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Senate Committee Charges

Academic Calendar Development Committee

Charge: Committee Created March 2023 (last updated:  4/19/24)

1. The committee considers calendar matters for the university, excluding OUWB.

2. The committee collects, documents, and maintains established and approved calendar
guidelines and priorities.

3. The committee educates and advises the Senate and other stakeholders on matters
affecting the academic calendar, (e.g., semester start and end dates, and breaks).

4. The committee collects and analyzes calendar change requests from stakeholders, and
educates and advises the campus community on current and potential calendar
structures.

Members of the committee may be asked to meet over the Summer semester as needed.

Membership Status Term Appointing Body

(4) faculty representatives
across the School/College.
Not more than one per unit
and one serves as a co-chair.

(1) Department Chair

Voting Staggered 3-years Appointed by the Senate Steering Committee 
Student Congress Member Voting 1-year Appointed by Student Congress
Registrar (or Designee) Ex-Officio Voting While Registrar Registrar
Provost Office Representative Voting Period
designated
by the Exec
VP of
Academic
Affairs and
Provost
Appointed by the Executive VP of Academic Affairs and Provost
Graduate School Dean (or Designee) Voting While Dean, Graduate School Appointed by Graduate School Dean
Academic Computing Committee

Charge:

  1. To advise the University Senate on all matters pertaining to the use of computers for instruction and research. It is expected to define and be responsive to the needs of students and faculty using the University computer facilities.
  2. It is given primary responsibility for devising and directing the implementation of plans to develop appropriate levels of computer literacy.
  3. It is required to prepare annually a recommendation to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and President on requirements for improvements and additions in computer facilities (both hardware and software) to meet the anticipated computing needs for the subsequent five-year period.
  4. To advise the Chief Information Officer as necessary and assist in developing services, schedules, and priorities for academic computing usage in relation to total University computer usage. It should, periodically, examine patterns of use and charge systems, and make recommendations for such modifications as may be necessary.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Nine faculty, one as chair

Voting

Staggered 2-year

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Student

Voting

1-year

Student Chapter of ACM

Chair, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering

Ex-officio and Voting

While Dept. Chair

SECS

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Ex-officio and Voting

While CIO

CIO

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (or Designee)

Ex-officio and Voting

While Exec Vice President or for period Exec Vice President designates

 Exec Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Executive Director Classroom Support and Instructional Technology Services (CSITS) (or Designee)

Ex-Officio and Voting

While Assistant Vice President or for period Assistant Vice President designates

Executive Director, CSITS

Academic Conduct Committee

Charge:

To review, propose, and implement policies concerning academic dishonesty.  

This committee is permitted, and does meet for a full 12 calendar months due to the Academic Conduct hearings being scheduled through the summer.  

Faculty membership is set for staggered 3-year commitments.  As a result, chairpersons are typically selected from committee members who have been on the committee for 1 year.  Although there is one chairperson on record, the committee operates with 4 co-chairpersons as a practice.  If selected as a co-chairperson, this commitment involves the 2nd and 3rd years of the staggered 3-year commitments. 

There will be 10 students who serve on this committee to balance the workload of the Academic Conduct hearings that meet during the 12 calendar months of the year.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

15 faculty, one as chair

Voting

Staggered 3-year

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Four students

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Six students

Voting

1-year

Dean of Students

Two student alternates

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or designee)

Ex-officio and Voting

While Vice President or for period Vice President designates

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

Academic Standing and Honors Committee

Charge:

  1. To review, propose, and implement university policies concerning academic probation, dismissal, readmission and University Honors;
  2. To review petitions from students regarding granting of University Honors and report to the Senate.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Five faculty, one as chair

Voting

Staggered 3-year

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Three students

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Registrar or Designee

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Registrar

Registrar

Professional Advisor

Ex-officio and Non-voting

3-years

Professional Advising Council

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or Designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Exec Vice President or for period Exec Vice President designates

Exec Vice President for Academic Affairs

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or Designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Vice President or for period Vice President designates

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

Associate Provost or Designee (Student Success)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Associate Provost 

Exec Vice President for Academic Affairs

 

Assessment Committee

Charge:

  1. To coordinate and advise on the planning and implementation of assessment by academic units;
  2. To prepare an overall University Assessment Plan which meets the requirements of Higher Learning Commission and to consult with the staff of that Association, as appropriate, to insure that the Plan and its implementation continue to meet Association standards;
  3. To advise and cooperate with the General Education Committee in planning and carrying out assessment of the University's general education programs;
  4. To advise the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction, and the Graduate Council on the findings of the assessment program and their implications for specific program reviews and for maintaining and improving the quality of undergraduate and graduate instruction in general; and
  5. To report to the University Senate and the Assemblies of the organized faculties on the findings of the assessment program and their implications for maintaining and improving the quality of undergraduate and graduate curricula and instruction at the University.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Three faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, eligible to be named chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty member from each school and the library, eligible to be named chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Two at-large faculty appointees, eligible to be named chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Director and Assistant Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Director and Assistant Director

Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Vice President or for period Vice President designates

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

One Oakland University Alumnus(a)

Voting

3-years

The Alumni Board on nomination of the Vice President for University Advancement

Budget Review Committee

Charge: Last Updated 11/21/23

  1. To work with the President, vice presidents, and Senate Planning Review Committee in the implementation of university plans, goals, objectives, role, and mission;
  2. To receive from the President reports on available resources and their allocation to the university divisions and, jointly with the Senate Planning Review Committee, to advise the President regarding priorities for such allocations;
  3. To receive from the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost reports on available resources and their allocation to the university's academic programs and, jointly with the Senate Planning Review Committee, to advise the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost regarding priorities for such allocations;
  4. To report to the Senate on the current university budget and its role in advancing university goals and objectives;
  5. To advise the Senate concerning the budgetary implications of relevant changes affecting the organization of the university;
  6. To report to the Senate and its committees (as needed, UCUI, the Graduate Council, the General Education Committee) on the university-wide budgetary implications of proposed new academic programs or the discontinuance or major reorganization of existing academic programs as may be proposed; and
  7. To meet jointly, as needed, but at least once each semester with the Senate Planning Review Committee.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Six faculty, one as chair. The chair, whenever possible will be chosen from a faculty member with experience on the committee

Voting

Staggered 3-year

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One Administrative Professional

Voting

3-year

AP Assembly

Associate Vice President, Budget & Financial Planning

Voting

While Associate Vice President, Budget & Financial Planning

Associate Vice President, Budget & Financial Planning

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and provost (or Designee)

Ex-Officio and Non-voting

While EVPAA and Provost or for designated period

EVPAA and Provost 

Campus Development and Environment Committee

Charge - last updated 10/21/22

  1. To consider the aesthetic, ecological, academic, programmatic, and sustainability impacts of both present practices and future plans for the physical maintenance and development of the campus,
  2. To recommend and review proposals, guidelines, and policies in these areas, and to advise the administrative officers responsible for campus development,
  3. Such issues as new construction and renovation, location of utilities and parking facilities, aesthetic accouterments, the environment and sustainability, maintenance and the identification of areas for outdoor education shall fall within the purview of this committee.
  4. Members of the committee may be asked to meet over the Summer semester as needed.
  5. This committee will establish an information sharing process including timelines with Facilities Management to ensure timely execution of the committee charge.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Five faculty, one of these as chair, one with expertise in ecology or environmental science

Voting

Staggered 3-year

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Four students

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Four Administrative Professionals

Voting

Staggered 3-year

AP Assembly

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or Designee)

Voting

While Vice President or for period Vice President designates

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

One professional staff member from Campus Facilities and Operations

Voting

1-year

Associate Vice President for Facilities Management

Associate Vice President for Facilities Management

Ex-Officio and Non-voting

While Associate Vice President

Associate Vice President for Facilities Management

Associate Provost for Operations

Ex-Officio and Non-Voting

While Associate Provost for Operations

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Classroom Use and Academic Scheduling Committee

Charge - Committee created May 2023

The Committee shall work in consultation with the Registrar and Provost’s Office for monitoring, reviewing, and guiding decision-making with respect to recommendations for classroom and academic scheduling and related resources as well as developing recommendations for policies and practices on the most efficient and effective use of classroom resources and academic scheduling development. 

1. Initiates the development of policies, practices, and procedures pertaining to classroom scheduling and related academic scheduling for approval or endorsement (as appropriate) and then moves them through the appropriate approval processes.

2. To prepare recommendations to the Senate for scheduling policy changes that will be responsive to academic needs of programs and will simultaneously maximize classroom use for strategic growth.

3.  Analyze data relating to classroom usage, course scheduling, seat fill rates, enrollment caps, and space utilization.

4.  To identify all differing course delivery patterns (laboratory/studio, 4- vs. 3-credit, online, hybrid, out-of-module F2F, etc., classes) which impact classroom use and academic schedule development.

5.  Analyze all of the course delivery patterns including delivery patterns that fall outside of the current time modules.

6.  Make the enforcement of standardized course times a priority.

7.  Consults with Registrar on any questions, issues, or disputes about class scheduling in accordance with the Scheduling Values, General Purpose Classroom Optimization and Assignment practices.

