OM 2.10.1 Committees of the Faculty Senate

• Academic Integrity
• Academic Standards
• Awards
• Curriculum and Academic Policy (CAP)
• Financial Review Committee
• Honorary Degrees
• Learning Resource Committee
• Research & Intellectual Property Committee
• Student Recruitment / Marketing
• Promotions
• Tenure
• Clarkson Common Experience Committee

Academic Integrity

Membership:

Charge:

Appointment Requirements and Procedures:

Academic Standards

Membership:

Charge:

1. Reviews all requests for exceptions to rules and regulations of the University submitted to the deans with the aim of using them as a basis for making recommendations to the Faculty Senate on academic policy.
2. Reviews the academic rules and regulations of the University applicable to both graduate and undergraduate students and programs to promote clarity and understanding and thereby to prevent misapplications; and suggests to the Faculty Senate any changes deemed advisable.
3. Acts for the Faculty Senate in matters regarding exceptions to graduation requirements for both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Clarkson Regulations lists graduation requirements in Section III-U and describes the handling of requests for exceptions in Section III-V.

Awards

Membership:

Charge:

1. Selects, from nominations by department chairs, two graduating seniors who show the best combination of scholarship and promise of outstanding professional achievement; one to be designated the Levinus Clarkson and the other the Frederica Clarkson Prize winner.
2. Presents the names of the two nominees for a vote of approval at the faculty meeting at which degrees are voted in the spring semester.
3. Using nominations of alumnae and alumni, student teaching evaluations and other relevant information about teaching achievements, innovations, and effectiveness, selects the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award. The alumni office will obtain nominations from alumnae and alumni two or more years following graduation.
4. Using nominations from students, faculty, and department chairs together with relevant information about teaching achievements, innovations, and effectiveness, selects the recipient of the Outstanding New Teacher Award.
5. Using nominations for students, faculty, and department chairs together with relevant information about advising effectiveness, selects the recipients of the Outstanding advisor award.

Curriculum and Academic Policy (CAP)

Membership:

Charge:

1. Reviews all new programs, minors, and concentrations, at all levels including undergraduate and graduate studies. Also reviews changes to all existing programs, minors, and concentrations. May ask for revisions to proposals or additional information. Makes recommendations to the Senate for endorsement of these new or modified academic offerings. Reports regularly to the Senate on the status of proposals.

a. CAP will typically meet once a month during the academic year with meetings scheduled to orient to the Faculty Senate calendar. When necessary, CAP may consider urgent proposals during the summer or winter breaks.

2. Initiates and/or reviews major calendar changes that have impact on the academic programs

Financial Review Committee

Membership:

Charge:

Honorary Degrees

Membership:

A. A senior academic officer designated by the president, serving as committee chair.
B. Faculty representatives appointed by the Faculty Senate, with one representative from each school and any academic department not represented by a school.
C. Two student representatives appointed by the Student Senate, with at least one representative from the junior class.
D. Director of Development (or designee)
E. The Chair of the University Board of Trustees (or designated trustee), ex officio;
F. The President of the Alumni Association (or designee), ex officio.

Charge:

1. Selects nominations of persons to be considered for the award of an honorary degree. Committee members are charged with urging their colleagues to make nominations.
2. Reviews nominations for honorary degrees, formulating a recommendation for each nominee. Forwards recommendation to the Senate for action.

Learning Resource Committee

Membership:

A. One faculty from each school and one from any academic department not represented by a school.
B. One faculty Senator who will serve as Chair
C. One GSA representative
D. One CUSA representative
E. Library representative
F. Vice President for Information Technology (or designee)
G. Other learning resource representatives as needed (non-voting)

Charge:

The Learning Resources Committee serves as the primary forum for faculty and student input concerning various learning resources, including Information Technology, library collections, facilities, and services at Clarkson University that directly impact academic instruction. The committee shall strive to enhance collaboration between different learning resource sectors to ensure an integrated and efficient approach to various resources that align with the University's academic and research goals, budget, and values.

Responsibilities

1. Serve as a focal point for faculty and student input concerning learning resources at Clarkson including technology, library collections, facilities, and services that impact academic instruction.
2. Review and provide recommendations on policies related to information technology, library services, and other learning resources and ensure they align with the instructional goals of the University.
3. Provide advice and recommendations to the Clarkson senior leadership on how learning resources can best support the instructional and research mission of the University.
4. Address resource allocation issues and support services of information technology and library services by advocating for the evolving needs of faculty, students, and researchers.
5. Provide input from faculty and students regarding upgrades or alterations to technology that impacts instructional delivery and evaluate the impact of these changes on access to information and research support.
6. The Learning Resource Committee will meet at least 3 times per academic year; at the start of the Fall semester, between Fall and Spring semesters, and at the end of the Spring semester. Other meetings can be scheduled as necessary.
7. The Learning Resource Committee should review the OIT and Library budgets for educational resources and facility upgrades relating to the educational experience twice a year and furnish written recommendations, with the advice of the faculty (where practical), and remit this to the Faculty Senate for its consideration.

