300-399 Faculty Membership, Faculty Organization, Governance

The final authority in the college rests in the Board of Trustees, as set forth in Article II, Section 1, of the Bylaws of the McPherson College Board of Trustees. Decision making for college operations is delegated to the President of the College, and authority for the academic program is delegated by the President to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and to the faculty. Faculty Meeting is the highest decision-making authority for the faculty; however, the faculty delegates authority to committees, divisions, departments, and individual faculty members of the college. Different authority is given to each level of governance, and while all levels are subject to oversight, each level has the authority to make and implement some decisions. Thus, each level of governance has both independent decision-making authority and decision-making authority that is dependent on approval of other parts of the governance. The faculty as a whole has decision-making authority in the academic program, but not complete authority. Decisions such as the content of this handbook depend on the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the President of the College, and some areas of handbook content require the approval of the Board of Trustees. Other decisions, such as appointment of faculty members to faculty committees, the approval of new courses, or the approval of individualized interdisciplinary programs are made independently, based on the faculty’s delegated authority. This distinction is fundamental for understanding faculty governance because it is important to differentiate between faculty decisions that may be immediately enacted under the authority of the faculty and those that may only be enacted pending the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President, or the Board of Trustees.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

At McPherson College, faculty authority resides in the general faculty. At times this authority may be delegated to some legitimate faculty body such as a faculty committee or task force to expedite the work of the faculty. Yet the final authority still resides with the general faculty, which has the authority to confirm or overturn actions by its designated delegates. The faculty is given both independent decision-making authority and conditional authority, the authority to recommend and execute pending confirmation by higher authority. The authority of the general faculty to govern and recommend consists of the following areas:

FAC 302.1      Authority of Faculty to Govern

1. Control academic affairs, including general academic policies and academic regulations;
2. Regulate academic matters affecting more than one department or division;
3. Determine requirements for degrees in all programs;
4. Approve general education requirements for all degree programs;
5. Approve general admission requirements;
6. Approve curricula and program changes;
7. Approve interdisciplinary programs involving more than one department or division;
8. Establish residence requirements for degrees;
9. Establish basic language requirements for admission of foreign students;
10. Enact and enforce academic regulations for students in matters of attendance, examinations, grading, scholastic standing, honors, etc.;
11. Call meetings of faculty members when needed;
12. Determine voting rights;
13. Determine what constitutes a quorum;
14. Elect faculty officers;
15. Approve college or university calendar.

FAC 302.2      Authority of Faculty to Recommend

1. Candidates for degrees in all programs;
2. Regulations governing student discipline, conduct, dismissal, probation, etc.;
3. Policies governing appointments, ranks and promotions;
4. Faculty compensation policies and structure for salary plan;
5. Administrative action on policies affecting faculty members as a whole;
6. Tenure regulations and modifications;
7. Faculty appointments to college-wide committees;
8. Organization of faculty and bylaws for its operation;
9. Teaching loads.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

The McPherson College faculty is organized according to the Constitution of the Faculty of McPherson College (see Appendix 2). The faculty constitution provides a governance structure intended to enable the faculty to care for its principal responsibilities: (1) curriculum and educational policies, (2) the library and classroom instructional resources, and (3) matters relating to faculty personnel, including evaluation and promotion.

Faculty gather as a whole in Faculty Meeting to hear reports from standing committees and ad hoc task forces and to make decisions and recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs on matters related to faculty responsibilities. Four governance committees (Educational Policies Committee, Instructional Resources Committee, Faculty Review Committee, and Faculty Policies Committee) are commissioned to process issues and make recommendations on behalf of Faculty Meeting. A fifth governance committee, Faculty Executive Committee, serves to oversee and evaluate all aspects of faculty governance. As the five governance committees are chosen by and act on behalf of the faculty meeting, their decisions carry the authority of the whole faculty.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

As a rule, Faculty Meeting occurs twice each month. Voting and non-voting membership criteria as well as specific information on faculty meeting are found in the faculty constitution (see Appendix 2).

