Faculty Senate

7.3.4.1 Academic Integrity Board

(a) Members on Committee: 12 – 6 faculty and 6 students. The AIB contains two (2) standing committees: (1) the faculty committee, and (2) the student committee. The Faculty Committee is composed of the AIB’s six (6) faculty members and one (1) student member. The Student Committee is composed of the AIB’s six (6) student members and one (1) faculty member. Faculty AIB members are nominated by the Committee on Committees of the Faculty Senate from a list of volunteers willing to serve and are approved by a vote of the Faculty Senate.

Faculty members serve three (3) year staggered terms and may be nominated for consecutive terms. Student AIB members are nominated by the Student Government Association President and selected by the Student Judicial Board interview panel. Student AIB members serve two-year staggered terms. The provost and executive vice chancellor or her/his designee will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee;

(b) reports to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: In addition to considering violations of the Academic Code and determining appropriate sanctions as part of the AIB, the Faculty Committee is also charged with providing their peers with guidelines for promoting and enforcing academic integrity; educating faculty about academic integrity issues; conducting academic integrity workshops for faculty; and observing faculty reactions to the operation of the Code and to the academic environment of the University. In addition to considering violations of the Academic Code and determining appropriate sanctions as part of the AIB, the Student Committee is also charged with promoting academic integrity among their peers through a series of seminars, workshops, and classes; educating students about the seriousness of academic integrity; and observing student reactions toward the operation of the Code and the University’s academic environment; and

(d) see http://policy.appstate.edu/Academic_Integrity_Code for a copy of the Academic Integrity Code.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.2 Admissions Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 13 members consisting of 7 faculty, with one representing the School of Music and with representation from at least three of the following colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences, Fine & Applied Arts, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Honors College; 3 staff representatives, one from each of the following units: Learning Assistance Program Student Athlete Services, Office of Disability Services, Student Development; and, 3 undergraduate students. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, the Senior Director of Admissions, and the Director of Transfer Recruitment and Retention shall serve as ex officio non-voting members. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee.

(b) Report to: The Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for policy recommendations and the Director of Admissions for appeals recommendations.

(c) Areas of Responsibility: Establish and verify implementation of the policies governing admissions of undergraduate students. Functioning as a sub-committee of the Admissions Committee, the Admissions Review Committee serves as an appeals board for admission cases. This sub-committee includes the faculty and staff of the Admissions Committee, plus the Senior Associate Director of Admissions who will cast a vote in case of a tie.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.3 Arts and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee

a) Members on Committee: Membership on the Committee is divided into voting and non-voting members. Voting membership on the Committee include the following: 14 total comprising of 6 faculty, 2 staff, President of the Graduate Student Association Senate, and 6 undergraduate students. Non-voting Ex Officio members of the Committee include the following: Director of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources; Director of Artist Relations; Director of Multicultural Student Development Center; and other unit representatives as appropriate. The Director of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair or co-chairs from among the voting members of the committee.

b) Report to: the Director of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, who reports to the Chief of Staff/Vice Chancellor, Office of the Chancellor.

c) Areas of responsibility: Advise and recommend on selection of artists for the academic year performance series presented by the Schaefer Center.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.4 Awards Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 19–15 faculty (3 from Arts and Sciences, 2 from Business, 2 from Education, 2 from Fine and Applied Arts, 2 from Music, 2 from College of Health Sciences, and 2 from the Library); 2 staff; and 2 students (one undergraduate and one graduate). Faculty composition can be any faculty, including adjunct and part-time. In the event a member of the committee wishes to seek an award, an alternate from her/his area will be recommended to the Faculty Senate by the Committee on Committees to serve for the duration of the awards process. The chair of the Faculty Senate or his/her designee, willconvene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: selecting and facilitating University and external awards, including but not limited to: ASU teaching awards, the Board of Governors Awards for Excellence in Teaching, and the O. Max Gardner award.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.5 Faculty and Staff Benefits Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 6–3 faculty and 3 staff – two elected from the faculty and one from the Faculty Senate Committee on Welfare and Morale. The director of Human Resource Services shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member, will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee;

(b) report to: director of Human Resource Services;

(c) areas of responsibility: Reviews present programs, approves changes, and makes additions to the fringe benefit package.:

7.3.4.6 General Education Council

(a) The General Education Council is responsible for overseeing the General Education Program, including but not limited to: establishing criteria for course inclusion in the various components of the general education curriculum, approving all general education credit for courses, approving plans and reports for General Education program assessment, and developing and approving policies related to the structure and management of the General Education Program.

(b) Notification. Agendas and minutes for the meeting of the General Education Council will be sent to the entire faculty at least six days prior to scheduled meetings. This requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances.

