The Committee on Faculty Rank and Appointment shall be composed of the Deans, who shall be nonvoting members of the committee, and seven (7) members of the full-time faculty who shall be the voting members of the Committee. At least three (3) members shall be from business disciplines and at least three (3) members shall be from liberal arts disciplines. At least six (6) voting members of the Committee shall be tenured. No faculty member who will be considered for tenure or promotion during a given academic year shall serve on the Committee during that academic year. Members of the Committee may be considered for parity awards and/or merit awards. If a committee member applies for a parity and/or merit award, he/she shall be recused from that respective award deliberation and voting during that academic year. The Committee shall meet to consider promotions, reappointments, tenure, parity, and merit of faculty members. Individual faculty members shall have access to the files maintained on them by the Rank and Appointment Committee. The Committee shall be provided with the hire letter of each faculty member being considered for reappointment, promotion, or tenure at the time such action is before the Committee.
Category: University Committees
Committee on University Organization
The Committee on University Organization (CUO) shall be composed of the Deans, who shall be nonvoting members of the committee, and five (5) members of the full-time faculty who shall be the voting members of the Committee.
The Committee shall serve as the representative body of the faculty in the formulation of the undergraduate academic structure and policy of the University and shall meet to consider and recommend all changes involving same. Any academic policy or change in the academic structure of the University related to the undergraduate program which emanates from any administrative office which directly affects the academic departments of the University must be submitted to the committee for its recommendation.
Recommendations of the committee, with supporting evidence, shall be transmitted in writing to the Provost or his/her designee for his/her consideration within one (1) month after receipt of the proposal unless mutually agreed upon by the University and CUO. In the event the Provost or his or her designee disagrees with the committee’s recommendation, he/she shall reject the same and report her/his decision to the committee together with her/his reasons therefore set forth in writing.
In case of neglect or refusal of the Provost or the appropriate Dean to answer or accept the committee’s recommendations within ten (10) working days, the committee may take its recommendation directly to the President of the University within ten (10) working days following the expiration of the initial waiting period for the answer or acceptance.
The President, in the exercise of her/his discretion as chief executive officer of the University, shall accept or reject the Provost’s or the appropriate Dean’s and/or the committee’s recommendation within ten (10) working days after it is transmitted to him/her. The President’s decision on a recommendation submitted to him/her in either instance shall be transmitted in writing, with the reasons therefore, to the committee within ten (10) working days.
In any case of either (a) neglect or refusal of the President to answer the committee’s request within ten(10) working days or (b) a rejection of a committee recommendation by the President, the committee may present its recommendations within ten (10) working days to the Faculty Federation for consideration. The Faculty Federation may then submit the recommendation of the committee and its position to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University for a final determination.
No changes in Academic structure or policies shall be implemented until the process described in this section has been completed.
Issues arising under this Section that extend beyond commencement shall not be subject to the ten (10) day response period. During the period from commencement until resumption of fall classes, the response period for each step shall be extended to twenty (20) days.
Issues arising under this Section 7.4 shall not be subject to the grievance procedure.
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee shall be composed of the Deans, who shall be nonvoting members of the committee, and six (6) members of the full-time faculty who shall be the voting members of the committee. At least three (3) members shall be from business disciplines and at least three (3) members shall be from liberal arts disciplines. The duties of the committee are to consider proposals for the addition, deletion, and revision of courses and degree programs and to make recommendations in this regard in writing to the Provost or his/her designee. The Committee is also responsible for approving program assessment plans developed by the academic departments and making recommendations to the Provost or his/her designee for appropriate action. In undertaking these responsibilities, the committee will ensure that departments and programs affected by proposed changes are afforded appropriate opportunities to review and make recommendations on them.
In the event that a proposal for curriculum change does not originate in a department, the Curriculum Committee will direct a copy of the proposal to the Chair of the appropriate department(s) upon receipt and invite departmental recommendation. A favorable departmental recommendation is not necessary for the proposal to be considered by the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee will then consider the proposal and make a recommendation not later than two (2) calendar months following its receipt of the proposal.
The Curriculum Committee shall form two subcommittees, one for business disciplines and one for liberal arts disciplines. Recommendations to the University Administration shall be from the Committee, not the subcommittees.
The Committee shall meet every month and at such other times as necessary at the call of the elected chair. The department heads and the appropriate administrators shall be consulted as to the implementation and feasibility of proposals as they relate to students’ schedules and degree programs. Recommendations of the Committee must be consistent with the basic philosophy and academic goals of the University. The Committee shall submit a report of the year’s activities to the President of the University and the Provost or his or her designee by May 31.
Recommendations of the Committee, with supporting evidence, shall be transmitted in writing to the Provost or his/her designee for her/his consideration. In the event the Provost disagrees with the committee’s recommendation, he/she shall reject the same and report her/his decision to the committee together with her/his reasons therefore set forth in writing.
