SECTION C. FACULTY GOVERNMENT AND THE CODE OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
C.1 Faculty Responsibility for Academic Policy
C.2 The Code of Colorado State University
- C.2.1.1 Purpose
- C.2.1.2 Powers and Responsibilities
- C.2.1.3 Membership on the Faculty Council
- C.2.1.3.1 Elected Members
- C.2.1.3.2 Ex Officio Members
- C.2.1.3.3 Officers
- C.2.1.3.4 Appointed Positions
- C.2.1.4 Electorate for Faculty Council and Election Procedures
- C.2.1.5 Authority to Delegate Duties
- C.2.1.6 Duties of the Faculty Council
- C.2.1.7 Recall of Faculty Council Officers
- C.2.1.8 Faculty Athletics Representative
- C.2.1.9 The Standing Committees of Faculty Council
- C.2.1.9.1 Charge to the Standing Committees
- C.2.1.9.2 The Standing Committees Named
- C.2.1.9.3 Membership and Organization
- C.2.1.9.4 Election to Membership and Term of Service
- C.2.1.9.5 Standing Committees: Membership and Function
- a. Executive Committee
- b. Committee on Faculty Governance
- c. Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics
- d. Committee on Libraries
- e. Committee on Responsibilities and Standing of Academic Faculty
- f. Committee on Scholarship, Research and Graduate Education
- g. Committee on Scholastic Standards
- h. Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning
- i. Committee on Teaching and Learning
- j. Committee on University Programs
- k. University Curriculum Committee
- C.2.3.1 Colleges and Academic Departments
- C.2.3.2 Graduate School
- C.2.3.3 Division of Armed Forces Services
- C.2.3.4 Division of Continuing Education
- C.2.3.5 University Centers, Institutes and Other Special Units
- C.2.3.6 Libraries
- C.2.3.7 University Honors Program
- C.2.4.1 Collegiate Organization
- C.2.4.1.1 College Code
- C.2.4.1.2 College Deans
- C.2.4.2 Departmental Organization
- C.2.4.2.1 Departmental Codes
- C.2.4.2.2 Operational Policies of Departments
- C.2.4.3 University Review of Departmental and College Codes
- C.2.6.1 Deans of the Colleges
- C.2.6.2 Department Heads
C.1 Faculty Responsibility for Academic Policy
Within the University the major policy making body on academic affairs is the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council is a representative body of elected and ex officio members having jurisdiction over educational policy, rules, and regulations. The details of its purpose, structure, and function are elaborated fully in Section C.2.1.
C.2 The Code of Colorado State University
The Code is organized under the following headings:
The Faculty Council was established by the faculty in 1915. The Faculty Council acts as a representative body for the academic faculty and performs those duties delegated to the faculty by acts of the legislature. Faculty government is an instrument by which the collective intelligence of the institution through direct and representative participation can do effective work in establishing policies which result in:
a. Curricula suited to the needs of the state as well as to regional, national, and international concerns.
b. The best possible teaching, research, and extension activities.
c. Conditions in which both faculty members and students can learn and develop according to their individual interests and aptitudes.
C.2.1.2 Powers and Responsibilities (last revised January 27, 2006)
Subject to the statutes of the State and regulations and policies of the Board, the Faculty Council shall have jurisdiction over the general educational policy of the University, shall pass all rules and regulations necessary to University government and discipline, and shall have statutory charge of the laboratories and libraries.
Consistent with powers delegated to it by the faculty and the Board, the Faculty Council shall make recommendations to promote the educational interests of the University as a whole with respect to:
a. Minimum standards for admission to the undergraduate colleges and the Graduate School. (Standards for admission and graduation for a particular college, school or division may not be lower or less specific than those adopted by the Faculty Council.)
b. General policies concerning academic curricula, college and departmental1 organization, extension, and research activities, including long-range planning and resource allocation.
c. The academic calendar, the Colorado State University General Catalog, and the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
d. Student attendance, counseling, scholastic standards, honors, requirements for degrees and certificates, student activities, and general student conduct.
e. The libraries, museums, assemblies and convocations, and other matters that will increase the professional and cultural standing of the University.
f. The granting of degrees.
g. Other matters referred to it by the Board, the President, the faculty of a college, the several committees of the Faculty Council, and the faculty or a member thereof.
The Faculty Council shall consist of members elected from academic departments, the Libraries, and the colleges, the Chairperson of the Faculty Council, the Vice Chairperson of Faculty Council, the Faculty Council representative to the Board, and ex officio members.
Each academic department and the Libraries shall elect one (1) representative. An additional number of representatives, equal approximately to one-third (1/3) of the number of representatives elected from the departments and the Libraries, shall be elected at large by and from the colleges and the Libraries as required to achieve, as nearly as practical, membership proportional to the number of regular, regular part-time, and transitional academic faculty members in the colleges and Libraries.
All faculty representatives to the Faculty Council shall hold regular full-time, regular part-time, or transitional appointments and shall not hold an administrative appointment of more than half-time (0.5) at the level of assistant/associate dean or above. A faculty representative to the Faculty Council who becomes ineligible shall cease to hold this position.
Persons who are not members of Faculty Council but are chairpersons of its standing committees shall be ex officio voting members of Faculty Council.
The immediate past Chairperson of Faculty Council shall be an ex officio non-voting member of the Faculty Council for one (1) year immediately following the expiration of his or her term as Chairperson of the Faculty Council.
