Current Senators

  Senators

  Meeting Agendas
  and Minutes

  Committees

Reports:

Annual Reports

Interim Report

Course Evaluation

ACC Report on Pilot

Final Report April '08

Faculty Retreat Apr'08

Other Documents:

Procedures for
Policy Proposals

Course Evaluation Form

Bylaws of the Faculty

ARTICLE I
The Faculty

Section 1. The Faculty
The Faculty of the College of Education shall consist of the Dean and the Corps of Instruction, as defined in the policy manual of The Board of Regents, and ex officio members designated by the Statutes of The University of Georgia.

Section 2. Regular Meetings
The Faculty of the College shall meet at least once each academic year at a time and place to be determined by the Dean. Written notice of these meetings shall be given to members of the Faculty by the Dean at least 10 days in advance. The Dean shall preside and shall present a report on matters of interest to the Faculty.

Section 3. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Faculty may be called at the discretion of the Dean. A special meeting must be called by the Dean (a) upon written petition addressed to said officer and signed by at least fifteen percent of the Faculty, or (b) upon request by the majority of the Faculty Senate.

ARTICLE II
The Faculty Senate

Section 1. Mission
The mission of the College of Education Faculty Senate is to improve the quality of life in the College community while promoting excellence in educational scholarship, service, and practice. In order to create an open and democratic culture, the Faculty Senate is committed to serving as the voice of the faculty as a whole, and to creating an open and informed decision-making process on policies by providing a community forum, and fostering an involved citizenry wherein faculty exercise both rights and responsibilities.

Section 2. Composition

The College of Education shall have a Faculty Senate which shall consist of elected Senators apportioned among the Departments at the rate of one representative for each eight faculty members plus one more faculty representative for a remainder of 5 or more. The Dean shall be an ex officio member of the Senate.
At the beginning of each Spring Semester the President of the Senate shall notify the Senator(s) from each Department of the number of Senators to which the Department shall be entitled. In the enumeration of faculty for apportioning Senators among Departments, only faculty FTE actually listed in the College budget half-time or more, and in the case of non-continuing University funds (soft-money) supported Assistant (or higher) Professor will be counted. One vote shall be accorded each faculty member allocated a position based on FTE as counted according to the policies in this paragraph.
In the case of joint appointments, voting privileges rest with the faculty members' "home" or "base" Department in the College of Education.
For the purpose of representation in the Faculty Senate, a department is defined as any group that has been defined as such in the past three years.

Section 3. Eligibility of Election

Any faculty member actually budgeted half-time or more in the College of Education is eligible to be elected.

Section 4. Term of Office

Senators shall serve a term of three years and shall take office on August 1 following their election.
Terms of Senators shall be staggered such that one-third of the Senators shall be elected annually.

Section 5. Elections

The Senators shall be elected during the first week in April.
Faculty will vote for only Senators within their Department. Within Departments, balloting shall be secret both in nominations and in elections and shall be conducted by the Department Head.
When a vacancy occurs among the Senators from any Department, the Steering Committee of the Faculty Senate shall see that a special election is held in the Department to fill such vacancy.
A department may vote to remove a senator from office for failure to represent the department in two-way communications between the Department and the Senate.

Section 6. Officers

From among its own membership, the Faculty Senate shall elect a President Elect at its last annual meeting each Spring. The President Elect shall serve as assistant to the President during the coming year, and shall become President in the subsequent year.
In the event that term of service for the senator who is selected as President Elect was to expire after serving for a year as President Elect, that term shall be automatically extended through the subsequent year to allow that person to serve as President.
The transfer of power from President to President Elect shall occur after the last Senate meeting each Spring.
In the event that the President cannot serve the full term of duty, the President Elect shall take over as President for the remainder of that term and for the subsequent year as scheduled, and the Senate shall elect a new President Elect from among its own membership.
The President shall appoint a Parlimentarian at the first meeting each year. The Parliamentarian shall ensure that all meetings of the Faculty Senate are conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, rev., except as otherwise provided in the Statutes or in these Bylaws.
The President shall appoint someone to keep minutes at each meeting of the Faculty Senate, and shall transmit a copy of the minutes to all members of the Faculty within two weeks.
A member of the Steering Committee shall, in the absence or incapacity of the President, fulfill the duties of the President.

Section 7. Meetings

The Faculty Senate shall meet in regular session at least one time during each of the two semesters of the academic year at a time and place to be determined by the President.
The President shall have authority to convene special sessions of the Faculty Senate, or a special session shall be called by the President upon written petition addressed to him or her and signed by fifteen percent of the Senators.
Any faculty group may demand a hearing before the Faculty Senate by presenting such a petition signed by at least fifteen percent of the Faculty to either the President or the Steering Committee.
Special sessions may be called during any semester.