In case of neglect or refusal of the Provost or his or her designee to answer the committee’s recommendation within fifteen (15) working days, the committee may take its recommendation within fifteen (15) working days directly to the President of the University. The committee may request the President in the exercise of his/her discretion as chief executive officer of the University to accept or reject the Provost’s or his/her designee’s recommendation. The President’s decision on such recommendations shall be transmitted in writing, with the reasons therefore, to the committee.
In any case of either (a) neglect or refusal of the President to answer the committee’s recommendation within fifteen (15) working days or (b) a rejection of a committee recommendation by the President, the committee may present its recommendations within fifteen (15) working days to the Faculty Federation for consideration. The Faculty Federation may, if it deems necessary, submit its recommendations to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University for a final determination.
Issues arising under this Section 7.3 shall not be subject to the grievance procedure.
Faculty Development
The Faculty Development Committee shall be composed of the Deans, who shall be nonvoting members of the committee, and five (5) members of the full-time faculty who shall be the voting members of the Committee.
The Faculty Development Committee shall (1) review and make recommendations on applications for participation in the Sabbatical Leave Program, the Fellowship Program and for leaves of absence; (2) review annually and make recommendations on the instrument used for student evaluation of faculty; (3) make other recommendations related to the development of faculty teaching and research/publication; (4) recommend criteria for faculty participation in research and/or programs financed by outside grants; and (5) make recommendations related to the provision of developmental programs and events in the area of diversity and globalization.
The committee will review applications for sabbatical leaves, fellowships, and leaves of absence, and will forward their recommendations to the Provost or his/her designee for his/her approval. A copy of this recommendation will be sent to the Department Chair and the faculty member. If there is any question concerning any application, the committee shall request the individual applicant to appear in person to clarify the application.
Issues arising under this Section 7.5 shall not be subject to the grievance procedure.
Graduate Faculty Advisory Committees
College of Business Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee (GFAC/B)
The GFAC/B shall be composed of the Dean, who shall be a non-voting member, and five (5) full-time graduate faculty members teaching in the graduate program of the College of Business. Faculty members of the GFAC/B shall be elected annually by the full-time graduate faculty. Elections shall be conducted by the Federation and the list of eligible voters shall be prepared by the Dean. One member may be from a department in the College of Arts & Sciences.
The members of the GFAC/B shall be elected for two (2) year staggered terms and these elections shall be held annually not later than by the last day of classes, spring semester. In the event a GFAC/B member resigns or vacates an unexpired term of office, he/she shall be replaced by special election to serve the unexpired term. It shall be the duty of the GFAC/B to maintain liaison and communications with other University administrators and faculty during the process of its deliberations.
The duties of the GFAC/B shall be to review the offerings of the College of Business graduate program and recommend additions, deletions, and revisions of courses and programs and to consider changes involving academic structure and academic policy of the University with respect to the graduate program.
Such recommendations shall be forwarded by the GFAC/B to the Provost or his/her designee for his/her decision. The GFAC/B is also responsible for reviewing program assessment plans. Such plans shall be developed in consultation with academic departments and/or concentration/program coordinators. Recommendations shall be made to the Provost or his/her designee for appropriate action.
Any academic policy or change in the academic structure of the University related to the graduate program which emanates from any administrative office which directly affects the academic departments of the University must be submitted by the Provost to the committee for its recommendation.
College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee (GFAC/A)
The GFAC/A shall be composed of the Dean, who shall be a non-voting member, and five (5) full-time graduate faculty teaching in the graduate program of the College of Arts & Sciences. Faculty members of the GFAC/A shall be elected annually by the full-time graduate faculty. Elections shall be conducted by the Federation and the list of eligible voters shall be prepared by the Dean. One member may be from a department in the College of Business.
The members of GFAC/A shall be elected for two (2) year staggered terms and these elections shall be held annually by the last day of classes, spring semester. In the event a GFAC/A member resigns or vacates an unexpired term of office, he/she shall be replaced by special election to serve the unexpired term. It shall be the duty of the GFAC/A to maintain liaison and communications with other University administrators and faculty during the process of its deliberations.
The duties of GFAC/A shall be to review the offerings of the College of Arts & Sciences graduate programs and recommend additions, deletions, and revisions of courses and programs, and to consider changes involving academic structure and academic policy of the University with respect to the graduate program.
Such recommendations shall be forwarded by the GFAC/A to the Provost or his/her designee for his/her decision. The GFAC/A is also responsible for reviewing the program assessment plans. Such plans shall be developed in consultation with academic departments and/or concentration/program coordinators. Recommendations shall be made to the Provost or his/her designee for appropriate action.
