and serves little academic purpose.]
Analyze growing demands for enhanced assessment of student learning (including standardized testing) that reflect certain business models of performance-based management. The University has responded to Accreditation Association mandates to augment its learning assessment by forming College Assessment committees and by requiring departments to develop procedures that measure the competence of their majors, beyond their GPA. Report on the University’s response to date, and whether additional assessment procedures might be demanded or required by Washington, by Accreditation agencies, or the like.
"Review the draft of the 4-year Plan when it is disseminated to campus for input, and respond to those items that lie within the responsibilities of your Committee. Respond directly to the Master Plan Committee as soon as possible, and then report to the Faculty Senate at its next scheduled meeting." (approved 2/19/04)
Standing Charges: The Academic Computing Committee shall concern itself with all phases of academic computing.
2003-2004 Charges to the Academic Computing Committee:
Assess faculty and college computing committee input regarding computing technology and provide feedback to the Faculty Senate and to IS regarding faculty utilization of technology and faculty/committee responses to IS policies.
Examine the University software licensing policy and distribution practices and the potential for improvement therein.
Investigate technical and awareness issues regarding the Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Explore University policy, enforcement and awareness issues with illegal file sharing. Gather information comparing these policies with peer institutions and make a comparative assessment and recommendation.
Review security concerns (policies, procedures and budgeting support) relative to use of computing and related technology on campus.
"Review the draft of the 4-year Plan when it is disseminated to campus for input, and respond to those items that lie within the responsibilities of your Committee. Respond directly to the Master Plan Committee as soon as possible, and then report to the Faculty Senate at its next scheduled meeting." (approved 2/19/04)
Standing Charges: The Faculty Affairs Committee shall concern itself with faculty relations within the University structure and all documents concerned with such issues as academic freedom, responsibility and tenure, institutional policies and procedures, sabbaticals and leaves, and the Faculty Senate Constitution.
It shall also nominate members for the ad hoc committee that recommends to the President of the University the University Faculty to receive teaching awards at Commencement.
2003-2004 Charges to the Faculty Affairs Committee:
Acquire and review and report the faculty survey results regarding use of the Collins Fitness Center, which were conducted in fall of 02.
Co-ordinate a time-line preparing for remaining preparations required before the Blue Book Amendments vote. Prepare informational packets which will provide background to the proposed amendments and the impact they will have if passed. Co-ordinate faculty information sessions prior to the vote. Gather and present information on the current status of applied and contract faculty at TU: Who are they? How many are there? What are their years of service? What awards in teaching have they received?
Examine the University policies regarding travel expenditure and reimbursement. 1) Clarify University policies and procedures for facilitating up-front payment of registration and travel expenses for approved faculty travel via procard, check request, deferred expenditure and purchase order. 2) Restricting grant reimbursement above the University set limit for per diem expenses incurred by faculty traveling to major urban centers. Gather information comparing these policies with peer institutions and make a comparative assessment and recommendation.
Ensure that college and administrative policies regarding use and preservation (electronic or hard copy) of the written portion (comments) made by students in the student evaluations of faculty are clearly articulated and understood by all faculty.
Consult with the Benefits Committee and report on the portability of Health Care Benefits.
Review the draft of the 4-year Plan when it is disseminated to campus for input, and respond to those items that lie within the responsibilities of your Committee. Respond directly to the Master Plan Committee as soon as possible, and then report to the Faculty Senate at its next scheduled meeting. (approved 2/19/04)
Standing Charges: The Financial Review Committee will meet with the administration and the trustees, including the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee and the Chair of the Audit Subcommittee of the Board of Trustees, to review the financial status of the University. Meeting discussions are to include but not be limited to a confidential discussion of the annual audit and the auditor’s findings regarding the internal control structure of the University, and the budget policies for the coming year approved by the Finance Committee.
2003-2004 Charges to the Financial Review Committee:
Evaluate the rate of TU’s endowment growth and compare our endowment’s growth to that of similar institutions.
Evaluate the performance of TU’s endowment investments.
Gather information on the impact of University student affairs policies upon enrollment and finances.
Conduct a comprehensive review of costs and impact of Intercollegiate Division I A football on the University of Tulsa campus.
Review the draft of the 4-year Plan when it is disseminated to campus for input, and respond to those items that lie within the responsibilities of your Committee. Respond directly to the Master Plan Committee as soon as possible, and then report to the Faculty Senate at its next scheduled meeting. (approved 2/19/04)
Standing Charge: The Library Committee shall concern itself with all phases of the University Libraries.
2003-2004 charges to the Library Committee:
Monitor and report on the transition from RoweCom to EBSCO Industries of the serial subscription management services used by McFarlin Library.
Review the policy of collecting technology fees from students by other academic institutions, and determine how such fees impact the library at those institutions.
Survey the scope of use of computer facilities for patrons in McFarlin Library and the Law Library, and investigate reports that a large number of machines, including printers, are frequently offline/inoperable in McFarlin Library.
Monitor and report on the current status of online availability of journals on campus, including any trends that are noted.
Review the draft of the 4-year Plan when it is disseminated to campus for input, and respond to those items that lie within the responsibilities of your Committee. Respond directly to the Master Plan Committee as soon as possible, and then report to the Faculty Senate at its next scheduled meeting. (approved 2/19/04)
Standing Charges: The Student Affairs Committee shall concern itself with all aspects of student life that relate directly to the educational process It shall appoint faculty members to the Student Publications Board pursuant to the “Student Publications Policy Statement.”
2003-2004 Charges to the Student Affairs Committee:
Assess what the campus status is related to student sexual assault issues: including prevention and education; reporting mechanisms; campus policies and practices that relate to student rights and responsibilities in the event of a sexual assault incident; and current activities available on campus and in the community related to this issue (escort services by campus security, blue light phones placements, etc.). How can the Orientation program/courses be used to assist with this issue?
Determine what is the status of campus policies related to sexual harassment involving students. Are SAFE teams part of the process; are they functioning; have new policies or practices been implemented by the university to respond to stalking and other issues that are related to sexual harassment between students as well as involving faculty, staff and students?
Establish clearly how information and statistics on sexual assault and harassment are distributed to the student body.
Assess and make recommendations for exception to the 2-year campus-housing requirement to support the recruitment and retention of International Baccalaureate (IB) students, transfer students and international students. Delineate the criteria and the appeals process for this exception.
Review the draft of the 4-year Plan when it is disseminated to campus for input, and respond to those items that lie within the responsibilities of your Committee. Respond directly to the Master Plan Committee as soon as possible, and then report to the Faculty Senate at its next scheduled meeting. (approved 2/19/04)
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last update: February 21, 2004