Section 8. Notice of Meetings

Notices of regular meetings of the Faculty Senate shall be published and distributed by the President with the assistance of the Dean's Office, to each member of the Faculty Senate and to other members of the Faculty at least one week in advance of such regular meetings.
Notice of special meetings shall be sent to each member of the Faculty Senate at least three working days prior to the date of such special meeting.
All notices shall specify the matters to be discussed and acted upon at such meetings.

Section 9. Absences and Proxies

More than two absences from the meetings of the Faculty Senate within one academic year by an elected Senator without notification of a schedule conflict to the President will result in the removal of said Senator from the Senate. The Senator's Department shall be requested by the President to elect a new Senator to fill the vacancy created.
A Senator who is unable to attend a meeting shall designate a proxy from said Senator's Department. A proxy may not be an elected member of the Faculty Senate and may represent only one Senator. The proxy shall be identified to the President before the meeting in order to have the same privileges of the floor, including the right to vote for the absent Senator. The proxy must be eligible for membership in the Faculty Senate as prescribed in Section III of this Article.

Section 10. Quorum

A majority of the total membership of the Faculty Senate shall constitute a quorum.
The vote of a majority of the members at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required for any official action of the Faculty Senate.

Section 11. Powers and Functions

Subject to Article VIII, Section 2 of the Statutes of The University of Georgia, the Faculty Senate shall be the principal policy-making body of the College of Education. In this capacity, it shall act as the agent of the Faculty except when the Faculty is meeting and shall exercise the duties and functions as specified by the University of Georgia Statutes.
The Faculty Senate has the responsibility for developing with the Dean macro-level policies and the review of their implementation concerning but not limited to the following:

Development of the College of Education mission, priorities, strategic plans, and program initiatives that cut across departments;
Resource allocation including personnel and budget policies, programmatic initiatives, and physical plant decisions (e.g., classroom design, aesthetics, parking);
Evaluation procedures (e.g., promotion and tenure, teaching and research awards, faculty appeals and grievances, salary allocation plans, graduate appointments, post tenure review);
Undergraduate and graduate curriculum development;
Organization and reorganization of the college, departments, committees, and administrative structures and operations;
Annual review of progress towards College of Education goals and the strategic plan, with recommendations for future directions; and
Review, revision, and/or generation of new policies for the above listed areas will occur in a 5 year cycle.

The Faculty Senate will work with the Dean of the College to ensure faculty involvement in open and informed decision making in the College of Education, including but not limited to the following:

The President of the Faculty Senate will participate in meetings of the COE Academic Cabinet.
Recognition of the importance of College of Education leadership through the allocation of time and resources;
At the end of each semester, the Dean will make a report to the Senate regarding actions taken by the Dean's office on motions passed by the Senate.

The Faculty Senate will foster informed decision making and communication between the Faculty Senate and each department through the following strategies and structures:

The Faculty Senate will meet as many times as necessary per semester as determined by the membership;
Each standing committee of the Faculty Senate will include at least one member of the Faculty Senate to facilitate communication between the committee and the Faculty Senate as a whole;
The Faculty Senate will hold an orientation session for first-time senators each fall;
The Faculty Senate will participate in College of Education list serv(s) to generate discussion on issues and to increase communication among various decision -making groups;
Each Faculty Senator will develop two-way communication channels with the department he or she represents by asking for time at departmental meetings to report on issues raised in the Faculty Senate, to gather feedback on these issues, and to learn from colleagues any new issues affecting the College of Education that should be placed on the Faculty Senate agenda.

ARTICLE III
Committees of the Faculty Senate

Section 1. Steering Committee

The Steering Committee shall determine the agenda for each meeting of the Faculty Senate and may make any necessary arrangements for administrative officials, committee chairs, and individual faculty members to appear before the Faculty Senate. When the President is unable to attend a meeting of the Faculty Senate, a member of the Steering Committee shall fulfill the duties of the President. The Steering Committee may also recommend to the Faculty Senate rules and regulations to govern the conduct of the Faculty Senate's business. The President shall consult with the Dean on the agenda prior to and after each meeting of the Steering Committee.

There shall be a Steering Committee of five members composed of the President and President Elect of the Faculty Senate and three elected members.
The President of the Faculty Senate will be the chairperson of this committee.
The three elected members of this committee shall be elected from the Faculty Senate for staggered two-year terms.
Not more than one Senator from any department shall serve as a member of the Steering Committee.
The Dean and Associate Dean(s) shall not serve on the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee shall determine the agenda for each meeting of the Faculty Senate and may make any necessary arrangements for administrative officials, committee chairpersons, and individual faculty members to appear before the Faculty Senate.
The Steering Committee may also recommend to the Faculty Senate rules and regulations to govern the conduct of the Faculty Senate's business.
The President shall inform the Dean of the agenda prior to each meeting of the Faculty Senate.