Research & Intellectual Property Committee

Membership:

A. Three Clarkson University faculty members with professional experience in either science/engineering or technology commercialization/entrepreneurship, and/or faculty members who hold or who have previously applied for a patent. Selected by the Faculty Senate in consultation with the Vice Provost for Research & Technology Transfer.
B. Vice Provost for Research & Technology Transfer, (ex-officio)
C. Associate Director of Research & Technology Transfer, (ex-officio)

Charge:

1. Participates in an annual review of Section 6.6.0. of the Clarkson University Operations Manual (Intellectual Property Policy); considers objections and suggestions for changes to the policy; makes recommendations for amendments to the Vice Provost (VP-RTT) for Research & Technology Transfer.
2. Reviews and assesses provisional patent applications and makes recommendations to the VP-RTT regarding which applications to advance to the non-provisional stage.
3. Consults colleagues with specialized subject matter expertise, as necessary, in order to make well-informed recommendations concerning patent advancement.
4. Hears appeals regarding decisions made by the VP-RTT about which applications to advance to the non-provisional stage; provides recommendations to VP-RTT based on the appeals process.
   

Student Recruitment / Marketing

Membership:

A. One faculty member from each School and any academic department not represented by a school, selected by the Senate, in consultation with Deans and Dept Chairs.
a. Ideally one of the faculty members will be a Senator who will serve as Chair. The committee will meet at least quarterly and may be required to meet outside of the academic year.
B. VP for Enrollment or designee
C. VP for External Relations or designee
D. Dean of the Graduate School or designee

Charge:

1. Serve as an advisory committee to the VP of Enrollment, VP of External Relations and Dean of the Graduate School.
2. Work with departmental liaisons, helping to marshal faculty support for enrollment and marketing initiatives.
3. Make recommendations concerning marketing, admissions and financial aid policy and practice.
4. Monitor the progress of the current strategy for producing additional revenue, as well as for signs of dilution of student quality or diversity.
5. Benchmark against peer schools in terms of all aspects from the point of view of prospective students and parents including instruction, program offerings, facilities, recruiting, etc to generate new ideas and chart a path to implementation.
6. Report such findings regularly to the Faculty Senate and the faculty.
   

Promotions

Membership:

A. One faculty representative per school elected by the tenure-track (tenured and untenured) faculty of that school.
B. One faculty representative elected by the university teaching-track faculty
C. One faculty representative elected by the university clinical-track faculty
D. One faculty representative from any academic department not represented by a school.

All nominees are intended to have the rank of Professor; however, a faculty of Associate Professor rank can be nominated for a position as a non-voting member of the committee. Faculty members in the positions of chair, dean or comparable administrative position are not eligible for membership on the Promotions Committee. The positions will be staggered, three-year terms. Nomination of candidates for the Promotions Committee will come from the Faculty Senate. Nominations for candidacy can also be presented by written petition endorsed by ten faculty members that are eligible to vote for the given position.

Charge:

1. To act in accordance with the faculty policies as outlined in Section 5 the Operations Manual.
2. To confirm that the promotion file of each candidate contains adequate documentation to reflect the candidate's performance as it pertains to promotion, or to indicate to the file preparer how the file is deficient. The committee shall hold the file until such time as either the preparer or the committee has corrected such deficiencies and those who have previously reviewed the file have had a chance to examine any new material or documents.
3. To add to each adequately-documented promotion file a committee evaluation and recommendation regarding the candidate’s suitability for promotion. Care should be taken to apply the evaluation standards in a manner that is consistent with an assessment of scholarship that is grounded in the context of the candidate’s discipline.
4. To advise the Faculty Senate on matters pertaining to these promotion policies and their implementation.

Tenure

Membership:

A. Two tenured faculty members from each school, and one tenured faculty member from any academic department not represented by a school.
a. All Tenure Committee members shall be elected by the tenurable rank faculty (both tenured and non-tenured) of each school or academic unit for staggered, three-year terms.
b. Faculty members in the positions of chair, dean or comparable administrative position are not eligible for membership on the Tenure Committee.
c. At least two candidates for the Tenure Committee will be nominated for each position by the Senate. Nominations for candidacy can also be presented by written petition endorsed by fifteen tenurable rank faculty. Nominees for a particular position do not necessarily have to be a member of the school they are nominated to represent although this is expected to be the norm. Faculty voting on a position can also vote to leave the position empty if they so desire.

Charge:

1. Acts in accordance with the Tenure Policy as passed by the Faculty Senate and approved by the Board of Trustees.
2. Confirms that the tenure file of each individual reviewed contains adequate documentation to properly reflect the individual's performance as it pertains to the granting of tenure, or indicate as soon as possible to the preparer how the file is deficient in representing the individual's performance. The preparer will immediately attempt to provide materials indicated as necessary by the University Tenure Committee to remedy the deficiencies. The Tenure Committee may hold the tenure file until such documentation is provided. If the preparer is unable to supply the required materials, the Tenure Committee may correct any deficiencies and will inform the tenure candidate that it has done so.
3. Ensures that new information added to the tenure file is communicated to the preparer of the file who, in turn, will forward it through appropriate channels along with the preparer's revised recommendation, if any. 3. Adds to each tenure file a committee evaluation and tenure recommendation based solely on the contents of the tenure file and the evaluation standards outlined in section 5.3 of the Operations Manual. Care should be taken to apply the evaluation standards in a manner that is consistent with an assessment of scholarship that is grounded in the context of the candidate’s discipline.
4. Ensures that the Tenure Policy is fully and properly implemented in a tenure review.
5. Advises the Faculty Senate on the Tenure Policy and its implementation

Clarkson Common Experience Committee

Membership

Chair (or co-chairs): Nominated by the Provost or equivalent and confirmed by the Faculty Senate 

Voting Members: Educators (both faculty and staff) who are broadly representative of the University units that participate in delivering and relying on student learning outcomes of the Clarkson Common Experience, are nominated by the CCEC chair(s) in consultation with Provost (or equivalent) and the VP of Students Affairs (or equivalent) and confirmed by the Faculty Senate. All voting members must hold full-time continuing University positions. Terms for voting members are 3 years, with one-third of the terms expiring annually.

Ex Officio Non-Voting Members: To include the head of DEIA, the Registrar, a representative of the Middle States Accreditation team, and the Chair of the Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee.

Charge

1. Oversees the Clarkson Common Experience (CCE). The CCE Committee is responsible for 

a. developing guidelines for courses and other learning experiences meeting requirements of CCE;
b. reviewing and approving courses and other learning experiences proposed to meet various CCE requirements;
c. developing and recommending procedures that facilitate the success of CCE;
d. coordinating the assessment of student learning in the CCE; and
e. periodically reviewing the CCE and advising the Provost or equivalent on needed changes to CCE requirements.

2. The CCE Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Provost or the equivalent concerning faculty development, student support, and other related activities.

3. The CCE Committee reports to the Provost or the equivalent. At least once each year, the committee will report to the Faculty Senate on progress and issues related to the CCE. Appeals of CCE Committee decisions are directed to the Provost or the equivalent for final action.

Organization:

The CCEC is organized into a Steering Committee and three separate sub-committees:

The steering committee defined as the CCE chair(s), chairs of the subcommittees and the ex-officio members will coordinate the work of the subcommittees for synergistic activities and synthesis across the groups to assure that the overall charge of the CCEC is accomplished.

1. The Knowledge Area and Course Review Subcommittee of the CCEC is responsible for approving new courses, as proposed by faculty, and assignment of the appropriate Common Experience course designations. The committee will develop and implement assessment of the curricular components of the common experience and report assessment results to the CCEC. The Subcommittee will consist of up to eight individuals who can collectively represent departments that use and offer Common Experience courses and who can also represent cross-cutting Institute and DEIA activities. This will include representatives from Schools, Institutes and other departments that offer relevant undergraduate courses. All faculty representatives on the subcommittee will be career-track faculty who have a full-time faculty appointment.

2. Co- and Extra-curricular Review Sub-committee is responsible for implementing and assessing aspects of the CCE goals that extend beyond the classroom experience. The sub-committee will develop and assess the non-curricular components of the Common Experience and report assessment results to the CCEC. The up-to-eight person subcommittee will provide representation from relevant
offices, for example Student Success, Ignite, Career Center, Residence Life, DEIA, Student Life, SPEED. All staff representatives will have a full time appointment.

3. CCE Revision Sub-committee will be activated periodically as recommended by the President or Provost or the equivalent. This group will use assessment results from the KA/Course and Co- and Extra-curricular Review sub-committees, the University Strategic Plan, and overall trends in national and global issues that impact our students’ future professions and civic responsibilities to rethink our
CCE objectives, common student competencies and outcomes, and approach to meet these objectives. This sub-committee will seek input from many stakeholders regarding improvements in our overall Clarkson experience. The sub-committee will comprise up to 8 faculty and staff who can collectively represent academic and co-and extra-curricular activities.

Each sub committee will meet with additional stakeholders (e.g., other faculty and staff, students, employers, etc) as needed to seek additional ideas and to review recommendations related to the CCE content, assessment and implementation.

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History

Editorial Revision: August 1974, 1977; October 1981; December 1986; July 1987

Revised: April 1972; January 1978; 1982; May 1983; July 1989; September 1991; September 1993; September 1997

Editorial Revision: October 1999

Revised: March 2000

Revised: March 2004

Editorial Revision: August 2008

Revised: November 2010

Revised: April 2016 (Awards Committee Membership)

Revised: November 2016 (Honorary Degree Committee Membership).

Revised: January 2019 (Academic Integrity  Committee)

Revised: September 2021 (Budget and Long Range Planning Committee)

Revised: March 2022 (Tenure)

Revised:  September 2023 (IT Committee)

Revised: October 2024 (replacement)

Revised: October 2024 (Common Experience Committee)