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Comprehensive Standard 3.7.5
The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters.
X Compliance Partial Compliance Non-Compliance
Narrative
Policies regarding the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters are
published in Nicholls State University's Policy and Procedure Manual which is available on the
Nicholls Web site and on the internal Administrative Drive (M Drive). Section 1.17.5 of the University
Policy and Procedure Manual describes the distribution and posting of these policies
[1]:
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University Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 1.17.5
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1.17.5. Distribution and Posting of Policies
The Coordinator of Policy and Procedures shall properly post a copy of the Policy & Procedure Manual
on the Nicholls State University web site. The Manual shall be updated and revised in a timely manner
following appropriate policy approvals.
Whenever the Policy & Procedure Manual has been properly updated, the Coordinator of
Policy and Procedures shall notify all concerned parties to include all or portions of the following:
• The Ellender Memorial Library;
• The office of the President of the University;
• The offices of the administrative Vice Presidents;
• The offices of all level two deans and directors;
• The offices of all level three supervisors;
• The President of the Faculty Senate;
• other appropriate offices, officers, committees, and personnel.
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The faculty of Nicholls State University is involved in academic and institutional governance through
participation in the curriculum-development process, appointments to institution-wide committees, the
Faculty Senate, and appointments to college- and department-level committees.
The descriptions of the governance agreements between faculty and the Nicholls administration
are contained in Section 1.14 of the Policy and Procedure Manual
[2]. The committee system established by the governance document begins with an
affirmation of the term "shared governance":
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University Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 1.14
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1.14. Committee System
Governance is the shared responsibility of all members of the University Community. To fulfill this responsibility,
faculty and administration agree to establish collaborative bodies known as Academic Standing Committees, which
are charged to perform specific governance duties requiring faculty and administration involvement. In addition,
University Standing Committees are established to conduct other University activities. The faculty will also
establish its own governance bodies known as Faculty Senate Standing Committees.
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University Councils and Committees
Section 1.14.1
[3]
establishes general operating procedures for Nicholls State University's Academic Standing,
University Standing, and Faculty Senate Standing Committees. The following is a list of the named
committees and the corresponding Policy and Procedure Manual sections:
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University Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 1.14.1
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1.14.1. General Operating Procedures for Academic, University, and Faculty Senate Standing Committees
Academic Standing Committees: (Section 1.14.2)
Academic Policies and Standards Committee
Courses and Curricula Committee
Graduate Council
Research Council
Library Committee
Continuing Education Committee
Grievance Committee
University-wide Promotion and Tenure Appeals Committee
University Standing Committees: (Section 1.14.3)
Athletic Committee
Budget Committee
Compliance Committee
Discipline Committee
Scholarship Committee
Social and Community Concerns Committee
Student Media Committee
Student Organizations Committee
Faculty Senate Standing Committees: (Section 1.14.4)
Executive Committee
Committee on Committees
Faculty Welfare Committee
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Each committee section details the membership requirements of and the charges for the committees.
The Committee on Committees is charged to administer Article III (Election of Senators) and Article IX
(Committees) of the Faculty Association Bylaws and to implement policies regarding the election/selection
of faculty members to the Faculty Senate, University Standing Committees, Academic Standing Committees,
and the Faculty Senate Stranding Committees. The Committee on Committees is also charged with calling
the first meeting for Academic Standing Committees each year to ensure timely operation of these bodies.
Faculty Participation in the Curriculum Development Process
The process through which curricular changes are made starts at the department level. Proposed curricular changes
can be initiated by the department head or by a faculty member, through the department head. Ultimately, the dean
of the college must approve proposed curricular changes before the changes are forwarded to the Courses and Curricula
Committee.
The Courses and Curricula Committee, an Academic Standing Committee, is described in Section 1.14.2.2 of
the Policy and Procedure Manual
[4].
The committee is charged with making "recommendations on policies and procedures
regarding the undergraduate curriculum and academic programs." The committee serves as the "review board for proposed
courses and curricula changes" and for making recommendations for proposed changes. The 16-member committee,
with representatives elected from each academic college, reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs through
the Faculty Senate.
The Graduate Council, an Academic Standing Committee, is charged with studying and reviewing "curriculum,
program and policy proposals related to the graduate program," as described in Section 1.14.2.3 of the Manual
[5].
The committee reviews "applications for appointment to graduate faculty" and acts on "graduate student appeals
related to academic standards." The 12-member committee reports to the Director of Graduate Studies.
Comprehensive Standard 3.4.1
[6] offers a complete description of faculty involvement in the curriculum-development
process.
The Nicholls State University Faculty Senate
The Nicholls State University Faculty Senate
[7] is the official name of the governing body of Nicholls
State University's Faculty Association. The Faculty Senate's participative role in University governance is explicitly
described in Section 1.15.3 of the Policy and Procedure Manual
[8].
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University Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 1.15.3
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1.15.3. Article II-Purpose
As the governing body of the Association, the Senate shares in the conduct of University affairs and
provides leadership in the areas of academic freedom, the development, maintenance, and evaluation of
academic programs and educational standards, the assurance of faculty welfare, and the advancement of
the University. Normally recommendations of the Senate are submitted to the President through the Provost
and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Senate may use any independent avenues to obtain information
or express opinions in order to assure faculty welfare and to preserve academic freedom.
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College and Departmental Committees
In addition to participating in the Faculty Senate and in institution-wide committees,
faculty members also actively serve on college- and department-level committees. In both appointed and
elected roles, faculty members on these committees help to develop missions and strategies, shape curricula,
set policies, and influence decisions on a myriad of issues. This dedication to service is one of the hallmarks
of Nicholls State University, as committed, devoted faculty members of all ranks and in all colleges contribute
in a multitude of ways to the quality of the University and its programs. Minutes for these department- and
college-level committees are published internally by way of the University's internal Administrative (M) Drive.
Faculty Participation in the Revision of Policy and Procedures
Faculty members are allowed to suggest changes to any sections contained in Chapter 2 of the
Policy and Procedure Manual, as stated in Section 2.16
[9]. Changes are proposed through representatives of
the Faculty Senate or through the Coordinator of Policy and Procedures, an officer designated by the University
to coordinate policy changes and suggestions, as described in Section 1.8.2.1 of the Policy and Procedure Manual
[10].
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Documentation
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