8.  Develops registration related policies and procedures including the use of technology and resources to support the class scheduling and registration process.

9.  Consults with other committees, task forces, or working groups as appropriate and may make subcommittees as needed.

Committee Membership:

Membership

Status Term Appointed Body
One (1) faculty per School and two (2) faculty from CAS and two (2) faculty At-large Voting Staggered, Three (3) years Appointed by Senate Steering Committee
Student Congress Member Voting One Year Appointed by Student Congress
Adviser Voting Three (3) Years Appointed by PAC
Academic Unit Scheduler Voting One Year Appointed by Senate Steering Committee
Registrar or Designee Ex-Officio  and Voting While Registrar Registrar
Associate Dean Voting One Year Appointed by Senate Steering Committee
AA Provost Office Designee Voting One Year Appointed by EVPAA&P
Community Engagement Committee

Committee Established:  May 2022 (Updated 10/21/24)

Rationale: To support the strategic goal of the university to be a community engaged institution.

Charge:

  1. Examine university policies, procedures, behaviors, and culture for alignment with community engagement definitions, goals, and priorities. 
  2. Unify data collection and reporting on community engagement by:
        a.  recommending to the Senate policies and processes for gathering data on community engagement activities
        b.  working with existing committees on using data to inform decisions, especially around community engagement metrics/needs
        c.  gathering and reporting annually on community engagement data
  3. Provide support to and oversight of university-wide community engagement activities.
  4. Communicate University community engagement progress:
    1. highlight, elevate and celebrate community engagement work at OU for the external campus community
    2. inform the campus community of successes around community engagement work as well as shared knowledge and best practices of authentic community engagement work
    3. update the community engagement dashboard with relevant data
  5. Engage in the process of the Carnegie and other community engagement reports.
  6. Report yearly to the Senate on the committee’s activities.
  7. Continuously review Goal 3 priorities to advise the University on community engagement activities,
  8.  Manage the University's Community Engagement awards process.

Membership:

Membership Status Term  Appointing Body

Three faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, eligible to be named chair

Voting Staggered, 3-years Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty member from each school and the library, eligible to be named chair

Voting Staggered, 3-years Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Two At-Large faculty appointees,
eligible to be named chair

Voting Staggered, 3-years Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee
One student Voting 1-year Student Congress
Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (or designee) Ex-officio and non-voting While Director or for period Director designates Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Director of Community Engagement  Ex-officio and non-voting While Director Provost Office
VP of Communications & Marketing or Designee Ex-officio and non-voting While VP or for period VP designates Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Provost Office Representative Ex-officio and non-voting Period designated by the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost
Disability Literacy and Awareness Committee

Established:  May 18, 2023 

Rationale: This committee seeks to encourage disability literacy across campus and to promote an understanding of disability as a central component of human diversity. The committee’s aim is to integrate disability visibility into the university curriculum, scholarship, and community as a means of understanding human experience in our contemporary world. 

Charge: To implement this rationale, the committee’s main goal will be to raise the profile of disability as a previously underrecognized way of understanding human diversity, to be included with other urgent areas of inquiry and identity in DEI such as race, class, and gender. Without critical attention to these issues, we further marginalize a part of the population, and thus not serve the whole OU community. This work includes:

  1. Advocate for increased attention to disability throughout the university, including the creation of new means of sharing work-in-progress and promoting collaboration across centers, departments, and units
  2. Collaborate with multiple units to develop a curriculum at undergraduate and graduate level  
  3. Educating through presentations, workshops and events to the university and the surrounding community on issues of disability literacy 
  4. Creating partnerships with OU offices and campus resources to support accessibility and other disability visibility issues 

We see barriers existing on campus in a variety of forms including (but not limited to):

  1. Students’ lack of access to multi-dimensional support in and out of the classroom
  2. The need to fully incorporate disability into DEI measures and discourse throughout the university
  3. The scarcity of courses at the UG and Graduate level focused on issues around disability
  4. The lack of a center for the study of disability on campus that would integrate all units.
  5. The need for more community engagement and partnerships to connect the university community to the larger community

Committee structure: The committee will be composed of an executive committee and working groups. Two co-leaders will direct the executive committee which will serve as the “hub” organizing working groups. Staggered three-years terms for all members will start after the first year. Working groups will be created and staffed as needed.