The President of the University, the Provost, the Vice President for Enrollment and Access, the Vice President for Research, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs/Assistant Vice President for Research, the Vice Provost for Outreach and Strategic Partnerships, the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, the Academic Deans, and the Dean of the Libraries shall be seated on the Faculty Council as ex officio non-voting members.
a. Chairperson
The Chairperson of the Faculty Council shall be elected from the academic faculty who are current or former members of the Faculty Council at the regularly scheduled March meeting. The Chairperson shall serve a one (1) year term beginning in July and shall relinquish representation of a department or college (if serving in that capacity) to become a representative and member of the Council. The Chairperson shall be eligible to serve three (3) consecutive years, and then would be ineligible to serve as Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of Faculty Council for three (3) subsequent years. The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Faculty Council, serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee and as Faculty Council representative to the Colorado Faculty Advisory Committee, and discharge the usual duties of the office. In the event that the elected Chairperson is unable to complete his or her term of office, new elections will commence at the next Faculty Council meeting, or as soon as possible thereafter, to fill the unexpired term according to the procedures outlined in Section C.2.1.3.3.d.
b. Vice Chairperson
The Vice Chairperson of the Faculty Council shall be elected from the academic faculty who are current or former members of the Faculty Council at the regularly scheduled March meeting. The Vice Chairperson shall serve a one (1) year term beginning in July and shall relinquish representation of a department or college (if serving in that capacity) to become a representative and member of the Faculty Council. The Vice Chairperson shall be eligible to serve additional terms. In the absence of or at the request of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall assume the duties of the Chairperson. In the event that the elected Vice Chairperson is unable to complete his or her term of office, new elections will commence at the next Faculty Council meeting, or as soon as possible thereafter, to fill the unexpired term according to the procedures outlined in Section C.2.1.3.3.d.
c. Faculty Council Representative to the Board
The Faculty Council shall elect an academic faculty member holding the rank of associate professor or professor and who is a current or former member of the Faculty Council to serve as a non-voting member of the Board and as an officer of the Faculty Council. The election shall occur at the regularly scheduled March meeting. The faculty representative shall serve a one (1) year term beginning in July and shall relinquish representation of a department or college to become a representative and member of the Faculty Council. No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. In the event the elected representative is unable to complete his or her term of office, new elections will commence at the next Faculty Council meeting, or as soon as possible thereafter, to fill the unexpired term according to the procedures outlined in Section C.2.1.3.3.d.
d. Voting Procedures
The Committee on Faculty Governance will present one (1) or more nominees, and nominations may be made from the floor. Voting will be by written ballot unless otherwise specified. If only one (1) candidate is nominated, voting can be by voice vote. The candidate receiving a majority of votes cast will be elected. In the event that no candidate receives a majority, a second (2nd) ballot will consist of two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes. On the second ballot, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.
These positions shall be non-voting unless the individual appointed is also an elected member as outlined in Section C.2.1.3.1.
a. Secretary
The secretary of the Faculty Council shall be appointed by the Chairperson, subject to confirmation by the Faculty Council at the first meeting each Fall semester. The secretary shall perform the usual duties of the office.
b. Parliamentarian
The parliamentarian of the Faculty Council shall be appointed by the Chairperson, subject to confirmation by the Faculty Council at the first meeting each Fall semester. The parliamentarian shall perform the usual duties of the office.
C.2.1.4 Electorate for Faculty Council and Election Procedures(last revised May 2, 2007)
The electorate eligible to vote for Faculty Council representatives from departments, colleges, and the Libraries shall consist of all regular full-time, regular part-time, and transitional members of the academic faculty. The Committee on Faculty Governance shall be responsible for annually apportioning the college representatives. The Committee on Faculty Governance shall establish uniform election and replacement practices throughout the University and shall supervise elections in departments, colleges, and the Libraries to ensure a secret ballot and impartial electoral procedures. Departmental and the Libraries representatives normally shall be elected in the first (1st) week of April. However, when departments are merged or when a new department comes into operation, it shall on or after the effective date of its establishment elect its departmental representative to serve immediately on the Faculty Council. Also, as soon as a department is abolished, its departmental representative shall no longer serve on the Faculty Council. The college representatives shall be elected in the third (3rd) week of April. The terms of office for elected representatives to the Faculty Council shall be three (3) years beginning July 1, with the terms of approximately one-third (1/3) of the entire body of elected representatives expiring each year. The Committee on Faculty Governance shall determine the length of terms of departmental and college representatives to ensure equity among colleges.
The Faculty Council shall have the authority to delegate to standing and other committees specific duties such as the manner of grading students and other means of designating scholarship, rules governing student conduct and discipline, and other particulars relating to the government of the University given to the faculty by law. Recommendations for changes in Faculty Council policies ordinarily originate in or channel through one (1) of the standing committees of the Faculty Council.
The duties of the Faculty Council shall be those delegated to the faculty by the acts of the Colorado General Assembly establishing the Board, except such provisions as obviously have become obsolete through changed conditions which make them no longer applicable.
Faculty Council officers, members, standing committee chairpersons or members may be recalled as is provided in Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition.
The President of the University shall appoint a member of the academic faculty who is not a member of the Department of Athletics and who does not hold the position of dean, vice president, or President to a one (1) year term as Faculty Athletics Representative.
There shall be standing committees of the Faculty Council, designated by name in the Code. The purposes of these standing committees shall be to develop and recommend to the Faculty Council policies and positions on academic matters and to serve as sources of expert information for the main body. The main relation of each standing committee is with the Faculty Council itself, and the standing committees are formed to represent the interests of the Faculty Council. All policy recommendations of standing committees shall be transmitted through the Executive Committee to the Faculty Council for its action.
All standing committees of the Faculty Council shall receive appropriate items for consideration from any member of the University community. The receipt of each item shall be acknowledged and its disposition shall be reported to the initiator.
Each standing committee shall develop a set of operational procedures which shall be made available to all members of the faculty through the Office of the Faculty Council. Further, all standing committees shall submit copies of their minutes to the Executive Committee and shall at specified times furnish annual reports to the Faculty Council.
C.2.1.9.2 The Standing Committees Named (last revised May 6, 1998)
The following shall be the standing committees of the Faculty Council: Executive Committee; Committee on Faculty Governance; Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics; Committee on Libraries; Committee on Responsibilities and Standing of the Academic Faculty; Committee on Scholarship, Research, and Graduate Education; Committee on Scholastic Standards and Awards; Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning; Committee on Teaching and Learning; Committee on University Programs; and University Curriculum Committee.