(c) Council Membership. Membership on the Council is divided into voting and non-voting members. Voting Members on Council: 2 undergraduate students and 19 faculty (Chairs of the following Faculty Coordinating Committees: Fine Arts, First Year Seminar, Historical Studies, Integrative Learning Experience, Liberal Studies Experience, Literary Studies, Quantitative Literacy, Science Inquiry, Social Science, and Wellness Literacy; one at-large delegate from each undergraduate degree-granting college (Arts and Sciences, Business, Health Sciences, Education, Fine and Applied Arts, and Music) to be filled by elections in the respective colleges for three year terms; one representative from the Library; Director of Writing Across the Curriculum; and the Director of General Education, who will serve as Chair of the Council.) 

The Director of General Education and the Faculty Coordinator of First Year Seminar are appointed positions. All subcommittee Chairs, with the exception of the Faculty Coordinator of First Year Seminar, will be elected by the Committee members. The Faculty Coordinator of First Year Seminar is the permanent non-voting chair of this subcommittee. Faculty Coordinating Committee members are appointed for three year staggered terms by the Faculty Senate. Members will be chosen for their disciplinary expertise and with concern for representation across departments and colleges. Non-voting members on the Council: Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and liaisons from University College Academic Advising, Registrar’s Office, and Institutional Research and Planning, and a member of the Faculty Senate.

(d) Report to: Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Faculty Handbook: 7.3.4.7 Gifts Acceptance Committee (GAC)

(a) Members on Committee: 11–9 tenured faculty, at least one from each college, school, and library, a vice provost, and the vice chancellor for University Advancement. Faculty members are elected in college elections. Elected members serve 3-year terms that are staggered. The chair of the Faculty Senate or his/her designee would convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair from among the voting members of the committee;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor and chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: Conducts timely reviews of conditional gifts, where conditional gift is defined as a private contribution that because of a qualifier, restriction, or goal is considered by the chancellor, the provost and executive vice chancellor, or the University Foundation to be non-routine and therefore might affect academic program planning, majors, programs, institutes, centers, course offerings, course content, specific course requirements, faculty appointments, learning resources, or other material aspects of the curriculum. Consults with additional faculty or administrators, at the earliest possible stage, as necessary depending on the specific possible effects of the gifts. Makes a timely recommendation about the acceptance, rejection, or redirection of the final form of conditional gifts to the provost and executive vice chancellor. Considers requests made by faculty to review conditional gifts. 

7.3.4.8 Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Committee

(a) All proposals originate within the program and are approved by both the department and the college review committee prior to submission to the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.

(b) Members on the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Committee: 14 – 13 Faculty holding full graduate faculty status, excluding affiliate members, and one graduate student as voting members. The faculty voting members shall include at least one faculty member from each college or school offering graduate programs and the Library, with additional faculty members to be based on the current proportion of full graduate faculty in the colleges or schools. The graduate student member shall be selected by the Graduate Student Association Senate (GSAS). The ex-officio non-voting membership of the Graduate Committee shall include the graduate dean and associate dean, the chair of the Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures Committee (or his/her designee), and one person from each of the following areas: dean’s office in each college/school, Registrar, Distance Education, Office of Research, Division of Enrollment Management, and Faculty Senate’s Academic Policy Committee. The provost and executive vice chancellor, or his/her designee, will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee.

(c) Report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor.

(d) Areas of Responsibility: graduate curriculum, policies affecting graduate programs, appeals concerning academic matters coming from graduate programs in any college/school, department, members of the faculty or students and matters referred to it by the provost and executive vice chancellor or the chancellor.

(e) The Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Committee will send its agenda to the entire faculty at least six working days prior to a scheduled meeting.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.9 Library Services Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 15–9 faculty, including the dean of the library, 2 students, and 3 staff. The dean of the library shall convene the first meeting and will facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the members of the committee;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: policies and procedures in the Carol G. Belk Library and Information Commons.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.10 Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 8 – 6 faculty (3 tenure track faculty and 3 non-tenure track faculty) and 2 students. A member of the Faculty Senate Welfare and Morale Committee shall serve as a liaison between that Faculty Senate committee and the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Commit-tee. The senator from the Welfare and Morale Committee will convene the first meeting and will facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the members of the committee;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: policies and procedures relevant to non-tenure track faculty.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.11 Registration and Calendar Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 10–5 faculty, 2 staff, 2 students (one undergraduate and one graduate), and 1 representative from the Controller’s Office, and the following seven ex-officio members: Dean of Students, representatives from Human Resource Services, Conferences and Institutes, Admissions, Summer Sessions, Athletics, and Academic Advising. The Registrar and a representative from Academic Affairs shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting members. The Registrar will convene the first meeting, and will facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the members of the committee;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: policies governing registration, academic scheduling, and the calendar.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.12 Traffic Policy Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 9 – 3 faculty, 3 staff, and 3 students. The director of Parking and Traffic shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member;

(b) report to: the vice chancellor for business affairs;

(c) areas of responsibility: the review and development of policy regarding traffic and parking at Appalachian State University.

