Committee Descriptions

Members of these committees are elected by Academic Units in odd/even years for a two-year term

Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee shall conduct timely and fair hearings related to student academic appeals, grade appeals, academic integrity, and other matters referred to the Appeals Committee as outlined in current policy and procedures contained in the Faculty and Student Handbooks, in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations. In addition, the Appeals Committee shall promote faculty and student awareness of the appeals process and maintain a procedure for appeals review in relation to relevant University policies.

Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee shall review and recommend proposals affecting the academic programs of the University, including but not limited to course proposals, program changes, addition and deletion of programs, degree requirements, and general policies with impact on instruction and learning.

Faculty Development Committee

The Faculty Development Committee shall publicize and solicit applications for Faculty Development grants and awards; and select the recipients for final approval by the President of the University.

Faculty Personnel Committee

The Faculty Personnel Committee shall make recommendations through the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to the University President on professional personnel concerning tenure, promotion in rank, emeritus status, and sabbaticals; and the committee shall handle the business directed to it by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.

General Studies Committee

The General Studies Committee shall oversee the University’s Core Curriculum. Review courses submitted for inclusion in the Core. Create and oversee the outcomes governing the Core Curriculum and the listing of courses fulfilling them in the University catalog. Manage assessment data on the effectiveness of the Core Curriculum and compile reports on this annually. Conduct a review of the Core Curriculum program on a five-year. Formulate, review and maintain policies and procedures to operate the Core. All committee functions will result in recommendations reported to the Faculty Senate for final action. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or designee, the Faculty Director of General Studies, and the Executive Director of Academic Advising and Career Success shall serve as ex-officio members.

Library Committee

The Library Committee shall study library needs in view of academic programs and advise the librarians on matters of general library policy, the development of library resources, and allocation of library budget. The Director of the Library shall serve as an ex-officio member.

Presidential Perception Survey Committee

The Presidential Perception Survey Committee shall administer the annual Presidential Perception Survey and compile and distribute the results. Annually review the survey instrument and process of administration and recommend changes to the Faculty Senate. Oversee the distribution of the approved survey instrument to the Faculty, either through direct action of the committee or through a third-party survey provider approved by the Faculty Senate. Compile the results of the survey.

Interested faculty may volunteer to serve for a two-year term

 

Admissions and Credits Committee

The Admissions and Credits Committee shall serve as a Faculty Advisory group to the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Admissions. In this capacity, the Committee shall review general University policies adopted by these offices and recommend any appropriate changes. The committee shall be empowered to act upon individual cases involving admission, readmission, retention, and credits of students and shall also be empowered to render judgment on petitions for grade changes submitted by faculty and administration. The Registrar, the Coordinator of the LEAD Center, the Admissions Manager, and the Manager of Recruiting shall be ex-officio members.

Animal Care and Use Committee

The Animal Care and Use Committee shall Function as the official institutional agency for ensuring the ethical and legal use of vertebrate animals in the normal course of classroom and research use conducted by any individuals affiliated with the institution in accordance with the Health Research Extension Act of 1985. Public law 99-158.

Athletics Committee

The Athletics Committee reviews and recommends policies; advises the President and the Athletic Director in the determination and maintenance of high standards of performance by the institution in this specialized area; acts as a liaison between faculty, students and administration; monitors the athletic budget allocations and inter-collegiate schedules;  periodically reviews compliance with WVIAC, NCAA, and Title IX policies and regulations; and meet at the end of each academic year and as needed during the academic year as determined by the Committee Chair. The Director of Athletics and the University NCAA Academic Representative shall be ex-officio members.

Common Book Committee

The Common Book Committee shall publicize the book chosen for the year through appropriate programming and media support; choose a book for the following year; and plan faculty development activities to help faculty integrate next year’s book into classes.

Faculty Personnel Committee

The Faculty Personnel Committee makes recommendations through the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs to the University President on professional personnel concerning tenure, promotion in rank, and sabbaticals; and handles business directed to it by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. Only tenured faculty members holding at least the rank of Professor are eligible to serve on this committee.  The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as an ex-officio member.

Faculty Welfare Committee

The Faculty Welfare Committee recommends programs for the welfare of the faculty. The Assistant Vice President for Human Resources serves as an ex-officio member.

Institutional Review Board

The Institutional Review Board functions as the official institutional agency for insuring the ethical and legal use of humans and animals in the normal course of research conducted by any individuals affiliated with the institution.

International Education Committee

The International Education Committee shall investigate, promote, and coordinate all phases of international education among students and faculty. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee, the International Student Advisor, one student chosen by the Student Government, and one international student chosen by the International Student Advisor shall serve on the committee.

Legislative Advocacy Committee

The Legislative Advocacy Committee shall inform faculty concerning higher education legislation as it is proposed and as it proceeds through the legislative process. Disseminate membership lists of legislative committees and addresses of pertinent legislators. Work in cooperation with similar committees on the other state college and university campuses. Survey and collate information and opinions of faculty and forward them to the Advisory Council of Faculty for inclusion in proposed legislative packages. The faculty representatives to the Board of Governors and Advisory Council of Faculty shall serve as ex-officio members.

Student Publication Board

The Student Publications Board chairperson shall call a meeting with the Chair of Humanities, the student publications faculty advisors, and current editors of The Columns, Tracts, and Whetstone each year to interview and elect editors for the publications for the following year, and to conduct any other relevant business pertaining to the development and staffing of student publications.

Student Financial Aid Appeals Committee

he Student Financial Aid Appeals Committee shall recommend to approve or deny the financial aid appeals related to the student financial aid program; and make recommendations to the Financial Aid ex-officio member in attendance. The Director of Financial Aid or designee shall serve as an ex-officio member.

Technology Committee

The Technology Committee shall study issues that relate to faculty and student use of the information technologies made available by the University on and off campus, advise personnel in the IT department regarding the needs of faculty in terms of programs, systems, assistance, and training, and serve as a liaison between the faculty and the Chief Information Officer. The Chief Information Officer of the University shall serve as an ex officio member.

Bookstore/Textbook Committee

[Based on BoG policy #54-Bookstore Policy] Fairmont State University shall have a Bookstore/Textbook Committee to advise faculty, student government, administration and the Board of Governors on issues related to textbook affordability and initiatives, textbook selection guidelines, educational opportunities and strategies designed to keep the cost of textbooks low. This committee shall include a member of the Board of Governors’ Academic Affairs Committee, faculty, administrators, students, staff, and bookstore representatives. The Bookstore/Textbook Committee shall meet at least annually with the members of the Board of Governors to present recommendations and reports concerning the Bookstore and textbook affordability, and bring the annual report to the Senate.

Faculty Handbook Committee

This Committee shall undertake an annual revision of the Faculty Handbook. This is a joint Senate and administrative committee. Each College of the University will be represented by one elected faculty member. The Provost will appoint three faculty members, one of whom will be from the Dean’s Council. The Provost will also serve as a member of the Committee. Each fall, the Provost will provide members with professional development regarding best practices in the creation and maintenance of faculty handbooks. The Committee will be chaired by one of its faculty members elected by the membership. The Committee will update and revise the Handbook each spring. Upon approval by the Committee, the document will be sent to Senate for review and approval. After Senate approval, the Committee will submit the Handbook to the Provost. University Counsel and the Director of Human Resources will serve as ex-officio members.