C.2.1.9.3 Membership and Organization (Last revised June 22, 2006)
The membership of each standing committee is specified to fit the functions of the standing committee. Administrators, undergraduate student members representing the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) and graduate student members representing the University Graduate Student Council shall be authorized for certain standing committees. Faculty membership on standing committees will be limited to regular, regular part-time, and transitional academic faculty members above the rank of instructor who do not hold an administrative appointment of more than half-time (0.5) at the level of assistant/association dean or above. A member of a standing committee who becomes ineligible shall cease to hold this position.
Each standing committee shall have a chairperson whose term of office is twelve (12) months beginning July 1. Standing committee chairpersons must meet the requirements for elected members of Faculty Council as specified in Section C.2.1.3.1, but need not be elected members of Faculty Council. Standing committee chairpersons shall be elected by and from the membership of the standing committee of which he or she is a member. After members of standing committees are elected, as specified in Section C.2.1.9.4, the continuing and newly elected members of each standing committee, other than the Executive Committee, shall meet and elect a committee chairperson for the coming term before May 15.
Membership on standing committees of the Faculty Council shall be spread as widely as possible among academic faculty members so that newer members of the faculty may serve on these standing committees. Standing committee leadership shall be rotated as good judgment allows.
Standing committees are expected to consult regularly with those administrators, members of the faculty, or others who can provide information necessary for effective deliberation. Each standing committee may name ex officio or associate members who are expected to attend standing committee meetings regularly. The appointments shall be reviewed by the standing committee annually. Each standing committee shall identify in its annual report to the Faculty Council its ex officio and associate members and others with whom it has regularly conferred. All ex officio and associate members shall be non-voting.
Standing committees shall convene subcommittees as needed to consider specific issues or perform specific tasks. These subcommittees shall exist to serve the standing committees. Subcommittees should be chaired by members of standing committees and may draw members from throughout the University as appropriate.
The Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall be an ex officio, non-voting member of each standing committee of the Faculty Council.
Unless otherwise specified in committee operating procedures, for transacting business at standing committee meetings, a quorum is defined as a simple majority of the voting members.
In the event that a standing committee member who is not a member of Faculty Council is elected or appointed chairperson of a standing committee, this individual shall serve as a member of the Faculty Council for the duration of his or her office.
C.2.1.9.4 Election to Membership and Term of Service (last revised January 27, 2006)
Unless otherwise specified by the Code, the terms of service for all elected faculty members of standing committees of the Faculty Council shall be three (3) years with terms of one-third (1/3) expiring each year. The terms of service for all elected student members of standing committees of the Faculty Council shall be one (1) year. Terms of office for newly elected members of all standing committees are to begin July 1 for faculty members and October 25 for student members. Student members may serve on only two (2) standing committees at any given time. The Committee on Faculty Governance shall fill vacancies on standing committees of the Faculty Council occurring between normal elections in one (1) of the following ways:
a. Immediate election in the same manner as the original position was filled.
b. Temporary appointment by the Committee on Faculty Governance.
c. Regular appointment with the appointee to be nominated by the Committee on Faculty Governance and approved by the Faculty Council.
Vacancies other than those occurring because of expiring memberships are to be filled for unexpired terms only.
Unless otherwise specified by the Code, nominations for the elected faculty membership on all standing committees shall be made by the Committee on Faculty Governance and submitted to the Faculty Council at its April meeting. After nominations have been closed, the Secretary of the Faculty Council shall prepare a ballot that shows in alphabetical order the name of each nominee and the nominator for each position. The ballot shall be mailed to each member of the Faculty Council with appropriate instructions for marking and returning the ballot. The Secretary shall include the results of the balloting in the minutes of the April meeting of the Faculty Council. Election shall be by plurality. In the event of a tie for any position, the Faculty Council shall ballot again at the May meeting.
Nominations of undergraduate students to standing committees of the Faculty Council shall be made by the ASCSU Director of Academics with the advice and consultation of the President and the Vice President of ASCSU. All such nominees shall be recommended to the ASCSU Senate and shall have majority approval of the ASCSU Senate before nominations are forwarded to the Faculty Council Committee on Faculty Governance for inclusion on the ballot.
Nominations of graduate student members to Faculty Council standing committees shall be made by the University Graduate Student Council. Graduate student nominations shall be forwarded to the Faculty Council Committee on Faculty Governance for inclusion on the ballot.
Student nominations shall be submitted to the Faculty Council at its October meeting. After nominations have been closed, a vote will be taken on the floor of the Faculty Council. In the event of a tie, the Faculty Council shall vote again. Election shall be by plurality.
a. Executive Committee (last revised May 2, 2007)
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson of Faculty Council as Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson of Faculty Council as Vice Chairperson, the immediate past Chairperson of Faculty Council (ex officio), the Provost (ex officio), the faculty representative to the Board, and one (1) elected Faculty Council representative from each college and the Libraries. The continuing and newly-elected Faculty Council members from each college shall choose their representative in April for a two (2) year term beginning July 1. The immediate past Chairperson of Faculty Council shall be a member of the Executive Committee for one (1) year immediately following the expiration of his or her term as Chairperson of the Faculty Council. The terms of one-half (0.5) of the members should expire each year. Faculty Council members in the third (3rd) year of their term shall be ineligible for election to the Executive Committee. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:
1. To receive, review, and evaluate all recommendations from the various standing committees, and to report them to the Faculty Council.
2. To refer matters to standing committees of the Faculty Council.
3. To act for the Faculty Council between meetings of that body.
4. To execute those duties as may from time to time be given it by the Faculty Council or by the Board.
5. To receive petitions for calling additional meetings of the Faculty Council (see Section C.2.1.10, Article I, Section I).
6. To prepare the agenda for Faculty Council meetings.
7. To participate in the evaluation of University officers.
8. To recommend policies pertaining to the University calendar.
9. When appropriate, to establish priorities when assigning issues to Faculty Council standing committees.
10. To meet periodically with the academic faculty representatives to the Benefits Committee in order to ensure timely Faculty Council input and dialogue concerning University benefits programs.
b. Committee on Faculty Governance (last revised May 2, 2007)
The Committee on Faculty Governance shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college and the Libraries. The duties of this standing committee shall be:
1. To recommend to the Faculty Council amendments to the Code, including revisions to update it.
2. To periodically review practices and procedures of the Faculty Council and its standing committees to assure compliance with the Code.
