POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR
FACULTY STANDING COMMITTEES

Faculty standing committees that report to the Faculty Senate are: Academic Policies Committee; Academy for Educational Excellence; Assessment Committee; Curriculum Committee; Distinguished Faculty Award Committee; Faculty Development, Assistance, and Enrichment Committee; Faculty Salary and Benefits Committee; Library Committee; Sabbatical Leave Committee; and Graduate Council.

A. Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to the standing committees of the Faculty Senate:

1. Faculty members are appointed by the Faculty Senate and serve rotating terms of three years. Terms of office shall run concurrent with the academic year.

2. Student representatives are appointed by the ASG and serve for the academic year.

3. Administrative officers serve at the pleasure of the president and are nonvoting ex-officio members.

4. Committees elect their chairs and secretaries annually at the first meeting. For organizational purposes the Faculty Senate Vice President will designate one of the committee members responsible for organizing the first meeting until officers are elected by the committee.

5. Committees hold meetings as necessary to accomplish the purposes and to discharge the responsibilities assigned. Committees must meet at least once during the academic year.

6. The secretary of the committee keeps minutes and distributes them to the committee members, to the Faculty Senate, and to the Offices of the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the President.

7. Brief annual reports on the work of each committee are made to the Faculty Senate, and to the Office of the President at the close of the academic year.

8. Committees may establish subcommittees as necessary. Membership on subcommittees is not restricted to the members of the standing committees.

9. The president of the faculty senate, or a designated alternate, serves as an ex-officio member on all committees.

10. All charges to committees are to come from or be approved by Faculty Senate.

11. Committee proposals and/or policy recommendations, written as motions, are sent to Senate two weeks before members of the committee attend a Senate meeting to present the motion

12. By a two-thirds vote of the Senate, a report from a committee may be called for and action taken by the Senate.

13. Article II, Section 2, of the By-Laws of the Mesa State College Faculty Organization Constitution relates to committees.

14. By a majority vote of the committee, new items may be added to their agenda as long as they fall under the scope of their jurisdiction as outlined in the policies below.

15. Committee minutes and reports will be received by the Faculty Senate at the start of their regular meetings before other business is conducted, unless an exception is made by a majority vote of the Faculty Senate. The Senate can receive and act on minutes from the standing committees in the same meeting if they are sent to the Senate at least 7 days prior to that meeting.

16. Each standing committee has unique purposes which should be reflected in its composition. For the purposes of the composition of committees all representation will follow the model of Group A, B, or C as outlined in the Faculty Senate By-laws. (Group A consists of the departments of Business; Kinesiology; and Nursing and Radiological Sciences. Group B consists of the departments of Biological Sciences; Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physical and Environmental Sciences. Group C consists of the departments of Education and Teacher Licensure; Art; Theater, Music Theater, Dance and Speech; Music; Languages, Literature and Communications; Social and Behavioral Sciences.) These groups will be referred to in this document as the "Senate groups," and their departmental composition roughly correspond to previous constituted schools. The purposes and compositions of the committees are as follows:

B. Committees

1. Academic Policies Committee

The Committee shall
a. recommend to Faculty Senate policies pertaining to academic
standards, honors, and other instructional and learning practices including recommendations concerning the academic calendar,
b. recommend to Faculty Senate specific modifications to the Mesa
State College Professional Staff Policy Handbook as needed to reflect academic policies approved by the Faculty Senate,
c. establish and review standards of ethical conduct for faculty,
d. establish and review policies relative to faculty publications and research activities,
e. study learning resource needs in relation to overall College programs and make recommendations, and
f. review faculty evaluation policies and procedures.
g. establish policies regarding student grievances and academic appeals issues.

Eight faculty members, two from each Senate group, serve on the Committee.

2. Academy for Educational Excellence

The purpose of the Academy for Educational Excellence is to assist in the process of maintaining and enhancing educational excellence through professional development activities such as providing interesting and timely faculty seminars, workshops, and programs related to issues on education and teaching. The Academy will work with the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs in the development and funding of such activities.

The Academy is composed of two faculty members from each Senate group.

3. \ Assessment Committee

The Committee shall
a. monitor and evaluate the academic assessment activities of the
College including minority student data, alumni survey results, general education, and program continuation, distance education, on-line education and early scholars program
b. recommend assessment criteria and methods.
c. Work with faculty to develop assessment plans for general education courses
d. Participate in the program review process for the college.
e. Work with the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs to provide a multi-year assessment plan.

The Committee shall be composed of one faculty member from Western Colorado Community College, one faculty member from each academic department, and one community person. The committee will be supported by a faculty member designated as coordinator of assessment by the Office of the VPAA.