Section 2. Standing Committees

There shall be the following standing committees:

Section 3. Special Committees

There shall be the following special committees:

Section 4. Other Committees
The Faculty Senate may authorize the establishment of additional standing or ad hoc committees for any purpose commensurate with its power and functions.

ARTICLE IV
Amendments

Section 1. Procedure To Make Amendments

The Faculty of the College of Education shall have the power to alter, repeal, or amend these Bylaws, or to adopt new Bylaws.
Copies of proposed amendments or proposed new Bylaws shall be sent to all members of the Faculty. "Proposed amendments or new Bylaws shall be distributed to all faculty and an electronic forum provided for open discussion for no less than one week before a vote on those amendments or revisions is taken."
A simple majority vote of eligible Faculty members voting is required for action on any amendment or proposed new Bylaws.
The President of the Faculty Senate shall see that the provisions of this article are properly implemented.
In order to remain in compliance with the Statutes of the University of Georgia (see Article II, Section 11A), the bylaws of the senate will be changed by a vote of the Faculty Senate to reflect any changes in the Statutes.

Standing Committees of the Faculty Senate

Many functions of the College of Education are conducted by standing committees of the Faculty Senate. The purpose, composition, operating procedures, and responsibilities of each standing committee are specified in this document. Careful and thoughtful action is required of the Committees; each has the potential to have highly positive or negative effects on the well-being of the College and the individuals within it.

In agreeing to be nominated for election or selection to a committee, faculty members tacitly agree to serve. Implicit in that agreement is the expectation that objective, professional service shall be provided. Knowledge of committee functions is a necessary first step in competent service that is expected of the Faculty Senate standing committee members.

Standing committee members are elected by members of the faculty of the College. Faculty members may serve on only one standing committee except for the Steering Committee or a committee to which they were nominated by the Dean. The Senate will elect one senator to each of the Standing Committees. Unless otherwise stated in the bylaws for individual committees, members of Committees shall be selected for staggered two-year terms. Unless otherwise stated in the bylaws of the Committee, the Chairperson will be elected for the following year during the last meeting of the Committee. Members who are absent from two committee meetings without notification of a schedule conflict to the chairperson will be removed from the committee. A replacement will be selected by the Nominating Committee. The removed member and his or her department head will be notified of the action.

Standing Committees

Nominating Committee
Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee
College Curriculum Committee

Nominating Committee

Purpose

To nominate faculty for standing committees and offices of the Faculty Senate, and to conduct elections for standing committee membership and Faculty Senate offices. Additionally, the Committee may be requested by the Dean to provide nominees or conduct elections for various college and university committees.

Composition

The Nominating Committee will be composed of three faculty members, each member being from a different department. Members are elected by faculty in the College.

Operating Procedures for the Nominating Committee
The Committee shall meet in August to review procedural guidelines. The Committee operates under the following procedures:

An individual can be nominated for only one standing committee slate. A nominee for a standing committee can also be nominated for or serve on the steering committee, an ad hoc committee, a Faculty Senate office, or committees created by the Dean's Office.
The nominating committee shall solicit candidates from the faculty at large to fill positions on College committees.
Nominating Committee members must contact each nominee for permission to place his/her name on the ballot.
A tentative slate of nominees for the Graduate Appointment/Reappointment and Tenure and Promotion Committees will be presented to the Faculty Senate at a spring semester meeting. Additional nominations from the floor will be permitted for inclusion. These lists are given to the Dean who makes final appointments to these committees.
A tentative slate of nominees for all standing committees will be presented to the Faculty Senate at their Spring meeting. Additional nominations from the floor will be permitted for all Faculty Senate offices and committees on the ballot.
Ballots for each elected committee will be printed by the Dean's Office.
Ballots will be mailed to faculty in time to allow at least one week for voting before the last week of classes in spring semester.
Each standing committee must include at least one member of the faculty senate to act as liason with the Senate.

Time-line for Nominating Committee

September

Convene committee for overview of year's tasks.
Determine vacancies to be filled on committees for Faculty Senate, University Council (Council and its committees), Graduate Council, and President's Advisory Council. Advance notice from University Council, the Graduate Council, or the President's Advisory Council is not given about when seats must be filled. They generally send a letter and ask for election results in 2 weeks. Therefore, use available documents to determine what seats are open.
Chairperson drafts call for nominations and has it double-checked for accuracy by committee members.

October

Distribute call for nominations to all faculty via campus mail.
Have call for nominations due date within 2 weeks.

November - January

Compile nominations received and assemble ballot so that it is in compliance with all of the regulations for each committee (correct number of people from each department, total number of nominees, etc...).
Committee members solicit additional nominations through college list-serv, department heads, and the Faculty Senate as needed.
Final ballot must be presented to the Faculty Senate for approval before the election. This should be done at the January meeting.

