University Faculty Senate

Nomination Form [pdf]

PDF version of this page [pdf]

City University of New York

University Faculty Senate
535 East 80th Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212-794-5538
Fax: 212-794-5508

Charges to UFS Committees, 2004-05

Academic Freedom Committee

The Committee has a twofold purpose:

(1) To receive complaints from faculty members from the campuses of alleged violations of academic freedom at the college or University level, and either to refer the cases as appropriate to the PSC, the Board of Trustees, or the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, or to conduct its own informal investigation and to attempt to reach an informal solution with the parties concerned. In this connection, the Committee will work with the UFS Legal Affairs Committee. The Committee should take steps every year to publicize to the faculty through the Council of Faculty Governance Leaders the existence of the Academic Freedom Committee and its function. Also, to assist the planning committee for the Fall 2004 conference on academic freedom.

(2) To address general issues of the rights and responsibilities of faculty in today's changing educational environment; to monitor nationwide threats to academic freedom; to formulate an up-to-date definition of academic freedom to aid faculty in deciding what is and what is not a violation.

The Central Administration contact for this committee is the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs.

Academic Policy Committee

To review initiatives and policies proposed by the Office of Academic Affairs and evaluate initiatives and policies being implemented, especially – but not limited to – the adequacy of governance in the School of Professional Studies and the academic integrity of its courses, general education, and general education and articulation in the context of the Coordinated Undergraduate Initiative.

The Central Administration contact for this committee is the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Budget Advisory Committee (appointed by UFS Executive Committee)

To advise the Executive Committee of the Senate and the University Faculty Senate as well as the Council of Faculty Governance Leaders on matters regarding University budget and University budget processes; to meet regularly with the Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance, the Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction and Management, and other senior administrators, as necessary, in order to advise on University-wide budget priorities and other budgetary matters. Membership for this committee will be selected from the Executive Committee, the Council of Faculty Governance Leaders, and CUNY faculty colleagues knowledgeable about budgetary matters.

Facilities, Planning, and Management

The Committee will consist of 9 faculty members from a variety of CUNY campuses chosen for their expertise relevant to facilities, planning, and management issues including the fields of architecture, engineering, environmental science, laboratory sciences, and finance.

The committee will focus on three areas of concern with facilities: their compliance with the University's academic goals, their compliance with the best accepted health and safety standards, and their compliance with ADA accessibility standards.

Thus, the work of this committee will be to:

* ensure that the long-term physical development of the University proceeds in accordance with and in furtherance of the University's academic and instructional goals, and that relevant department chairs are genuinely consulted in a timely manner on the design of new and modified facilities which their departments will use.

* ensure that new and modified facilities are constructed according to relevant health and safety-related building codes, even in cases where state construction agencies might be exempt from these codes.

* ensure that new and modified facilities are made accessible to all members of the university community.

In addition, the committee will inform itself by meeting periodically with officials from CUNY's Office of the Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction and Management, the City University Construction Fund, CUNY's Board of Trustees, the Dormitory Authority, and contractors, and attempt to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting the above goals.

Ongoing issues that the committee would be expected to examine include the use of space for instruction and research, classroom and laboratory design, the fairness of the capital plan across all the campuses, and the integrity of contractors.

The committee will submit to the UFS an annual report that will be distributed widely and publicly.

To review, develop and communicate recommendations regarding 1) library policies for the University with particular attention to issues raised by new technologies and media applications in a period of limited resources and concerns for privacy and confidentiality; and issues of access to libraries and their resources for people with disability issues; 2) the uses and effects of educational technologies on teaching, curriculum, and the future of the University; 3) the need for archiving of academic and governance materials; 4) faculty academic websites; 5) the information technologies related to the Integrated University (ERP, CUNY Portal, Electronic database, etc.); 6) distance learning and faculty input in related policy making.

The Central Administration contacts for this committee are the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Senior Vice Chancellor.

Legal Affairs Committee

In consultation with the Executive Committee, to monitor legal issues affecting academic freedom and free speech; to respond to questions referred by the Executive Committee or the Academic Freedom Committee. To examine and report on the purview and operations of the Office of Legal Affairs. Central Administration contact is the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs. (Membership normally requires a law degree.)

University Committee on Research Awards

To serve as the screening committee for nominees to the University Committee on Research Awards (UCRA); to strengthen communication with the UCRA Executive Committee. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a committee on general research issues.

Status of the Faculty Committee

To continue examining the implications of the “time to tenure” issue, e.g., legislative sponsorship, kinds of consultation with faculty, means by which each CUNY campus would vote on this issue, etc.

To suggest ways of making new faculty hires comfortable and well-oriented in CUNY's “culture.”

To review faculty replenishment decision making processes from recruitment to approval by the Board of Trustees, including changing practices at the colleges (e.g., more top level control), changing practices at the university-level (e.g., central approval of campus hires based on “diversity”), manipulation of lines, and similar factors.

The Central Administration contacts for this committee are the Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and the Vice Chancellor for Faculty and Staff Relations.

Student Affairs Committee

To review the results of the ACT Math test. Also to review the SAT and Regents exemption policies to the basic skills assessment tests. Finally, to report on the availability of counselors and counseling services for students on the campuses.

Other Committees:

Faculty Advisory Committee on Cluster Areas

Mandate: The purpose of this committee is to consult proactively with the Office of Academic Affairs about which disciplinary/cross-disciplinary areas the University should select to become part of CUNY's "flagship environment" and thus focal points for cluster hiring. The Committee will prepare for this by consulting broadly, by whatever means it sees fit, with CUNY faculty.

Background: The basic goal of cluster hiring is to set up a group of faculty members which will work together in teaching and research at CUNY, and which will enhance the University's reputation. Cluster faculty at the same or different campuses interact with one another by applying jointly for grants or conducting joint research, by holding joint conferences, and working with students.

Makeup: The advisory committee is appointed by the UFS Executive Committee. Faculty members who serve on this advisory committee must have a broad knowledge of current trends in theirs and related fields. The advisory committee should be a mix of faculty from community, comprehensive, and senior colleges, from a broad range of disciplines. Terms will be staggered, lasting three years.

Disability/Quality of Life Issues

To study and make recommendations about disability/quality of life issues that affect students and faculty, including such issues as access to facilities and pedagogical accommodations for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities; security; rental of space; health and safety; and environmental conditions. The Central Administration contact for this committee is the Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer.

UFS Conference Committee

In consultation with the Executive Committee, to complete planning for the fall conference and to plan the spring conference of the UFS.

Faculty Advisory Council to the Research Foundation (FAC)

The Council facilitates close consultation between faculty engaged in research and the Board of Directors of the Research Foundation (on which four of the members of FAC serve), examines and comments on the annual financial report of the Foundation, and advises the Foundation on general policy.