3. To apportion annually the elected representatives of the colleges and University Libraries to the Faculty Council.
4. To provide interpretations of the Code.
5. To establish uniform procedures for electing Faculty Council officers and members of its standing committees and to supervise the election of representatives to the Faculty Council.
6. To make and forward nominations for standing committees of the Faculty Council and faculty members of Benefits Committee (see Section D.2.1), Grievance Panel (see Section K.15.1), Sexual Harassment Panel (see Appendix 1.III.B.2), and the University Discipline Panel (see Section I.7.3.2), and submit names of nominees for the offices of Faculty Council Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Representative to the Board and for other positions as requested by the Faculty Council.
c. Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics (last revised June 15, 2005)
The Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college, and the Libraries, the Faculty Athletics Representative(ex officio), two (2) students, one (1)of whom will be a graduate student, and the Director of Athletics (ex officio).
The Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics shall recommend to the Faculty Council policies pertaining to intercollegiate athletics, review compliance with policies adopted, and act in an advisory capacity to the Director of Athletics. Specifically, the standing committee shall have the following responsibilities:
1. To recommend to the Faculty Council policies pertaining to the operation of the Department of Athletics, including rules compliance, academic integrity, and the general welfare and equitable treatment of student-athletes and staff.
2. To review annually intercollegiate athletics' programs and make recommendations to the Director of Athletics regarding the operation of the Department, including selection and retention of sports, academic integrity, compliance, and the general welfare and equitable treatment of student-athletes and staff.
3. To advise the Director of Athletics and the Faculty Athletics Representative on positions to be taken on national and conference issues.
4. To advise the President on the selection of the Director of Athletics and the Faculty Athletics Representative.
5. To perform functions requested or required of a Faculty Intercollegiate Athletic Committee by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and/or any athletic conferences of which the University may be a member.
6. To review summaries of student-athlete exit surveys, academic progress reports, and other appropriate reports, and to include an assessment of this information in the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics annual report to the Faculty Council.
The Committee on Libraries shall consists of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college, and the Libraries, the Dean of Libraries (ex officio), one (1) graduate student, and one (1) undergraduate student. The duties of this standing committee shall be:
1. To recommend to the Faculty Council policies governing the operation of the Libraries.
2. To advise the Dean of Libraries in the execution of policy whenever such execution shall have a significant impact upon the services provided by the Libraries.
3. To recommend to the Dean of Libraries the allocation of funds for library acquisitions.
4. To advise the Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning of the Library’s budgetary requirements.
e.Committee on Responsibilities and Standing of Academic Faculty
The Committee on Responsibilities and Standing of Academic Faculty shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college and the Libraries. The duties of this standing committee shall be to recommend to the Faculty Council:
1. Policies defining the general responsibilities of academic faculty to the University, college, and department.
2. Policies related to the standing of the academic faculty including selection, appointment, evaluation, merit incentives, rank and promotion, tenure, termination of employment, leaves, and academic freedom.
3. Policies and procedures related to academic faculty grievances.
f.Committee on Scholarship, Research and Graduate Education (last revised December 14, 2004)
The Committee on Scholarship, Research and Graduate Education shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college and the Libraries, one (1) graduate student, and the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs/Assistant Vice President for Research (ex officio). Annually, the standing committee, in consultation with the Provost and the Chairperson of Faculty Council, shall name ex officio members who are expected to actively participate in standing committee deliberations. The duties of this standing committee shall be:
1. To recommend to the Faculty Council policies concerning research and scholarly activities.
2. To recommend to the Faculty Council policies concerning the Graduate School.
3. To review and forward with recommendations to the University Curriculum Committee proposals for new graduate programs and changes in existing graduate programs.
4. To conduct inquiries/investigations of charges of misconduct in research, artistry, and other scholarly activities, including charges of misconduct in science as federally mandated. The standing committee will coordinate such inquiries/investigations with the VPR and will develop a pool of faculty from which specific panels will be selected. At the discretion of the standing committee, persons who are not members of the academic faculty may be included on inquiry/investigative panels.
g. Committee on Scholastic Standards (last revised January 27, 2006)
The Committee on Scholastic Standards will consist of one (1) academic faculty member from each college and the Libraries and the Director of the Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA) (ex officio). The duties of this standing committee shall be to recommend to the Faculty Council policies related to undergraduate academic standards and regulations and procedures for implementing and enforcing these policies.
The standing committee shall also act as a hearing board and render decisions on:
1. Appeals of academic dismissal.
2. Appeals for retroactive withdrawal.
h. Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning (last revised June 20, 2007)
The Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college and the Libraries, one (1) undergraduate student, one (1) graduate student, one (1) dean (ex officio), the Provost (ex officio), the Vice President for Finance and Administration (ex officio), the chair of the Administrative Professional Council (ex officio voting), and the Chair of the Classified Personnel Council (ex officio). The duties of this standing committee shall be:
1. To recommend policies to the Faculty Council related to planning and budgeting activities that affect the academic function of the University.
2. To review the procedures, outcomes, and accountability of the University’s strategic planning processes and plans.
3. To present the standing committee's evaluations and recommendations on such planning processes and plans to the Faculty Council for approval or disapproval on a semiannual basis.
4. To review University proposals, policies and procedures as they affect the academic programs and structure of the institution.
5. To review new academic program proposals from a strategic and financial planning perspective and report recommendations to Faculty Council.
6. To recommend priorities for resource allocations to achieve University academic planning goals.
7. To recommend policies for the distribution of faculty compensation increases.
i. Committee on Teaching and Learning
The Committee on Teaching and Learning shall consist of one (1) academic faculty member from each college and the Libraries, one (1) graduate student, one (1) undergraduate student, and the Provost or his or her designee (ex officio), and the Vice President for Student Affairs or his or her designee (ex officio). The duties of this standing committee shall be to recommend to the Faculty Council:
1. Policies, practices, and standards for maintaining and improving the quality of teaching and learning.
2. Policies related to undergraduate advising.
3. Policies related to academic records and registration and undergraduate admissions.
4. Policies related to the activities of
a. Office of Instructional Services
b. Academic Computing and Networking Services
c. Student Outcomes Assessment
d. Other offices and programs that directly support instruction and student development.
