Standard College-Wide Committees

Standing Committees of Faculty Assembly

Undergraduate Curriculum (UCC)

Charge

Responsible for reviewing all new courses and programs, as well as course and program changes, in the undergraduate curriculum and providing feedback to the departmental curriculum committees and the Office of Academic Affairs. Proposals will also come to the Committee from any other body proposing credit-bearing undergraduate courses or programs.

Composition

Consists of the chairs of departmental and Marlboro Institute curriculum committees (eight members), who are elected by the faculty, and two undergraduate students selected by the Student Government Association. The Chief Academic officer or designee, the Deans of the schools and the Dean of the Marlboro Institute shall be ex-officio members without vote. The Chair is elected by Faculty Assembly.

Graduate Council (GC)

Charge

Advises the Dean or Director of Graduate and Professional Studies on matters of policy affecting graduate programs. It defines the philosophy and goals of graduate study, establishes general policies and procedures, determines admissions and degree requirements, and sets policy for the review of the graduate programs.

Composition

Consists of the graduate program directors of each graduate program (fourteen members), the Dean of graduate and professional studies, and a graduate student representative selected by the Executive Committee of the Graduate Student Association. The director of graduate admission and representatives from the Registrar's office, Professional Studies, and International Student Affairs are ex-officio members without vote. The dean of graduate and professional studies serves as chair of the GC.

Faculty Status (FSC)

Charge

Shall evaluate all requests for faculty promotions and tenure. The Faculty Status Committee shall report its recommendations directly to the Chief Academic Officer of the College, under the provisions of the Agreement between Emerson College and the Emerson College Chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Composition

Eight tenured faculty members representing departments and the Institute who are elected by Faculty Assembly; at least one member must be at the rank and status of (full) professor. Assembly also elects two alternates, one of whom must hold the rank of (full) professor; members elect the chair and secretary.

Faculty Development and Research Council (FDRC)

Charge

Advises the College administration on issues that affect the research success of our faculty and students, including policies and procedures which will enhance the ability of the College to realize its potential for distinction in research, creative and scholarly activities. The FDRC will gather information and report to Faculty Assembly on both faculty research and faculty mentoring activities taking place at the departmental, school and college levels. In addition, members of the FDRC shall establish standing procedures for the awarding of relevant internal grant programs and external limited submission funders and shall serve as reviewers for those programs.

Composition

Eight faculty members (one from each department and the Institute) elected at Faculty Assembly; it is co-chaired by the associate VP for research and creative scholarship and a faculty member.

Library & Technology (L&T)

Charge

Advises and consults with the Library Director and the professional library staff on any matters pertaining to the policies, administration, use and functions of the Emerson College library. It also advises and consults with the Vice President of Information Technology and appropriate staff and the Vice President of Academic Affairs and appropriate staff to promote faculty involvement and leadership on issues of technology strategy, planning, policy and resource allocation at Emerson and to encourage faculty initiatives in areas of technology research, experimentation, implementation and curriculum development.

Composition

Consists of eight faculty members (one from each department and the Institute), the executive director of the Iwasaki Library, and the chief information officer of Information Technology (IT). One graduate student selected by the Graduate Student Association and one undergraduate student selected by the Student Government Association.

Faculty Council (FC)

Charge

It shall be the function of the Faculty Council to plan Assembly agendas; to make and transmit proposals and recommendations on educational and administrative policies to be debated and voted upon by the Assembly; to keep a current list of the distribution of faculty and other members on all committees and councils with the purpose of furthering democratic representation and committee efficiency; to act as official liaison between the faculty and all other groups, such as the administration, student organizations and other groups or organizations; to act as an organizing or steering committee for retreats or other faculty events; to determine the form of and conduct for all elections for the Assembly; and to perform such other duties as may be necessary for the benefit of the Faculty Assembly. Actions of the Faculty Council must be reported to the Assembly in timely fashion, and the Assembly, as the plenary body, may then but is not required to vote to let stand or override such actions.

Composition

Consists of eight faculty members (one from each department and the Institute) elected by Assembly; ex-officio members include the chair and secretary chaired by the chair of Assembly; secretary elected from members.

Faculty Handbook (FHC)

Charge

Responsible for the review and modification of the Faculty Handbook. Any member of the Faculty Assembly, the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the President of the College may propose changes or amendments to the Handbook, in writing to the FHC. The deadline for proposed changes will occur during the fall semester and will be established by the Chair of Faculty Assembly and announced to the faculty and administration. The FHC meets as needed during the first and second semesters to consider proposals and offer recommendations for revision and alternative approaches, as well as to consider revisions. FHC reports recommendations for change 16 or amendments, along with a timeline for implementing those changes, with the committee's analysis, signed by each member of the Committee, to the Faculty Assembly for further discussion and vote, except in cases where the FHC unanimously rejects a proposed change. During the academic year, the FHC acts on submitted changes within 60 days of receipt of the recommendation for change.

