Committees
Taken from the Faculty Handbook
2.3 Faculty Committees
The College has three main governance committees: The Planning and Budget Committee (PBC), the Academic Personnel Committee (APC), and the Academic Planning and Program Committee (APPC). Each of these governance committees will have one or more related that report to them on a semiannual basis (see below). A committee may be a Faculty Committee (FC), which means it addresses matters of primary concern to the faculty, or a College Wide Committee (CW), which means it addresses matters of primary concern to the entire College community.
2.3.1 Autonomous Faculty Committees
Two committees stand outside of proposed structure. The Committee on Committees and Handbook ensures the smooth functioning of faculty committees and college-wide committees. The Faculty Advocacy Committee is the faculty advocacy group that meets with the president and/or the VPAA to discuss matters of concern to the faculty.
- Committee on Committees and Handbook (CCH) — FC
- Faculty Advocacy Committee (FAC) — FC
2.3.2 Planning and Budget Committee (PBC)
Primary function: Making recommendations to the President regarding budget planning, preparation, and formulation. Budget-related committees:
- Faculty Development and Research Committee (FDRC) — FC
- Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) — FC
- InFocus Committee — CW
- Arts and Lectures Committee — CW
2.3.3 Academic Personnel Committee (APC)
Primary Function: Faculty Evaluation and Related Matters Personnel-related committees:
- Faculty Review Committee (FRC) — FC
- Dispute Resolution Group (DRG) — FC
2.3.4 Academic Planning and Program Committee (APPC)
Primary Function: Oversight of all Academic matters related to teaching and learning. Academic-related subcommittees:
- Academic Standards Committee (ASC) — FC
- Learning in Common Committee (LinC) — FC
- Committee for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) — FC
- Committee on Assessment of Student Learning (CASL) — FC
- Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) — FC
- Honors Committee — FC
- Teacher Education Committee (TEC) — FC
- Women’s Studies Advisory Committee (WSAC) — FC
2.3.5 College Wide Committees
Primary functions vary; membership is comprised of both faculty and administrator colleagues.
- Council on Diversity and Inclusion — CW
- Technology Advisory Committee — CW
- Human Subjects Internal Review Board (HSIRB) — CW
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) — CW
- Campus Sustainability Committee — CW
2.3.6 Task Forces
Appointed at the discretion of the president or the dean of the faculty in order to study and recommend action on specific problems or issues of concern to the University community. These committees disband upon the completion of their assigned tasks.
2.3.7 Committee Descriptions
2.3.7.1 Committee on Committees and Handbook (CCH)
The purpose of the Committee on Committees and Handbook (CCH) is (1) to conduct nominations and elections and to appoint faculty members to openings on faculty committees and task forces; and (2) to update material in the online faculty handbook as needed due to institutional policy changes.
Membership: CCH consists of three elected members of the teaching faculty: one from SAHSS, one from SNHS, and one at-large member. All members must be tenured. Committee members serve for three years; the terms are staggered so that a new member joins each year. Committee members assume the role of chair in their third and final year of service. Service on CCH begins and ends at the first day of the fall semester.
No department of the University may have more than one of its members on this committee. Faculty members serving on this committee may not be elected to serve on any other main governance (PBC, APC, APPC) or autonomous (FAC) committee.
Typical workload: CCH generally meets once every week for an hour. Between meetings, work may include drafting updates to the faculty handbook, contacting faculty members regarding nominations/appointments, or meeting with representatives from other committees.
Summer responsibilities: Appointments for task forces and other committees often continue into June — members of CCH are expected to be available via electronic communication through the summer.
Responsibilities of the committee:
- Nominations and elections. CCH solicits candidate nominations from the faculty and then runs the elections for those committee slots that require elections. The committee will also identify and contact colleagues to consider running for particular committee posts. CCH members also identify colleagues to serve in appointed positions on various committees and task forces in consultation with the academic deans and provost as appropriate.
- Handbook. The committee is responsible for updating an online copy of the Moravian University Faculty Handbook when any changes are required. Any such updating will occur when the President, the Board of Trustees, the Provost, and/or the University Faculty creates new policy or changes existing policy. The committee will present any handbook changes to the full faculty and keep a record of those changes.
2.3.7.2 Faculty Advocacy Committee (FAC)
The Faculty Advocacy Committee (FAC) is designed to advise the President and serve as a channel of communication between the faculty and the President.
