1.6 Internal Governance at Ithaca College

Structure -- Standing Comm. -- Faculty Council -- Staff Council -- SGA -- School Councils -- Alumni Assoc.

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1.6.2 All-College Governance Standing Committees

Approved by the Ithaca College Board of Trustees on May 13, 1999.

1.6.2.1 Authority and Responsibilities

Standing committees are not executive, legislative, or judicial bodies, except in certain specifically stated cases. They are investigative, deliberative and advisory bodies that report their findings or make their recommendations to the appropriate officer of the College after consultation with the College community. Other groups or individuals may choose to forward their comments on the report or recommendation of a standing committee to the appropriate officer of the College.

Recommendations of standing committees shall become effective when either the president or Board of Trustees, whichever is designated, approves them on the recommendation of the officer to whom the committee reports.

1.6.2.2 Procedures

Unless specifically designated herein, the committee chairperson shall be elected by the committee annually. Also, unless its description states otherwise, the committee may opt to reelect its chairperson, but only by a formal vote.

Standing committees shall determine their own operating procedures in accordance with College policies.

1.6.2.3 Minutes

Minutes of committee meetings shall regularly list by name the members present and absent. Each committee shall routinely send its minutes, or a report of its activities, to the administrator who bears primary responsibility for the area of concern to the committee. Any formal report and minutes coming from the committee shall automatically be sent to the president. All minutes and recommendations (except when determined as confidential) shall be transmitted to the Faculty Council, Staff Council, and Student Government Association in a timely manner with opportunity for response.

1.6.2.4 Membership

Faculty, staff, administrators and students selected to serve on standing committees should be of the highest calibre and be willing to prepare carefully for and participate thoughtfully in committee deliberations. Specific qualifications of members for each committee will vary in accordance with the duties of the committee. For example, student members of the Academic Policies Committee should have demonstrated high academic achievement and have had considerable experience as college or university students, while faculty members of the committee should have interest and expertise in curricular matters, as well as considerable experience as college or university faculty members. Faculty Council, Staff Council, and the Student Government Association may develop appropriate criteria on which to judge constituent members interested in serving.

1.6.2.5 Attendance at Meetings

Standing committees should establish their own attendance policies.

1.6.2.6 Meetings

The chairperson calls meetings. A quorum consists of a majority of the members of the committee, unless otherwise determined by the committee. A majority of the voting members present take action.

1.6.2.7 Vacancies

The executive officer to whom the standing committee reports is responsible for notifying the appropriate council that a vacancy or vacancies exist and for ensuring that such vacancies are filled.

1.6.2.8 Academic Calendar Committee

1.6.2.8.1 Membership

The registrar; the provost and vice president for academic affairs (ex officio, without vote); one faculty member from each school and the division of graduate studies, designated by Faculty Council; two students, designated by Student Government Association; one staff member, designated by Staff Council; the director of athletics; one representative from the Office of Institutional Advancement; one representative from the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life, the director of summer session and continuing education, and the director of orientation and first-year programs.

The registrar shall be the chairperson of the committee.

1.6.2.8.2 Term of Office

Designated members shall serve for at least a one-year term.

1.6.2.8.3 Committee Duties

On or before December 1 of each academic year, this committee reports to the provost and vice president for academic affairs with a proposed calendar for not less than the third succeeding academic year. A calendar proposed by the committee shall be well advertised. This committee shall also evaluate each year's calendar and assess other university and college calendars.

1.6.2.8.4 Authority to Which the Committee is Responsible

This committee reports to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

1.6.2.9 Academic Policies Committee

1.6.2.9.1 Membership

The provost and vice president for academic affairs (or his/her designated representative) as a non-voting member; the dean of each of the schools; two faculty members from each school, selected by the faculty of the respective schools; three additional faculty members elected by the faculty of the whole college with the election to be supervised by Faculty Council; one additional faculty member from Faculty Council, selected by Faculty Council (Faculty Council may establish specific criteria for faculty membership); one student from each school selected by Student Government Association by the end of the previous spring semester (the Student Government Association may establish specific criteria for student membership); the librarian (or his/her designated representative) as a nonvoting member; the director of international programs as a non-voting member; and the registrar (or his/her designated representative) as a non-voting member.