Composition

Consists of two faculty members elected by the Faculty Assembly; three academic administrators selected by the president of the College; and the chair of Faculty Assembly, who serves as the committee chair.

Educational Equity and Justice Council (EEJC)

(All DEIA initiatives are currently being reviewed as the new strategic plan rolls out.)

Charge

Tasked with ensuring that Emerson College fulfills its commitment to educational equity and social justice. It reflects on, advocates for, and prioritizes projects of educational equity and social justice in the academic and extracurricular life of the College, including pedagogy, curricula, faculty training and support, and the cultural climate at Emerson.

Composition

Consists of faculty, administration, staff, and students who will opt in to meet as equal stakeholders and strategic partners in crafting proposals for Emerson's future academic and extracurricular programs. The chair (or the co-chairs) of the Committee will be a voting member (or members) of Faculty Assembly to be nominated by the Committee and elected by the Assembly for the following academic year, during or before its April meeting.

President & Provost's Advisory Council (PPAC)

Charge

The President and Provost's Advisory Council serves as an official reacting, evaluating, advising and recommending channel from various constituencies to the President and Provost of the College, and is called and tasked at the discretion of either. A Faculty representative on the President and Provost's Advisory Council shall report to the Faculty Assembly upon call at each regular meeting of the Faculty Assembly.

Composition

The number of faculty representatives on this Council shall be determined by the President and Provost. Their selection shall be by the Chairperson of the Faculty Assembly in consultation with the Faculty Council and with others, as needed.

Faculty Assembly Representatives on Board of Trustees Committees

Board of Trustees Representative

Charge

Represents Faculty Assembly at Board of Trustee meetings, providing reports to both Faculty Assembly and the Board of Trustees. Attends meetings three times a year.

Composition

One full-time faculty member elected to a two-year term by Faculty Assembly.

Mission and Academic Affairs Subcommittee Representative

Charge

Represents Faculty Assembly at scheduled meetings of the subcommittee.

Composition

One full-time faculty member elected to a two-year term by Faculty Assembly, staggered with the Student Experience Subcommittee.

Student Experience Subcommittee Representative

Charge

Represents Faculty Assembly at scheduled meetings of the subcommittee.

Composition

One full-time faculty member elected to a two-year term by Faculty Assembly, staggered with the Mission and Academic Affairs Subcommittee.

Other Standard College-wide Committees

ECCAAUP Governing Council

Charge

Members aid the president and other officers in strategizing and thinking through emergent issues; serve as principal conduit of concerns and input from departments simultaneously and are responsible for reporting out to department members important information about goings-on with union leadership, as well as other issues of interest and concern; provide feedback on approaches, issues of interest, and reaction from departments during negotiations.

Officers with specific charges include:

President

In addition to the above, the president:

• serves as a one-stop-shop for listening for issues and figuring out whom they need to work with in order to solve them, if they can. Very time-intensive, particularly in a negotiation year;
• plans and conducts monthly meetings of Governing Council;
• has regular leadership meetings with the Provost, head of Faculty Council, and the president of the affiliated faculty union;
• works on the regular publication of newsletters and communications with membership;
• organizes the Negotiation Team, holds regular meetings with the Negotiation Team, and plans all negotiations asks;
• retains contact with union legal representation;
• participates everywhere that it appears concerns lie or union representation is needed (e.g., the presidential search committee, Shared Governance, informal meetings to work on Covid-related conundra, negotiations between College leadership and student leadership);
• strategizes how to work with membership in order to try and find ways to improve working life and solve problems before they become big problems;
• maintains communications and bridges with all sides of the College (Human Resources, administration, faculty, other unions, and student organizations);
• attends national conferences of AAUP;
• grows relationships with new partners in AFT and the AFL-CIO.

Vice President

In addition to Governing Council activities, the vice president:

• plays a support role in all of the president's duties above, taking on any number of initiatives of their own (e.g., lead on working through the creation of Senior II).

Treasurer

In addition to Governing Council activities, the treasurer:

• manages finances of the union;
• manages labor union and tax filing requirements for the union;
• collects and manages dues from membership (very time-intensive).

Grievance Officer

In addition to Governing Council activities, the grievance officer:

• is the first point of contact for members who feel the process is not in alignment with the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement;
• writes formal grievances in collaboration with the president.
• This position is very heavy some years; other times, it is relatively quiet.

Communications Officer

• With the president, the communications officer maintains the union newsletter and formulates and strategizes other communication strategies to address emergent issues.

