These Bylaws establish procedures for exercising those Duties and responsibilities in the areas of faculty personnel, academic affairs, campus activities, and student life which are conferred upon the Wittenberg University Faculty by Article IV, Sections 2 and 3 of the Constitution, Article VI of the Bylaws of Wittenberg University, and the charter of Wittenberg College, Sec. 2. They were adopted in June, 1979, to become effective in September, 1980, amended numerous times between 1980 and 2003, and revised in 2003.
The Faculty shall directly exercise responsibilities in those areas herein assigned to its Board of Committees or to the Faculty as a whole, and in other areas which in the judgment of the Provost to the University, are appropriate for exclusive consideration by the Faculty.
Except where otherwise stated in these Bylaws, the faculty shall exercise its authority and make decisions in meetings of the faculty.
MEMBERSHIP
The following shall enjoy voice and vote in all meetings of the Faculty of Wittenberg University:
members of the faculty holding or sharing full-time positions at the rank of Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, including those who hold such appointments but are working part-time as a transition to retirement;
members of the faculty holding positions at the rank of Adjunct Assistant Professor, Adjunct Associate Professor, or Adjunct Professor;
eight student senators, with the specific senators identified in the bylaws of the student senate. The studen senators do not vote in faculty elections.
The following shall enjoy voice but not vote in meetings of the Faculty of Wittenberg University:
student members of the faculty policy committees
members of the faculty holding visiting appointments
administrators holding the rank of Vice President or higher; and academic administrators holding he rank of Assistant Professor or higher, or the equivalent, as determined by the Provost.
other persons to whom the faculty shall extend voice privileges on a special or standing basis
Except where otherwise noted, all faculty members with vote may serve on the faculty committees and boards listed in Article VIII
OFFICERS
A tenured member of the faculty shall preside at meetings of the faculty. The presiding officer shall be elected by the faculty to serve a two-year term that begins on August 1. In the absence of the elected faculty officer, the chairperson of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside.
The faculty shall elect a tenured member of the faculty to serve as Secretary to the Faculty for a two-year term. The secretary shall, with the assistance of the Provost's Office, prepare minutes of faculty meetings and distribute such minutes to all faculty members and to all student representatives to the Faculty within ten calendar days after each meeting, and maintain such records as the faculty shall determine prudent.
MEETINGS OF THE FACULTY
The faculty shall meet monthly during the academic year, and at any other times as scheduled by the Faculty Executive Board, or as determined by majority vote of the Faculty, or upon a petition to the Faculty Executive board by ten members of the voting Faculty membership.
At meetings of the faculty, a quorum shall consist of sixty voting members.
An agenda, prepared by the Faculty Executive Board, shall be distributed by the Provost of the University to all faculty members and to all student representatives to the Faculty at least seven calendar days prior to each meeting. All standing Board and Policy Committees with the power to make recommendations to the faculty may bring business items to faculty meetings, as may any group of ten voting faculty. In accordance with X.B below, the Faculty Executive Board in combination with the eight student senators also may place items on the agenda.
Proposals to be submitted to the Faculty for approval must be printed in the agenda. Proposed amendments should be distributed at least three days prior to the meeting; however, this shall not preclude voting upon an amended version of a proposal when, in the judgment of the presiding officer, such amendment does not substantially change the sense of meaning of the proposal. The faculty may waive either the seven-day or the three-day advance notice requirements by a two-thirds vote of those present.
When a committee, in its discretion, believes that its potential proposal to the Faculty will constitute a significant policy change, it's recommended that said committee call for and conduct an open hearing on that proposal before submitting it to the Faculty for action.
When a committee, in consultation with the Provost believes that a matter is of minor importance to the Faculty, it may submit a written report concerning the matter to the faculty without requiring a vote by the Faculty. Such reports must be included in the agenda for a faculty meeting. When the report is the next item in the order of business, the presiding officer will ask if there is any objection to the report. If there is none, the report will stand approved. If a member objects, the causes for the objection shall be stated together with a motion to open debate on the report and cause a faculty vote on it. The motion to open debate shall be undebatable and require a simple majority. If the motion to open debate fails, the report will stand approved.