February

Distribute ballot to all faculty with return date within 2 weeks.
Count ballots (Save all ballots in a sealed envelope and mark that they are to be destroyed in 1 year). The ballots will be needed if someone is unable to serve for any reason.
Announce results to faculty via college list-serv prior to Spring Break and communicate results to Faculty Senate President and appropriate College administrators. Inform new members of their election directly via e-mail or letter.
Inform the chairpersons of standing committees that they are responsible for organizing their own meetings and writing their own reports to the Senate. Provide the chairpersons of each Standing Committee with the names of new and returning members.
Inform elected members of the committees about the committee bylaws posted on the Faculty Senate Website.

March - May

From among the faculty who will serve on the COE Faculty Senate the subsequent year, solicit nominations for a President-Elect. The Senate shall elect a President Elect at its last meeting in the Spring.
Report results to the Dean's office as requested (letters of request will go to the Dean and then be funneled to the committee chairperson).
Elect a chairperson for the following year.

Responsibilities

Meet as the need arises.
Provide nominees for Faculty Senate, University Council, and other college and university elections as requested.
Submit a report each year to the Faculty Senate summarizing the work of the Committee.
Bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operation Policies and Procedures of the Committee.
To ensure that each Faculty Senate Committee has appointed a Chair Pro Tem and the first meeting of the committee is held to elect a permanent chairperson.
Fill committee vacancies with the approval of the President of the Faculty Senate.
Inform the chairperson of each standing committee that he or she must report to the faculty senate at the end of each year. The chairperson can also assign a member of that standing committee to report.

Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee is to review and decide upon all appeal cases involving undergraduate student courses or programs that cannot be solved at the department level. Such appeals may include, but are not limited to, appeals concerning course grades earned by undergraduate students; undergraduate admission, readmission, retention, or transfer to or within the College; and admission or readmission to, or retention in, a departmental major.

Composition

The Director of Student Services, as a representative of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, serves as a non-voting facilitator for this Committee. The Committee will be composed of five faculty members. Three shall be elected by the faculty for three-year rotating terms; and the two faculty members remaining shall be selected by the Director of Student Services from a pool of faculty members. This pool shall consist of faculty members from College departments which have teacher certification programs or undergraduate education majors. Committee members may not be a department head. The Director of Student Services will serve as ex officio chair. Agreement by three of the five committee members will be sufficient to constitute a committee decision.

Operating Procedures

Specific procedures are listed below, but the general procedures are these:

An undergraduate student denied admission, readmission, retention, or transfer to or within the College or a student denied admission, readmission, or retention in Teacher Education, may file a written appeal of that decision with the Director of Student Services. The student must first have exhausted the appeal process at the academic program or department level before an appeal may be considered at the College level.
The Director of Student Services convenes the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, which makes a decision based on the recommendation from the head of the academic program concerned, the student's petition, the student's record, and any other evidence that the committee requests.

Responsibilities

Meet monthly to make decisions on appeals.
The Director of Student Services, serving as ex officio chair, shall submit a report each year to the Faculty Senate summarizing the work of the Committee.
Bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operating Policies and Procedures of the Committee.

College of Education Appeal Procedures

Admission Appeals Procedure

Student files petition for admission no later than the midpoint of the semester prior to the proposed semester of admission. This written petition is to be made to the Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services sends a memo, together with student's file and petition, to the head of the student's proposed major department for recommendation.
Department Head returns student's file with a letter of recommendation to the Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services convenes the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, which makes a decision based on student's record, letter of petition, and departmental recommendation.

If Admission is Granted:

Letter notifying the student with copy to Department Head.
Letter notifying Office of Student Records.

If Admission is Denied:

Letter notifying student of denial with copy to Department Head.

Admission to Teacher Education Appeals Procedures

Student files petition for admission no later than the midpoint of the semester prior to the proposed date of admission. It is to be remembered that admission is required prior to enrollment in professional teacher education courses (designated by "TE" in the Undergraduate Bulletin) and student teaching/teaching internship. This written petition is to be made to the Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Service sends a memo, together with student's file and petition, to the head of the student's major department for recommendation.
Department Head returns student's file with a letter of recommendation to Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services convenes the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, which makes a decision based on student's record, a letter of petition, and departmental recommendation.

If Admission is Granted:

Letter notifying student with copy to Department Head,
Letter notifying Office of Student Records.

If Admission is Denied:

Letter notifying student of denial with copy to Department Head.

Note: the student submitting the appeal must have a conference with the advisor or other appropriate faculty, the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, and/or the Director of Student Services or his/her designee.

Readmission Procedure - First Dismissal

Student files petition for readmission no later than the midpoint of the semester prior to the proposed semester of readmission. This petition is to be made to the Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services sends a memo, together with student's file and petition, to Department Head for departmental recommendations.
Department Head returns student's file with a letter of recommendation to Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services convenes the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, which makes a decision based on student's record, a letter of petition, and departmental recommendation.

