V302.04.01 VCSU Committee Structure

Faculty, students, and staff participate in shared governance through a variety of committees and advisory groups. These committees are divided into two groups: those that are structured by the Faculty Association constitution and report to the Faculty Association; and those that are designed to meet administrative needs and report to the administrative office that developed them.

A. Faculty Association Committees are described in the Faculty Association Constitution, available in VCSU policy V201. These committees include the following:

Faculty Senate

Curriculum Committee
Graduate Council
Standing Committee on Faculty Rights
Teacher Education Committee
Teaching and Learning Committee
Council of College Faculties
Diversity Waiver Selection Committee
Financial Aid Committee
Academic & Scholastic Standing Committee
Constitutional Review Committee
Faculty Advocacy Committee
General Education Council
Promotion and Tenure Committee

Committee structure varies by committee, with either departmental representation or elected representatives; in most cases, a faculty member chairs the committee and the administrators assigned to the committee participate ex-officio. The organization, identification of chair, and voting rights for each committee are outlined in the Faculty Association Constitution (V201).

B. Administrative Committee and Advisory Groups are usually chaired by an administrator and do not necessarily have departmental representation. The following are University Committees:

1. Academic Assessment Committee: Serves to review and provide direction for institutional assessment and learning outcomes at all levels and develop policy/practices for their use; provides feedback and advisement for program updates and reviews.

COMPOSITION: four at-large faculty members elected by Faculty Association; SEGS Assessment coordinator, Vice President for Student Affairs, Director for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.

2. Academic Policy and Affairs Council: Develops and reviews policies that are directly or indirectly related to the University's curriculum, academic policies, and academic programs and policy decisions in: academic standards, development of the library, student conduct and discipline, and faculty tenure and promotion.

COMPOSITION: Deans and Department Chairs. Chaired by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

3. Admissions Appeals Committee: Reviews student appeals for admission to the University.

COMPOSITION: Director for Enrollment Services, Registrar, Director for Student Academic Services, two faculty representatives selected by the Director for Enrollment Services.

4. Campus Inter-Functional Forum (CIFF): Serves as an informational venue for sharing what is happening in areas across campus in a report-out style. There is a standing agenda, and a brief update is expected with opportunity for discussion/questions from the group if needed. The goal is to support open communication across campus to help all staff feel engaged and informed.

COMPOSITION: Staff members from every office on campus, in addition to any academic personnel who would like a line on the agenda. Chaired by Staff Senate.

5. MOD Squad: Develop, implement, and review student service among the administrative functions to best serve student needs. Coordinate the administration of student information within the ConnectND system. As a partner in the accomplishment of university strategic goals, review campus initiatives and provide administrative perspective regarding the management of those initiatives within the administrative system and structure.

COMPOSITION: The meetings have included representatives from the Business Office, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, Student Academic Services, and Distance Learning.

6. VCSU Diversity Committee: Working group of individuals committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence at VCSU. The committee also advises the President of challenges, policies and practices that may hinder the university’s commitment and vision for diversity.

COMPOSITION: Director for Diversity and Inclusion (chair), 2 staff members appointed by Staff Senate, 2 faculty members appointed by Faculty Senate, 2 students appointed by Student Senate, 1 representative from the Teacher Education Program, Title IX coordinator or designee, 2 community members appointed by the President.

7. Institutional Review Board: Safeguards the rights of human subjects in research, development, or related activities undertaken by members of the university community; the Board must review and approve all such proposed activity.

COMPOSITION: Director for Institutional Effectiveness & Planning (chair), Academic Affairs Representative (appointed by VPAA in consultation with the IRB Chair), Community Rep, , Education Rep, Program representation, and faculty at large (1) selected by Faculty Association.

8. Judicial Council: Hears appeals from VPSA decisions regarding violations of the Student Code of Conduct and hearings on judicial matters.

COMPOSITION: Two faculty appointed by the President, three students selected by Student Senate.

9. Marketing Committee: A cross-functional group that advises the Director for Marketing on marketing plans and strategies.

COMPOSITION: Marketing Director (chair), Graphic Designer, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean for Graduate Studies, and Extended Learning, Advancement Office, Athletics, Enrollment Services, Technology Services, 2 faculty reps selected by the Marketing Director, and 1 student rep selected by Student Senate.

10. President's Cabinet: Coordinate the functions and advance the best interests of Valley City State University.

COMPOSITION: President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, Chief Information Officer, Executive Director for University Advancement, Director for Marketing, Director for Athletics, Director for Enrollment Services.

11. Staff Personnel Board: Conduct hearings on appeal from employees who have been suspended without pay, dismissed for cause, demoted, or dismissed due to a reduction in force (HR27) or when a regular staff employee is dissatisfied with an aspect of employment over which the employee has no control and on which remedial action is desired (HR 28).

COMPOSITION: Three members appointed by the university president.

12. Student Grievance Committee: Resolve student academic grievances.

COMPOSITION: Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, 3 faculty, and 3 students selected by the VPAA and VPSA, respectively, as needed.

13. Teacher Education Appeals Committee: Reviews student petitions seeking exceptions to those policies, regulations, or academic requirements of the School of Education and Graduate Studies relate to the Teacher Education Program. Committee will consider the evidence and make a recommendation in the matter. All recommendations and actions of this committee are advisory in nature to the Dean of Education who will render a final decision in a timely manner.

COMPOSITION: Three faculty members from the School for Education and Graduate Studies selected by the Dean of the School of Education.

14. Technology Advisory Committee: Address policies, planning and major projects with the purpose of applying information technology in pursuit of the institutional mission and vision. Technology plans and policy recommendations will provide guidance to Technology Services staff, VCSU strategic planning processes, and State of North Dakota technology planning activities.

COMPOSITION: CIO, Dean for Graduate Studies and Extended Learning, Distance Learning Coordinator, two student representatives two student representatives (selected by Student Senate annually), two staff representative (one representative elected each year by the Staff Senate for a two-year term), one Technology Services representative, one instructional designer (elected by the Instructional Design Team), and four faculty representatives from four different departments (each department may submit a nomination to the faculty association provided the department does not have a faculty members already serving on TAC - members of the association will elect two representatives per year for two-year terms). All elections shall be held prior to October 1 of each year.

15. University Hearings & Appeals Board: An avenue of final appeal of a decision by a university official or by an established university committee. A hearing body in matters dealing with alleged violations of the Student Bill of Rights.

COMPOSITION: One administrator, two faculty, and two students, all appointed by the president.

16. University Policy Committee: To assist in the coordination, development and oversight of VCSU policies and to ensure that the VCSU Policy Manual is complete and current. This policy brings with it a formal process for achieving its purpose.

COMPOSITION: Vice President for Academic Affairs (chair), Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs, 3 staff (selected by staff senate; including one member of staff senate), three faculty (selected by faculty association; including one member of faculty senate), Human Resources Director.

17. Emergency Management Team/VCSU Loss Control: Recommend programs and policies to promote safety, reduce risks, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and control costs.

COMPOSITION: Director for Facilities Operations & Safety, Director for Facilities Services, President, Vice President for Business Affairs, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director for Marketing and Communications, Chief Information Officer, Director for Athletics, and Executive Director for University Advancement.

18. Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) Advisory Council: Promote high quality undergraduate student research and scholarship with faculty in all areas of study.

COMPOSITION: Eight to twelve faculty members (volunteers approved by the VPAA), and the VPAA (ex-officio, non-voting).