Union Negotiation Team

• This team is created in a year when the contract is set to expire.

Composition

• Union dues–paying members of the faculty.

Emerson Sustainability Action Planning Committee (ESAPC)

Charge

Encourage environmental, social, and financial actions that reflect the College's commitment to sustainable practices, working with Sustainability staff to manage the campus-wide sustainability plan.

Composition

Seven faculty, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students. Campus Services appoints members annually, considering expertise, passion, and commitment.

Accessibility Advisory Board (AAB)

Charge

Meets twice a semester and focuses on the establishment of priority projects and requests. Depending on the nature of the priority, other members of the College community may be requested to participate in specific projects/conversations.

Its purpose is to:

• establish and monitor priorities for the College, focusing on improving access and increasing the application of universal design principles;
• identify and involve relevant members of the student body, faculty, and staff in workgroups addressing the issue;
• monitor progress in meeting priorities and provide regular reports to the College community;
• be forward-thinking regarding accessibility as intrinsic to Emerson's philosophy and role as a leader in inclusive excellence and to assist in the development of long-term planning and design, with a goal of strategically enhancing the accessibility of the campus community in Boston, Los Angeles, and global programs;
• work proactively and collaboratively with individuals and departments as they design and implement accessible programs and spaces that demonstrate Emerson's commitment to Inclusive Excellence for community members with disabilities;
• increase sensitivity and awareness among students, faculty, and staff at Emerson about a social justice model for the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities;
• encourage greater understanding around and implementation of principles of Universal Design for Learning and for Places.

Composition

Two faculty (on a three-year term), administration, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students. Some members are appointed as a focus of their position on campus while others are appointed for two-year terms. Chaired by the director of Student Accessibility Services.

Career Development Employer & Faculty Advisory Council (CDEFAC)

Charge

Shares information and provide recommendations on how to better prepare and support Emerson students professionally to succeed in college and beyond. Members provide the perspective of each specific department and attend events with employers and students.

Composition

Eight faculty (one from each department and the Institute) and the director of the Career Development Center.

Presidential Advisory Group for Community & Equity (Formerly Inclusive Excellence)

(All DEIA initiatives are currently being reviewed as the new strategic plan rolls out.)

Charge

serve as an official reacting, evaluating, advising, and recommending channel regarding community and equity from various constituencies to the president.

Composition

Consists of faculty, administration, and staff.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Charge

• Ensures the protection of human subjects through the review, approval, modification, or disapproval of research applications submitted by faculty, staff, or students;
• Reviews human subject research application protocols for compliance with the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report (1979) and legal mandates outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 45, Part 46 (2009);
• Undergo training for IRB members every five years.
• Meets on a regular basis to review full reviews, meet with researchers during reviews, and discuss how to improve human subjects research at Emerson

Composition

Consists of members from various units of the College who are appointed by the provost based on certain criteria (in accordance with federal guidelines).

The Director of the IRB is a faculty member appointed to this role by the Provost as the Institutional Official. The faculty member appointed would meet the Office for Human Research Protection's (OHRP's) guidelines on the recommended experience, expertise, and familiarity with human subjects research regulations.

Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)

(Formerly Title IX Sanctions Panel and Student Conduct Board)

• The total number of members, of both the panel and the board is twenty; six members are faculty and the others are staff (e.g., the assistant dean of student life for Student Conduct Board) and other advisors.
• Members are called as needed (e.g., three faculty for the OEO panel) on a rotating basis.
• All members are required to participate annually in training (required by federal and state law so attendance is mandatory). That training is usually a full-day training conducted in person in August or January.
• Members serve on one OEO panel per year, which typically requires about 10 to 15 hours of involvement over a 2 to 3 week period.
• Members serve on one student conduct panel a year.
• The term of service is indefinite because the more training and experience members have on panels, the better they can do this specialized work (but with the understanding that sometimes people need breaks from service for different reasons).
• The purpose of the panel and the board is to address and work to solve cases as they are presented to them.
• There is no investigation by the panel or board: they only determine any sanctions based on the final outcome of the investigations and supporting materials.

Budget Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee (BPPAC)

Charge

Its purpose is to review and discuss budget and planning priorities, meeting three times a year.

Composition

Consists of permanent members, the president, the chief financial officer, and the provost; and five faculty appointees (one each from SOA, SOC, the Marlboro Institute, plus AAUP and AFEC union heads) who are advisory members.

Academic Administration Advisory Committees for Searches (AAAC)

Charge

Formed only as needed by the administration (Board, president, or provost). Meetings vary in frequency (may meet up to 4 times a year).

Composition

Consists of administration (Board, president, and provost) members and invited faculty representatives for academic administration searches (e.g., president, provost, dean).