The FAC has the following responsibilities:
- to provide leadership and take initiative in representing the goals of the teaching faculty
- to act on their behalf within the established system of College governance to formally present the teaching faculty’s concerns to the President
- to formulate specific proposals for review and consideration by the President, by the full faculty, and, through the President by the Board of Trustees as a contribution to decision-making within the University.
Membership: FAC is composed of six teaching faculty. Two tenured teaching faculty members are from SNHS and two tenured teaching faculty members are from SAHSS. These four members are elected for three-year terms. One full-time faculty member from MTS is elected for a three-year term. One untenured faculty member from SAHSS or SNHS is also elected for a three-year term. All six terms are staggered to ensure two elections per year. No individual may serve on FAC for more than six consecutive years.
No department of the University may have more than one of its members on this committee. Faculty members serving on this committee may not be elected to serve on any other main governance (PBC, APC, APPC) or autonomous (CCH) committee.
The committee elects the chair of the committee from among the tenured faculty members.
Typical workload: FAC meets every two weeks for an hour. In addition to the chair, FAC has a meeting secretary and a (tenured) FAC representative on the President’s Council (PC). The meeting secretary takes the committee meeting notes and posts them on AMOS. Between meetings, FAC members are expected to reply to committee emails as well as be available for conversations with faculty.
The chair serves as the main point person for between-meeting communication with the Provost and with faculty. The chair takes the lead in writing the various reports and proposals that get submitted for consideration to the President, the Provost, and to the faculty. The chair also schedules and creates the agenda for the committee meetings.
The PC representative, a designated tenured member of FAC, attends the PC meeting each Tuesday 8:00 am – 11:00 am. This individual takes notes at the meeting that are then approved by the Provost and posted on AMOS. This individual also presents faculty concerns/questions at the PC meeting. All FAC committee members suggest items that need to be raised at PC.
Summer responsibilities: The FAC representative on PC attends the PC meetings on Tuesday mornings throughout the summer. The chair typically continues to be contacted throughout the summer by faculty members who want to raise issues for FAC’s consideration. All FAC members are expected to be responsive to e-mail discussion through the summer. Membership on FAC begins and ends on the first day of the fall semester.
Responsibilities of the committee: The committee is authorized:
- To represent the teaching faculty in the event of emergencies or situations in which the full faculty cannot be convened.
- To consult with members of the teaching faculty for the purpose of the exchange of information and views on matters of concern to them.
- To consult with other standing committees for the purpose of exchange of information and views of concern to them.
- To develop specific proposals for direct presentation at full faculty meetings when circumstances make the utilization of other standing committees untimely or inappropriate.
- To request that committees consider issues of concern to the teaching faculty including consideration of specific proposals developed by the FAC.
- To consult with the President of the University and/or the PBC for the purpose of providing general support and assistance in planning; and specifically to recommend priorities in the preparation of the annual budget of the University.
The FAC meets with the President and, at the President’s discretion, with the Provost when appropriate but at least once each semester. Additional meetings may be scheduled as the President and the FAC deem appropriate. The FAC advises the President or, at the President’s discretion, the Provost in setting agendas for full faculty meetings.
For the purpose of identification and discussion of the concerns of the teaching faculty and to help the FAC identify and develop specific policy initiatives concerning the faculty, the FAC, when it is appropriate, consults with members of the teaching faculty. To effect such consultation, meetings of the FAC open to all teaching faculty are held at least once a semester. Additional open meetings of the FAC may be convened when circumstances warrant.
As a representative body of the faculty, the FAC can initiate proposals and express the will of the teaching faculty. Towards that end, members of the faculty may petition the FAC to initiate specific proposals. A petition signed by one-third of the voting members of the teaching faculty obligates the FAC to represent before the appropriate persons or bodies, in accordance with its functions, the position stated in the petition. Actions taken by the FAC in the name of the faculty, however, do not bind any individual faculty member to support these actions or to vote in favor of them at meetings of the faculty.
For the purposes of assuring the effective and efficient operations of the committees of the University, including administrative, advisory, and ad hoc committees, the FAC, with the President, can request a committee to provide a formal report on the committee’s activities within the time frame specified by the FAC and the President.
Changes in structure, functions, or bylaws of the FAC can be made by two-thirds vote of the teaching faculty in attendance at a regular faculty meeting. Proposed changes require two readings before a vote. When deemed necessary by the President, changes approved by the teaching faculty are submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval.
2.3.7.3 Planning and Budget Committee (PBC)
The Planning and Budget Committee (PBC) advises the President on the implementation and review of the University’s strategic planning process and on the integration of planning and budgeting.