Faculty Executive Committee plans and organizes agendas for regular Faculty Meetings. Agendas for upcoming meetings as well as minutes from the immediately preceding meeting are distributed to all faculty members at least 48 hours before the upcoming meeting. As a rule, agendas include reports from standing committees and a time for announcements from individual members. Although faculty may always make a motion from the floor to add items to a Faculty Meeting agenda, members are urged to direct requests for Faculty Meeting agenda time to Faculty Executive Committee for consideration.

In addition to regular meetings, a special Faculty Meeting may be called by the President of the College, by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or by Faculty Executive Committee. Individual members may submit requests for special meetings to the Faculty Executive Committee for consideration.

Unless otherwise stipulated by Faculty Meeting action or by the faculty constitution, a simple majority of voting members constitutes a quorum, and a simple majority of members present is required for passage of business items. Business of the faculty shall be conducted according to the latest revised edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

All full-time faculty are expected to serve on faculty and/or campus-wide committees as part of their terms for employment at McPherson College. In some cases, individual faculty can control which committees they serve on by accepting or declining the nomination of their division or the faculty at-large. Faculty Executive Committee may appoint or recommend to the Vice President for Academic Affairs appointment to ad hoc committees or to campus-wide committees. Faculty Executive Committee is responsible for seeing that committee workloads are equitably distributed among all faculty. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances, faculty are expected to accept appointments to committees issued by FEC or by the President.

Faculty are expected to take their committee responsibilities seriously. They should work with their chair to arrange a meeting time that is convenient for the majority of committee members. They should attend all meetings regularly and prepare adequately enough to contribute to committee processes. When absence is necessary, they should notify the chair ahead of time. Committee members should voluntarily assume a fair share of committee workload and, in general, accept responsibilities delegated by the chair. In general, there are three types of committees: Faculty Governance Committees, Faculty Committees, and Campus Committees.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

FAC 320.1 Faculty Governance Committees

The five Faculty Governance Committees are created by Faculty Meeting to provide a governance structure for oversight and implementation of policies, programs, and curriculum.

1. The Faculty Executive Committee (FEC)
2. The Faculty Review Committee (FRC)
3. Faculty Policies Committee (FPC)
4. Educational Policies Committee (EPC)
5. Instructional Resources Committee (IRC)

Elections for these committees take place in the spring. The bylaws for these governance committees are found in the appendices, and additional information is provided under Section 321.

Faculty Committees and appointees implement academic programming.

1. The Institutional Assessment Committee provides resources and expertise on assessment methods as well as oversight of assessment procedures and reports generated by the college. The CAO and the chair of the Assessment Committee select a representative from each academic division.
2. The Teacher Education Board is the unit for the Teacher Education Program at McPherson College. It consists of representatives from each academic division and faculty from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, among others. The Teacher Education Board reconstitutes itself in August at the beginning of the academic year.
3. Two faculty members are elected by Faculty Meeting to observe the fall and spring meetings of the Board of Trustees.
4. The Institutional Review Board is an ad hoc committee that reviews research studies conducted on campus involving humans or animals and ensures that the well-being of research participants, researchers, and the institution is appropriately safeguarded. The IRB chair may ask faculty to serve on an as-needed basis.
5. One faculty member is appointed by FEC to serve as program liaison for international studies.
6. One faculty member is appointed by FEC to serve as program liaison for the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture.

Approved by Faculty on 03 October 2018.

Numerous other committees and programs require faculty participation. Appointment criteria for these committees vary widely from committee to committee. Committees and programs in which faculty participate include the following:

1. Three faculty members, representing each division, are assigned by FEC to the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (IAC), a sub-committee of EPC. IAC reviews and approves McPherson College athletic policies, regulations, and scheduling.
2. Three faculty members are assigned by FEC to the Campus Hearing Board, which reports to the associate dean of students and adjudicates cases of student violation of community codes.
3. FEC appoints a representative from each division to serve on the Personnel Committee, which reports to the president and evaluates and recommends employee benefits and hears employee grievances.
4. The Emergency Response Team establishes best practices in campus safety and members play an important role as points of contact in emergencies. FEC appoints a representative from each division.
5. Additional ad hoc committees and/or task forces may be organized by the administration or standing committees for short-term special assignments. These committees exist only until the special task is accomplished. A final report to the responsible committee represents the termination of an ad hoc committee or task force.
6. Other committees, such as the Homecoming Committee or the Church Relations Committee, may request faculty participation as desired.

