3.7.5 Faculty Role in Governance

Comprehensive Standard: The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters.

X Compliance
    Partial Compliance
    Non-compliance

Narrative:

Georgia State faculty have certain responsibilities and authority to function in academic matters such as curriculum, methods of instruction, research, faculty welfare, and aspects of student life relating to the educational process.  Faculty participate in the general governance of the university at all administrative levels through representation on university, college, and departmental committees and councils.   All faculty members may participate in university governance, either directly by serving in the University Senate [1] and its committees or indirectly by electing colleagues to represent them.  The University Statutes  [2] is the official publication that provides for the internal governance of Georgia State University, and additional discussions of faculty responsibilities and authority can be found at Standards 3.2.6, 3.2.7, 3.4.1, and 3.4.10.

The University Senate is an integral part of the governance of Georgia State.  It is an elected body with representation from administration, faculty, staff, and students.  The University Senate is chaired by the University President while the Provost serves as its vice chair.  The Senate Executive Committee [3] sets the agenda of the meetings and receives and disseminates reports of all standing committees prior to meetings of the full Senate.  The Executive Committee is composed of the President, the Provost, and six elected senators with the chair being elected by the committee members.  Much of the work of the Senate is done through a series of committees and sub-committees; most issues have been discussed fully and have been widely disseminated before reaching the floor of the Senate.  This permits the work to flow smoothly on the Senate floor.  The Bylaws of the University Senate [4] constitute the rules and regulations governing the conduct and procedures of the University Senate.

In addition to University policies and procedures, the colleges and schools have established governance policies, procedures, and faculty organizations specific to their particular needs and concerns. The College of Arts and Sciences Bylaws of the Faculty [5] and the standing committees of the College of Health and Human Sciences [6] and the College of Education [7] are examples.  

Supporting Documentation:
  1. University Senate web page
  2. Copy of University Statutes
  3. Description of duties and responsiblities of the Executive Committee as stated in the Senate Bylaws
  4. Copy of the Senate Bylaws
  5. Copy of the Bylaws of the College of Arts and Sciences
  6. List of the standing committees of the College of Health and Human Sciences
  7. List of the faculty governance committtees of the College of Education