Article VI: Instruction Committee
A. Purpose
The Instruction Committee serves to ensure the Faculty responsibility for all matters related to instruction at the College. It is responsible for the development and review of policies related to instructional matters. It will serve in a consultative role in student advisement, retention, and evaluation of transfer credit. This Committee also provides for Faculty involvement in the utilization of equipment and facilities germane to the academic affairs of the College. Further, this Committee will serve as the review board for visiting student programs, Student-Initiated Major (SIM) programs, exemption from policy, and student dismissals for academic reasons.
B. Composition
(1) The Instruction Committee shall consist of five Faculty members elected for terms of three years with ex officio members as described above.
(2) The Committee shall deliberately establish a plan for operation, record-keeping, and continuity during annual membership and leadership transitions. The plan should designate which Committee members will be responsible for each of the following roles and functions. The same person may perform more than one task.
a. Chair (Presiding Officer) functions
1. Prepare meeting agendas
2. Preside over Committee meetings
3. Oversee distribution and completion of Committee tasks
4. Serve as conduit of communication between the Committee and other institutional components such as the administration, the Faculty, the Registrar, and other standing committees
b. Chair-Elect functions
1. Prepare to take over the responsibilities of the Committee chair in the following academic year
2. Assist the chair in overseeing Committee functions
3. Preside over meetings in the absence of the chair
4. Other specific functions appropriate to the Committee
c. Secretarial functions
The Instruction Committee secretary will make available the following documents:
1. Agenda of meetings
2. Minutes of meetings
3. Proposals of changes to policies and procedures that require Faculty action
4. Other documents specifically relevant to the Committee, such as standard forms
(3) The Committee shall electronically communicate its plan regarding operation, record-keeping, and continuity to the Faculty Liaison Committee and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on or before June 15 (at the close of each academic year).
C. Responsibilities
(1) Primary Functions
a. To evaluate the effectiveness of the academic structure and to make recommendations to the Faculty.
b. To evaluate, develop, and recommend to the Faculty policies dealing with instructional matters.
(2) Scheduling
a. To serve as a consultative group to the appropriate administrative office in formulating the operational calendar.
b. To review and make recommendations on course scheduling when serious questions arise.
(3) Credit
a. To review and, if necessary, recommend to the appropriate administrative office the minimum and maximum credit hours that students are permitted to carry.
b. To review and recommend to the Faculty criteria for granting individual student exemptions from College academic policies.
(4) Academic Performance
a. To review and recommend policies regarding the evaluation of student academic performance.
b. To develop and/or review policies in regard to all College and disciplinary honors programs.
c. To develop policies for the academic dismissal of students.
d. To act in consort with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in review of students being considered for academic dismissal.
(5) Advisory Functions
a. To serve an advisory and/or policy development function for the academic orientation of students.
b. To serve an advisory and/or policy development function in the student retention programs.
c. To serve an advisory and/or policy development function in the student advisory programs.
d. To serve an advisory and/or policy development function with the Director of Field Period.
e. To review and evaluate periodically the quality and use of instructional facilities and resources and make appropriate recommendations.
(6) Reports
a. To develop its procedures and present them to the Faculty for approval.
b. To make an annual report to the Faculty.