The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its faculty members. The procedure for electing a chairperson is as follows:

  • Nominations will be accepted during the last regularly scheduled APC meeting of the academic year.

  • Candidate(s) will be asked to provide a brief written statement for distribution to the electors. These statements, along with a printed ballot, will be sent to the continuing members of the committee during the month of May.

  • While the election results will be announced as soon as votes are tallied, the chair-elect will normally take office no later than the beginning of the following academic year. However, by mutual agreement, the outgoing and incoming chairs may determine an earlier date for this transition.

The date of transition is not particularly critical. However, it is important that a chairperson be available during the summer months in the event that the administration requires his or her consultation.

The chairperson shall work closely with the provost and vice president for academic affairs (or her/his designated representative) in coordinating the functioning of the subcommittees and the committee of the whole, directing the entire policy and curriculum review operation, and ensuring effective communication among all participants in the curriculum and policy development process. The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for providing staff support to the committee.

1.6.2.9.2 Term of Office

The term of the faculty member from Faculty Council shall be one year. The terms of the other faculty members shall be three years, one-third designated each year, so that one of the at-large faculty members shall be elected each year and only one representative may be elected by a school each year. Student terms are for one or two years as designated by the Student Government Association at the time of selection. If a member of the committee resigns, then the group which originally selected the member shall select a replacement.

1.6.2.9.3 Committee Duties

This committee is responsible for considering any matters affecting academic policy in the institution. Its duties are to review new programs and periodically review the reorganization, modification of majors or programs; to recommend appropriate action by the faculty; to advise the provost and vice president for academic affairs in academic matters; and to make recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs on adjudicatory resolutions of competing academic interests or policies.

Before they are presented to the Academic Policies Committee, curriculum proposals need the approval of the faculty-through the appropriate school procedure-and the dean of the school. The Subcommittee on Curriculum first reviews the proposals sent by the school and then recommends them to the committee as a whole. On all curriculum proposals of any kind, the Academic Policies Committee makes recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs, who reviews and then forwards them to the president for final institutional review and approval.

A program-review subcommittee first reviews self studies for regular (i.e. every five years) program reviews and then recommends them to the committee as a whole. The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs makes available the program review policy. The policy explains the composition of this subcommittee and its role and deadlines as well as those of the Academic Policies Committee. The Academic Policies Committee makes recommendations about program reviews to the Provost and vice president for academic affairs, who reviews and then forwards them to the president for final institutional review and approval.

The Subcommittee on Policy first reviews policy proposals-which a variety of sources can initiate-and then recommends them to the committee as a whole. The Academic Policies Committee makes its recommendations about policy proposals to the provost and vice president for academic affairs, who then presents them to Faculty Council for its review and response. The Faculty Council reports to the provost and vice president for academic affairs its favorable responses to policy recommendations. If the Faculty Council has concerns or reservations about a policy recommendation, then it will report them to the Provost and vice president for academic affairs as soon as possible, but no later than sixty academic year calendar days after receiving the Academic Policies Committee recommendation. The provost and vice president for academic affairs will consult with the Executive Committee of Faculty Council and with the Academic Policies Committee, as well as with the Subcommittee on Policy, in an attempt to reconcile the differing perspectives on the policy. After such reconciliation-and revision, where appropriate-is completed, the provost and vice president for academic affairs will review and then forward the recommended policy to the president for final institutional review and approval.

A schedule of meetings for the academic year will be set up early in the fall semester to ensure the most expeditious interaction between the Academic Policies Committee and the Faculty Council.

The Subcommittee on Curriculum may need to meet more frequently than the committee as a whole, depending on the volume of submissions.

To ensure that curricular proposals are reviewed in a timely fashion, the committee should adhere as closely as possible to the schedule prepared by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Proposers should bear in mind that the Subcommittee on Curriculum may request additional information about and/or revisions of proposals. Such requests may influence the date on which the full Academic Policies Committee considers the proposals.