Executive Committee Membership:

Membership Status Term  Appointing Body

One faculty representative from each academic unit + two (2) At Large. Two (2) shall be named as co-leaders

Voting Three years staggered after the first year Senate Steering Committee

Student Congress Representative

Voting One year Student Congress
       

Disability Support and Services Representative

Voting One year or while Director of DSS Director of DSS or Designee
EVPAA Appointee Voting One Year EVPAA&P 
Experiential Learning Committee (Subcommittee: Service Learning Committee)

Committee Established:  May 2022 / last updated 9/24/24 (12:10 pm kmd) 

Rationale: To support the use of service learning as a high impact practice and community engagement efforts courses will now be able to be designated on a student’s transcript with a service learning attribute. In order for this attribute to be added to a course the syllabus must be reviewed. This requires a faculty led review process similar to our GEN ED committee processes. The workload of the GEN ED committee is too great to add this to their charge so this new committee was created to manage this process. 

Experiential Learning Committee Charge:

1. To recommend to the Senate policies and requirements for experiential learning courses;

2. function as a curriculum committee for the review of courses seeking an experiential learning designation;

3. function as the assessment committee for courses designated as experiential learning courses;

4. support and collaborate with the Service Learning Subcommittee on it's charge;

5. report yearly to the Senate on the committee’s activities.

Service Learning Subcommittee Charge:

1. To collaborate with the Experiential Learning Committee on policies and requirements for service learning courses;

2. function as a curriculum committee for the review of courses seeking the service learning designation;

3. function as the assessment committee for courses designated as service learning courses;

4. report yearly to the Experiential Learning Committee on the Service Learning committee’s activities;

5. provide information as necessary for the Experiential Learning Committee’s report to the Senate.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING COMMITTEE Membership:

Membership Status Term Appointing Body
Three faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, eligible to be named chair Voting Staggered, 3-years Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee
One faculty member from the each school and the library, eligible to be named chair Voting Staggered, 3-years Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee
Four At-Large faculty appointees, eligible to be named chair Voting Staggered, 3-years Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee
Two students Voting 1-year Student Congress
Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (or designee) Ex-officio and Non-voting While Director or for period Director designates Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Director of Community Engagement Ex-officio and Non-voting While Director Provost Office
Director of Career and Life Design Center (or designee) Ex-officio and Non-voting While Director Student Affairs
Registrar (or designee) Ex-officio and Non-Voting While Registrar or for period appointed by Registrar Registrar
Provost Office Representative Ex-officio and Non-Voting Period designated by the Exec VP of Academic Affairs and Provost Executive VP of Academic Affairs and Provost  
SERVICE LEARNING SUBCOMMITTEE Membership:
Membership Status Term Appointing Body
Seven faculty from the Experiential committee, eligible to be named chair of the subcommittee Voting Staggered, 3-years Chair of the Experiential Learning Committee
One student Voting 1 - year OU Student Congress
Director of Community Engagement Ex-officio and Non-voting While Director Provost Office
Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (or designee) Ex-oficio and Non-voting While Director or for the period Director designates Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment
Registrar (or designee) Ex-officio and Non-Voting While Registrar or for period appointed by Registrar Registrar
Provost Office Representative Ex-officio and Non-Voting Period designated by the Exec VP of Academic Affairs and Provost Executive VP of Academic Affairs and Provost  
Faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Charge:

  • to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in an environment of mutual trust and respect at all levels of the institution
  • to facilitate opportunities and success for all community members
  • to develop and refine metrics that will be used to monitor and evaluate OU’s performance on faculty-related diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
  • to develop and implement training
  • to research and promote best practices in faculty recruitment and retention
  • to Regularly conduct policy audits and recommend changes necessary to support a diversity, equity and inclusion in faculty recruitment, hiring, promotion and tenure and opportunities for leadership

Special Note: The Chair of this committee will serve as the faculty representative on the DEI council.   

Membership

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Four faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, eligible to be named chair

Voting

Staggered, 3 years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty member from each school and the library, eligible to be named chair

Voting

Staggered, 3 years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Two at large faculty appointees, eligible to be named as chair

Voting

Staggered, 3 years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One Department Chair

Voting

1 year with the option to extend the same department chair for for a second year.

Assistant VP for Academic Human Resources

One Student

Non-voting

1 year

Student Congress

One Center for Multicultural Initiatives student Ambassador

Ex-officio and non-voting

1 year

Director of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives

One Administrative Professional (AP)

Non-voting

3 years

AP Assembly

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or designee)

Ex-officio and non-voting

For the period designated by the Vice President

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or designee from AHR)  Ex-officio and non-voting For the period designated by the Executive Vice President Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC)

General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC)
(Approved May 2020 by the Senate/ Revised May 2022/ last updated:  4/19/24)

The General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC) is a standing committee that oversees the assessment of the General Education program and General Education courses, and it is appointed by the OU Senate to 