4. Curriculum Committee

The Committee shall
a. ensure, through continuous evaluation, that College objectives are
being met,
b. determine if new courses for credit proposed by the schools are needed,
c. study proposals for new undergraduate curricula and satisfy itself of the need for the curriculum; if the need is demonstrated, that the curriculum is balanced; and study the manner in which the new curriculum can be articulated with existing programs, staff and facilities,
d. study the role of Continuing Education and its articulation with regular programs,
e. provide a framework for program reviews as required by the State and the Mesa State Board of Trustees, and
f. recommend to Faculty Senate patterns of action relative to curriculum revision and development.
g. Work with the Office of the VPAA in the external review process and reporting.

The Committee shall be composed of one representative from Western Colorado Community College, one representative from each academic department, and three students. The department representatives should be elected by their respective departments. The three students (non-voting) are to be appointed by ASG. The registrar, vice president of academic affairs, and a library representative are ex-officio members on the Committee.

The Competency Credit Committee is a standing sub-committee of the Curriculum Committee. This committee is composed of five members appointed by the Curriculum Committee and the vice president of academic affairs (who is nonvoting). The chair of the Committee should be a member of the Curriculum Committee. This Committee is established to receive requests for credit for prior experience, and/or credit for non-traditional activities; to review appropriate supporting documents or information; to consult with Department heads and faculty of the appropriate departments for recommendations and concurrence with respect to individual cases; and to recommend in writing to the vice president of academic affairs any award of credit, if any is merited based upon the findings.

5. Distinguished Faculty Award

The Committee shall
a. advertise for, receive nominations for, and submit documentation
to an Award Decision Committee for the Distinguished Faculty Award, and
b. request information from retirees nominated for emeriti status, the appropriate department heads and colleagues; determine if emeritus status should be awarded based on excellence of teaching, scholarship, and service; and forward recommendations for the granting of emeriti status to the vice president of academic affairs.

The Committee shall be composed of two faculty members from each Senate group selected by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, the president of faculty senate, and the vice president of academic affairs (as an ex-officio member).

Guidelines for Distinguished Faculty Award.

Any full time faculty including .8FTE will be eligible for any of the awards. There is no restriction on length of time at Mesa State, but primary consideration will be given only t work done at Mesa.

A faculty is eligible to receive awards more than once, but subsequent awards must be based on work done after the previous award.

Faculty, including Department Heads will be asked to submit nominations for these Distinguished Faculty Awards. There are no self-nominations. Department Heads, if qualified, are eligible to receive awards.

All nominees in the categories of teaching, service, advising and research are eligible for the overall award in addition to those specifically nominated for the overall award.

The Award Decision Committee for the Distinguished Faculty Award will be chosen by lot from all full-time faculty. Each senate group (as defined by the by-laws) will have two representatives and one alternate, and the Bishop campus will have one representative and one alternate. They will be chosen by blind draw by the Distinguished Faculty committee. Those who have written supporting letters will be expected to excuse themselves from the committee and the alternate will vote in their place. Nominators and nominees will be removed from the pool of eligible members of this committee.

6. Faculty Development, Assistance, and Enrichment Committee

The Committee shall
a. assist faculty in achieving short-term professional development
goals,
b. assist faculty in projects that result in academic benefits for students,
c. enrich the academic environment through special workshops, lectures, exhibits, distinguished leaders and speakers, and
d. explore sources of funding for professional activities.

One faculty member from Western Colorado Community College, and two faculty members from each of the other Senate groups serve on the Committee.

7. Faculty Salary and Benefits Committee

The Committee Shall
a. comment on the annual budget as appropriate,
b. analyze and comment on the annual staffing pattern,
c. review and offer recommendations about the equity study and
salary distribution plan annually, and
d. provide input related to the benefits package.

One faculty member from Western Colorado Community College, and two faculty members from each of the other Senate groups serve on the Committee.

8. Library Committee

The duties of the Library Committee are to make recommendations and advise the director of Tomlinson Library on matters pertinent to major operational policies, budget allocations, collection development policies, and other issues related to library support services. One faculty member from Western Colorado Community College, and two faculty members from each of the other Senate groups serve on the Committee. Additionally, one student appointed by the ASG, and one representative of the professional library staff serves on the Committee. The director of the library serves as an ex-officio member.

9. Sabbatical Leave Committee

The Committee shall.
a. establish policies and procedures for implementation of the
sabbatical review process,
b. recommend policies and procedures for sabbatical leaves to Faculty Senate,
c. review sabbatical leave requests, and
d. recommend faculty for sabbatical leaves to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
e. ensure that faculty returning from sabbatical submit a report of their activities while on sabbatical.

