Standing Committees of the General Faculty-Faculty Affairs Committees

Handbook of Operating Procedures 2-1050-PM

POLICY MEMORANDUM

The University of Texas at Austin

Executive Sponsor: Executive Vice President and Provost
Policy Owner: Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
April 22, 2019

The Handbook of Operating Procedures contains a description of the categories and general membership requirements of the standing committees of the General Faculty (see HOP 2-1040). The details of composition and membership of the standing committees categorized as faculty affairs committees are given below.

COMMITTEE OF COUNSEL ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY (A1, CCAFR)

Composition. Seven (7) tenured faculty members chosen at large from and by the voting members of the General Faculty for three (3) year staggered terms. In addition, every year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one (1) year terms. Deans, associate deans, assistant deans, department chairs, and other administrative officials are ineligible for election or appointment. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council. The committee shall always contain a faculty member from the Law School by election or, if no Law School faculty member is elected, by appointment. Ideally, all members should be tenured full professors. Sometimes, however, insufficient numbers are available. In those instances, it is preferable to have associate professors than vacancies.

Function. To study problems in this area of concern; to advise on such problems or issues referred to it by any member of the faculty, the provost, the president, the chancellor, or the Board of Regents.

FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS (A2, FACB)

Composition. Each year the president shall nominate five (5) voting members of the General Faculty, and the Faculty Council shall nominate five (5) voting members of the General Faculty, and each shall select two (2) new members from the other's nominations to serve three (3) year terms. In addition, every year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council. The faculty representative on the University Budget Council shall serve as an ex-officio member with vote, and the senior vice provost for resource management shall serve as administrative advisor without vote.

Function. The committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the president and provost. The committee will review University budgets and make appropriate recommendations.

FACULTY COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES (A3, CoC)

Composition. Nine (9) voting members of the General Faculty for three (3) year staggered terms. Two (2) of them shall be appointed annually from a panel of four (4) faculty members elected at large from and by the voting members of the General Faculty through the Hare-Clark preferential voting system and one appointed annually by the president through the regular procedures of the Committee on Committees. In addition, every year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one (1) year terms. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council. The Secretary of the General Faculty and the chair elect of the Faculty Council (ex officio with vote) shall also serve on the committee. No member, except the Secretary of the General Faculty, may serve continuously for more than six (6) years.

Function. To advise with the president on personnel for standing committees of the General Faculty and the uses to be made of the committee system; to make recommendations to the Faculty Council regarding changes in composition, functions, and responsibilities of standing committees, including term limits and voting rights of committee members.

FACULTY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (A4)

Composition. Twenty (20) voting members of the General Faculty, for three (3) year staggered terms. Ten (10) members elected at-large by the General Faculty and ten (10) members appointed by the president through the regular procedures of the Committee on Committees. In addition, every year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one (1) year terms. The total committee membership shall include no more than five (5) faculty members from any college or school. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council. The past chair shall serve as an ex officio, voting member of the committee. All members of the committee shall have tenure and, if possible, hold the rank of professor.

Function. The Faculty Grievance Committee is authorized to consider and hear or otherwise dispose of individual grievances. Faculty grievance procedures are set forth in HOP 2-2310 of the UT Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures.

FACULTY WELFARE COMMITTEE (A5)

Composition. Seven (7) voting members of the General Faculty for three (3) year staggered terms,

including a faculty member from the School of Law. In addition, every year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one (1) year terms. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council. In addition, this committee shall appoint a member to serve ex-officio with vote on both the Gender Equity Council and on the Wellness Network Executive Board.

Function. To consider and propose modifications to University policies that would improve faculty welfare; to study all proposed legislation concerning faculty welfare and submit recommendations to the Faculty Council.

GENERAL FACULTY RULES AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE (A6)

Composition. Three (3) members elected at large from and by the voting members of the General Faculty, for three (3) year staggered terms. The secretary of the General Faculty and the chair of the Faculty Council shall serve as ex officio members with vote, and each year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one (1) year terms. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council.

Function. To consider and propose changes in the rules of procedure and governance structure of the General Faculty and the Faculty Council and changes to the voting rights of the General Faculty; to study all proposed changes in and additions to the rules of procedure of the General Faculty and the Faculty Council; and to submit recommendations to the Faculty Council. If the recommendations concern the Faculty Council, the committee will report also to the president, as the head of the General Faculty. In addition, this committee's function is to make the final ruling in any election dispute or on any election matter not covered by the rules; to handle questions of interpretation of rules; and to determine questions of jurisdiction arising between the Faculty Council and the General Faculty.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PRESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (A7)

Composition. Eight (8) voting members of the General Faculty for three (3) year staggered terms. In addition, every year the chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two (2) voting faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms. Each fall, the committee shall elect a chair elect who shall be a voting faculty member of the committee, though, if that proves impossible, it shall elect a vice chair as an interim measure, while continuing to seek a chair elect. Each committee shall make an annual report on its work, in writing, to the General Faculty and Faculty Council. The director of the University of Texas Press shall serve as administrative advisor without vote.

Function. To consider and recommend on all proposed publications to bear the imprint of the Press; to advise and assist the director in forming policy for the Press; and to advise the president in the event it becomes necessary to seek and appoint a new director.