  1. function as the assessment committee for a university-wide program of General Education,
  2. coordinate and advise on the planning and implementation of General Education assessment by academic units;
  3. advise and coordinate with the General Education Committee in planning and carrying out assessment of the University's General Education program, exchange minutes, and provide information on General Education assessment for preparation of the with the General Education Committee's annual report.  The co-chairs shall meet at least once each semester with the co-chairs of the General Education Committee.
  4. advise the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction, the University Assessment Committee, and the General Education Committee on the findings of their program assessment and on their implications for specific program reviews and for maintaining and improving the quality of general education curricula and instruction;
  5. report to the University Senate and the Assemblies of the organized faculties on the findings of the General Eucation assessment program and their implications for maintaining and improving the quality of undergraduate General Education curricula and instruction at the University; and
  6. appoint two voting members as co-chairs* who would serve for two years, and their terms would be staggered so that each year the experienced co-chair could orient the incoming co-chair to the committee responsibilities.

Membership

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Three faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, eligible to be co-chair*

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty member from each school and the library, eligible to be named co-chair*

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Two at-large faculty appointees, eligible to be named co-chair*

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Director or for period Director designates

Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

General Education Assessment Coordinator

Ex-officio and non-voting

While coordinator

Director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Registrar (or designee)

Ex-officio and non-voting

While Registrar or appointed by Registrar

Registrar

General Education Committee

Updated:  4/19/24

Charge:

  1. To recommend to the Senate policies and requirements for undergraduate general education;
  2. To function as a curriculum committee for the university-wide program of General Education;
  3. To respond to petitions of exception relating to that program in accordance with Senate authorizations;
  4. To communicate with the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction annually, providing information on petitions of exception from University requirements; and
  5. To advise and coordinate with the General Education Assessment Committee to establish priorities for each academic year and exchange minutes.  The co-chairs shall meet aqt least once each semester with the co-chiars of the General Education Assessment Committee.

Membership

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Thirteen faculty, (including one faculty from the Kresge Library), two as co-chairs

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Student Congress Undergraduate Representative Voting One (1) Year Student Congress

Professional Advisor

Ex-officio and Non-voting

Staggered, 3-years

Professional Advising Council

General Education Coordinator Ex-officio and Non-voting While Coordinator or Appointed by the Executive VP for AA and Provost Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Co-Chair from the General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC)

Ex-Officio and 
Non-voting

While Co-Chair

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Registrar (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Registrar or appointed by Registrar

Registrar

Associate Provost

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Associate Provost

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

General Education Program Revision Ad Hoc Committee

Committee Established:  May 2022 / last updated 4/19/24

Rationale: In the United States, the higher educational system is founded on the Liberal Arts and General Education. To stay relevant to the needs of our students and society we must undertake regular evaluations of our General Education curricular program and revise it as needed. All members of the Ad Hoc committee must agree to respect the Rules of Engagement as presented below.

Charge: To establish a Senate Ad Hoc committee to investigate the options and prepare a report with recommendations about a revision to the General Education Program at Oakland University.

General Education Reform Rules of Engagement

General education and the liberal arts are the foundation of the higher education system of the United States. The purpose of general education is to provide an array of skills that are essential to modern professions, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. Moreover, the general education curriculum reinforces and supports Oakland University’s legacy and its education principles, mission, values, and strategic plan.

In college campuses across the United States, it is within a general education curriculum where students readily and historically participate in service learning, learning communities, and global and civic learning experiences. It is also the place where students are introduced to internships and undergraduate research. General education is also at the forefront of using Open Education Resources and developing skills that most employers seek such as critical and analytical thinking, digital literacy, applied knowledge and skills, and intercultural competency.

To embark on general education reform, it is important to agree to terms of engagement:

1. Respect the members of the team, their insights, and the conversations of the general education team.

2. Recognize and acknowledge the need to consider general education requirements to better reflect national best practices.

3. Recognize that general education is an essential part of US higher education; it is a co-curriculum to the major.

4. Actively listen and respect the insights and opinions of the team members

5. Learn about different general education curricula and approaches, its impact, and its significance; core curriculum, hybrid, and distribution models; and recent innovations and models. General education has a body of literature and knowledge. Share with the team what you have learned about general education

6. Support the purpose of general education as essential to an Oakland University student experience and how it is a foundation that supports the university’s values, mission, and strategic plan.

7. Commit to supporting an innovative curricular design and high impact learning practices including first year experiences, common experiences, service learning, learning communities, and undergraduate research.

8. Establish equity goals for general education that extend across curricula, programming, service learning, and internship opportunities.