Any academic policy or change in the academic structure of the University related to the graduate program which emanates from any administrative office which directly affects the academic departments of the University must be submitted by the Provost to the committee for its recommendation.
Calendar Committee
The Calendar Committee will review the calendar (graduate and undergraduate) as published for the current academic year and as proposed for the next academic year to determine if modifications are desirable. The Committee’s recommendations, with rationale, are made to the Provost. (At this time, the School of Health Sciences calendar does not come under the purview of the committee.)
Additionally, the committee should develop and submit for approval the academic calendars for the next five years.
MEMBERSHIP:
- Dean or Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences – 1, and Dean or Associate Dean, College of Business – 1
- Graduate Programs – 1
- One of the Program Directors, College of Arts and Sciences – 1
- Registrar and Undergraduate Advising – 3
- Human Resources – 1 (Associate Director)
- Other – 1 (To be determined by Provost)
- Faculty – 2 (one faculty member from each of the colleges – College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business)
- Students – 2 (Selection to be made by Student Senate in conjunction with the Office of the Provost – one student from each of the colleges)
MEETINGS: As necessary at the call of the Chair.
REPORT: The final report should be made to the Provost by October 1 for inclusion in University publications for the next academic year.
Commencement Awards Committee
CHARGE: The Committee will review all of the Commencement awards, approve the criteria for selection of award recipients, implement a procedure appropriate for selection of award recipients, and carry out that procedure.
Recommendations to effect changes in awards are made to the Provost.
MEMBERSHIP:
- Administrators – (3) 1-Associate Dean of Students, 1-Office of Campus Engagement, 1-Office of the Provost
- Faculty (1) College of Arts and Sciences
- Faculty (1) College of Business
- Students (2) with Junior standing; one from the College of Arts and Sciences and one from the College of Business (Selection to be made by Student Senate in conjunction with the Office of the Provost).
MEETINGS: As necessary at the call of the Chair.
REPORT: The final report of the Committee which lists all award recipients, including the rationale and criteria for selection and a brief biography on each recipient, is to be submitted to the Provost for his/her approval by April 15 of each academic year. The Provost announces the award winners.
Graduate School Academic Grievance Committee
CHARGE:
The Graduate Student Academic Grievance Committee will hold hearings on academic grievances filed by graduate students. The grievance process should begin with a good-faith attempt for resolution between the student and professor. In the event an issue cannot be resolved between the student and professor, a student must subsequently confer with either the appropriate program director if the student is in the College of Arts and Sciences, or the Chair of the academic department if the student is in the College of Business. Failing these first two steps, the student can seek resolution by appealing to the Associate Dean of his/her respective college; unresolved grievances may then be appealed to the Dean. The Committee will meet only when the student has not been able to resolve the grievance through the dean’s level review. The Committee will have the authority to make recommendations for disposition of grievances to the Provost. The Provost will consider the recommendation; however, he/she will not be bound by the recommendation, and his/her decision on the grievance will be final.
MEMBERSHIP:
The composition of the committee will be as follows:
- The student/faculty ratio is 4/4; four (4) faculty members and four (4) graduate students;
- Two faculty representatives must serve from each of the colleges; the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business;
- Administrators (1) representative of the university administration (preferably from the Graduate Programs Office).
- Student members must be screened by the Graduate Programs Office for academic integrity and the code of conduct, and must have achieved a minimum 3.3 GPA.
- Two student representatives must be selected from each of the colleges; the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business; (Selected by the Deans of each college)
- The confidentiality statement must be signed and adhered to as a requirement for membership.
- The faculty membership term is for two years and staggered for continuity.
MEETINGS:
The Committee will meet as soon as possible subsequent to the Chair receiving a written request for a hearing from a graduate student. A written recommendation shall be submitted to the Provost and copies to the respective Dean, Director of Operations, Graduate Programs, College of Business, and the Program Director involved from the College of Arts and Sciences within one week after the Committee has heard a grievance. The Provost will respond to the Committee concerning the disposition of the grievance report within one week after his/her having received the report, and the Provost’s decision will be final.
REPORT:
The Committee will submit an annual report of its activities to the Provost by June 15 of each academic year.
Honors Council
CHARGE:
The Honors Council will review and make recommendations to CUO related to the Bryant University Honors Program. These would include:
- Review and make recommendations on admissions/entrance/retention requirements for undergraduate honors students;
- Review and make recommendations to Curriculum Committee regarding curriculum requirements for undergraduate honors students;
- Review Senior Honors Students’ Capstone Honors Projects proposals and completed work;
- Assist in ensuring that all involved in the Honors Program function as an Honors community;
- Provide support to the Director of the Honors Program in efforts to strengthen the Honors Program.