If Readmission is Granted:

Letter notifying student with copy of Department Head.
Letter notifying Registrar, with copies to Office of Admission, Records, and Registration and Scheduling.

If Readmission is Denied:

Letter notifying student of denial with copy to Department Head.

Note: The student who is submitting the appeal must have a conference with the advisor or other appropriate faculty, the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, and/or the Director of Student Services or his/her designee. Some factors that may influence a decision include medical documentation and grades on course work completed at another institution or through UGA Independent Study Program.

Readmission Procedures - Second Dismissal

Student files petition for readmission no later than the midpoint of the semester prior to the proposed semester of readmission. This petition is to be made to the Chair of the University Educational Affairs Committee through the Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services sends a memo, together with student's file and petition, to the Department Head for departmental recommendation.
Department Head returns student's file with a letter of recommendation to the Director of Student Services.
Director of Student Services convenes the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, which decides what recommendation is to be made to Education Affairs Committee, based on student's record, a letter of petition, and departmental recommendation.
Director of Student Services transmits this recommendation together with student's petition, transcript, and departmental recommendation to Chairperson, Educational Affairs Committee.
Educational Affairs Committee makes final decision based on assessment of student's record, the student's petition, and recommendation from the College.
Education Affairs Committee Chairperson notifies Director of Student Services of decision.
Director of Student Services notifies student of Education Affairs Committee decision with copy of decision sent to Department Head.

Note: The student submitting the appeal must have a conference with the advisor or other appropriate faculty, the Undergraduate Academic Appeals Committee, and/or the Director of Student Services or his/her designee. Some factors that may influence a decision include medical documentation and grades on course work completed at another institution or through UGA Independent Study Program.

*For students who are listed as "unspecified majors," the student's advisor in the College's Student Affairs Office will be asked for a recommendation.

Grade Appeals

The student (undergraduate or graduate) who believes that he or she was evaluated differently from the stated course objectives/criteria or other public criteria and thus received an unfair grade may appeal to the Director of Student Services.

The student should discuss the evaluation and grade with the course instructor.
The student should then discuss and appeal the grade with the department head who will review the case.
The student may then appeal the decision, if he or she is still dissatisfied, to the Director of Student Services.
The Director of Student Services will select three persons from the Academic Appeals Committee and/or the pool of faculty to the Committee. The department from which the appeal arises will not be part of this appeal level. These faculty will then make a decision and recommendation to the Associate Dean.

College Curriculum Committee

Purpose

To make recommendations to the Dean of the College of Education on graduate and undergraduate course and program proposals received from the departments.

Composition

The Committee will be composed of six faculty members (all must have regular graduate faculty status, 3 must represent undergraduate programs) with no more than one person from any department. Members are elected by the Faculty of the College. Members shall be elected for staggered two-year terms. The Associate Dean's office will convene the first meeting of the year.

Operating Procedures

The Committee will meet in August to review procedural guidelines. Committee members will receive copies of applications for both programs and courses at least five days prior to a committee meeting. Each member will review and vote on all applications. University guidelines will provide the basis for the review.

Regular meetings of the Committee will include the following:

All applications will be discussed to determine the need for and desirability of such a course or program.
The Committee will determine if the course description justifies its level, credit, objectives, and title, or if the program justifies a need in the department and college.
The Committee will evaluate the effect on the originating department and other program areas if the application is approved.
If needed, the originator and/or a representative of the originating department will be requested to attend meetings of the Committee in which the proposal or application is being considered to respond to questions from the Committee pertaining to the proposal or application.
After a review, the Committee may vote to do one of the following:
Approve the application.
Approve with changes and request the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to see that such changes are made.
Disapprove and return to the originating department with an explanation of Committee action.
Upon approval of a new course application, course revision, or program the Committee instructs the chairperson to recommend the approval of the application to the Dean of the College who, in turn, will forward the courses/programs to either the Graduate School for graduate courses/programs or to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for undergraduate courses/programs. For graduate courses/programs, if the Graduate School approves the courses/programs, they forward their recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs forwards all proposal to the University Curriculum Committee for review and approval.

Instructions for individuals preparing applications:

New Course applications must include in the CAPA Outline: (a) Course objectives or learning outcomes, and (b) a Topical Outline.
Comment Section #15 on (CAPA Form) - The committee suggests the "Comment Section" be used since these comments are helpful in making decisions. Keep in mind these comments cannot be removed and are public.
Course conflicts and duplications. If a new course/program appears to be a duplication or in competition with another course/program offered by another unit in the College or the University, the originator of the new course/program must submit the course proposal to that unit for review and comment. The originator of the course must provide a rationale or justification explaining the similarity to the existing course and why it is not a duplication. (It is the interest of the originator to solicit review/comments from potential conflicting units in order to facilitate the approval of the course/program. If the solicitation is not sought and the committee feels that the proposed course is a potential duplication of an existing course/program the proposal will be returned to the originator and the solicitation will be requested.