7.3.4.13 Tuition Appeals Committee

Members on Committee: 7 members consisting of 4 faculty and 3 staff. The four faculty shall represent four different colleges. The three staff shall represent the Learning Assistance Program, Office of Financial Aid, and Office of Transfer Services. The Registrar and University Treasurer shall serve as ex-officio members. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee. The committee reports to the provost and executive vice chancellor.

Areas of Responsibility: Review and make decisions on appeals for tuition surcharge and tuition and fee refunds based upon evidence of “Other extraordinary hardship—.“ Hardship of any kind which, despite responsible handling, resulted in the substantial disruption or interruption of the student’s pursuit of a degree.

7.3.4.14 Undergraduate Academic Policies And Procedures Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 17–15 faculty and 2 undergraduate students. The student membership (one-year term) shall include two undergraduate students as voting members. The student members shall be selected by the Student Government Association. The students will serve as liaison between the Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures Committee and the Student Government Association. The faculty voting members of Undergraduate AP&P shall include at least one faculty member from each college or school (with the exception of the Graduate School and University College), and the Library, with additional faculty members based on the current proportions of full-time equivalent (FTE) faculty. The ex-officio nonvoting membership of Undergraduate AP&P shall include one person from each of the following areas: dean’s office in each college/school, one member from the Faculty Senate’s Academic Policy Committee, one member from the provost and executive vice chancellor’s office, Registrar, Distance Education, Academic Advising, and General Education. The provost and executive vice chancellor, or his/her designee, will convene the first meeting and facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee;

(b) the Undergraduate AP&P Committee will send out its agenda to all faculty at least six working days prior to a meeting;

(c) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(d) areas of responsibility: The major area of responsibility shall be the curriculum. Other areas are: academic policies, advanced placement; graduation requirements; hearing appeals concerning academic matters from any college/school, department, member of the faculty, or students and matters referred to it by the provost and executive vice chancellor or the chancellor.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.14 University Bookstore Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 9 – 5 faculty to serve three-year terms, one of whom is a faculty senator, 3 student members, two of whom are undergraduate students appointed by the Student Government Association, and one graduate student appointed by the Graduate Student Association Senate. The manager of the University Bookstore shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the committee, will convene the first meeting, and will facilitate the selection of a chair, or co-chairs, from among the voting members of the committee;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: to recommend policies regarding textbooks and other educational materials;

(d) meets twice each fall and spring semester.

Faculty Handbook 7.3.4.16 University Forum Committee

(a) Members on Committee: 7 faculty. The vice-provost for undergraduate education shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member and shall convene the first meeting, at which the voting membership shall elect a chair;

(b) report to: the provost and executive vice-chancellor;

(c) areas of responsibility: select and arrange for campus appearances of a variety of distinguished speakers for the purpose of enlightening and educating the campus community on issues of current interest: administer the External Scholars Grant Program, which brings distinguished academics and scholars from across all disciplinary areas to enhance the scholarship and/or pedagogy of the faculty.

The mission of the University Forum Committee is to bring distinguished speakers to the campus of Appalachian State University for the purpose of enlightening and educating the university community about issues of interest. The goal of an active and engaging speaker series should be to promote the exchange of ideas through the process of civil discourse. Invited speakers play an integral role in the educational experience by exposing students, staff, and faculty to new ideas; and they help advance the learning process by challenging people with new and perhaps controversial ideas. Exposure to such ideas helps to prepare students to be the leaders of tomorrow, to develop an awareness of the role that ideas play in a democratic society, and to think critically about issues of concern to themselves and society.

The committee also administers the External Scholars Grant Program. This program is designed to facilitate bringing in distinguished academics and scholars from across all fields of inquiry for the purpose of enhancing the scholarship and/or pedagogy of the faculty.

7.3.4.18 Withdrawal Committee

Members on Committee: Seven (7) members consisting of five (5) voting members and two (2) ex-officio non-voting members. The five (5) voting members shall consist of four (4) faculty and one (1) ex-officio staff member from the Office of Disability Resources, who shall serve as co-chair. The two (2) ex-officio non-voting members shall consist of one (1) representative from the Office of the Registrar and one (1) from the Office of the Dean of Students. Service on this committee will require annual orientation and/or training by committee ex-officio members. Each year the Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management will convene the first meeting, charge the committee, and facilitate the selection of a second co-chair from among the faculty members of the committee. The committee reports to the Provost and Executive Vice-Chancellor.