Academic Governance
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to describe the governance structures and leadership within Academics at Brigham Young University–Hawaii (“BYU–Hawaii” or “university”).
2. POLICY
Governance structures and leadership within Academics ensure that procedures, practices, and leadership are handled in a manner that ensures alignment with the Board of Trustees and the mission of BYU–Hawaii.
3. IMPLEMENTATIONS
3.1 Deans Council
The Deans Council is an academic governing body that is subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees and the President’s Council and is composed of the deans of each faculty; the chair of the Faculty Advisory Council; the library director; the associate academic vice presidents, and the academic vice president, who serves as the council chair. The Deans Council should meet regularly, normally twice a month during the academic year.
The Deans Council meets regularly and functions as the principal academic counseling body, reviewing specific new and continuing program offerings, studying and devising long-range academic plans, resolving and/or recommending solutions to academic problems, etc.
3.2 Deans
3.2.1 Renewal and replacement
3.2.1.1 Dean Appointments
Deans typically serve for five-year terms. These terms may be renewed once. Generally, service past two total terms (ten years) is not approved. Dean appointment renewals are approved by the academic vice president in consultation with the president. Appointment of a new dean is recommended by the academic vice president to the President’s Council. Recommendations endorsed by the President’s Council are forwarded to the Board of Trustees, which has final approval of any dean appointment.
3.2.1.2 Dean Renewals
One semester ahead of the end date of a dean’s current term, the academic vice president will consult privately either by electronic means or face-to-face with each full-time member of the relevant faculty unit. During the consultations, the academic vice president will solicit each person’s thoughts regarding retention and/or replacement of the dean, including recommendations for possible successors.
3.2.1.3 Dean Replacements
If the dean will be replaced (due to the term limit; unavailability of the dean to continue; or preference of the current dean, the academic vice president, or the faculty), the academic vice president will identify at least the top two candidates from these consultations, interview them, and identify them to the members of the faculty unit. The academic vice president will then request written or verbal feedback from the members of the unit regarding these candidates. This feedback is not a vote. Deans are appointed by the academic vice president following approval from the Board of Trustees. Nevertheless, the academic vice president will factor the preferences of the faculty unit members heavily in making the recommendation to the President’s Council and the Board of Trustees.
The academic vice president may release the dean prior to the end of the current term at the dean’s request, when there is sufficient concern expressed by members of the faculty unit concerning the dean’s performance and efforts to rectify the situation have failed, or when it is in the best interest of the university as judged jointly by the academic vice president and the president.
3.2.2 Expectations
Deans are the fundamental leadership of faculty units. It is expected that deans will lead their unit in a manner aligned with the mission and vision of Brigham Young University–Hawaii. In addition to overseeing the normal business of an academic unit (curriculum, student success, faculty development and success, hiring, finances, travel, etc.), deans are expected to develop the culture of the faculty unit in a positive fashion such that collaboration, vision, consensus-building, and fairness are priorities.
3.3 Enrollment Services Council
The Enrollment Services Council is composed of the academic vice president (who serves as the committee chair), the associate academic vice president for accreditation, assessment, and curriculum, the Center of Academic Success director, the Academic Advising manager, the registrar, and the dean of students. This council meets regularly to address tactical matters related to student enrollment and academic progress.
3.4 Faculty Advisory Council
The Faculty Advisory Council is an advisory body composed of one representative from each faculty unit and the library. Council members are elected by faculty members of their respective academic units. A member of the Faculty Advisory Council is elected chair annually by council members.
The bylaws and rules governing the election of members and officers, terms and conditions of appointment, transaction of business, implementation of assigned duties, and other responsibilities are provided in the Faculty Advisory Council charter. Among other things, the Faculty Advisory Council and/or its chair assumes the following duties:
- Meet regularly during the academic year with the academic vice president to coordinate communication and discussion of matters pertaining broadly to the university faculty and to provide to the academic vice president feedback on academic affairs and faculty concerns.
- Assist with convening or facilitating stakeholder discussions regarding policies that have a direct and reasonable interest impacting academics, pursuant to the Policy Establishment and Maintenance policy, or other academic governing documents or structures. This may include organizing and conducting electronic communications, surveys, faculty meetings, and discussions in individual faculty units.
- Monitor transactions with academic policies and ensure that their provisions are being consistently followed. Receive and vet complaints from campus stakeholders regarding any issues of alignment between academic policies and practice. Communicate concerns to the academic vice president and assist with correcting the course.
3.5 University Curriculum Council (UCC)
The University Curriculum Council is composed of representatives from faculty units and the AAVP for accreditation, assessment and curriculum (council chair).
Program curriculum proposals originating from faculty must have a faculty vote and the approval of the dean before being submitted to the Curriculum Council. Programs work with the associate academic vice president for accreditation, assessment and curriculum during the proposal process. See Curriculum Changes for submission procedures.
3.6 Individual Voice and Participation
All stakeholders may propose changes through the established process outlined in the Policy Establishment and Maintenance policy and procedures on the policy website. Fundamental to the university is working in councils and counseling together. While individuals have their own stewardships, coordination and governance rely heavily on counseling with one another and then sustaining and supporting each individual in his/her stewardship.