The unit in the College and/or University which has a conflict with the proposed course/program may comment on the proposed course/program. If the conflict is not resolved between units the College Curriculum Committee will review and decide the issue.

Responsibilities

Meet as often as required, but no less than twice each semester to expedite the business at hand. The meeting dates need to precede the meeting dates set by the Graduate School Committee1 and the University Curriculum Committee2.
Consider all course and program proposals and recommend appropriate action to the Dean.
Submit a report each year to the Faculty Senate summarizing the work of the Committee.
Bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operating Policies and Procedures of the Committee.
Consider proposals for the multicultural requirement and recommend appropriate action to the Dean.

¹ The Graduate School Committee meets once in the fall term (late August) and three times in the Spring (late January, early and late February).

² The University Curriculum Committee meets two times each semester except summer; one meeting is held in the summer semester. Departments should not expect courses or programs to be approved at the University level in less than three months after approval at the College level. Courses or programs submitted by the College after the first of July each year, may not be approved before October as the University Curriculum Committee does not meet during August and September.

Special Committees of the Faculty Senate

Many functions of the College of Education are conducted by special committees of the Faculty Senate. The purpose, composition, operating procedures, and responsibilities of each special committee are specified in this document: any significant changes must be approved by the Faculty Senate.

In agreeing to becoming a member of a special committee, faculty members tacitly agree to serve. Implicit in that agreement is the expectation that objective, professional service shall be provided. Knowledge of committee functions is a necessary first step in competent service that is expected of the Faculty Senate special committee members.

The members of the special committees are selected by the Dean or associate deans. Faculty members may serve on only one standing committee except for the Steering Committee or on one special committee to which they were appointed by the Dean. Members of each special committee will serve in staggered terms as specified by each committee. Members who are absent from two committee meetings without excuse to the Chairperson will be removed from the committee. The removed member and his or her department head will be notified of the action. Unless otherwise stated in the bylaws of the special committee, the Committee will meet elect a Chairperson at the last meeting of the academic year from the pool of members returning for one more year of service.

Special Committees

Awards Committee
Graduate Faculty Appointment/Reappointment Committees
Dispute Resolution Committee
Promotion and Tenure Committee

Awards Committee

Purpose

To select nominees and/or recipients for awards in teaching, research, and service sponsored by the College of Education and The University of Georgia.

Composition

The Awards Committee will be composed of nine faculty members (one faculty member from each department) who have previously been recognized for teaching, research or service at The University of Georgia. Members will be selected by the Dean in consultation with the President of the Faculty Senate from a pool of qualified faculty members.

Operating Procedures

The Committee will meet as necessary, but no less than twice annually. The Committee will elect a Chairperson at the last meeting of the academic year from the pool of members returning for one more years of service. The Chairperson will call the first meeting in the following academic year, in August or September, to review procedural guidelines, selection procedures, and deadlines for awards in teaching, research and service sponsored by the College of Education or The University of Georgia. The Chairperson will notify the COE Office of Research, Technology, and External Affairs of the first meeting date, time, and place.

Responsibilities

The Committee will be the review and selection body and will forward its recommendations by award categories to the Dean of the College.
Submit a report each year to the Faculty Senate summarizing the work of the Committee.
Bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operating Policies and Procedures of the Committee.

Graduate Faculty Appointment and Reappointment Committee

Purpose

To review applications for initial appointment and reappointment to the Graduate Faculty and make a recommendation to the Dean regarding each applicant given the graduate school's criteria.

Composition

The Committee will be composed of nine tenured full or associate professors with Graduate Faculty status with each department being represented by one member. No department in the College may have more than one representative on this committee at any time. Appointment is made by the Dean in consultation with the President of the Faculty Senate from a slate presented by the Nominating Committee.

Operating Procedures

The Committee meets during August to review procedural guidelines. The Committee holds at least one meeting the fall and spring semesters of the academic year. No meetings are held during the summer semester. Each applicant submits an application in accordance with the "Procedures for Appointment/Reappointment to the Graduate Faculty" of the Graduate School. Applications are discussed in relation to the established Graduate School criteria.

Responsibilities

Meet as directed by the Dean of the College.
Consider faculty applications for appointment and reappointment to Graduate Faculty, and recommend appropriate action to the Dean.
Report to the Dean the annual number of applications and the number recommended and not recommended.
Bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operating Policies and Procedures of the Committee.

Procedures for Appointment, Reappointment, and Provisional Appointment to the Graduate Faculty

The College of Education adheres to the Graduate Faculty Procedures established by the Graduate School, available online at www.gradsch.uga.edu.

