COLLEGE OF EDUCATION COMMITTEES

The general purpose of our standing committees is to provide a means for faculty and staff members to work collaboratively on advancing the college’s mission. Committees afford the opportunity to focus a range of expertise and perspectives on matters critical to the growth of the college.

College committees offer perspectives regarding specific college proposals and issues to ensure our work remains aligned with the university's mission and goals, is consistent with the college's mission and goals, and meets applicable state and professional standards.

Committees are additionally charged with fostering a climate of open and respectful discussion that highlights both the shared and unique aspects of the college’s varied programs.

• Members from each academic unit will be appointed or elected at the unit’s discretion.
• Other members (e.g., from the Office of Student Services, the Learning Resource Center, other college offices, campus/community partners, and/or students) will be appointed as deemed necessary by the dean or dean’s designee.
• The size of each committee will be determined by the dean with input from college leadership.
• Each committee will include a Dean’s Office Liaison appointed by the dean or dean’s designee.

• Terms will begin on the first day of the first pay period for the fall semester (typically Aug. 15).
• The default term of appointment is three consecutive years.
• Terms will be staggered such that approximately 1/3 of committee membership is rotated each year.
• In some cases, terms may be modified at the discretion of the dean or dean’s designee to meet representation and staggering needs.
• Members will normally serve no more than two consecutive terms. Exceptions require review by the Steering Committee and approval by the dean.

• In consultations with each committee, the dean or dean’s designee will select a chairperson to serve for one year with the potential for reappointment.
• Incoming chairpersons will be identified by the end of the spring semester.

• Committee members shall disclose any conflict of interest with any issues or meeting agenda items at the beginning of a committee meeting.
• When a conflict exists, the member will abstain from voting and participating in the discussion. Disclosures must be documented in the minutes or notes of the meeting.
• While rare, in cases where abstention due to conflict of interest would undermine the practicability of voting, the committee should have procedures in place to assure representation of membership is maintained (through substitutions, ad-hoc membership, etc.) and voting can be continued.

• Consult with the dean’s office to set agenda priorities.
• Guide and participate in committee activities throughout their term of service.
• Set a schedule of meetings, recommended to occur monthly.
• Communicate monthly with the dean’s office liaison.
• Develop a written agenda for committee meetings and document main points and action items.
• Work with a committee secretary or notetaker to manage all records of the committee, coordinate with the dean’s designee for managing documentation of committee work, and provide records to the subsequent incoming chairperson.
• Serve on the Steering Committee and participate in their meetings and activities.

• Take attendance and minutes at committee meetings and all other official committee events.
• Maintain committee records during term.
• Maintain current roster of past and present committee members, terms or service, and rotations.
• Organize official committee reports

• Participate in meetings and committee work throughout the term of their service.
• Members on 12-month contracts are expected to contribute to committee work throughout the year. Members on 9-month contracts are expected to stay abreast of ongoing work, be responsive to communication, and participate in time-sensitive meetings as needed during the summer months.
• Annually review College of Education website content related to the committee and submit recommended changes to the college’s Director of Communications & Marketing.
• Annually review committee operating guidelines and relevant college policies and procedures. Suggest revisions as appropriate in annual report.
• Act as liaisons for their units, keeping the unit leader and faculty/staff apprised of the committee’s work.

• The chairperson or dean’s office liaison will provide monthly updates during Leadership Council meetings.
• The chairperson will provide an update at each of the Steering Committee meetings.
• The chairperson will provide a written annual report at least 30 days before the annual Leadership Council Retreat (typically held at the end of the academic year), which will summarize the accomplishments and continuous improvement efforts of the committee.