5. Policies related to standards of student behavior, academic honesty, co-curricular activities and other aspects of campus life.
6. In addition to the foregoing, the Committee on Teaching and Learning will oversee the selection of the University Distinguished Teaching Scholars. The criterion for selection is outstanding teaching. The Committee on Teaching and Learning will develop and publicize the selection process and the specific criteria for making the selection.
j. Committee on University Programs
The Committee on University Programs shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college and the Libraries, one (1) graduate student and one (1) undergraduate student. Annually, the standing committee, in consultation with the Provost and the Chairperson of Faculty Council, shall name ex officio members who are expected to actively participate in standing committee deliberations. The duties of this standing committee shall be:
1. Concerning Centers, Institutes, and Other Special Units:
a. To develop and recommend to Faculty Council criteria for identifying university units subject to Section C.2.3.5 University Centers, Institutes, and Other Special Units.
b. To develop and recommend to Faculty Council policies and procedures for the establishment, continuance, and termination of centers, institutes, and other units meeting the established criteria.
c. In consultation with other standing committees as appropriate, to evaluate proposals for centers, institutes, and other units meeting the established criteria on the basis of (1) appropriateness and acceptability of the name of the unit and (2) consistency of the mission of the unit with the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to make recommendations based on these evaluations for action by Faculty Council.
2. To recommend policies to the Faculty Council related to University Advancement, Conference Services, and University facilities that affect the academic function of the University.
3. To recommend policies to the Faculty Council related to international activities, including international education, research and development, training, student services, and Intensive English.
k. University Curriculum Committee (last revised June 22, 2006)
The University Curriculum Committee shall consist of one (1) academic faculty representative from each college and the Libraries, one (1) undergraduate student, one (1) graduate student, and the Provost or his or her designee (ex officio). The duties of this standing committee shall be:
1. To receive or initiate recommendations pertaining to each and every course and program offered for academic credit by any unit of the University.
2. To evaluate all proposals for new undergraduate courses and programs as well as changes in existing courses and programs for correlation with other departments before consideration and approval by the Faculty Council.
3. To evaluate all proposals for new graduate courses and programs as well as changes in existing courses and programs for correlation with other departments. Review of graduate programs is conducted after the Committee on Scholarship, Research, and Graduate Education has recommended approval prior to their submission to the Faculty Council for approval.
4. To develop necessary administrative procedures for informing interested colleges concerning courses under consideration.
5. To evaluate proposals for the establishment of new departments, and the change of academic name, change in college affiliation, dissolution, division, or merger of existing departments.
6. To recommend policies to the Faculty Council related to the operations of the Division of Continuing Education which impact curricula.
C.2.1.10 By-Laws of the Faculty Council (last revised February 4, 2003)
The provisions for the Faculty Council, its officers, its authority and responsibilities, its membership and method of election, and the several standing committees are to be found in the Code of Colorado State University.
The purpose of these by-laws is to provide an orderly democratic means of conducting the business of the Faculty Council at its meetings.
Section 1.
The Faculty Council shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting per month during the academic year from September through May, except January. Additional meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or upon petition of twenty-five (25) or more members.
Section 2.
It shall be the responsibility of members to attend all meetings of the Faculty Council. When circumstances necessitate a member's absence from one (1) or more meetings, he or she may provide a substitute from among those in his or her group who are not members of Faculty Council, but who are qualified to hold membership on the Faculty Council. Substitutes should present written authorization to the Secretary of the Faculty Council. A substitute shall have all the powers, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of the member being replaced and shall be eligible to vote upon all motions coming before the Faculty Council.
Section 3.
Meetings of the Faculty Council are open to the public. Seats shall be designated for visitors and the boundaries of the designated section will be considered the bar of the Faculty Council. The Chairperson shall eject visitors who disturb the proceedings.
Section 4.
Non-members of the Faculty Council may be accorded the privilege of speaking to the Faculty Council when invited to do so by the Chairperson, the Executive Committee, or by a majority vote of the Faculty Council.
Section 1.
The agenda for each meeting of the Faculty Council shall be distributed to all members of the Faculty Council at least one (1) week prior to each meeting. This requirement may be suspended by a regular motion of the Faculty Council.
Section 2.
Items of business should be submitted to the Chairperson for consideration by the Executive Committee at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting wherein such items are to be discussed.
Section 3.
Minutes of all meetings shall be taken. They are to be distributed to all members of the Faculty Council prior to the next meeting. Minutes of all meetings shall be open to inspection by anyone. Copies shall be furnished upon request at a reasonable fee.
Article III. Motions and Voting (last revised February 4, 2003)
Section 1.
No matters shall be acted upon unless they are included in the agenda, except as provided for by Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition.
Section 2.
For purposes of transacting business in Faculty Council and its committees, a simple majority of the voting members of the relevant body shall constitute a quorum. Voting in all matters, except where parliamentary rules dictate otherwise, shall be by simple majority of those voting. Voting by electronic means may be used by Faculty Council and its committees with prior approval by the relevant body, on a case by case basis, under conditions prescribed by the Faculty Council or the committee.
Section 1.
The Faculty Council meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition.
Section 2.
A parliamentarian shall be appointed by the Chairperson (see Section C.2.1.3.4.b).
Article V. Amendments to the By-Laws
Section 1.
These by-laws may be amended as described in Section C.2.8 - Amendment Procedure for the Code.
C.2.2 Procedures for Programmatic and Organizational Change (last revised January 27, 2006)
The creation of new programs, departments, and colleges; the change of college affiliation of programs and departments; and the change of academic name, dissolution, division, or merger of existing programs, departments and colleges shall follow the following procedures:
a. Any faculty member, department, college, Faculty Council standing committee, or other University related unit may initiate a programmatic or organizational change.
b. Proposed changes shall be considered by the appropriate department(s) and college(s) with student input.
c. Following recommendations by the appropriate department(s) and college(s), and recommendations by the Committee on Scholarship, Research and Graduate Education, if appropriate, proposed changes shall be considered by the University Curriculum Committee.
d. Following recommendations by the University Curriculum Committee, and concurrence by the Faculty Governance Committee and the Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning, if appropriate, proposed changes shall be reported by the Executive Committee to the Faculty Council for consideration.
e. Following approval by Faculty Council, proposed changes shall be reported through the Provost and the President to the Board.