Each application originates in the department. All eligible faculty in that department (e.g., faculty who hold Graduate Faculty membership) will vote on the applicant. Upon receiving a positive vote, the Department Head details the vote (give the actual number of yeas, nays and abstentions - do not indicate unanimous) and provides their own recommendation as explained in the instructions provided by the Graduate School.

College-level Review: For the College-level review, submit eight (8) copies of the application package. Six copies will be forwarded to the Graduate School and one copy will be retained in the College office. Do not put application packages in binders or folders. The departmental cover letter should be stapled to the top of each application.

The Graduate Faculty Appointments and Reappointments Committee will convene to review all applications and make recommendations to the Dean of the College of Education regarding the applicants' qualifications for Graduate Faculty membership. The Committee's recommendations are based on three categories of qualifications relevant to Graduate Faculty membership: (1) scholarly competence, (2) intellectual leadership, and (3) experience with graduate education. Descriptions of these categories are provided in the Graduate School Guidelines at the web address listed above.

Following the Committee's decision, a letter giving the Committee's vote and rationale for its recommendation is forwarded to the Dean of the College. The Dean's designee will notify the Department Head of the Committee's and Dean's recommendation. If the recommendation is positive, the Committee's letter, Dean's letter, and the application package are forwarded to the Graduate School. If the decision is negative, the application is not forwarded. However, the applicant may ask for a reconsideration.

Reconsideration Procedures

If an applicant or his/her Department does not concur with the Committee or Dean's recommendation, the applicant or Department Head may request in writing a reconsideration. The reconsideration must specify the basis for the reconsideration (e.g., new information has been received, or explanation of information in the original application). When such a request is made, the Dean shall convene the same Graduate Faculty Appointments and Reappointments Committee that originally reviewed the application. The review and reporting procedures described above for the college-level review shall be repeated. Contact the Associate Dean for Instruction's office for time limits on reconsiderations.

If the reconsideration vote is positive, the application will be forwarded to the Graduate School with the other applications receiving a positive vote. If the vote is a tie vote (50-50) it is considered a negative vote. If the reconsideration vote is negative, the process ends.
Graduate Faculty Status for Adjunct Faculty: The committee considers two categories of appointments and reappointments. All regularly appointed faculty are expected to meet the full criteria for appointment to the Graduate Faculty: active and productive scholarly activity, intellectual leadership, and effective graduate teaching. Departmental adjunct faculty (those whose primary employment is not by The University of Georgia) who, by their status, are not able to engage in regular teaching but whose service on graduate committees is valued by a department, are expected to meet the first two criteria for appointment: active and productive scholarly activity, and intellectual leadership.

Dispute Resolution Committee

Purpose

The COE Dispute Resolution Committee considers claims of alleged discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disabilities, or veteran's status under procedures established by the University of Georgia Dispute Resolution Policy.

Disputes can be considered at the University level via the University of Georgia Dispute Resolution Policy. The University of Georgia Dispute Resolution policy indicates that formal procedures at the University level will NOT be available to a student or employee who has to seek relief through a department’s dispute procedure unless such a procedure failed to provide a fair and impartial hearing and an adequate mechanism for appeal or review.

The COE Dispute Resolution Committee does NOT consider claims of sexual harassment, Promotion and Tenure, Graduate Faculty Appointments or issues concerning pay.

Matters pertaining to sexual harassment are to be considered under the University's Sexual Harassment Policy.

Matters pertaining to promotion and tenure are to be appealed according to procedures contained in The University of Georgia Guidelines for Appointment Promotion, and Tenure.

Other processes are available for appealing decisions involving Graduate Faculty appointment or reappointment and issues concerning pay.

Composition

The Committee will be composed of three tenured faculty members. Two of the three faculty members selected for the committee must hold the rank of Professor. The committee members will be selected from a pool of eligible faculty by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and shall serve on the committee for the duration of the committees involvement in that dispute.

Operating Procedures

When the committee is formed it will first elect one of its members as chairperson. The chairperson must hold the rank of Professor. The committee operates under the following guidelines:

Neither the Committee nor any of its review panels will conduct business at any time except during working days of the academic year.

Business begun one academic year and not finished will be carried over to the following academic year.

Responsibilities

Hold meetings as the need arises. Neither the Committee nor its review panels, however, will meet during the summer months.
Maintain strict confidence on all cases before the Committee.
If the Committee should be formed, it should submit a report that year to the Faculty Senate of the number and general nature of cases under consideration and the disposition of cases in which action, including any appeals, is final.
If the Committee should be formed, it should bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operating Policies and Procedures of the Committee.