Membership: The PBC consists of eight members, all with a vote: the Provost; the vice president for student affairs and dean of students; the vice president for finance and administration; the vice president for planning and research; and four elected tenured members of the teaching faculty, two from SAHSS and two from SNHS. Faculty are elected for staggered four-year terms with no limits on the number of terms served. The chair of the PBC is the faculty member in the third year of his or her current term. The chair serves on President’s Council. The vice president for planning and research provides logistical support. Minutes are recorded by one of the non-chair faculty members.
No department of the University may have more than one of its members on this committee. Faculty members serving on this committee may not be elected to serve on any other main governance (APPC, APC) or autonomous (CCH, FAC) committee.
Typical workload: During the academic year, PBC meets each Thursday morning between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. (exact times determined by committee membership each year). The chair of PBC attends President’s Council each Tuesday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Committee members also attend PC meetings on an ad hoc basis to deliberate on any budget-sensitive issues. Work outside meetings takes about one hour for non-chair members and three to four hours for the chair. The chair of PBC is occasionally called upon to present to the Board of Trustees Joint Finance Committee and to the full Board.
Summer responsibilities: PBC continues to meet as needed over the summer. The chair attends President’s Council through the summer. Service on PBC starts and ends after commencement each year.
Responsibilities of the committee: PBC advises the president on the implementation and review of the University’s strategic planning process and on the integration of planning and budgeting. It prioritizes, reviews, and revises strategic initiatives ensuring alignment with the strategic plan and accreditation standards; presents initiatives for faculty and trustee endorsement; and assigns initiatives to appropriate units to develop implementation activities. It maintains effective communication with College constituencies, and publishes and distributes the strategic plan and planning updates. It seeks regular input from the President on strategic planning and makes resource allocation recommendations to the President, who may approve, disapprove, or return the issue to the PBC for further consideration.
2.3.7.4 Academic Personnel Committee (APC)
The Academic Personnel Committee (APC) is responsible for the following: making recommendations on tenure, rank, termination of service, and emeritus appointments for all faculty members; making recommendations for sabbatical and special leaves for all eligible faculty members; making recommendations on tenure and rank of academic administrative officers (including the Provost and Dean of Faculty and the President); making recommendations for Honorary Chairs; and nominating candidates for faculty trustees as stipulated by the by-laws of Moravian University, article II, section 3(3). Decisions are made by majority vote. (Note: The Board of Trustees consults with APC on the appointment of a President.)
Membership: Membership consists of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty (non-voting) and five tenured members of the teaching faculty:
- Two members are elected from SNHS.
- Two members are elected from SAHSS.
- One of these is elected from among the departments of art, English, history, modern languages and literatures, music, philosophy, and religion.
- The other is elected from among the departments of economics and business, education, physical education, political science, psychology, and sociology and anthropology.
- One member is elected from MTS.
All elected members must be tenured, and at least three of the elected faculty must have the rank of full professor. Each faculty member serves a three-year term. No department of the University may have more than one of its members on this committee. Faculty members serving on this committee may not be elected to serve on any other main governance (PBC, APPC) or autonomous (CCH, FAC) committee.
The committee chair is elected by the committee members at the start of the academic year.
Typical workload: APC meets weekly throughout the academic year and workload includes significant preparation prior to meetings. The committee typically does not meet during the summer.
Summer responsibilities: The chair of APC is expected to be responsive to e-mail queries through the summer.
2.3.7.5 Academic Planning and Program Committee (APPC)
The Academic Planning and Program Committee (APPC) oversees the development of new academic programs and course offerings and reviews program changes and course changes that impact the course catalog. The committee reviews changes that impact the academic mission of the University as well as reviews proposals for new faculty lines.
Membership: APPC is composed of six elected teaching faculty members:
- Four tenured faculty members: two from SNHS and two from SAHSS, elected for staggered four-year terms;
- One full-time tenured faculty member from MTS, elected to a four-year term;
- One untenured at-large faculty member from SNHS or SAHS; selected at large from departments not already represented, elected to a two-year term.
The Provost and the Associate Provost are non-voting members. The Deans of SNHS, SAHSS, and MTS are non-voting members and will be available on consultative basis only. A student appointed by the United Student Government may join the committee as a nonvoting member for planning and program review, at the discretion of the committee.
No department of the University may have more than one of its members on this committee. Faculty members serving on this committee may not be elected to serve on any other main governance (PBC, APC) or autonomous (CCH, FAC) committee.
The committee elects the chair of the committee from among the tenured faculty members.
Typical workload: APPC meets for 60-90 minutes each week during the academic year with approximately 2 hours work outside of committee meetings. The committee typically does not meet during the summer.
