Academic Governance Committee Descriptions

University Council (30 delegates)

• Description: University Council brings together faculty, student, and administration representatives to discuss issues that involve the entire University. University Council considers and acts upon all matters within its purview brought before it by the Steering Committee, the President or the Provost, and shall provide a forum for the dissemination of information and exchange of views regarding University policy.

• Meetings: Meetings on Tuesday of each month from 3:15-5:00 PM at the International Center

University Committee on Academic Governance (3 delegates)

• Description: UCAG regularly reviews the Bylaws and is responsible for recommending amendments in these Bylaws to the University Council. UCAG also interprets and reviews each college’s bylaws at least once every five years.

• Meetings: Meets on Thursdays from 3:15-5:00 PM

University Committee on Curriculum (5 delegates)

• Description: UCC reviews and approves or rejects all changes in undergraduate curricula and degree requirements recommended by the University Committee on Undergraduate Education, and reviews and approves or rejects changes in graduate and graduate-professional curricula and degree requirements recommended by the University Committee on Graduate Studies. In addition,  UCC reviews and approves or rejects all undergraduate and graduate courses proposed by academic units.

• Meetings: Subcommittee meetings once each month from 1:30-5:00 (there are four subcommittees); full committee meetings are the last Thursday of each month from 1:30pm to 3:00pm

University Committee on Undergraduate Education (3 delegates)

• Description: UCUE reviews the  grading policy for undergraduate students and the use of grades and grade point averages for undergraduate admissions and for advancement in or graduation from undergraduate academic programs. Additionally, UCUE reviews all changes in undergraduate academic programs proposed by academic units and recommends their approval or rejection to the University Committee on Curriculum. UCUE consults with the Provost on the establishment, moratorium, discontinuance, or merger of undergraduate academic programs; on policies pertaining to curriculum revision, methods of instruction, evaluation of instruction, and advising and counseling for undergraduate students and programs; and on other policies pertaining to undergraduate education. The committee also consults with the Provost on policy pertaining to admissions and retention, financial aid, and the use and distribution of educational and research resources for undergraduate students and programs.

• Meetings: Meetings every other Thursday from 10:15 AM- 12:00 PM in the Admin Bldg

University Committee on Faculty Tenure (2 delegates)

• Description: UCFT advises the Provost on the formal and procedural rules for the award and revocation of tenure and on policies relating to tenure, and makes recommendations to the Faculty Senate on such rules and on policies. The role of UCFT in the interpretation of the rules of tenure is determined by Principle Seven of the Operating Principles of the Tenure System (Faculty Handbook). UCFT hears and acts on all cases for exceptions to the rules of tenure and its decisions on the matters shall be binding on the administration and on the faculty member.

• Meetings: Meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month

University Committee on Student Affairs (6 delegates)

• Description: UCSA advises the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services (Dr. Denise Maybank) on all policies of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and on other University policies as they affect the academic achievement of students. UCSA initiates and reviews proposed amendments to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR), General Student Regulations, and policies relating to the academic rights and responsibilities of students.

• Meetings: Meetings Friday mornings from 8:30-10 AM in the Student Services Bldg

Faculty Senate (1 ex-officio member)

• Description: The voting members of the Faculty Senate will be composed of faculty representatives from each college at the University, the At-Large Faculty Representatives on the Steering Committee, and the individuals who sit as Chairpersons of the University-level Standing Committees.  In addition, the President, the Provost, one elected member of ASMSU, one elected member of COGS, the Athletic Council Chairperson, a representative of the faculty emeriti and the Secretary of Academic Governance are ex-officio with voice only. The Faculty Senate is a deliberative, representative, and legislative body for Michigan State University faculty.  As such, the Faculty Senate is the major, regularly meeting body in which curricular issues, faculty tenure and promotion issues, and faculty salary and benefits issues are presented.  The Faculty Senate’s roles include communicating its position to the administration, making recommendations, providing advice, and speaking for University faculty on proposals developed in the University-level Standing Committees.

• Meetings: Meetings on Tuesday of each month from 3:15-5:00 PM at the International Center

Athletic Council (1 delegate)

• Description: The Athletic Council serves as the deliberative body for the discussion of academic policy related to student athletes and intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, the Athletic Council advises the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics on matters of policy, procedures, and organization related to intercollegiate athletics.

• Meetings: TBD

University Committee on Honors Programs (3 delegates)

• Description: The University Committee on Honors Programs provides a broad-based participation by University faculty and students in the establishment and implementation of Honors College policies and procedures. The committee shall review, evaluate and recommend programs, opportunities and activities for Honors students within the colleges and departments of the University, including Honors College.

• Meetings: TBD

University Committee on International Studies and Programs (2 delegates)

• Description: The Committee shall serve in an advisory-consultative capacity on all matters pertaining to the work of the Dean’s office including: undergraduate and graduate study abroad programs, foreign student affairs, exchange relationships with foreign institutions, international comparative and area studies, international contractual projects and other relationships.

• Meetings: TBD

University Committee for the Library (2 delegates)

• Description: The committee shall serve in an advisory-consultative capacity on all policy matters pertaining to the Library. The committee shall also serve as one of the channels of communication between the Library, the faculty, and the students.

• Meetings: TBD, but they are held at the Library 

University Committee for Military Education (1 delegate)

• Description: The committee actively discusses and reviews the department of Military Education and its policies. 

• Meetings: TBD

Out-of-State Fees Committee (1 delegate)

• Description: The Out-of-State Fees Committee consists of the Executive Vice President, Administrative Services, Chairperson; the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services; the Associate Controller; the Dean of the Graduate School; the Dean of Undergraduate Studies; one (1) undergraduate student representing ASMSU; one (1) graduate student representing COGS; the Director of Admissions, ex officio; and the University Registrar or his/her designee, ex officio. A student desiring to challenge the decision of the Review Committee shall have the right to appeal the determination. The appeal should consist of a written statement and any supporting documentation explaining why the decision of the Review Committee is wrong.  This appeal will be reviewed by the Out-of-State Fees Committee.

• Meetings: Meetings will occur when cases of appeals arise

Women’s Advisory Committee to the Provost (1 delegate)

• Description: The committee focuses on such issues as equity in and access to faculty positions, tenure, promotion and salaries; sexual discrimination and harassment; safety for women on campus; and gender equity in the curriculum. The committee consults with the provost in the development of programs, workshops and forums that assist women faculty and academic staff in maximizing their achievements.

• Meetings: Meetings occur twice an academic year