One faculty member from each of the Senate groups, except for Western Colorado Community College, serves on the Committee.

10. Graduate Council

The Committee shall:
a. recommend to Faculty Senate policies pertaining to graduate program academic standards, honors and other instructional and learning practices including recommendations concerning the academic calendar
b. recommend to the Faculty Senate specific modifications to the Mesa State College Professional Staff Policy Handbook as needed to reflect graduate program academic policies approved by the senate
c. establish and review ethical standards of conduct for graduate faculty publications and research activities
d. study learning resource needs in relation to graduate programs and make recommendations
e. review graduate faculty evaluation policies and procedures
f. through continuous evaluation, ensure that graduate program objectives are being met
g. determine that new graduate courses for credit proposed by graduate programs are needed
h. study new proposals for graduate programs and satisfy itself of
i. the need for the program
ii. if need is demonstrated, that the program is consistent with the role and the mission of the college
iii. study the manner in which the new program can be articulated with existing programs, staff, facilities, or the need for the new staff, facilities or other resources
i. conduct program review for graduate programs as required by the State and the MSC Board of Trustees
j. recommend to the Faculty Senate patterns of action relative to graduate curriculum revisions and development

The committee will be composed of one elected representative from each academic department including Western Colorado Community College and one graduate student selected by the Director of Graduate Programs. The Registrar, VPAA, a library representative, and the Director of Graduate Programs are ex-officio members on the committee.

C. Ratification and Amendments

1. This policy manual shall be considered in effect and binding upon a two thirds vote of the Faculty Senate, and shall be posted to the Faculty Senate website upon ratification. Any future amendments to this document approved by the Senate shall be incorporated into the posted manual on the website.

2. All standing committees are encouraged to develop policy guidelines that govern their activities as outlined in this document. As these policies are developed, the committees should submit them to the Faculty Senate to be included in this document through the amendment process.

3. This policy manual should be reflective of the actions of the Faculty Senate standing committees and responsive to the changing needs of the college. As such, it shall be amended from time to time by a formal motion in the Faculty Senate after a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate affirms the amendment.

4. The existence of the standing committees and their membership is designated in the Faculty Senate by-laws. Any changes that impact the existence of committees or their membership must also be amended in the by-laws according to the amendment procedure outlined in that document.

D. Faculty based committees not under the direct control of the Faculty Senate

1. There are two important faculty based committees not under the direct control of the faculty senate. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Tenure and Promotion committee. These committees reside outside of the formal senate standing committee structure due to federal and trustee policies.
2. It is important to note the existence of these faculty committees and their basic charge here, although policy documents covering these committees can also be found in the Office of Sponsored Programs in the case of the IRB and in the Professional Employees and Faculty Handbook in the case of the Tenure and Promotion committee. Parts of these documents have been copied below for the sake of clarity.

3. Institutional Review Board:

a. Federal regulations [45 CFR 46.107] require that the members of the IRB collectively have sufficiently varying backgrounds to assure that they can promote the complete and adequate review of those types of research activities commonly conducted by MSC. The membership of the IRB must be highly qualified by experience and expertise, and must be sufficiently diverse in terms of race, gender, cultural background, and sensitivity to community attitudes as to promote respect for its advice and counsel in safeguarding the rights and welfare of human subjects. The IRB may not consist entirely of men or entirely of women, or primarily of members of one discipline. Federal policy requires that the IRB shall include at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific areas and at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas. In addition, federal regulations require that each IRB shall include at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with MSC and who is not part of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with MSC.

b. MSC's IRB will consist of seven members as follows:

1) One faculty member from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences;
2) One faculty member from the School of Natural Sciences and Math;
3) One faculty member from the School of Business and Professional Studies;
4) One faculty member from the School of Applied Technology;
5) One representative from Student Services to be appointed by the President;
6) One academic administrator to be appointed by the President; and,
7) One community member to be selected in consultation with the President and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

In addition, the Director of Sponsored Programs will serve as an ex-officio member.

Terms of appointment (except for ex-officio members) are for three years.