 Approved by Faculty on 03 October 2018

Faculty governance is the process of integrating the organizational units of the faculty for decision making and execution of faculty responsibilities as outlined in section 301.2. The organizational units involved in the governance process are Faculty Meeting, committees, divisions, and departments.

The central tools of faculty governance are the Faculty Governance Committees. Faculty Governance Committees are decision-making bodies that govern issue areas. The bylaws of each committee (found in the handbook appendices) specify the Purpose of each committee and a Committee Charge: Responsibilities & Accountabilities, which outlines the responsibilities of each committee. Furthermore, committee bylaws specify Reporting Relationships, the processes available for executing committee decisions. These bylaw specifics are fundamental for the efficient execution of the responsibilities of the faculty because many types of decisions may be made directly by committees based on the authority delegated to them by the faculty. Other types of decisions are subject to a review process, such as being sent to Faculty Meeting or to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for approval. In order for committees to function efficiently, it is essential that the members of committees clearly understand the bylaws of their committees. As committee membership changes on a yearly basis, it is recommended that each committee review its bylaws at the beginning of the academic year to ensure that members understand the purpose, jurisdiction, and reporting relationships of their committees. Detailed descriptions of the Faculty Governance Committees may be found in the committee bylaws appendices of the Faculty Handbook. A brief overview of the Faculty Governance Committees, including descriptions of purposes and responsibilities follows:

FAC 321.1 Faculty Executive Committee (FEC)

Faculty Executive Committee is the point of leadership for faculty governance. FEC sets agendas for the faculty, both in a narrow sense of setting schedule for faculty meeting and in the broader sense of establishing goals for the faculty governance system and monitoring the work of the committees to ensure that those goals are met. It is the responsibility of FEC to be informed on the progress of deliberation and decision making within faculty committees and to ensure that faculty deliberation translates into faculty action in a timely manner. The membership of FEC makes it especially well suited for this task. As FEC is composed of the division chairs, the faculty chair, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, FEC is well positioned to coordinate decision making within the academic program.

purpose
To serve as a coordinating group for Faculty Meeting and faculty committees and functions; to monitor the flow of work among various levels of faculty organization and to evaluate the effectiveness of faculty governance.

responsibilities
Plan fall faculty retreat. Plan faculty meetings. Serve as nominating committee for faculty committee positions. Delegate members to serve as liaisons to EPC, IRC, EPC, and other campus committees. Monitor workflow within the faculty committee structure, suggesting alternatives for revision of structure or process. Oversee ad hoc faculty committees and task forces. Review and refer items from committees to Faculty Meeting, from committee to committee (faculty or joint), or to administrative offices from faculty governance entities. Process appeals from committee to Faculty Meeting.

FAC 321.2 Educational Policy Committee (EPC)

purpose
To provide oversight of the academic program, curriculum, and academic policies.

responsibilities
Approve new courses and changes to courses. Approve individualized interdisciplinary programs, the academic calendar, and the course schedule. Recommend additions, alterations, or deletions of programs of study and academic departments. Interpret academic policy, recommending new policy as appropriate. Recommend changes in academic requirements—e.g., general education curriculum or graduation requirements.

FAC 321.3  Instructional Resource Committee (IRC)

purpose
To provide oversight of instructional resource needs and use, including library, classrooms and other facilities. To oversee efficient use of resources and acquisitions.

responsibilities
Review academic computer usage and the plan for maintenance and update of academic computing systems. Review other technology-related needs for the academic program. Serve as liaison between library personnel and faculty. Advise on library acquisitions and priorities, library services, and long-range planning. Assess classrooms and educational facilities. Recommend institutional priorities for funds available for instructional resources.

FAC 321.4 Faculty Policies Committee (FPC)

purpose
To provide oversight of policy concerning faculty personnel, faculty hiring, sabbaticals, faculty evaluation and promotion, faculty compensation, and other such matters as the President may request.

responsibilities
Review the Faculty Handbook, faculty hiring process, and faculty evaluation policies. Review tenure, promotion, and sabbatical policy. Review compensation policies and the structure of the salary plan.