Parliamentary Authority
Meetings and other business of the Faculty shall be conducted according to the latest revised edition of Robert's "Rules of Order," except as noted in Special Rules of Order adopted by a two-thirds vote of the faculty.
Boards and Committees
Nominations and Elections. Nominations of faculty members to all elected positions on all Faculty Boards and Policy Committees will be held at the regular April meeting; vacancies in elected positions that extend beyond the end of the academic year also will be filled by election at that time. Nomination slates shall be drawn up by the Faculty Executive Board and distributed in the agenda for this meeting. A least two nominations shall be made for each vacancy. Additional
nominations may be made from the floor. Elections shall be conducted by secret mail ballot as soon thereafter as possible, with the results reported and declared at the May faculty meeting. Newly constituted Boards and Committees will meet at least once before the end of the spring semester to elect a chair, to set initial fall meeting dates, and as necessary, to organize and prepare for operations in the fall. All terms shall begin on August 1.
Student members of the Faculty Policy and Task Committees will be selected by the Student Senate. Except where otherwise noted in the Bylaws, both faculty and student members shall have voice and vote on the Committees on which they serve.
Ad hoc committees. In cases where no existing Board or Committee has responsibility, or has reasonability but lacks either adequate resources or time for special projects or purposes, an ad hoc committee may be established by the Faculty on the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board or the Board or Committee in question, or shall be established by the Board or Committee in question. The size, composition and manner of selection of such ad hoc committees shall be determined by the establishing agent. Normally, ad hoc committees will be temporary, serving until the assigned purpose is accomplished.
Exclusions. No faculty member or student may serve on a total of more than two Faculty Boards and Faculty Policy Committees at the same time. Exception to this rule is the Board of Directors Liaison Committee. No faculty member shall serve on more than one of the following at one time; The Faculty Executive Board, the Faculty Personnel Board, the Educational Policies Committee, the Budget and Compensation Advisory Committee, the Hearing Board on Academic Freedom and Tenure. No Board or Committee should include more than one faculty member from a single department.
The following Boards, Policy Committees and Task Committees will be established under the authority of the Faculty. Boards and Policy Committees will report to the faculty at its regular meetings. Any committee not reporting business to the faculty during the year should report to the faculty in writing for the regular May meeting.
STANDING BOARD AND COMMITTEES
FACULTY BOARDS
FACULTY EXECUTIVE BOARD
Membership
Membership
Six faculty members on tenure; three elected by the Faculty for three-year
terms, two elected each year.
Duties
Membership
Six faculty members, two elected each year for three-year terms.
Duties
Membership
Six faculty members elected for three year terms; two elected each year.
Duties
to bring to the campus scholars and artists who will make a significant contribution to the intellectual and cultural life and climate of the University.
FACULTY HEARING BOARD ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND TENURE
Membership
Six faculty members; three-year term; two elected each year.
Duties
Membership
Six elected faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year.
Ex-Officio, with voice but not vote: the Dean of Students, the
Registrar, and Assistant Provost for Academic Services.
Duties
HONOR COUNCIL
(created by Faculty Action, January 14, 2003)
Membership
a. Six elected faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year; two administrators, one appointed by the Provost and one appointed by the Dean of Students; and ten students, with representation from each class. The students will be selected by a committee consisting of the chair and vice chair of the Honor Council, two additional volunteer members of the Honor Council ,and three students appointed by Student Senate. Once selected, student members will serve until they graduate.
b. From among its membership, the Honor Council will elect a student as chair and a faculty member as vice chair, each of whom shall have served at least one year on the Council before assuming office.
c. Honor Council Faculty Advisor. The Provost, in consultation with the Faculty Executive Board, will appoint a faculty member as Honor Council Faculty Advisor, a position without vote except when an elected member of the Council is also named as Advisor. The advisor will be responsible, in cooperation with the Dean of Students, for the oversight of the Honor Council and its processes.
