Faculty Senate

Constitution, By-Laws and University Manual Committee

Report #2002-03-1

 

March 26, 2003

The Constitution, By-Laws and University Manual Committee has met twice during the current academic year and plans to meet for a third time on April 9, 2003. This report reflects the activities of the CBUM Committee at its two meetings.

A. Informational Matters:

1. Reorganization of Chapter 5 of the University Manual

The CBUM Subcommittee on Committee's proposed reorganization of the UNIVERSITY MANUAL is almost completed. A report will be included in the Agenda for the last Faculty Senate Meeting of the 2002-03 academic year.

2. Change to Policy on the Protection of Human Subjects

At the direction of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, The CBUM Committee worked with Ms. Diana Brown, the University's Director of Compliance, about her request to change the Policy on the Protection of Human Subjects in Appendix G of the UNIVERSITY MANUAL. After reviewing materials provided by Ms. Brown, the Committee advised the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to recommend the following to the Faculty Senate:

  • That the existing Policy #84-2 "Protection of Human Subjects" as revised be approved

 

  • That the authority to make changes that are discretionary in nature be delegated to the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

These recommendations were brought to the Faculty Senate on December 12, 2002 and were approved by the Faculty Senate and the President as Senate Bill #02-03--11.

3. Replacement of the Joint Educational Policy Committee with the Presidents proposed new "senior" planning committee.

The CBUM Committee will meet on April 9, 2003 and will present an informational report to the Faculty Senate on this matter on April 10, 2003.

B. Matters Which Require Confirmation by the Faculty Senate

Combining the Social Regulations Committee in Chapter 5 of the University Manual and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee in the By-Laws of the Faculty Senate.

One of the tasks assigned to the CBUM Subcommittee on Committees was to consider combining existing committees to eliminate overlap and to improve efficiency and communication. The two committees have a significant overlap, one committee for social regulations for students and the other for reviewing disciplinary regulations for students.

The CBUM Committee recommends that the Faculty Senate eliminate the Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee of the Faculty Senate, rename the Social Regulations Committee, modify its charge and membership and clearly indicate by placement in the revised Chapter 5 of the University Manual that it is a committee under the purview of the Faculty Senate.

a. That the Faculty Senate approve the following change in the name, charge to and membership of the Social Regulations Committee:

5.65.10 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee shall review all student non-academic regulations at the request of the President, the Vice President for Student Affairs or any other appropriate authority or body; review regularly all student non-academic regulations and policies for publication in the student handbook; recommend modifications as deemed appropriate by means of action through the Student Senate, Faculty Senate, or administration; and serve as an advisory board when called upon by the President or the Vice President for Student Affairs.

5.65.11 This committee shall also periodically review policies related to student discipline, the procedures and operation of the judicial system, and the composition of judicial boards. The committee shall consider proposals for changes in the judicial system recommended by the Office of Student Life or other members of the University Community, and shall recommend appropriate modifications to the Faculty Senate. The committee is precluded from involvement in any aspect of individual judicial cases or in the daily operation of the Office of Student Life.

5.65.12 The membership shall comprise the Dean of Students as chairperson, two faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate, two members from the Division of Student Affairs and four undergraduate students appointed by the Student Senate and one graduate student appointed by the Graduate Student Association. For the review of policies related to student discipline and the judicial system, two additional faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate shall augment the membership.

5.65.13 The committee shall report to the Vice President for Student Affairs on issues related to social regulations and to both the Vice President and the Faculty Senate on policies related to student discipline.

*b. That the Faculty Senate approve the elimination of the following sections of the By-Laws of the Faculty Senate:

4.35 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee. This committee shall periodically review policies related to student discipline, the procedures and operation of the judicial system and the composition of judicial boards. The committee will consider proposals for changes in the judicial system recommended by the Office of Student Life or other members of the University Community and shall recommend modifications as they deem appropriate to the Faculty Senate. The committee is precluded from involvement in any aspect of individual judicial cases or in the daily operation of the Office of Student Life.

4.36 This committee shall also review recommendations for changes in the student handbook regarding discipline brought to them by the Office of Student Life or the Social Regulations Committee. If, in the committee's judgment, the proposed change is substantive or requires a change in the UNIVERSITY MANUAL, they shall forward their recommendations to the Faculty Senate for action. If, on the other hand, the proposed change is deemed to be minor or editorial in nature, the committee may approve or disapprove the change and inform the Office of Student Life of their decision.

4.37 The Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee will convene when the Faculty Senate receives a request to review policies related to student discipline and the judicial system. The Committee will be composed of four faculty, one of whom will serve as Chair, two undergraduates, one graduate student and the Director of Student Life (ex officio).

*This change requires approval by a 2/3 majority of Senators voting and may not be approved at the meeting it is introduced.