REVISION TO POLICY ON FACULTY ROLE IN UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE

On May 21, 2013, the Board of Visitors passed a Resolution on Faculty Role in University Governance, which outlines specific areas of responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters. This resolution, which holds the status of policy (BOV-006), is published in the University’s policy directory and the Faculty Handbook.

On March 25, 2015, the Board of Visitors passed a resolution providing for the appointment of a non-voting advisory faculty representative to the Board. With the passage of this resolution, the Board policy (BOV-006) requires updating to reflect the addition of the non-voting faculty member to the Board of Visitors.

POLICY ON FACULTY ROLE IN UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE

WHEREAS, the Board of Visitors values the input of University faculty members in its formulation of policy, and accordingly appoints a non-voting advisory faculty representative to the Board, invites faculty members to serve as representatives to Board committees; and

WHEREAS, the Board wishes to formally recognize the important responsibilities faculty members have in shaping and implementing the University’s curriculum; and

WHEREAS, the Board also values the role of faculty in reviewing administrative policies that guide students, faculty, and staff of the University;

RESOLVED, the Board adopts the following statement regarding Faculty Role in University Governance:

Authority for the governance of the University is vested by statute in the Board of Visitors by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board’s responsibilities, specified by state statute, include but are not restricted to the appointment of the University president; appointment, promotion, and granting of tenure; removal of members of the faculty; the prescription of faculty responsibilities; the setting of faculty salaries; the determination of student tuition, fees, other charges; and the government and discipline of students. The Board prescribes the duties of the President, and the President has supreme administrative direction of the University, subject to the authority of the Board. The Board has delegated certain authority and responsibilities to the President and the Chief Academic Officer, who have delegated certain of these responsibilities to the faculty.

University faculty has played an important role in assisting the Board in fulfilling its responsibility from the University’s founding to the present day. Through the work of the Faculty Senate, a representative body consisting of members elected from each of the schools, faculty recommend approval of the establishment of new degree programs and major modifications to existing degree programs. Faculties also approve the conferral of all degrees and oversee the development of curricula in their respective schools and departments. Each spring, the Board of Visitors appoints a non-voting advisory faculty representative to serve on the Board. In addition, faculties serve as non-voting consulting members on committees of the Board of Visitors, as well as on standing administrative committees of the University, including the University Policy Review Committee, which reviews administrative policies. The Senate also provides the Executive Vice- President and Provost with advice and counsel on other academic matters. Through all of these mechanisms, faculty members share their expertise and insights on academic matters with the Provost, the President, and members of the Board of Visitors.

RESOLVED FURTHER, the President is directed to publish or distribute to the Faculty and the University community the above statement regarding Faculty Role in University Governance.