Duties
a. to maintain and enforce standards of academic integrity
b. to create and conduct educational programming designed to promote academic integrity
c. to advise and consult with the student body, faculty members, and administrative officers on matters
pertaining to academic integrity
d. to designate from its members, students and faculty to serve on honor boards
e. to consider petitions for removal of the grade of XF from University records
f. to issue an annual report to students, faculty and staff, which would typically include a summary of
cases and a description of the Council's activities.
g. to review policies and procedures of the Code of Academic Integrity and the Honor Council at least
on a bi-annual basis and to recommend changes to the faculty and students
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Membership
six elected faculty members, two elected each year. Ex-Officio member
with voice but not vote: The Faculty Development Administrator.
Duties
To review and approve proposals for:
FACULTY POLICY COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATIONAL POLICIES
Membership
Six faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year; four
student members; the Provost. Ex Officio with voice but not vote:
The Associate Provost
Duties
Membership
Six faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year, and
two student members. Ex- officio members with voice but not vote: a representative
of the School of Community Education; the Director of Admissions, and
the Director of Financial Aid. Student members do not participate
in discussions of, or have access to, individual applications
Duties
Membership
Six faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year; and
four student members. Ex officio with voice but not vote: The Directors
of Computing and of the Library
Duties
Membership
Six elected faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year;
three student members and two faculty representatives to the North Coast
Athletic Conference. Ex Officio members with voice but not vote:
The Director of Athletics and Recreation, the Associate Athletic Director/Senior
Women's Administrator, and the Director of Intramurals and Recreation.
Duties
Membership
four faculty members, with two-year terms, two elected each year. Four
student members. Ex-officio with voice but not vote: The V.P. for Business
and Finance and the Provost or designee and the Director of Plant, Safety
and Environment.
Duties
Membership
Four faculty members, with four-year terms, one elected each year and
four student members. Students do not participate in discussions of compensation
and fringe benefits, nor will students have access to any but aggregate
data concerning compensation and fringe benefits.
Duties
BOARD OF DIRECTORS LIAISON COMMITTEE
Membership
The faculty representatives will consist of the Chairpersons, or their designees,
from the faculty boards or committees which correspond to the committees of
the Board of Directors. Since there is no faculty committee which corresponds
to the Honors Committee of the Board of Directors the Faculty will elect three
representatives. The student representatives to the faculty will select student
representatives from their number to those committees of the Board of Directors
which call for such representation. The persons thus chosen will also serve
as members of the Board of Directors Liaison Committee, together with five members
of the Board of Directors, drawn from its major committees, and the University
President. School of Community Education will be invited to send one representative
to meetings of the Liaison Committee.
Duties
COMMITTEE ON ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
(Created by Faculty Action,
April 11th, 1995)
Membership
Six faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year, and
three student members. Ex-officio members with voice but not
vote: The Provost ( or designee), The Director of General Education,
the Chairperson of the Committee on Educational Policies (or designee).
Duties
Membership
Four elected members, with three year terms; one additional member appointed
annually by the EPC from its membership to act as liaison between
EPC and GEAC; two students. Members with voice but not vote: The
Director of General Education, and the Provost or designee.
Duties
COMMITTEE ON WRITING AND SPEAKING
Membership
Four faculty members, with four-year terms one elected each year, ; two students. Members with voice but not vote: The Director of Speaking, the Director of Writing, and the Director of the Writing Center.
Duties
a. to advise the Provost and related administrators in activities of advocacy for the speaking and writing programs on such issues as budget resources, external funding, administrative support, program and course development.
b. to advise the Director of General Education on suggested changes in the General Education Program and to recommend changes in the program to the EPC when warranted.
ac. to review and approve courses proposed to help students achieve speaking and writing learning goals in the General Education program, to advise faculty desiring to submit such proposals, and to make recommendations concerning speaking and writing to the General Education Advisory Committee.
COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC COMPUTING
Membership
Six faculty members, with three-year terms, two elected each year; and four student members. Ex-Officio with voice but not vote: The Directors of Computing and of the Library.
Duties
a. to act as a liaison among faculty, students and the Directors of Computing and the Library regarding the services rendered by Computing at the University
b. to make recommendations to the Director of Computing, the Director of the Library, the Provost and the President regarding the improvement of computing facilities and services.
1. regarding the improvement of academic compuuting facilities and services
2. concerning signficicant proposed changes in academic computing policy software, or hardware
c. to assess periodically academic computing facilities and services
FACULTY TASK COMMITTEES
The following make curricular proposals to the Educational Policies Committee and/or advise the faculty and/or the administration on matters under their purview. All student and faculty members of Task Committees shall have voice and vote in Committee deliberations. Administrative Members shall serve with voice and without vote. Members will serve one-year terms, and faculty members will be appointed by the Provost, in consultation with the Faculty Executive Board.
The Provost and Faculty Exective Board, in consultation with a commitee chair, may choose to leave a position vacant for up to one year. Student members will serve one year terms and be appointed by Student Senate.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Membership
Six faculty members; four students, three of whom are SCE students.
Ex-officio member: Dean of Community Education
Duties
a. to recommend to the Educational Policies Committee academic policies related to credited studies in the School of Community Education.
b. to advise the Dean of the School of Community Education and the Provost on matters related to the School of Community Education's programs.
COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE
Membership
Three faculty members; three students, one of whom should be a student coordinator or a staff member of the Community Service Office. Ex Officio: Director of Community Service, Assistant Provost for Off Campus Programs
Duties
a. to recommend to the Educational Policies Committee academic policies related to community service and service learning.
b. to advise the Director of Community Service and the Assistant Provost for Off-Campus Internships on matters related to community service and service learning.
c. to assist faculty in the development of service learning opportunities.
HONORS PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Membership
six faculty members; six students.
Duties
a. to recommend to the Educational Policies Committee academic policies related to the Honors Program
b. to coordinate the Honors Program in conjunction with the Director of the Honors Program and the Provost
IBM LECTURE COMMITTEE
Membership
Five faculty members, at least three from departments in the Natural Sciences or Mathematics, appointed by the Provost for 3-year terms, and two students, at least one majoring in a Natural Science or Mathematics. Ex Officio: Director of Wittenberg Series
Duties
a. to select the speaker for the annual IBM Endowed lecture, in accordance with the guidelines of the IBM lecture Series endowment document.,
b. to coordinate the technical lecture with the department most closely related to the academic discipline of the selected speaker
c. to actively promote the IBM Lecture to all Wittenberg students, staff, and faculty.
d. to actively promote the IBM lecture to the Springfield and Central-Ohio community
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Membership
Six faculty members, the Director of International Education; six students,
at least 3 of whom should be international students.
Duties
a. to advise the Administration on issues pertaining to Wittenberg's international student populations ,including recruitment, housing, orientation, programming, registration, retention, and general welfare.
b. to advise the Provost on matters related to student participation in international programs not owned or operated by Wittenberg University.
c. to select study aboard scholarship recipients
d. to select the Global Awareness Award recipient.
e. to approve non-Wittenberg study abroad programs for individual students
FIELD STUDY COMMITTEE
Membership
Four faculty members appointed by the Provost ( at least two with experience directing field study programs) and two students with experience as participants in field study programs . Ex officio;The Director of International Education and the Dean of the School of Community Education.
Duties
a. to oversee all Wittenberg owned or operated field study programs(including study abroad, domestic and embedded programs ) as well as to monitor domestic field studies not owned or operated by Wittenberg, whether credit-bearing or not.
- to advise program directors in planning and implementation of programs.
- to approve program proposals including review of academic, staffing and logistical concerns
- to evaluate and assess field study programs after completion
- to oversee financial aid for field study programs
- to advise the Provost on the continued operation of field study programs in the event of political crisis or natural disaster
- to oversee safety and liabililty issues for field study programs.
b. to recommend policies for field study program including domestic, foreign, and embedded programs.