Membership:

Members Status Term Appointing Body
Faculty from each academic unit, including one from the visual and performing arts, eligible to be named as chair Voting For period of ad hoc committee Senate upon nomination by
the Senate Steering
Committee
Student Congress Undergraduate Representative Voting One (1) Year OU Student Congress
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Ex-Officio and Non Voting For period of ad hoc committee Dean, College of Arts and
Sciences
Registrar (or Designee) Ex-Officio and Non Voting For period of ad hoc committee Registrar
CAS Advising Director (or Designee) Ex-Officio and Non Voting For period of ad hoc committee CAS Advising Director
Adviser (PAC representative; non-CAS) Non Voting For period of ad hoc committee Professional Advising
Council (PAC)
Vice President of Enrollment Mgmt (or Designee) Ex-Officio and Non Voting For period of ad hoc committee Vice President of
Enrollment Management
Director of the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Data Analytics (OIRADA) or Designee Ex-Officio and Non Voting For period of ad hoc committee Director of the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Data Analytics 
Graduate Council

NOTE:  Rules setting the Graduate Council membership are part of the OU Senate Constitution Article VI. 

Charge:

  1. To recommend to the University Senate academic policies and procedures concerning graduate education; and, when necessary, seek advice from the Senate Planning Review Committee, the Senate Budget Review Committee, and other appropriate bodies concerning the impact of these policies and procedures.
  2. To recommend to the University Senate concerning new graduate programs;
  3. To confer with the Dean of Graduate Education about program support or other activities in graduate education, as the Dean of Graduate Education may seek such advice;
  4. To recommend and approve modifications in graduate programs with advice from other appropriate bodies as needed;
  5. To render advice concerning existing programs or alterations in them as Dean of Graduate Education may seek such advice;
  6. To review all programs in timely fashion and report findings to the Senate Planning Review Committee and the University Senate;
  7. To recommend, when necessary, to the Senate Planning Review Committee and the University Senate, with advice from other appropriate bodies as needed, program suspension or discontinuance based on findings from the program review process;
  8. To appoint subcommittees necessary to assist the Graduate Council in the conduct of its responsibilities;
  9. To assist in all evaluations of ongoing and proposed graduate programs for their consistency with the goals and objectives of the University;
  10. To maintain regular communication with the Senate Planning Review Committee through exchange of minutes; and
  11. To approve all candidates for degrees and report this approval to the President of the University. 

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Dean, Graduate Education, Chair

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Dean, Graduate Education

Dean, Graduate Education

One faculty member from each organized faculty that currently sponsors a graduate degree program

Voting

2-years

Academic Unit

Three faculty at-large

Voting

2-years

Dean, Graduate Education

One library faculty member

Ex-Officio and Non-voting

1-year

Dean, University Libraries

Assistant Dean, Graduate Education

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Assistant Dean

Dean, Graduate Education

Honorary Degree Committee

Charge:

To consider and recommend candidates for honorary degrees, according to the criteria and procedures specified by the Oakland University Board of Trustees and found at www.oakland.edu/honoarydegree.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Six Faculty

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One Graduate Student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress or Dean, Graduate Education

Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or designee)

Ex-officio and Voting

While Exec Vice President or for period Exec Vice President Designates

Exec Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Intercollegiate Athletics Committee

Charge:

  1. To advise the President and the Athletic Director about matters affecting the academic and athletic integrity of intercollegiate athletics, including, but not limited to, matters affecting student-athlete welfare.
  2. To advise the Athletic Director generally on policies for student-athletes including, but not limited to, standards of academic eligibility, student support and health, academic integrity and progress, equity, Title IX, and NCAA and Horizon League issues.
  3. To assist Oakland University in meeting the NCAA and Horizon League standards for student-athlete welfare.
  4. To receive timely and regular reports from the Athletic Director on matters related to athletics, including but not limited to current and proposed plans and policies that affect the athletic programs, including plans and policies on buildings, facilities, budgets, services, academic support and NCAA compliance; and to advise and make recommendations on same.
  5. To receive reports and recommendations from other Senate committees and to advise and make recommendations to the Senate and its committees, as needed.
  6. To take on additional duties as directed by the Senate Steering Committee.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Four faculty

Voting

Staggered 3-year

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Two student-athletes

Voting

1-year

Student Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Committee

One Administrative Professional from University Housing, Student Financial Services or Admissions

Voting

3-year

AP Assembly

One external/community member

Voting

3-year

Faculty Athletic Representative

Professional Advisor

Voting

3-years

Professional Advising Council

Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR) who shall serve as chair

Voting

While Faculty Athletic Representative

Oakland University President

Athletic Director

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Athletic Director

Athletics Director

Senior Woman Administrator in Athletics

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Senior Woman Administrator

Athletic Director

One Athletics Compliance Staff Member

Ex-officio and Non-voting

1-year

Athletic Director

Library Committee

Charge:

  1. To serve as a liaison between the University Libraries and the faculty and students of the University; to bring faculty and student opinion before the library and to interpret library policies to faculty and students;
  2. To advise the library and the University Senate in the formulation of broad general policies on collections, buildings, facilities, and services. These policies shall be presented to the University administration by the Dean of the University Libraries;
  3. To receive timely and regular reports from the Dean of the University Libraries on current and proposed library plans and policies;
  4. To receive timely and regular reports from the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost on current and proposed university plans and policies which may impact the University Libraries and to advise and make recommendations on same;
  5. To receive reports and recommendations from other duly constituted committees and to advise and make recommendations to the Senate and its committees, as needed;
  6. To take on additional duties as directed by the Senate Steering Committee; and
  7. To meet regularly, but at least once each semester.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Four library faculty, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 2-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Four College faculty (one from each of the four faculty groups), eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 2-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty member from each school, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 2-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One medical library faculty, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 2-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Three students, one of whom is a graduate student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Dean, University Libraries

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Dean, University Libraries

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or Designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Exec Vice President or for period Senior Vice President designates

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Mental Health Committee

Charge: (updated 11/21/23)

  1. To gather information on all mental health services currently available (how they operate, their availability, cost, capacity)
  2. To assess mental health issues and needs on campus.
  3. To gather information on the various OU web pages that have information on mental health support services, and to organize that information to be more easily accessible and visible by supervising the creation of one main web page that can be accessed from the main OU home page.
  4. To promote and advocate for the mental health needs of the OU community (faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students) by making recommendations to the University Senate.
Membership Status Term

Appointing Body

 6 -9 Faculty, (at least
 one who works in the   field of mental health); One (1) to be co-chair
Voting 3 years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

2-5 Students Voting 1 year

Student Congress or Dean of Graduate School for graduate students

One Representative from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Optional) Voting 3 years

Faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee 

 One Representative 
 from DSS (Optional)
Voting 3 years

Disability Support Services Director

One Representative from Advising (PAC) Voting 3 years

Professional Advisers Council

One Representative from Univ Recreation and Well-Being Voting 3 years University Recreation and Well-Being Director
One mental health professional on campus (Graham Health and /or SEHS Counseling Center) Voting 3 years Director of Graham Health Center or Dean of SEHS
At least one (1) CT representative  Voting 3 years President of the OU Professional Support Association (OUPSA)
One least one (1) AP representative Voting 3 years AP Assembly
One least one (1) Police Dept representative Voting 3 years OU Chief of Police 
Dean of Students (or designee)  Co-Chair

Ex-Officio
Voting

While Dean of Students or as appointed by Dean of Students Dean of Students
Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or Designee)

Ex-Office Voting

While EVPAA or as appointed by EVPAA EVPAA and Provost
       
       
Planning Review Committee

Charge:  Last Updated 4/17/23

  1. To work with the President, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, other vice presidents, the Senate Budget Review Committee, and other duly constituted committees in the review of university plans, goals, objectives, role, and mission;
  2. To advise the President, jointly with the Senate Budget Review Committee, regarding priorities for university resource allocations;
  3. To advise the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, jointly with the Senate Budget Review Committee, regarding priorities for academic resource allocations;
  4. To make recommendations to the Senate on any changes affecting the academic organization of the university;
  5. To advise the Senate on the university-wide implications of relevant changes affecting the organization of the university;
  6. To report to the Senate regarding the outcome of organizational changes;
  7. To report to the Senate and its committees (as needed, UCUI, the Graduate Council, the General Education Committee) on the university-wide implications of proposed new academic programs or the discontinuance or major reorganization of existing academic programs as may be proposed;
  8. To receive reports and recommendations from duly constituted committees, to maintain communication with the Graduate Council, the Senate Budget Review Committee, and the University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction through regular exchange of minutes, and to advise and/or make recommendations to the Senate, as needed;
  9. To take on additional duties as directed by the Senate Steering Committee; and
  10. To meet jointly, as needed, but at least once each semester with the Senate Budget Review Committee.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Six faculty, eligible to serve as chair. The chair, whenever possible, will be chosen from among those with experience on this committee.

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Registrar

Ex-Officio and Voting

While Registrar

AP Assembly

Director Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Voting

While Director, Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Director Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Dean of Graduate Education

Ex-Officio and Non-voting

While Dean of Graduate Education

Dean of Graduate Education

Associate Provost

Voting

While Associate Provost

Exec Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Research Committee (URC)

Updated:  2/2/23

Charge:

  1. To encourage and promote scholarship, research, and creative endeavors among all faculty members of the University.
  2. The Committee's responsibilities include, in particular, the evaluation of applications for intramural research funds and the allocation of these funds among bargaining unit faculty members.
  3. More generally, they include advising and making recommendations to the Chief Research Officer on practices and policies conducive to scholarly activity. 