FAC 321.5  Faculty Review Committee (FRC)

purpose
To provide oversight of the performance of individual faculty members.

responsibilities
Oversee faculty evaluation process. Evaluate faculty effectiveness and make recommendations regarding continuation of contracts, promotion and tenure, and the granting of sabbaticals for individual faculty members. Recommend the awarding of emeriti status and honorary degrees.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

Currently, McPherson College faculty are organized into three academic divisions, each composed of a cluster of academic departments as follows:

Division of Humanities
Art
Modern Languages
Performing Arts
Philosophy and Religion

Division of Science and Technology
Mathematics
Natural Science
Technology

Division of Social Sciences
Business
Curriculum and Instruction
History and Politics
Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
Behavioral Science

As a rule, divisions meet twice each month. Divisions assume the initial responsibility for reviewing and approving curriculum changes proposed by departments. Division meetings also serve as the principal vehicle through which faculty learn about curriculum and program changes adopted by Educational Policies Committee and/or Faculty Meeting and through which faculty review and evaluate such changes.

Approved by Faculty on 11 March 2010

Division chairs are elected to a three-year term by their respective divisions. Division chairs can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. They are responsible to the Chief Academic Officer. Unless the college administration makes an exception, division chairs are not compensated nor do they receive load release.

Their specific duties and responsibilities include

1. Perform necessary duties commonly assigned to a chair, i.e., preparing agenda, calling and chairing meetings, and ensuring that records of all meetings are kept;
2. Represent the division on Faculty Executive Committee;
3. Serve as liaison to Educational Policies Committee, Faculty Policies Committee, or Instructional Resources Committee, as determined by FEC in its organizational meeting. Liaisons read minutes and report major action items and upcoming issues relevant to faculty to FEC;
4. Serve as a member of search committees for departments in the division or, in consultation with the CAO, appoint a designee;
5. Serve as a member of program review committees for programs within division or, in consultation with the CAO, appoint a designee;
6. As a member of Faculty Executive Committee, advocate on behalf of the budget requirements of the division’s various instructional programs, and prioritize and make budget recommendations to the CFO.

Approved by Faculty on 03 October 2018

Department chairs are appointed by the administration and hold the position until reassigned. Department chairs are responsible to the Chief Academic Officer. Unless the college administration makes an exception, department chairs are not compensated nor do they receive load release. Administrative duties for the academic operation of departments are the responsibility of department chairs.

Special duties and responsibilities include

1. Perform necessary duties commonly assigned to a chair, i.e., preparing agendas and calling and chairing meetings;
2. In consultation with department members, determine the schedule of course offerings and departmental teaching assignments for each term, subject to the approval of the registrar and CAO;
3. Advise the CAO of adjunct needs in a timely manner and suggest qualified lecturers to fill those needs;
4. In collaboration with department members, prepare proposals for desired curricular changes and oversee the progress of the proposals through the appropriate channels, i.e., division, Teacher Education Board (if applicable), and Educational Policies Committee.
5. With the input of department members, prepare an annual budget for the department, approve department expenditures, and code and submit invoices to the business office;
6. Review Professional Development Plans with department members and submit written responses to the CAO.
7. Consult with the CAO regarding departmental faculty concerns and personnel needs;
8. Stimulate high standards of achievement within the department and provide leadership in building purpose and direction in the department;
9. Acquaint colleagues, particularly new faculty members, with information about library acquisition policies, classroom technology, availability of student workers, the department’s assessment plan, the department budget, purchase of supplies, etc.;
10. In collaboration with other departmental faculty, prepare annual assessment reports and oversee the implementation of the departmental assessment plan;
11. In collaboration with other departmental faculty, every six years or by request, prepare the required program review;
12. Monitor departmental faculty advising loads and work with the registrar to maintain equitable distribution of advisees as appropriate;
13. Manage equitable distribution of departmental recruiting responsibilities, such as attendance at Presidential Scholars Day, major visit days, or meeting with prospective students;
14. Hire student workers as justified by the needs of the department and, in collaboration with department faculty, assign their duties, and monitor their performance;
15. Perform other supervisory departmental duties not specifically reserved for the division chair or the administration.

Approved by Faculty on 03 October 2018