Contributions to the Life of the University

Faculty members are an integral part of the University through their commitment to the institution and its mission, their presence and involvement, and their responsibility for the life of the university. Contributions to the life of the University at the Lecturer and Assistant Professor ranks typically begin with service on the program and departmental levels that progress to service on the college/school and university levels with experience. Service should include leadership roles as a faculty member progresses through faculty ranks. Participating in activities such as department meetings, faculty meetings, convocations and commencements is expected of all faculty members and is not considered service. University service includes activities such as:

  • Service and leadership in the department, to academic programs, and to the college/school
  • Service and leadership on University committees, task forces, and advisory groups
  • Mentoring and leadership provided to student organizations
  • Presentations and participation in activities that serve the University such as admissions, development, and alumni events
  • Service and leadership that connect the University to the wider community

Standing Committee

  • A standing committee does any work within its particular field that is assigned to it by the bylaws or referred to it by the organization or the board.
  • Standing committees provide ever-ready and experienced groups to which work may be referred at any time.
  • They handle many tasks that need to be carried out regularly.
  • An organization may provide for and fix the duties of as many standing committees as it finds useful. The name, method of selecting members, usual duties, term of office, and requirements for reports of each standing committee should be included in the bylaws.

Special/Ad Hoc

  • A special committee, sometimes called an ad hoc committee, performs some specific task and automatically ceases to exist when its final report is issued.
  • If the organization votes to delegate additional work to a special committee, it continues until the new assignment is completed and another report is submitted.
  • These committees report only to the authority that appointed them.

Committee for Deliberation

  • Committees may be classified according to the nature of their assignments into committees primarily for deliberation and committees primarily for action.
  • It is vital that a committee appointed for deliberation and investigation or one which performs discretionary duties be representative of all important elements and groups within the organization.
  • The report of a representative committee will reflect the opinions of the whole organization and has a good chance of being approved. A nominating committee and a committee to determine the location for a new clubhouse are examples of committees that should be representative.

Committee for Action

  • A committee for action carries out a particular task already decided on.
  • Such a committee does not function well unless it is composed of members who favor the job to be done. A committee to raise an endowment fund is an example.

In the meantime, as we edit the Faculty Handbook and establish the new Academic Council “Ways to Serve” feature to connect faculty to various opportunities, we invite you to explore and contact the relevant persons to learn more about service opportunities.