Responsibilities of the committee: The APPC makes recommendations to or otherwise consults with the Provost. Recommendation and/or consultation is based on: i) review of formal program proposals; ii) examination of the curriculum and other academic programs in light of the University Mission, Strategic Plan, the deliberations of the PBC, and the wider academic environment; iii) review of proposals for changes in the curriculum and other academic programs; iv) review of proposals for new and replacement faculty members; and/or v) inquiry and deliberation required by any task bearing on the academic mission of the University to which the committee is directed by the Provost. In matters relating to routine modifications of the curriculum, the committee acts on behalf of the Provost in providing information and presenting proposals to the faculty.
2.3.7.6 Faculty Development and Research Committee (FDRC) – Subcommittee of PBC
Responsibilities: The Faculty Development and Research Committee advocates for funding and oversees the distribution of monies to faculty members to support the improvement of teaching and research. The committee aims to encourage and enable disciplinary research, the dissemination of research results, participation at professional meetings and workshops, and pedagogical development, including efforts to improve existing courses and the development of new courses.
Membership: Three faculty members are appointed to three-year staggered terms, one from each division of the Faculty, with the remaining members appointed annually. The chairperson is appointed by the associate dean of academic affairs in consultation with the academic dean.
2.3.7.7 Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) – Subcommittee of PBC
The goal of the Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) program is to facilitate and fund student research in collaboration with a faculty mentor during the regular academic year and in the summer months. Funding is provided on a competitive basis.
Membership: Appointed
2.3.7.8 InFocus Committee – Subcommittee of PBC
This committee plans yearly programming so members of the Moravian University Community can take an in-depth look at complex issues from multidisciplinary perspectives. The programming rotates through four important topics (poverty and inequality, sustainability, health care, and war and peace) facing humankind in the 21st century. This rotation ensures students will be involved with each topic over the course of their time at the college.
Membership: Appointed
2.3.7.9 Arts and Lectures Committee — Subcommittee of PBC
The Arts and Lectures Committee proposes, organizes, and coordinates committee sponsored cultural and educational programs on campus. It serves as the liaison with area colleges and universities, and is the coordinating group for other on-campus programs. Membership: Members are appointed annually.
2.3.7.10 Faculty Review Committee (FRC) – Subcommittee of APC
The Faculty Review Committee:
- Receives faculty members’ appeals of the president's unfavorable tenure and promotion recommendations.
- Considers all materials and recommendations submitted in the evaluation process.
- Formulates a recommendation based on procedural grounds.
- Within two months of receiving a faculty member’s appeal, makes a recommendation to the President.
- Submits a written report of its findings to the president.
Membership: The FRC is composed of five elected members of the faculty: Three tenured faculty members with the rank of professor (one from each division of the faculty, each serving a three-year term, one to be elected each year, with no restrictions as to reelection), and two other tenured faculty members, to serve two-year terms (one to be elected each year, with no restrictions as to reelection). No two members from the same department can be on FRC at the same time.
2.3.7.11 Dispute Resolution Group (DRG) – Subcommittee of APC
The Dispute Resolution Group (DRG) is available for voluntary and informal consultation in the case of faculty-faculty disputes only. The process outlined in Section 4.2 covers all full-time and part-time faculty employed in the undergraduate day program of Moravian University.
The DRG encourages faculty members to seek out a liaison, if a dispute or uncomfortable situation is complicating their work at the University. Liaisons support the constructive resolution of disputes among faculty members. This group aids faculty members in an informal process that emphasizes directing faculty to available resources. Liaisons are available to listen and to offer an additional perspective on a given conflict, but they are neither trained mediators nor lawyers. Liaisons act as sounding boards. Given the small nature of our community, faculty liaisons are aware that they cannot be neutral advisors. Instead, liaisons may direct faculty to Academic Affairs, Human Resources, a professional mediator or a lawyer based on the particular nature of a conflict. Mediation outcomes are nonbinding. This group has a fixed budget for professional mediation set by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Four faculty liaisons are available in the case of a dispute. Two faculty liaisons are appointed by the FAC for concurrent 3 year terms. Two faculty liaisons are elected by the faculty for concurrent 3 year terms which are to be staggered with the terms of the appointed liaisons. The DRG always consists of two female and two male faculty members. Faculty serving on APC may not serve on DRG. Faculty liaisons sign a confidentiality agreement and follow procedures for maximizing and protecting confidentiality in their work with a faculty member bringing a dispute for consideration as well as with the other liaisons.