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Nine faculty, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty appointed by Graduate Council, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years appointment shall be made by Graduate Council by February 15th for a term that would begin in the next Fall semester

Graduate Council

Chief Research Officer or Designee

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Chief Research Officer or designated by Chief Research Officer

Chief Research Officer

Senate Elections Committee

Charge

The Elections Committee of the University Senate shall conduct elections and referenda and make apportionments as described in the various articles of the Senate Constitution (Article IV, ix)

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Three Senators

Voting

2-years

Steering Committee

Student Academic Support Committee

Charge:

To promote the academic success of students by considering, evaluating, and recommending policies and procedures in the areas of advising, financial aid, registration, admissions, student life, career development, and any other areas of student academic interest that may be brought before it.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Six faculty, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

President, Student Congress

Voting

While President

Student Congress

One Undergraduate Student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

One Graduate Student

Voting

1-year

Student Congress or Dean, Graduate Education

Professional Advisor

Ex-officio and Non-voting

3-years

Professional Advising Council

Representative from e-Lis (e-Learning & Instructional Support)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

3-years

Director of eLis

Dean of Students (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Dean of Students or for period designated

Dean of Students

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Vice President or for period designated

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or designee) Ex-officio and Non-voting While Exec Vice President or for period designated Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Teaching and Learning Committee

Charge:

  1. To promote the teaching function and the learning process by sponsoring incentives for good teaching and by publicizing within the University significant ideas and approaches to teaching and learning;
  2. To provide for a more structured outlet for reflection on both the teaching and learning process and the aspirations and accomplishments of the teaching profession.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Nine faculty, eligible to serve as chair

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Four Students

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

Two Administrative Professionals

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

AP Assembly

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Exec Vice President or for period designated

Exec Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

University Committee on Undergraduate Instruction

Charge:

  1. To recommend to the University Senate academic policies and procedures concerning undergraduate education and, when necessary, seek advice from other appropriate bodies concerning the impact of these policies and procedures;
  2. To evaluate and monitor petitions of exception regarding university-wide undergraduate academic requirements except for university-wide general education requirements;
  3. To prepare an annual report on all petitions of exception to be shared with the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Registrar, individual Committees on Instruction, and the Senate Planning Review Committee;
  4. To make recommendations to the University Senate regarding proposed and existing undergraduate programs, including recommendations for program modification, suspension, or discontinuance;
  5. To advise the Senate Planning Review Committee (SPRC) and the Senate Budget Review Committee (SBRC) concerning proposed new undergraduate programs and to maintain regular communication with SPRC and SBRC through exchange of minutes;
  6. To cooperate with the General Education Committee in overseeing undergraduate instruction throughout the University and to maintain regular communication with that committee through exchange of minutes;
  7. To schedule and monitor decennial reviews of all undergraduate programs in timely fashion and report findings to the Senate Planning Review Committee and the University Senate;
  8. To evaluate ongoing and proposed undergraduate programs for their consistency with University academic policies and mission, to monitor catalog copy to ensure compliance with all such policies; and to monitor all catalog changes impacting outside of the Committee on Instruction making the change;
  9. To advise the Senate on all matters that body or its Steering Committee may refer to the Undergraduate Committee on University Instruction concerning undergraduate instruction and the general requirements within which the specifics of undergraduate degree programs function.

Membership                  

Status

Term

Appointing Body

Four College faculty representing the arts and humanities, languages, natural sciences, and social sciences, eligible to serve as chair. each of whom shall represent UCUI to the Committee on Instruction or equivalent group in her/his academic unit

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

One faculty member from each organized faculty outside the College, eligible to serve as chair. each of whom shall represent UCUI to the Committee on Instruction or equivalent group in her/his academic unit

Voting

Staggered, 3-years

Senate upon nomination by the Steering Committee

Two students

Voting

1-year

Student Congress

General Chairperson of the Faculty Council for BIS

Voting

While General Chairperson of the Faculty Council for BIS

General Chairperson of the Faculty Council for Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies 

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Vice President or for period Vice President designates

Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer

One Professional Advisor

Ex-officio and Non-voting

3-years

Professional Advising Council

Registrar (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Registrar or for period Registrar designates

Registrar

Director of Financial Aid (or designee)

Ex-officio and Non-voting

While Director or
for period
Director designates

Director of Financial Aid

Associate Provost, Chair Ex-officio and Non-voting While Associate Provost EVPAA&P

Oakland University Senate

Wilson Hall
371 Wilson Boulevard
Rochester, MI 48309-4486
(location map)