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CHAPTER 1. FACULTY GOVERNANCE

The University of Texas at Austin             Policy Memorandum 1.501
Office of the President                       September 1, 1998

Subject: STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL FACULTY--FACULTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEES

The Handbook of Operating Procedures (see IV of Chapter 1) contains a description of the categories and general membership requirements of the standing committees of the General Faculty. The details of composition and membership of the standing committees categorized as faculty affairs committees are given below.

1. COMMITTEE OF COUNSEL ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY

Composition. Seven members chosen at large from and by the voting members of the General Faculty for two-year overlapping terms. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms as members of the committee. Deans, department chairs, and other administrative officials are ineligible for election or appointment. The committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair, both of whom shall be members of the General Faculty.

Function. To study problems concerning academic freedom, academic tenure, academic due process, and academic responsibility on its own initiative and make recommendations to the President and the General Faculty; to advise on problems or issues of policy in these areas referred to it by any member of the faculty, the Faculty Council, the President, the Chancellor, or the Board of Regents.

2. FACULTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BUDGETS

Composition. Each year the President shall nominate five faculty members, and the Faculty Council shall nominate five faculty members, and each shall select two new members from the other's nominations to serve three-year terms. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council, one of whom shall be elected by the voting members of the Faculty Council, for one-year terms as members of the committee. Every third year the President shall also select a new chair of the committee, who shall be a member of the General Faculty, from the Faculty Council's nominations, and the committee shall elect its vice chair, who shall be a member of the General Faculty. The Provost shall serve as an administrative advisor to the committee without vote.

Function. To serve in an advisory capacity to the President and Provost; to review University budgets and make appropriate recommendations.

3. FACULTY COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES

Composition. Nine members of the General Faculty, at least six of them appointed from a panel of twelve faculty members elected by the General Faculty through the Hare system of voting. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms as members of the committee. The Secretary of the General Faculty also shall be a member of the committee. The Committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair, both of whom shall be members of the General Faculty. No member except the Secretary of the General Faculty may serve continuously for more than four years.

Function. To advise with the President on personnel for standing committees of the General Faculty and the uses to be made of the committee system; to make recommendations to the Faculty Council regarding changes in responsibilities of standing committees.

4. FACULTY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

Composition. Consists of sixteen full-time voting members of the General Faculty, serving two-year overlapping terms. Ten members are elected at-large by the General Faculty, and six members are appointed by the President through the regular procedures of the Committee on Committees. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms as members of the committee. the total committee membership shall not include more than four faculty members from any college or school. The committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair, both of whom shall be members of the General Faculty.

Function. To hear or otherwise dispose of individual grievances. Faculty grievance procedures are set forth in Section 3.18 of the U.T. Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures. Grievance procedures for Teaching Assistants and Assistant Instructors are set forth in Section 4.03 of the U.T. Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures

5. FACULTY WELFARE COMMITTEE

Composition. At least seven members of the General Faculty, including a faculty member from the School of Law. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms as members of the committee. The committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair, both of whom shall be members of the General Faculty.

Function. To advise the President on all matters pertaining to faculty welfare.

6. GENERAL FACULTY RULES COMMITTEE

Composition. At least four members of the General Faculty, including the Secretary of the General Faculty. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms as members of the committee. The committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair, both of whom shall be members of the General Faculty.

Function. To study all proposed changes in and additions to the rules of procedure of the General Faculty and the Faculty Council and to submit recommendations to the General Faculty; to make the final ruling in any election dispute or on any election matter not covered by the rules; to handle questions of interpretation of rules; to determine questions of jurisdiction arising between the University Council and the General Faculty.

7. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PRESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Composition. At least eight voting members of the General Faculty. In addition, every year the Chair of the Faculty Council shall appoint two General Faculty members of the Faculty Council for one-year terms as members of the committee. The committee shall elect its own chair and vice chair, both of whom shall be members of the General Faculty. The Director of the University of Texas Press shall serve as administrative advisor without vote.

Function. To be responsible for approving all publications to bear the imprint of the Press; to advise and assist the Director in forming policy for the Press; to advise the President in the event it becomes necessary to appoint a new Director.