1.6.1 The Governance and Committee Structure of Ithaca College
Approved by the Ithaca College Board of Trustees on October 14, 2011.
1.6.1.1 Introduction
The governance and committee structure of Ithaca College provides clear and reasonable lines of responsibility, authority and communication among the components of the community: its faculty, students, staff and administration.
The governance and committee structure ensures that those individuals accountable to the Board of Trustees for the management of the College will have the recommendations and talents of all segments of the community accessible to them. It further insures that any individual or group will have an opportunity to share in the discussion of issues affecting the College and to make recommendations for the alteration and improvement of the College's policies, practices and procedures.
To these ends, councils and standing committees shall provide timely information about their agenda, minutes, recommendations, and reports. Such agenda, minutes, recommendations, and reports will be available to the College community in a central location. A reasonable period of time shall be provided for committees and councils to respond prior to action by the administration upon any council or committee recommendation. Furthermore, councils or standing committees may agree to meet with one another if they choose to do so.
1.6.1.2 Authority
The governance and committee structure (section 1.6.1 of the Ithaca College Policy Manual) becomes effective when the Board of Trustees approves it upon recommendation by the president after consultation with the College community.
1.6.1.3 Amendment
Any group or individual within the College community may initiate proposals for amending the governance and committee structure policy, through the appropriate council or councils, with full communication to other councils. The initiating council or councils shall, after due consultation with the constituencies concerned, forward a recommendation on the proposed amendment to the president. The president shall refer all proposals for amendment to the board.
1.6.1.4 Right of Appeal
Any individual or group has the right to appeal an administrative policy decision made by an officer of the College. Such appeals may be made to the next level of administration and must be made in writing with a copy to the administrator whose decision is being appealed.
It is understood that in most instances the Board of Trustees delegates the final responsibility and authority for administrative policy decisions to the president.
Although the board does not wish to act as an appellate body for review of administrative policy decisions, it is understood that the president regularly shares campus issues with the Board of Trustees and at the president's discretion refers significant conflict to the board.
1.6.1.5 Ad Hoc Committees
College-wide ad hoc committees shall be appointed whenever they are deemed necessary to address specific problems. The president or designee shall determine the duties, composition, and selection process of ad hoc committees after consultation with the appropriate council or councils. Ad hoc committees shall draw up their own procedural rules, consistent with the policies governing standing committees.
1.6.1.6 Review Provisions on Governance Standing Committees
Each governing council executive committee shall review at least every three years all of their standing and ad hoc committees with respect to their purpose, structure, membership and leadership. The executive committee of each council shall then recommend to its membership and to the president of Ithaca College whether or not to continue, modify, or eliminate any such committees.
The president and President's Council will review at least every three years Ithaca College's institutional committees (section 1.7 of the Ithaca College Policy Manual).
1.6.1.7 Internal Components of the Governance Structure
1.6.1.7.1 The Board of Trustees
"Subject to the charter of the College and the laws of the State, the Board of Trustees shall have ultimate authority over the College, the departments thereof and its operations." (See section 1.3.2 of the Ithaca College Policy Manual.)
The composition, policies and procedures of the Board of Trustees are established by the bylaws of the College.
The president shall be the chief executive officer of the College and shall be responsible for its overall administration, both academic and nonacademic, subject to the overall policy of the Board of Trustees.
The specific duties and authority of the president are established in the bylaws of the College and by the Board of Trustees.
The Faculty Council is the representative body of the faculty as a whole. Its composition and responsibilities are outlined in the Faculty Council constitution and bylaws, which shall be in accordance with the policies of the College.
The Faculty Council will report its recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs for action.
1.6.1.7.4 Representative Bodies of the Various Schools
Each school or graduate division may have its own representative body. The names of these bodies, their composition and responsibilities are determined by the faculties of those schools in accordance with the policies of the College and shall be outlined in the constitution and bylaws or equivalent document of the individual school or division representative body.
The representative bodies of the various schools and divisions will report their recommendations to the dean of the school or division for action. The decision of the dean may be appealed to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.
1.6.1.7.5 The Student Government Association
The Student Government Association is the representative body of the student body. Its composition and responsibilities are outlined in its constitution and bylaws which shall be in accordance with the policies of the College. The Student Government Association will report its recommendations to the vice president for student affairs and campus life for action.
The Staff Council is the representative body of the staff. Its composition and responsibilities are outlined in its constitution and bylaws which shall be in accordance with the policies of the College. The Staff Council will report its recommendations to the vice president for finance and administration of the College for action.
1.6.1.7.7 The All-Ithaca College Communications Council (This has been moved to Section 1.7.1.2)
Last Updated: October 14, 2011