Dispute Resolution Process

Initial Procedures

Before a grievance may be received by the Committee, the involved parties must attempt to reach a settlement at the departmental level or other administrative level of origin. This effort normally should take not more than 10 working days.
If the grievance is not resolved at the departmental or other originating administrative level, the Department Head or other appropriate administrator will determine if both parties are willing to undergo formal mediation provided by the University.
Mediation is a process that helps people resolve disputes for themselves in a mutually acceptable way in which everyone involved in the dispute meets with one or more trained mediators. In a private setting, the mediator provides an orderly, simple process for the parties to discuss their dispute along with their feelings, perceptions and needs. The goal is to begin communication and move toward resolving the dispute in a manner agreeable to all.
The Mediation Coordinator at the University-level may be contacted at any point during the dispute resolution process to discuss mediation. Mediation can be pursued independently of these procedures, and offer a number of ways for parties to seek to resolve a dispute. The Mediation Coordinator will appraise the parties of the available methods, and will be available to provide guidance and assistance to any person with a question or concern about these procedures or any other dispute resolution mechanism. Mediation is voluntary, and no party will be required to participate in that process.
If the Department Head or other administrator is not successful at helping the parties arrive at a settlement, the administrator or either party may submit to the Committee a request for review. This request for review must be in writing and must include a specific statement of a grievance. During the academic year, this request should be made within 10 working days after a termination at the school or other appropriate higher administrative level. The Chairperson of the Committee will inform the Dean's office of all requests for review submitted to the Committee.

Informal Procedures

Within 10 working days of receiving a written request for a review, the Committee shall meet and decide if the grievance falls within its purview. If so, it then will decide what information and documents are needed to initiate deliberations; and it may require the complainant and the other party to supply any needed information or document that is in their possession.
After consideration of the received material, the Chairperson, or a member of the Committee delegated by the Chairperson, shall meet with the parties involved in an informal last attempt to find a way of settling the matter.
If, after this consultation and the pursuit of recommended means for resolving the grievance, either party desires to proceed further, the Committee shall initiate a formal procedure upon that party's written request for such procedure.

Formal Procedures

Within 10 working days of receipt of a written request for formal procedures, the Committee's chairperson shall meet with and present both parties with a list of potential members of a review panel. The list, which shall exclude the Dean and his/her staff, Department Heads, and members of the complainant's department, shall consist of 12 randomly chosen College of Education tenured faculty members. The random selections of potential panel members shall be done from updated listings of College of Education faculty members. The Dean's office shall supply these listings.
The complainant and the other party shall then strike names, alternatively and one at a time, until only four names remain. The complainant shall be the first to strike. The striking of the names shall be done in the presence of the Committee chairperson or delegate. The last four names struck from the list will be retained as alternates. Panelists selected are expected to serve.
Before the selected panel members meet, the Committee chairperson shall appoint a member of the Committee to act as chairperson of the review panel. That person shall have the tie-breaking vote on the panel. Committee members who belong to the complainant's department are not eligible for that position.
Upon appointment, the chairperson of the review panel will notify the parties to the dispute that they may request an appearance before the panel. No later than 10 working days after the establishment of the review panel, the chairperson of the panel shall convene it. At the meeting, the panel may proceed in one or more of the following ways:

If neither party requests an appearance before the first meeting of the panel, the panel may come to a decision on the complaint. In that case, a written report of the decision and its justification will be prepared by the panel and transmitted to the Committee.
The panel may request further information and/or documentation before it deliberates.
The panel may request personal appearance of the principal parties or other persons. The hearing or hearings will be held as soon as possible and the panel's decision and justification will be reported to the Committee in writing. In any case, the business of the review panel, including the preparation of a written report, should be concluded in an expeditious way. Minority reports may be submitted.

The Committee shall review the report of each review panel for clarity and ultimately forward it to the complainant and the Dean. If necessary, the Committee may return the report to the review panel with request for clarification. The Dean will review the report and render a final decision for the College of Education to resolve the dispute. Either party to the dispute, finding the Dean's decision unacceptable, can appeal to the University within its Dispute Resolution Policy.

Promotion and Tenure Committee

Purpose

To apply appropriate and fair guidelines for consideration of faculty applications for promotion and tenure and make recommendations to the Dean of the College.

Composition

The Committee will be composed of seven tenured full professors and two tenured associate professors, with each department being represented. Appointment is made by the Dean considering the recommendations from the Nominating Committee. Committee membership is not revealed until after service is completed. Committee members' terms of service shall begin in May and end at the completion of committee duties. Professors will serve staggered two-year terms; Associate Professors will serve a one year term. The chairperson of the committee is appointed by the Dean.

Operating Procedures

The Committee follows the detailed procedures in The University of Georgia Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.

Responsibilities

Meet as directed by the Dean of the College.
Consider faculty applications for promotion and tenure, and recommend appropriate action to the Dean.
Report to the Dean by academic rank the annual number of applications, and the number recommenced and recommended. The Dean presents an annual report to the Faculty Senate following completion of the promotion process.
Bring to the floor of the Faculty Senate suggestions and a rationale for changes in the Purpose, Composition, or Operating Policies and Procedures of the Committee

Revised and approved by COE faculty, October 2005