C.2.3 Academic Organizations of the University
The academic organizations of the University are administered by the Office of the Provost.
C.2.3.1 Colleges and Academic Departments
The colleges, each organized under their respective academic dean, have general charge over their respective undergraduate and/or professional degree programs. These are:
a. College of Agricultural Sciences
Comprising the Departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics; Animal Sciences; Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management; Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; and Soil and Crop Sciences.
b. College of Applied Human Sciences
Comprising the Departments of Construction Management; Design and Merchandising; Health and Exercise Science; Food Science and Human Nutrition; Human Development and Family Studies; Occupational Therapy; the School of Education; and the School of Social Work.
c. College of Business
Comprising the Departments of Accounting; Computer Information Systems; Finance and Real Estate; Management; and Marketing.
d. College of Engineering (last revised January 27, 2006)
Comprising the Departments of Atmospheric Science; Chemical and Biological Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; and Mechanical Engineering.
e. College of Liberal Arts
Comprising the Departments of Anthropology; Art; Economics; English; Foreign Languages and Literatures; History; Journalism and Technical Communication; Music, Theater, and Dance; Philosophy; Political Science; Sociology; and Speech Communication.
f. College of Natural Resources (last revised May 2, 2007)
Comprising the Departments of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology; Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship; Geosciences; and Human Dimensions of Natural Resources.
g. College of Natural Sciences
Comprising the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.
h. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Comprising the Departments of Biomedical Sciences; Clinical Sciences; Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences; and Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology.
The School, organized under the Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs/Assistant Vice President for Research, has general charge over all graduate degree programs. The academic faculty members of the School are designated by each of the academic departments offering graduate degrees.
The Division, organized under the Coordinator of ROTC Affairs, has general charge of professional education in military science leading to commissioning of students as military officers. Its academic faculty members and administrative professionals include military personnel assigned to the administrative Departments of Military Science and Aerospace Studies.
C.2.3.4 Division of Continuing Education (last revised March 18, 2003)
The Division, organized under the Director of Continuing Education, has general charge of the University's programs in continuing education and extended studies. The academic faculty members of the Division are designated by each of the participating departments.
C.2.3.5 University Centers, Institutes and Other Special Units (last revised June 14, 2000)
In accordance with policies set by the Faculty Council, academic faculty members may be organized into units to accomplish special missions in teaching, research, or service. The Committee on University Programs shall recommend policies and procedures concerning the establishment, continuance, and termination of such units to Faculty Council (see Section C.2.1.9.5.j.1). Faculty Council action regarding establishment or termination of such units shall be reported in accordance with Section B.2.6 of the Manual.
The Libraries, organized under the Dean of Libraries, have general charge of the University's library collections and facilities. The academic faculty members of the Libraries includes all professional librarians.
C.2.3.7 University Honors Program (new section added June 13, 2001)
The University Honors Program (UHP), organized under the Director, has general charge over Honors students' education. The Faculty Honors Council (FHC) serves as the UHP's advisory board and curriculum committee.
a. The Faculty Honors Council (FHC) Membership
The FHC is composed of ten (10) voting members; one (1) elected representative from each of the eight colleges, one (1) elected representative from the University Libraries, and one (1) annually elected representative from the Honors Student Association. The UHP Director and Assistant Director shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members on the Faculty Honors Council.
Regular full-time, regular part-time, or transitional academic faculty members above the rank of instructor are eligible to serve as representatives and they shall constitute the electorate from each respective college and the University Libraries. Elections for membership on the FHC shall be conducted by the FHC representatives. Faculty representatives serve three (3) year terms and may stand for reelection.
b. Responsibilities of the Faculty Honors Council (FHC)
The FHC shall serve as an advisory board to the Director in the formulation and revision of UHP policies, and it shall constitute the Curriculum Committee of the UHP. The UHP curricular approval process shall be subject to the approval of the University Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Council and it shall follow the procedures of the Curricular Policies and Procedures Handbook.
C.2.4 Collegiate and Departmental Organization
C.2.4.1 Collegiate Organization
Each college shall operate under a college code. All college codes shall be consistent with the provisions of the University Code relating to collegiate matters. College codes shall conflict with neither the University Code nor with department codes. The University Code and the codes of the departments in the college shall take precedence over the college code.
A college code shall be prepared by a committee consisting of and elected by the faculty members of the college who meet the eligibility requirements set forth in C.2.4.2 together with the dean or his or her duly appointed representative.
After the college code has been approved by a majority of the eligible faculty members of the college as set forth in C.2.4.2, a copy of the code and any subsequent changes shall be provided to the dean of the college and reviewed by the Provost (as specified in C.2.4.3). The college shall begin to operate in accordance with the procedures of its code after a finding by the Provost that it is consistent with the University Code. A copy of the college code will be provided to each faculty member of the college concerned.
The college code shall provide for the following:
a. Designation of the title(s) of its administrative officer(s).
b. Any administrative organization within the college, including all college-wide standing committees and their duties.
c. Statement of college objectives.
d. Procedures relating to self-evaluation of college operations.
e. Procedures for reviewing candidates for new or vacated administrative positions.
f. Procedures for evaluation and reviewing administrative officers.
g. Procedures for electing or appointing faculty members to college wide committees.
h. Procedures for addressing college wide academic matters.
i. Procedures for calling and convening college faculty member meetings.
j. Procedures for amending the code.
College deans shall be appointed in the manner described in Section E.3.4 of the Manual. With respect to their administrative responsibility and capacity, deans are employed "at will" under Colorado law, and therefore, such administrative appointment may be terminated at any time, by either the dean or the University, for any reason or for no reason. Any such termination proposed by the University shall be recommended by the Provost to the President and the Board and is subject to final action by the Board or its delegee. To the extent that a dean holds a tenure-track or tenured appointment as a member of the academic faculty, the "at will" nature of her or his administrative appointment shall not modify or impair the rights otherwise associated with such an academic position.
