undergraduate council
Includes two students
The Undergraduate and Graduate Councils
1. Purpose of the Undergraduate Council
The purpose of the Undergraduate Council shall be to promote excellence in undergraduate education at UIS by reviewing, evaluating and facilitating development of academic standards for undergraduate programs; and by reviewing, evaluating and facilitating the development of present and proposed undergraduate curricula.
2. Purpose of the Graduate Council
The purpose of the Graduate Council shall be to promote excellence in graduate education at UIS by reviewing, evaluating and facilitating the development of academic standards for graduate programs; and by reviewing, evaluating and facilitating the development of present and proposed graduate curricula.
3. Duties and Responsibilities of the Councils
A. The Councils shall review, develop and evaluate undergraduate and graduate admissions policies, academic degrees and closure requirements and other academic policies, and monitor their implementations.
B. Advise. The Councils shall advise the Senate and VCAA on any matter related to undergraduate and graduate studies, including financial aid, student honors, graduate assistantships and clarification of existing policies and practices that affect students academically. When any advice significantly affects or interprets Senate policy on curriculum or academic standards, the Councils shall inform the Senate of the advice provided.C. Serve and Consult. The Councils may serve as one consultant to departments in the process of formative curricular review, to either implement departmental responses to program review recommendations or to implement changes between periodic reviews as requested by the department. Each College may consult with the Graduate Council in developing policies regarding faculty eligibility to engage in graduate education, and must provide the Graduate Council with a copy of any such policies that it adopts. The Graduate Council will review these policies and provide a report identifying any concerns it has to the Campus Senate and the College.
D. Coordinate. Each Council shall coordinate its work with the other Council in matters regarding courses and policies that affect both undergraduate and graduate education.
E. Promote. The Councils shall promote, where appropriate, the integration of professional studies, teaching, and the liberal arts.
F. E xamination of Program Reviews. Each Council will review the program review statement that includes the proposed conclusions and recommendations prepared by a dean. If a department disagrees with the program review statement, it may provide additional materials to the Council. The Council will report to the Senate their findings and recommendations after consideration of the program review statements.
G. Consult the Senate Committees. Each Council shall consult with the Campus Planning and Budget Committee to identify any problems, issues, or omissions in the planning priorities related to the responsibilities of the Councils that should be reported to the Senate. The Councils will coordinate with each other on their report to the Senate as provided below in the Bylaws.
H. Relation to Missions of the University of Illinois at Springfield. In keeping with the missions of UIS, both councils shall make decisions and recommendations that are responsive to the unique character of the Campus in regards to its missions of educating its students and others in public affairs; developing effective articulation with Illinois community colleges and their students; offering strong liberal arts and sciences and professional studies with integrative interaction between liberal and professional studies; and of providing innovative responses appropriate to serving the needs of new groups of students entering and returning to collegiate studies.
4. Structures of the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils
Each Council shall have parallel structures of six voting faculty members with representation from each college or academic unit, one instructional librarian to serve ex-officio, and two students selected by the Student Government Association (undergraduate for the Undergraduate Council; and graduate for the Graduate Council). Additional ex-officio members are one Liaison/Faculty member for the alternate Council and the VCAA, or her/his representative (the Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education for the Undergraduate Council and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Education for the Graduate Council). In the absence of either of the Associate Vice Chancellors the VCAA may appoint a representative to fill the vacant position.
The voting faculty members of the Graduate Council must have been approved by their college as being eligible to engage in graduate education, and shall include at least one faculty representative from each College who holds an appointment in an academic program that offers a graduate degree.
5. Terms of Office for the CouncilsFaculty shall serve three-year, staggered terms (initially 2 terms to expire the first year, 2 the second year, and 3 the third year). Students shall serve two-year terms or until completion of their degree, whichever is first. The ex-officio members from the library shall serve a three-year term, but may be reappointed to a second or subsequent term by the library faculty.
6. Chairpersons
Each Council shall elect its own Chair for a one-year term. The member elected may be re-elected with his/her term of the council. The Chairs shall assure the timely setting of agendas for evaluation of submitted curricular changes and review/development of academic standards policy. The Chairs shall actively communicate their agendas to the parallel council.
7. Council LiaisonsEach Council shall elect a liaison from its membership to serve a one-year term on the alternate Council. The liaison may be re-elected within his/her term on the council.
8. MeetingsBoth Councils shall meet at regular intervals throughout the year so as to accomplish the purposes and functions necessary to the University. The Chairs, in consultation with the Executive Committee, shall be responsible for the establishment of agendas, the coordination of activities and the formation of subcommittees and ad hoc committees as deemed necessary.
All meetings shall be open in accordance with Campus policy. In order for business to be conducted, a majority of the total voting membership currently appointed must be present. This will constitute a quorum. All actions and recommendations shall require a majority vote of those present.
9. Procedures for Curricular Reviews
Each College shall establish a College Curriculum Committee (CCC) that will be responsible for all decisions pertaining to courses (additions, deletions, alterations, etc.). On these matters not requiring Council approval, the College Deans shall forward to appropriate Councils an annual report of CCC, actions in the form established by the Councils with the rationale and supporting documents. The Councils shall review the CCC decisions in order to monitor proper implementation of current policy and to provide the basis for future policy recommendations.
In all other matters defined as major changes, such as program requirements, new degrees, concentrations, and certificates, the College Curriculum Committees shall first review such proposals and forward their recommendations and supporting documents, including the Dean’s recommendation, to the appropriate Council for review and possible approval.
10. Appeals
Appeals may be addressed to the Senate. The Chair of the Senate, at the direction of the Senate, may call a joint meeting of the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils, send a recommendation back to the respective Council for re-evaluation, or concur with the council’s recommendation.
11. Procedures for Academic Standards Development
All policy issues concerning academic standards shall be presented to the Senate for approval and action.
12. Implementation
Implementation of all policies related to academic standards, curricular review, and program review, as recommended by either of the Councils and approved by the Senate, shall be the responsibility of the Deans and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