The IRB may at its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of issues requiring expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the IRB, however, these individuals may not vote with the IRB.

c. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE IRB

The IRB shall evaluate all research activities involving human subjects. The IRB shall evaluate both the written protocol and the informed consent form to determine that they are in compliance with the provisions of this policy and all applicable federal laws. Toward this end, the IRB shall evaluate each protocol to determine whether:

1) The protocol is complete;
2) The documentation of the potential risks to the dignity, rights, and welfare of the human subjects of research is adequate;
3) The proposed safeguards against the risk are adequate;
4) The objectives could be achieved with less potential risk;
5) The selection of subjects is equitable, taking into account the purposes of the research and the setting in which the research will be conducted;
6) The procedures to obtain informed consent are appropriate and the forms used are complete, clear, and non-coercive; and,
7) For research which involves more than minimal risks, the benefits to the subjects and the importance of the knowledge to be gained outweighs those risks.

The IRB shall have the authority to require modifications of a research protocol and of the project itself and to give ultimate approval or denial to the project. When the IRB approves or disapproves a protocol, it shall furnish a written statement to the investigator. The decision to approve a protocol requires a majority of the quorum at the time of the vote. The IRB may take any of the following actions:

1) Classify the protocol as exempt;
2) Approve the protocol as submitted;
3) Approve the protocol contingent upon the incorporation of specified minor revisions;
4) Request outside review of the protocol prior to reconsideration;
5) Require significant modification of the protocol prior to approval;
6) Request the investigator to discuss identified problems with the IRB; or
7) Reject the protocol.

The IRB shall consider only the risks and benefits of the research being reviewed relative to the possible harm of the human subjects involved. Research merit and social sensitivity or other socio-political considerations shall not enter into judgments concerning a protocol.

The IRB shall conduct continuing review of research covered by this policy at intervals appropriate to the degree risk, but not less than once per year [45 CFR 46.109(e)]. It shall have the authority to observe, or have a third party observe, both the consent process and the research itself.

The IRB shall develop a set of written procedures it will follow for:

1) Conducting its initial and continuing review of research and for reporting its findings and actions to the investigator;
2) Determining which projects, if any, require review more often than annually and/or verification from sources other than the investigator that no material changes have occurred since the previous review;
3) Ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB of proposed changes in a research activity, and for ensuring that such changes in approved research, during the period for which the IRB approval has already been given, may not be initiated without IRB review and approval except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject; and,
4) Ensuring prompt reporting to the IRB, the Director of Sponsored Programs, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the head of any external funding agency of any unanticipated problems involving risks to subjects or others or any suspension or termination of IRB approval.

The IRB shall develop and keep current a manual on the protection of human subjects. This manual may be in electronic, paper, or any other media format as the committee deems necessary. The manual shall be made available to all members of the IRB and to all faculty, staff and students engaged in research involving human subjects. The manual shall include, at a minimum, the following materials:

1) The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Department of Health and Human Services, Part 46, Protection of Human Subjects;
2) The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, "The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research" (1979);
3) Public Law 103-43, Section 498A, Research on Transplantation of Fetal Tissue;
4) Mesa State College Human Subjects Policy;
5) The written procedures developed by the IRB; and,
6) Copies of all forms developed by the IRB.

4. The Tenure and Promotion Committee:

Although not a Faculty Senate Standing committee, the tenure and promotion committee is an important faculty committee on campus and its make up and charge is described in the MSC Professional Personnel Employment Handbook in this way.

The College shall have a Tenure and Promotion Committee composed of Tenured Faculty from the College to review the documentation of applicants for Tenure.

a. It shall be mandatory for all Full-time Tenured Faculty (excluding
Department Heads, the VPAA and President) within the College to be
available to serve on the Tenure and Promotion Committee. Persons
applying for promotion or tenure normally will be excluded from serving
on the College Tenure and Promotion Committee during the year that they
are being considered.
b. The Tenure and Promotion Committee shall be composed of two elected
members from each department. The Department Head will send a ballot
containing a list of all eligible Tenured Associate Professors and
Professors to all Tenured and Tenure-track Faculty, from which one
Professor and one Associate Professor will be selected. If the department
does not have a Professor and an Associate Professor available for
election, two members of either group may be selected. The Department
Head will inform the department Faculty and the VPAA of the names of
the elected representatives of the department to the College's Promotion
and Tenure Committee by September 1.
c. The longest-term Faculty member elected to the committee will convene
the first committee meeting. Each member may vote on any application at his/her own tenure status/rank, or below.
d. Each department shall have a pre-tenure/promotion committee of three
tenured members from the department, with one of the members being a
member of the College Tenure and Promotion Committee. This
committee will be used by the department head and faculty as an advisory
and mentoring group to assist applicants during the application process.
Members of this committee will be appointed by the department head.

Although not in the Handbook, it has been agreed that when both faculty members representing a department are full professor, the faculty member who has been at Mesa State the longest will cast the department vote on promotion to full professor, if any are needed.