1.6.2.9.4 Authority to Which the Committee is Responsible

This committee reports to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

1.6.2.10 Campus Life Committee

1.6.2.10.1 Membership

The vice president for student affairs and campus life (ex-officio and nonvoting); two faculty members (both selected by Faculty Council, one preferably on Faculty Council at the time of selection); two staff members selected by Staff Council, one preferably on Staff Council at the time of selection; two directors selected by the vice president for student affairs and campus life in consultation with the previous year's committee; one member of the executive board of the Student Government Association whose interests and responsibilities lie in the area of campus affairs, selected by the Student Government Association executive board; one representative from the resident assistant staff (selected by the director of residential life upon consultation with the vice president for student affairs and campus life); two on-campus students (one Student Congress member and one on-campus student at large, both selected by the Student Government Association); one Residence Hall Association executive board member designated by the Residence Hall Association, and one off-campus student.

The committee shall elect its own chairperson.

1.6.2.10.2 Term of Office

Faculty and staff terms are for two years (to be staggered initially by lot). All other terms are for one year with eligibility for reappointment.

1.6.2.10.3 Committee Duties
  1. To assess the quality of life on campus for students, staff and faculty.

  2. To serve as an advisory board to the administration on issues of civility in the campus community, and the quality of campus community life and public order and student safety issues.

  3. To review issues and make policy recommendations to the vice president for student affairs and campus life, who will communicate these concerns to the President's Council and to the Board of Trustees, as appropriate.

  4. To promote the interrelation of campus life inside and outside the classroom through program and policy review.

  5. To share information, make recommendations to other campus bodies, and provide a forum for issues and concerns related to campus life.

  6. To constitute the College Hearing Panel to accommodate the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and the College policy regarding that act. The College Hearing Panel shall be comprised of the two student members, two faculty members and one administrator, together with five alternates who reflect the previous constituencies. No member of the hearing panel who is personally interested in a particular case should sit in judgment during the proceeding. The administrator shall act as the chairperson of the hearing panel. One of the faculty members, one of the students and the administrator shall be members of the Campus Life Committee. The remaining members of the hearing panel are not to be members of the Campus Life Committee.
1.6.2.10.4 Authority to which the Committee is Responsible

This committee reports to the vice president for student affairs and campus life.

1.6.2.11 Library Committee

1.6.2.11.1 Membership

The director of the library, ex-officio, and as chair; the associate or assistant director for reference-public service and technical services; one faculty member from each school or division, appointed by the respective school or division council; two students from different schools, designated by the Student Government Association; one staff representative, appointed by Staff Council; and the chair of the Library Personnel Committee.

The chairperson shall be elected from the voting membership.

1.6.2.11.2 Term of Office

All terms are for two years, half the membership to be designated in any year.

1.6.2.11.3 Meetings

Meetings are set during the regular academic year, with at least one meeting each semester.

1.6.2.11.4 Committee Duties

The Library Committee represents the College community in an advisory capacity to the Librarian in all matters related to the library. The committee recognizes that its responsibility is to the College as a whole and not to the respective schools or divisions from which its membership is drawn. Among its duties are the following:

  1. To serve as an advisory body to the director of the library and provost and vice president for academic affairs regarding policies and procedures, direction, strategic planning, and operation of the Library.

  2. To recommend and review annual budget allocations for the library based upon teaching and research needs of faculty and students of Ithaca College.
1.6.2.11.5 Authority to Which the Committee is Responsible

This committee reports to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

1.6.2.12 Life Safety Committee

1.6.2.12.1 Membership
  • Associate vice president, Office of Facilities
  • Director of environmental health & safety
  • One representative from Staff Council and from the Student Government Association
  • Two faculty members elected by the Faculty Council (one from HS&HP and one from H&S).
  • Athletic trainer
1.6.2.12.2 Term of Office

Representatives will be elected by the councils they represent for one-year terms and may be re-elected indefinitely.

1.6.2.12.3 Committee Duties

This committee is concerned with the myriad environmental issues that affect the College including ensuring:

  1. the proper disposal of all medical or other hazardous waste products, and

  2. compliance with all governmental regulations relating to hazardous waste and environmental impact.

In addition, this committee reports any hazards on campus of which it is aware.

1.6.2.12.4 Authority to Whom the Committee Reports

This committee makes reports to the vice president for student affairs and campus life.

1.6.2.13 Planning and Priorities Committee

1.6.2.13.1 Philosophy

Joint planning and effort occur in ad hoc groups composed of faculty, staff, student and administrative representatives. It is recognized that such groups must be broadly representative. Again, the recommendations of such committees are shared with all areas of the College through this committee and, as applicable, with the All-Ithaca College Communications Council.