Membership and duties of this commitee will be reviewed by the Faculty Executive Board two years after its formation
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY COMMITTEE
Membership
Four faculty members; 4 students, at least two of whom should be from Concerned Black Students. Ex Officio: Director of Multicultural Affairs, Wittenberg Series Coordinator
Duties
a. to make recommendations to the faculty and the administration concerning the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
b. to coordinate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities
c. to advise the faculty and administration on matters related to campus diversity
MATH WORKSHOP ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Membership
Four faculty members; three students. Ex officio: Director and Associate Director of the Math Workshop, Assistant Provost for Academic Services, Registrar
Duties
a. to advise the Math Workshop and the Provost on matters pertaining to workshop programs
PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE
Membership
Six faculty members, one of whom will be the Pre-health Professions Advisor, Ex officio -Director of Career Center.
Duties
a. to interview and evaluate students interested in applying to medical or dental programs that require a committee letter of evaluation.
b. to prepare and distribute committee letters of evaluation of programs as requested by the student.
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
Membership
Six faculty members; four students. Ex Officio: Wittenberg Series Coordinator, Director of Student Activities
Duties
a. to program for and present a distinguished speakers and artists series, the Wittenberg Series
b. to advise the administration and the faculty in order to limit competition with events, major and minor, including the Wittenberg Series
c. to assist in long-range planning and promotion of all major cultural and intellectual events, including their contribution to the academic program.
d. to consult with faculty in disciplines appropriate for topical lectures of performances.
STUDENT APPELLATE BOARD
Membership
Four faculty members, four students
Duties
a. to hear appeals submitted by students after a hearing with the Student Senate has been
completed and processed.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS COMMITTEE
Membership
Three faculty members. Ex officio: Assistant Provost for Academic Services
Duties
a. to advise the administration on policies related to student scholarships and fellowships.
b. to evaluate scholarship and fellowship applicants as requested by the administration
TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS COMMITTEE
Membership
Four faculty members; four students
Duties
a. to recommend to the faculty and the Provost ways to promote the effectiveness of Wittenberg teaching.
b. to evaluate periodically the standardized faculty teaching evaluation forms, and in conjunction with the Faculty Personnel Board, to make recommendations to the faculty concerning those forms.
FACULTY TASK BOARDS/COMMITTEES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW
The following task boards and committees serve external legal requirements; as such, their composition and Duties are subject to change as determined by the President. All members will be appointed by the President or Provost in accordance with federal guidelines. All members of these boards or committees shall have voice and vote in Committee deliberations.
INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND
USE COMMITTEE
(Created by faculty action, September 15, 1999)
Membership
Three faculty members for renewable two-year terms; one student member
for a one-year term; one veterinarian; one community representative.
Ex Officio: Associate Provost.
Duties
a. to assure that University establishes and maintains proper measures to ensure the appropriate care and use of all nonhuman vertebrate animals used for research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, or related purposes. In a manner consistent with established University policies.
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD
(Created by faculty action, March 19, 1996)
Membership
Three faculty members. Ex Officio : Associate Provost;
"public" members as required by funding and regulatory agencies.
Duties
a. to approve all research involving human subjects, regardless of sponsorship, that uses Wittenberg facilities or resources or that is conducted by Wittenberg faculty members, staff, or students.
b. to assure that the rights and welfare of participants are adequately protected, in compliance with the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, as published in the Federal Register (June 18, 1991, Vol. 56, No. 117).
SEXUAL COMPLAINT GRIEVANCE BOARD
Membership
At least four faculty and four staff, appointed by the President for three year terms; the Chief Justice of the Student Senate Hearing Board, and three other students in staggered two-year terms. No faculty member shall serve simultaneously on the Sexual Complaint Grievance Board and on the Faculty Hearing Board on Academic Freedom and Tenure.
Duties
a. to adjudicate formal complaints of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.
b. to periodically review policies related to sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, and to make
recommendations as appropriate.
DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSONS