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Faculty Senate

Purpose

The Faculty Senate (Senate) is the main decision-making body of the faculty in matters covered by shared governance. It provides faculty approval to curriculum changes, new academic programs, and policy changes or updates pertaining to the role and evaluation of faculty which come to it from the curriculum committees, the Faculty Affairs Committee, or other faculty governance bodies. Senate also consults with academic leadership and university administration on matters of board interest to the faculty, including assessment, faculty research, professional development, and student engagement. The Senate appoints members to its own committees as well as university committees in accordance with guidelines found in the Employee Handbook.

Function

  1. To ensure all education policies and procedures of the university are in harmony with the university mission, vision, values, and objectives.
  2. To establish academic and social standards for admission and retention applicable to all students of the university.
  3. To establish the requirements for the various curricula.
  4. To establish the requirements for all certificates and degrees awarded by the university.
  5. To establish standards of instruction, services, and facilities.
  6. To promote faculty research.
  7. To establish procedures by which the Senate may advise the Board in the selection and retention of school deans and department chairs.
  8. To adopt standards for all publications and programs sponsored by or in any way representing the university.
  9. To advise the Board relative to academic freedom and faculty status.
  10. To recommend policies relative to appointment, rank, conduct, and dismissal of faculty.
  11. To establish appeal-process standards for student academic discipline.

Faculty Senate Membership

Lisa Kuhlman, Chair
Sungin Ahn, Chair-elect
Andrew Richards, Immediate Past Chair

District 1
Nursing, Social Work

Current Senators
Marla Erskine, Nursing
Tony Lazcano, Nursing
Nina Nelson, Social Work
District 2
English, History and Political Studies,
Modern Languages, Music, SVAD

Current Senators
Rachel Byrd, English
Kurt Miyashiro, Music
Shannon Martin, HPS
District 3
Biology and Allied Health, Chemistry, Computing,
Mathematics, Engineering & Physics, Physical Therapy

Current Senators
Brent Hamstra, Chemistry
Jay Anders, Engineering & Physics
Ryan Loga, Mathematics
David Nelsen, Biology
District 4
Business & Technology, Center for Teaching Excellence, Journalism, Library, Online Campus

Current Senators
Bethany Howard, Library
Ayanna Eastman, Journalism
Michael Finch, Journalism
District 5
Religion, Education & Psychology,
PE, Health & Wellness

Current Senators
Esteban Hidalgo, Religion
Rod Bussey, Health
Gary Bradley, Ed & Psych
Cristy Pratt, Ed & Psych