1.6.2.13.2 Membership

The provost and vice president of academic affairs of the College shall serve as chairperson; the executive assistant to the president shall serve as secretary, non-voting; two (2) vice presidents, appointed by the president; two (2) deans, appointed by the president; seven (7) faculty members preferably at least one from each of the five schools, recommended by the faculty council of each school and Graduate Studies Council; two (2) representatives of the administrator/professional staff, appointed by the president; four (4) representatives of the Staff Council, recommended by the Staff Council; three (3) representatives of the student body, recommended by the Student Government Association; and the president, ex officio.

1.6.2.13.3 Responsibility and Function
  1. To advise the president and, through the president, the Board of Trustees, on planning and priority issues for the College.

  2. Initially, the ICPPC will serve on the Steering Committee for the development of an institutional plan.

  3. To advise the president on the annual budget priorities developed by the administrative budget team prior to and after approval by the Board of Trustees.

  4. To give the faculty, staff, student leadership and non-budget team administrators the opportunity for input, dialogue and review on budget, planning and priority issues.

  5. To be available to give a periodic review of the mission of Ithaca College.

  6. To act as an advisory group on periodic regional accrediting self-studies and visitations.

  7. To monitor the implementation of institutional planning priorities.

The committee will observe confidentiality when requested by the president. The president will keep in mind the governance and communications needs of the College in such requests for confidentiality.

1.6.2.13.4 Meetings

The committee will meet regularly during the long-term planning process.

Committee will meet near the beginning of the budget team preparation of the following year's budget to review and provide advice on priorities and issues.

The committee will meet prior to submission to the Board of Trustees for a review of progress, proposals and priorities in the budget.

The president may call, at any time, a meeting of the committee as needed to review current progress, deal with new or unresolved issues, etc.

1.6.2.13.5 Term of Office

The members of the committee will serve two-year terms.

1.6.2.13.6 Authority

The committee reports to the president and shares its recommendations and findings as appropriate and approved by the president to the respective governing bodies that are represented.

1.6.2.14 Parking Appeals Board

As amended by the Ithaca College Board of Trustees October 13, 2001.

1.6.2.14.1 Membership

One faculty member, designated by Faculty Council; one student member, designated by the Student Government Association; one staff member, designated by the Staff Council; one administrator, designated by the vice president for student affairs and campus life; the manager of the traffic bureau to be a nonvoting member and secretary.

The Parking Policy Committee shall be represented at all Parking Appeals Board meetings by a nonvoting observer.

The group shall elect its own chairperson.

1.6.2.14.2 Term of Office

All members shall serve a two-year term.

1.6.2.14.3 Committee Duties
  1. To review all parking appeals and requests for variances in the campus parking regulations. The appeals board is responsible for interpretation of the rules but does not generate parking rules and regulations.

  2. To meet once each week to hear appeals and to submit its decisions to the Traffic Bureau which will notify the individual appellant of the Board's decision in writing. All decisions are final and confidential.

  3. To keep the director of public safety informed of its activities.
1.6.2.14.4 Authority to Which the Committee is Responsible

This committee reports to the associate vice president for student affairs and campus life.

1.6.2.15 Parking Policy Committee

As amended by the Ithaca College Board of Trustees October 13, 2001.

1.6.2.15.1 Membership

One faculty member, designated by Faculty Council; two students designated by Student Government Association; one staff member, designated by Staff Council; one administrator, designated by the vice president for student affairs and campus life, the director of public safety (ex officio), and manager of traffic bureau (ex officio). The committee meets on a regular basis.

The committee elects its own chairperson.

1.6.2.15.2 Term of Office

All members serve staggered two-year terms.

1.6.2.15.3 Committee Duties
  1. To recommend policy relative to the regulations of vehicular operation on campus including, but not restricted to, parking, speed regulations, and registration. The Parking Policy Committee shall designate a representative to attend all Parking Appeals Board meetings as a nonvoting observer.

  2. To advise and recommend policy to the Office of Public Safety in its enforcement of traffic regulations.

  3. To review and decide on requests for parking variance.
1.6.2.15.4 Authority to Which the Committee is Responsible

This committee reports to the associate vice president for student affairs and campus life.

Last Updated: October 13, 2001