1. Faculty Governance at NU
Department/Program Level College Level **University Level: Faculty Senate & Faculty Handbook

2. University Governance & Faculty Rights Documents
Faculty Handbook
Student Handbook, especially the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
University Catalog, especially section on courses & grading
University Policies Website

3. Modules Recently Created/Revised in Our “Living” Faculty Handbook
Academic Freedom
Conflict of Commitment and Interest
Presence at the University
Policy on Outside Professional Activities
Leaves of Absence and Vacation
Sabbatical
Procedural Guidelines in the Appointment of University Administrators

4. More Modules Recently Created/Revised in Our “Living” Faculty Handbook
Faculty Workloads
Appointments, Terms and Reappointments
Tenure
Faculty Discipline
Dismissal Proceedings: Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
Full-Time Faculty Grievance Procedure
Non-retaliation for Participation in Faculty Governance

5. Other Handbook Module Activity
Pending University-Wide Policy on Intellectual Property
Patent and Copyright
Instructional Media
Pending Senate Review
Compensation
Full-Time Faculty Rights & Responsibilities
Full-Time Faculty Promotion
Moved toward “one faculty” by minimizing the differences (with the obvious exception of tenure) in the rights and responsibilities between the various classifications of FT faculty
Mandated that all academic units have clearly defined voting and other governance rights/responsibilities for all FT faculty including tenured, tenure-track and non-tenure-track

6. The Faculty Senate
6 Views

7. 33 Senators (Full-Time Faculty Members) Elected by Their Colleges to 2-Year Senate Terms
1 – School of Law
2 – College of Professional Studies,
Khoury College of Computer Sciences
3 – College of Arts, Media & Design
4 - Bouvé College of Health Sciences
D’Amore-McKim School of Business
5 – College of Science
6 – College of Engineering,
College of Social Sciences and Humanities

8. Total of 40 Members for the Senate: Shared Governance Model
6 Administrators appointed by the Provost
Administrator = Any faculty member in a dean’s, provost’s or chancellor’s office, including assistant/associate/etc. positions
Chairs/Directors are included in the full-time faculty group.
Provost (who chairs sessions and votes only in ties)
Faculty determine the meeting agendas via the Senate Agenda Committee
Open meetings, ~2 per month

9. Senate Definition by the Board of Trustees
The Faculty Senate, together with the Administration of the University, has the responsibility of maintaining and improving the academic standards of the University and making the functioning of the University more effective and harmonious.
It is the highest faculty governance body in the University.
It also coordinates activities among the various College faculties as well as those that involve both the administration and faculty of the University.

10. Responsibilities Assigned to Senate by the BOT
To act as a coordinating body to establish mutually satisfactory academic goals and standards among the various Colleges and divisions;
To be consulted … on all policies, proposals, and problems of faculty concern, including such matters as the creation of new colleges, new campuses, and new departments;
To be the final faculty body to deliberate and act upon recommendations from the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or the Graduate Council;
To initiate consideration and recommendation on any matter of faculty concern;
To undertake such legislative and advisory functions in connection with the work of the University as may be referred to it by the President and Board of Trustees; and
To provide communication between the University faculty and the Administration.

11. Senate Standing Committees
Academic Policy Committee
Administrator Evaluation Oversight Committee
Enrollment & Admissions Policy Committee
Faculty Development Committee
Financial Affairs Committee
Full-time Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Committee
Graduate Council
Information Technology Policy Committee
Library & Information Collaboration Committee
Research Policy Oversight Committee
University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
University Standing Appeals Committee on Tenure

12. Senate Agenda Committee (SAC)
Senate elects 6 SAC members
Includes Chair & Secretary positions
SAC Chair presides at Senate in absence of Provost
SAC responsibilities
Set the agenda for all Senate meetings
Staff standing committees; create ad hoc committees
Provide regular channel for consultation and communication between the faculty and administration
Represent the faculty on University-level committees
Meet at least once each year with the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees

13. Recent Senate Activities
Collaborated with Student Government Association (SGA) to update the Students Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
Collaborated with SGA to control costs for online learning platforms, homework codes, etc.
Initiated collaboration with SGA to review the student evaluation of teaching – focus of upcoming Senate year
Established 10 new programs: 8 MS & 2 BS
Revised 3 programs: 1 PhD, 1 MS & 1 BS
Reviewed student/advisor experience in Combined Majors and recommended additional resources
Reviewed the experience of our faculty during their leadership of short-term study abroad programs & recommended policies and procedures

14. More of last year’s Senate work
Reviewed grant support processes to identify how they can be made more efficient
Enhanced effectiveness of communication between ITS and faculty
Established search committees for 1 provost, 3 deans and 10 chairs
Oversaw faculty evaluations for 2 deans and 3 chairs
Oversaw 3 student academic appeals & 3 faculty grievances
Implemented criteria for developing and displaying faculty workloads
Continued extensive review & revision of the Faculty Handbook, including One Faculty Initiative

15. From your viewpoint
Meet interesting people, learn interesting things & help shape the university
Discuss Senate and university-wide issues at your college faculty meetings
Be informed
Agendas for the Senate meetings are ed to all faculty.
The Senate web site is a rich source of information.
Attend Faculty Senate meetings if interested
Contact your senators
Contact SAC: considers each idea it receives and will also respect the request for confidentiality
Get involved: Senate committees take on a broad array of university-wide issues