MEMBERSHIP:
- Honors Program Director (non-voting)
- Faculty (12) At least five faculty members must be selected from each of the colleges – College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business
- Ex Officio: Provost’s Designee
REPORT:
Submit an annual report on student projects and the progress of the Honors Program in general to the Provost by June 15 each year.
University Committee Scholastic Standing – Undergraduate Students
CHARGE:
The University Committee on Scholastic Standing is responsible for reviewing and recommending standards of academic performance required for the awarding of degrees and academic honors, and the quality of work leading to an academic warning, probationary status, or academic dismissal.
The Committee will meet to hear, review, and decide on the appeals of those students who have been academically dismissed and who request such a review. The initial decision regarding readmission rests with the Committee, which, upon review, will establish the particular conditions for readmission. These conditions may be academic as well as non-academic in nature.
A student who has been readmitted to Probation Status by the Committee and who does not adhere to all the conditions set by the Committee will be dismissed from the University without further appeal to the Committee. The decision of the Committee may be appealed to the Provost (or his/her designee) for final disposition.
The Committee will establish, at the earliest possible date, written policies and procedures addressing the following areas: committee confidentiality, requirements for a quorum, role of the chair to the committee, and a philosophy to guide the workings of the Committee.
Recommendations to effect changes in policy and procedure are made to the Provost.
MEMBERSHIP:
- Administrators (3) – Undergraduate Programs, Student Affairs, Admission
- Faculty (4) – 1 elected as Chair, another as Vice Chair
MEETINGS:
The Committee will meet a minimum of three (3) times – once after the fall and spring term end-of-processing is complete and once in August (if necessary) to hear academic appeals and make recommendations on readmission.
REPORT:
A written report will be submitted at the beginning of each regular term on the activities of the previous term to the Provost (e.g., February 10 and September 10).
Undergraduate Student Academic Grievance Committee
CHARGE:
The Committee will hold hearings on academic grievances asserted by undergraduate students. The appeal process for an academic grievance shall initially be pursued through the faculty member involved, the appropriate academic department chairperson, and the Associate Dean and the Dean of the respective college. The Committee will meet only when the student has not been able to resolve the grievance through the dean’s level review process. The Committee shall have the authority to make recommendations for disposition of grievances to the Provost. The Provost will consider the recommendation but will not be bound by the recommendation; his/her decision on the grievance will be final.
MEMBERSHIP:
The composition of the committee will be as follows:
- The student/faculty ratio is 4/4; four (4) faculty members and four (4) undergraduate students;
- At least one faculty representative must serve from each of the colleges: The College of Business and The College of Arts and Sciences;
- One representative of the university administration (preferably from the Registrar’s Office).
- Student restrictions are as follows:
- Student members must have achieved at least junior status.
- Student members must be screened by Academic Affairs for academic integrity, and must have achieved a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Select two students from each of the colleges – College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business (selection to be made by Student Senate in conjunction with the Office of the Provost).
- The confidentiality statement must be signed and adhered to as a requirement for membership.
- The faculty membership term is for two years and staggered for continuity.
MEETINGS:
The Committee will meet as soon as possible subsequent to the Chair receiving a written request for a hearing from an undergraduate student.
A written recommendation will be submitted to the Provost within one week after the Committee has heard a grievance. The Provost will respond to the Committee concerning the disposition of the grievance report within one week of his/her having received the report; and the Provost’s decision will be final.
REPORT:
The Committee will submit an annual report of its activities to the Provost by June 15 of each academic year.
Institutional Review Board on Human Subjects
CHARGE:
The IRB on Human Subjects shall review all federally funded research and all other research involving the use of human subjects – including that conducted by students – prior to initiation of that research. Review is voluntary for non-federally funded projects. The IRB exists to help ensure the protection of human subjects used in research projects, to provide guidance to researchers in the design of experiments, to inform and protect the faculty on legal issues, and to provide a process that encourages the review of experimental protocols.
MEMBERSHIP:
IRM members are appointed by the President or his appointed designee (Provost). The IRB is composed of six members with varying experience, expertise, background, and gender in order to promote adequate review of research activities. Members include: Four faculty from liberal arts disciplines; four faculty from business disciplines; one administrator who will also serve a record-keeper; and a faculty member who is not affiliated with Bryant University, either directly or indirectly.
Members of the IRB are required to take NIH training.
MEETINGS:
The IRB will meet as needed to respond to proposals within two weeks, shorter if possible. The IRB will make every effort to prevent the delay of research projects or submission of funding proposals.
REPORTS:
All committee deliberations will be a matter of public record. Minutes will be kept at all committee meetings, and the committee’s decisions on proposals will be communicated in writing to the investigator, the Chair of the investigator’s department, and the Provost. Copies of these minutes and final decisions will be available to the Bryant Community.
The Provost will conduct an annual review of the program to ensure that the review process is adequately serving the research community, and that proper protection is being afforded human subjects.