For administrative planning and budget purposes only, an anticipated term of service, not to exceed five (5) years, shall be stipulated for each dean. Annually, the dean shall be evaluated in the manner described in Section C.2.7.b of the Manual. In the final year of the stipulated term, the dean shall undergo a Phase I Comprehensive Performance Review (see Section E.14.3.1) by the Provost using expectations described in Section E.11 of the Manual and based upon the dean's distribution of effort. In the final year of the stipulated term, the Provost shall also conduct a review of the administrative performance as dean, and, after consultation with the faculty members and department heads of the college, shall determine the desirability of continued service as dean by the incumbent. If the incumbent is not reappointed, the Provost shall initiate a search for a replacement dean in accordance with Section E.3.4 of the Manual.
C.2.4.2 Departmental Organization (last revised May 6, 1998)
Each academic department shall operate under a departmental code. The departmental code shall be consistent with the provisions of the University Code relating to departmental matters, and the University Code shall take precedence in all instances. A departmental code shall be prepared by a committee composed of the department head and faculty members of the department who meet the eligibility qualifications listed below, or a subcommittee thereof if so voted by the eligible faculty members. Faculty members eligible shall include all those who satisfy all of the following qualifications:
a. In residence at the University or on sabbatical leave.
b. Completion of at least one (1) year of service at the University as regular, regular part-time, or transitional appointee with the rank above that of instructor or equivalent.
c. Administratively responsible to the head of the department in question.
Each faculty member with an interdepartmental appointment shall be considered a member of the department contracting for the greater percentage of his or her time. In the case of a faculty member having equal time in two (2) or more departments, that faculty member must decide in which department he or she wants representation. The status of such a faculty member shall remain unchanged unless changes in his or her academic appointment require a change in departmental representation.
After the departmental code has been approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the eligible faculty members of the department, a copy shall be provided to the dean of the college and the Provost and, upon acceptance (as specified in C.2.4.3), the department shall begin to operate in accordance with the procedures of its code.
After amendments to a departmental code have been approved by the department, a copy of the amended code shall be provided to the dean of the college and the Provost and, upon acceptance (as specified in C.2.4.3) of the amendments, the department shall begin to operate in accordance with its amended code.
Copies of the current departmental code shall be provided to each faculty member of the department concerned.
The departmental code shall provide for the following:
a. Designation of the title of its administrative officer.
b. Any administrative organization within the department if desired.3
c. Statement of the departmental mission.
d. Procedures relating to the review of candidates for new or vacated faculty member positions.
e. Procedures relating to the review of recommendations for faculty members for acquiring tenure, for promotion in rank, and for reappointment.
f. Procedures for appointing academic faculty members to graduate student advisory committees.
g. Procedures for conducting annual and periodic comprehensive reviews of the performance of departmental faculty members as prescribed in Section E.14.
h. Procedures relating to self evaluation of departmental operations.
i. Procedures by which students may appeal academic decisions of their instructors or graduate committees. These procedures shall comply with guidelines approved by the Faculty Council (see Section I.7).
j. A minimum of one (1) departmental faculty member meeting each semester of the academic year, with written notice given in advance by the department head.
k. A review of the departmental code in the year prior to the end of each term of the department head.
l. Procedures for amending the code. These procedures shall require approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the eligible faculty members of the department, as defined in Sections C.2.4.2.a. b. and c. to amend the department code.
m. Voting rights of all members of departments who do not hold regular tenure-track appointments shall be clearly specified.
C.2.4.2.2 Operational Policies of Departments (last revised May 2, 2007)
Major aspects of the policies relating to the operation of departments are the following:
a. Duties of Department Head
The duties of the department head are those specified in Section C.2.6.2 of the Code of Colorado State University.
b. Selection of a Department Head
Department heads shall be appointed in the manner described in Section E.3.3 of the Manual. An interim appointment of an acting department head is recommended by the dean of the college to cover periods of absence or vacancy of at least three (3) months.
c. Term of Office of Department Head
In her or his capacity as the administrative officer in the department and the initial person in the administrative chain to the president, a department head is employed "at will" under Colorado law. Consequently, an appointment as department head may be terminated at any time, by either the department head or the University, for any reason or no reason. Any such proposed termination by the University shall normally be recommended by the dean to the Provost and the President and is subject to final action by the Board or its delegee.
To the extent that a department head holds a tenure-track or tenured appointment as a member of the academic faculty, the "at will" nature of her or his administrative appointment shall not modify or impair the rights otherwise associated with such an academic faculty member position.
For administrative planning and budget purposes only, an anticipated term of service, not to exceed five (5) years, shall be stipulated for each department head. Annually, however, the department head shall be evaluated in the manner described in Section C.2.7.a of the Manual. In the final year of the stipulated term the department head shall undergo a Phase I Comprehensive Review (see Section E.14.3.1) by the dean of the college using expectations described in Section E.11 of the Manual and based upon the department head's distribution of effort. In the final year of the stipulated term, the dean shall also conduct a review of the administrative performance of the department head, and, after consultation with the department faculty members, shall determine the desirability of continued service by the incumbent department head. If the incumbent department head is not reappointed, the dean shall initiate a search for a replacement department head in accordance with Section E.3.3 of the Manual.
d. Evaluations of Academic Programs and Departmental Operations
The purpose of the Evaluation of Academic Programs is to enable the departmental faculty members to assess the quality of the academic programs of the department: the consistency of each program with the contribution to the goals of each program. Academic programs are coherent sets of academic activities with specified goals. These programs which are approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education lead to a degree or certificate.
The purpose of the Evaluations of Departmental Operations is to enable the departmental faculty members to evaluate the human resources, facilities and other physical resources, work environment, organization and administration of the department and other aspects of departmental operations in order to maintain and improve morale, effectiveness, and productivity. The Evaluation of Departmental Operations is not an evaluation of the performance of the department head, which is a responsibility of the dean and is addressed in Section C.2.7.a of the Manual.
