Committee Structure and Appointments
The committee structure at the Texas Woman's University is intended to serve as a means of facilitating shared governance of the University. This structure is comprised of three types of committees each addressing various issues with which members of the academic community are concerned. Those faculty who participate in committee work have an opportunity to have direct input into the planning and decision-making process and, thereby, gain greater understanding of the decisions that are finally reached. Committees formulated within academic components shall comply with the spirit of shared governance.
Administrative Committees
Administrative Committees are essential to the ongoing functioning of the University and assist in assuming the responsibility for its day-to-day management. Faculty, staff, or students are selected by the appropriate administrator to serve on Administrative Committees. Faculty may be invited to participate on these committees as representatives of the Senate or because of their particular expertise. Faculty are encouraged to accept appointment to these committees.
Faculty Committees
Faculty Committees address matters that directly affect academic policy and faculty concerns. Members are appointed from the list of eligible voters as defined in the Senate Constitution. Each voting unit will be represented on each Faculty Committee by fifty percent of its number of senators as determined by the current apportionment for election of senators unless otherwise designated by the Senate Committee Selection Committee. Faculty committee appointees are notified at the beginning of the academic year and serve for two years; a second term may be served for a total of four years. The Senate Committee Selection Committee will designate those faculty to be appointed to serve on the following committees: Curriculum; Intellectual Property; University Library Advisory Committee; and, Research Support. The Faculty Review Committee and the Faculty Evaluation and Development Committee shall be elected. As required by state law, the Faculty Development Committee will also be elected. The Senate Elections Committee will conduct these elections. Committees may be added to or deleted from the above list by action of the Senate.
Senate Committees
Senate Committees are established by the Constitution of the Senate and may be restructured only through mechanisms set forth in the Senate's Constitution and Bylaws. Membership of Senate Committees must include current faculty senators and a senator must chair each committee. Representation by other faculty members, administrators, students, and staff may be solicited. By their nature, Senate Committees address matters that directly affect academic policy and faculty concerns.
Committee Appointment Procedures
A list of Administrative Committees, prepared by the President and Vice Presidents, and a list of Faculty Committees, prepared by the Faculty Senate Committee Selection Committee, will be circulated among faculty with instructions for them to indicate their preferences for committee participation. The responses for Administrative Committees will be forwarded to the Chancellor’s Office for distribution to administrators. The Senate Committee Selection Committee will review the responses for Faculty Committees and will submit a list of designated members for each committee to the Senate. After approval by the Senate, the Speaker will forward the names of designated members to serve on Faculty Committees to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Page last updated 11:17 AM, July 23, 2019