2.3.7.12 Academic Standards Committee (ASC) – Subcommittee of APPC
The Academic Standards Committee reviews student petitions and appeals related to the academic requirements, standards, and policies of the college, including grade appeals, academic dishonesty, and internship/independent study eligibility, as well as applications for interdepartmental majors and self-designed majors and minors.
Membership: Elected
2.3.7.13 Learning in Common Committee (LinC) – Subcommittee of APPC
This committee oversees and assesses the general education offerings in the LinC curriculum; approves and removes courses; grants student course waivers and adjudicates appeals; evaluates faculty performance in general education courses for Academic Personnel Committee; and plans and executes annual faculty development workshop.
Membership: Elected
2.3.7.14 Committee for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) – Subcommittee of APPC
The Center for the Advancement of Teaching fosters the exchange of ideas about teaching and learning, with the goal of advancing excellence in student learning and engagement. The Center promotes a culture in which the value of teaching is broadly embraced and openly discussed, so that teaching practice continually develops. The Center is overseen by the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) and the CAT Committee. The Director is appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the CAT Committee is chaired by the Director. The Committee advises the Director and helps plan and implement the activities of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Activities of the Center include but are not limited to overseeing new faculty orientation, promoting teaching discussions through brown bag lunch events and academic year and May workshops for faculty, maintaining library resources for college teaching, facilitating the Formative Dialogues initiative, and organizing and promoting pedagogy book discussion groups. The Committee meets monthly during the academic year.
Membership: The Committee consists of a minimum of six faculty members appointed by CCH, with approval of the Director. At least two Committee members will be chosen from disciplines in each of the three divisions of Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences.
2.3.7.15 Committee on Assessment of Student Learning (CASL) – Subcommittee of APPC
This committee oversees the formal assessment of teaching and learning activities of the academic program at the college. The committee gathers and documents assessment materials from all academic departments.
Membership: Appointed
2.3.7.16 Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) – Subcommittee of APPC
The Health Career Professions Committee consists of faculty members from a variety of disciplines and is responsible for assisting students planning on health-related careers. The committee advises students on program selection, admissions standards and procedures, and selection of a professional school.
Membership: Members are appointed annually by the associate dean of academic affairs in consultation with the academic dean.
2.3.7.17 Honors Committee – Subcommittee of APPC
Accepts students into the University Honors Program based upon grade point average guidelines, meets with candidates to discuss issues related to the program, reviews applications and assigns honors liaisons, and evaluates student progress across the senior year, including awarding the honors designation following oral defenses.
Membership: Appointed
2.3.7.18 Teacher Education Committee (TEC) – Subcommittee of APPC
This committee is responsible for approving student acceptance and participation in student teaching experiences based upon grade point average guidelines, performance in courses, and faculty recommendations. The committee determines the length and nature of student teaching experiences required of post-baccalaureate students who already hold a valid PA Instructional I certificate and who wish to obtain additional certification.
Membership: Appointed
2.3.7.19 Women’s Studies Advisory Committee (WSAC) — Subcommittee of APPC
2.3.7.20 Council on Diversity and Inclusion
2.3.7.21 Technology Advisory Committee
The committee is responsible for overseeing the effective use and maintenance of classroom technology for the teaching and learning at the University.
Membership: Appointed
2.3.7.22 Human Subjects Internal Review Board (HSIRB)
This committee is charged with protecting human research participants by ensuring that faculty and student researchers adhere to approved protocols and ethical guidelines. Federal and College regulations require that all researchers who work with human participants in any capacity must do so with HSIRB approval.
The Human Subjects Internal Review Board's purpose is to 1) to set and revise policy concerning the ethical treatment of human subjects; 2) to serve as a consultative body which strives to protect human subjects by educating the University community on issues pertaining to ethics in research; 3) to review submitted research for compliance with the guidelines set forth in “The Policies and Procedures for Ethical Treatment of Human Subjects at Moravian University.”
Membership: Members appointed annually by the associate dean of academic affairs in consultation with the academic dean.
2.3.7.23 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Oversees and regulates the use of laboratory animals for research or instructional purposes to oversee; evaluates all aspects of the institution's animal care and use program.
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee's purpose is to review submitted research for compliance with the federal and state regulations governing the use of animal subjects. Members are appointed annually by the associate dean for academic affairs in consultation with the academic dean, in consultation with the director of the animal facility and chair of the IACUC.
Membership: Three faculty members, one of whom serves as Chair, are appointed annually by CCH in consultation with the AAO. A faculty member from a neighboring institution and a veterinarian are also appointed.