Seaver Faculty Association Standing Committees
(Included since 1988)
The faculty committee structure is essential to the effectiveness and efficiency of the University operation. Committee work is an important part of a faculty member's responsibility.
Often recommendations made by committees to the SFA Executive Committee become University policies. Since the administration bears final responsibility for actions taken, it does reserve the right to review all committee action.
A brief description is given of the purpose and function of each committee. The chairperson is responsible for establishing a meeting time, maintaining records for the committee, and presenting a report of the committee's deliberations and recommendations.
A. STUDENT RELATIONS1. Academic Integrity Committee
Reports to the Seaver academic administration regarding cases of infractions of the academic ethics code brought before it. Reports to either the Executive Committee or the Faculty Association organization recommendations concerning the Seaver Code of Academic Integrity. The committee consists of one representative elected by each division serving a two-year term of office and three students, appointed by division chairs and the Seaver Dean's Office.
2. Admission and Scholarship Committee
Reviews undergraduate admission, scholarship and student loan policies and procedures and makes recommendations either to the Seaver academic administration or the faculty as necessary. Determines awards of faculty/staff scholarships and informs faculty about these. The committee consists of one representative elected from each division plus an appointed staff member chosen among staff members who contribute to faculty/staff scholarships.
B. FACULTY RELATIONS
1. Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee
Evaluates and makes recommendations to the administration concerning initial placement, promotion, and tenure of faculty. Makes recommendations to the faculty about potential changes in tenure and promotion policies and procedures. Consists of one tenured professor from each division serving three-year staggered terms and one non-tenured professor at large serving a one-year term. Elected by the faculty according to guidelines in the RTP Handbook.
2. Faculty Development Committee
Determines selection criteria, evaluates requests by the faculty, and makes recommendations to the Seaver academic administration for sabbatical leaves and reassigned time. Also plans activities to stimulate intellectual growth among faculty. The faculty of each division elect one representative to the committee on staggered three-year terms.
3. Faculty Benefits, Salary, and Stipends Committee (Modified 2006)
Reviews and makes recommendations to the Seaver faculty and administration concerning faculty benefits, including salaries, on-campus housing, housing loans, and early retirement. Develops criteria and evaluates requests for faculty stipends based on market-driven criteria in order to hire and retain qualified faculty members in highly competitive disciplines. The faculty of each division elects one representative to the committee on staggered three-year terms.
4. Professional Problems Committee
Meets to review and make recommendations to the Seaver academic administration concerning faculty complaints involving professional relationships. The faculty of each division elects one representative to the committee on three-year staggered terms.
5. Committee on Women Faculty
Reviews university policies and processes related to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women faculty. Provides a forum for discussion of resources and support for women faculty. Facilitates mentoring of women faculty. Provides opportunities for education and enrichment on issues related to women faculty. The faculty of each division elects one representative to the committee on staggered three-year terms.
C. ACADEMICS
1. Academic Affairs Committee (Altered December 2016)
Monitors and evaluates the general education curriculum, including freshman seminars and international programs and makes recommendations to Seaver Academic Council, Seaver academic administration, and Seaver faculty. Considers methods of enhancing Christian focus and multicultural understanding, of including multi-media or other technological advances, and of service learning into the curriculum. It monitors advising and registration procedures. The faculty of each division elects one representative to the committee to serve three-year staggered terms.
2. Teacher Education Committee
Monitors training and credential programs for elementary and secondary teacher education at Seaver College. Members selected by the executive committee to serve two-year staggered terms.
3. Teaching, Learning, and Technology Committee
Develops methods to assess the educational value of the general education curriculum, helps divisions assess the quality of their majors, and administers the student evaluations of the faculty, including considerations of modifications of the evaluations and use of the evaluations. Members selected by the executive committee to serve two-year staggered terms.