Evaluations of academic programs and departmental operations shall be conducted concurrently. Ordinarily, these evaluations shall be conducted at intervals of no less than five (5) years and no greater than seven (7) years according to a schedule established by the Provost in consultation with the department. However, if members of departmental faculty or the department head are acutely dissatisfied with the operations of the department, they may initiate a request for an interim evaluation of the department. If the request comes from the departmental faculty members, at least one-half (0.5) (but not less than three (3) members) of those eligible must sign the request for an interim evaluation before it can be conducted. This request is to be submitted to the dean who will follow the procedure outlined for the regular evaluation after notifying the department head and the eligible faculty members of the request for interim evaluation.
Evaluations shall be conducted by the qualified faculty members of the department (as defined in Section C.2.4.2) or by a committee selected by and from the qualified faculty members of the department. The results of the evaluation shall be presented to the department head and the dean in a report prepared in a format approved by the Provost. The dean shall transmit the report to the Provost. The dean and/or Provost may submit this report to internal and/or external reviewers. Reports of internal and external reviewers shall be transmitted to the department head and the review committee, who may respond to the reviewers' report in writing. The reviewers' reports and the responses from the department head and review committee, if there be such, shall become part of the report of the evaluation.
The evaluation process will culminate in an action plan developed by the department. After approval by the departmental faculty members, the dean and the Provost, the action plan, together with an executive summary of the report of the evaluation, will be forwarded for consideration in the university strategic planning process. The Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning shall receive a copy of the action plan and executive summary of the evaluation report.
The Provost shall review and approve all college and departmental codes, including amendments thereto, for consistency with the University Code and the institution's established policies, procedures, and applicable law. The Provost shall also provide a periodic report regarding the review of such codes to the President in such form as the President determines. Furthermore, upon request, a summary of such reports shall be provided by the President to the Board as an informational item.
C.2.5 Evaluation of Performance of Faculty (last revised January 27, 2006)
a. Each department code shall include procedures for conducting performance reviews of faculty members as required in Section E.14.
b. The evaluation of faculty members shall be based on qualitative and quantitative assessments of the faculty member's fulfillment of responsibilities to the University during the period of evaluation. This evaluation shall be based upon criteria for teaching and advising, research and other creative activity, and service and/or outreach enunciated in departmental codes. Although there are some reasonable expectations for performance that cut across disciplines, performance criteria may vary among disciplines within the University according to the mission of the department and standards for the field. Assessment of the quality of a faculty member's performance requires careful and critical review, necessarily involving judgments, and should never be reduced to purely quantitative measures.
c. If the faculty member has significant duties outside of his or her home department (e.g., a joint appointment with another department or significant service at the college or university level), then a written performance evaluation shall be requested from the supervisor for each of these duties. These external evaluations shall be taken into consideration for the performance review and when making decisions involving tenure, promotion, and merit salary increases.
d. The department head shall hold an annual conference with each member of the departmental faculty as part of the evaluation. The faculty member shall be fully advised concerning the methods and criteria used in the evaluation, the results of the evaluation, and how the results will be utilized.
e. The evaluation shall be in writing. The faculty member shall be given the opportunity to append written comments to the evaluation. The evaluation shall be signed by the department head and by the faculty member, and the faculty member shall receive a copy of the evaluation.
f. Grievances between a faculty member and the department head that may arise from evaluation of performance or other personnel matters shall be acted upon in accordance with Section K.
g. Each department head shall develop procedures to solicit formal input from the tenured faculty members (or their duly elected committee) as the annual evaluation of non-tenured faculty members is prepared and prior to making recommendations for contract renewals.
The dean of a college is the principal administrative and academic officer of that college. Department heads with their staffs are responsible to the dean. The dean serves as chairperson of meetings of the department heads and/or faculty members of the college.
The dean of a college has the following principal and specific responsibilities:
a. Review and approval of budgets for all departments of the college.
b. General, but not detailed, supervision of and maintenance of adherence to determined departmental budgets and coordination and attention to equity in salaries and other fiscal matters within the framework of academic instruction in the college.
c. Development and strengthening of the faculty members, facilities, undergraduate and graduate teaching, research and extension programs, and prestige of the college in the interest of the entire University.
d. Consideration and approval of recommendations for appointments, advancement, and tenure of college staff members.
e. Development and coordination of curricula to meet changing educational and vocational needs of students together with maintenance of acceptable standards for admission and retention of students majoring in the college.
f. Analysis of teaching loads and related staff responsibilities to promote the best interests of students and maximum effectiveness of the faculty member as well as their individual professional development and accomplishment.
g. Coordination of all academic and instructional matters within the college and with other colleges and departments.
h. Counseling of both faculty members and students in need of direction or advice.
i. Objective evaluation of programs within his or her college.
j. Contribute to achievement of University diversity and equal opportunity goals.
Recommendations for appointment of department heads are the responsibility of the dean. The dean shall provide for appointment of a departmental committee to advise him or her and shall make available to members of the committee written instructions concerning procedures to be followed, minimum qualifications acceptable for the position, and specific responsibility of an advisory committee.
The deans shall receive and analyze annual and semiannual departmental reports in their respective colleges and shall transmit these, together with their college reports, through the Provost to the President for transmittal to the Board.
The department head is the administrative and academic officer in the department and is the initial person in the administrative chain to the President. Members of the department staff are responsible to him or her. The department head has the general responsibility for any staff activities which may affect the professional status of the department or the best interests of the University.
Specific responsibilities of the department head are:
a. Preparation of the departmental budget.
b. Administration of and adherence to the departmental budget.
c. Evaluation of each departmental faculty member in accordance with the University Code.
d. Initiation of recommendations for appointments, advancement, tenure, and dismissal of staff members, including incorporation of student and faculty members' input relating to teaching and advising effectiveness of faculty members being recommended for contract renewal, promotion, tenure, dismissal, and salary increase.
e. Management of academic and financial matters within the department to promote student achievement, equity in travel and professional opportunities for staff members, and adjustment of faculty members' loads and salaries consistent