College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Shared Governance

The members of the Council are:

Dean - non-voting chair

Secretary (appointed by the Dean) - non-voting

All Associate and Assistant Deans and Directors - non-voting

Other members of the Dean’s staff - non-voting

One Department Head, one District Director and one AREC Director, each elected by their peer - non-voting

Chair of the Committee on Academic Program Policy

Chair of the Committee on International Program Policy

Chair of the Committee on Extension and Research Program Policy

President of the Faculty Association

Four members elected by the Faculty Association (Three on campus, one AREC)

President of VESA

One non-agent A&P faculty elected by the non-agent A&P faculty

President of the Staff Association

Six members elected by the Staff Association (Three on campus, two Extension field staff, one AREC)

Student Representatives– one undergraduate CALS Ambassador, elected by the Ambassadors and one graduate student (chair of CALS graduate committee)

Chair of the CALS Diversity Council

All members of the Council except those indicated as non-voting shall have voting privileges.

Membership on the Council is either by virtue of holding a position designated to be a member of the council or by being elected by the appropriate groups that have been granted representation on the council. Elected terms may be for either one or two years at the discretion of the electing body. Two year overlapping terms are desirable when possible.

Membership on the Council is effective July 1 each year. Vacancies in unexpired terms are filled in the same manner as full terms. Persons filling an unexpired term are eligible for re-election to a full term.

The Council will permit elected alternates or substitutes with voting privileges. Visitors may attend Council meetings.

The college entities which participate in the governance system are:

Committee on Academic Program Policy

Committee on Extension and Research Program Policy

Committee on International Program Policy

College Faculty Association

College Staff Association

Virginia Extension Service Association

Non-agent A&P

CALS Student Ambassadors

CALS Graduate Committee

These entities are responsible to study, formulate, and recommend to Council policies and procedures affecting their respective areas of responsibilities and to facilitate the flow of communication. In addition to the functions and duties prescribed for each in Sections of this Article, they shall undertake such other functions and duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Council.

It is essential and expected that when policy is being formulated by a lower body or considered by the Council, concerned groups have an opportunity to study, debate, and state their positions on the matter at hand, before final action is taken by the Council.

All members of college committees shall have voting privileges.

Terms of membership of elected representatives on the three policy committees shall be for two years. Members may serve no more than two full terms in consecutive years on any given committee. Terms are staggered to permit election of approximately one-half of the membership each year. Vacancies in unexpired terms are filled in the same manner as full terms. Membership is effective the first day of July.

The committees may permit elected alternates with voting privileges and substitute members with voting privileges. Visitors may attend committee meetings.

Charge:

To study, formulate, and recommend to Council policies and procedures concerning academic matters. Areas for consideration include: student recruitment, student academic progress, advising, academic program evaluation, instructional pedagogy and effort, teaching evaluation, teaching facilities; and other matters affecting the student's academic environment.

Membership:

Director of Academic Programs and Associate Dean of Research

Seven faculty members elected by the Faculty Association to represent a cross section of department and disciplines. Faculty will serve 2-year terms.

A staff member elected by the Staff Association

A student selected from the CALS Ambassadors

A student selected from the CALS Graduate Committee

The members will elect the chair

Charge:

To review undergraduate and graduate course proposals, check sheets, changes in curriculum, new academic programs, including education abroad and review of materials on 15-day review from other colleges. In regards to material on 15-day review from other colleges, committee members will disseminate this knowledge to other members of the CALS Faculty and staff to be sure a broad audience is aware of program or courses proposed by another college.

Membership:

Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs

Academic Programs Administrative Assistant

CALS Representative to CUC

CALS Representative to GCC

One faculty member from each academic unit to be nominated by the department head and selected by the director of academic programs to represent a cross section of department and disciplines. Faculty will serve 2-year terms.

The members will elect the chair

Charge:

To study, formulate, and recommend strategies to integrate the functions of research, cooperative extension, and continuing education. This committee serves as a conduit for communicating the importance and impact of integrated research and extension programs.

Membership:

Director of Virginia Cooperative Extension

Director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station

Five members elected by the Faculty Association, to include one from an AREC, to represent a cross section of department and disciplines. Faculty will serve 2-year terms.

Three agent faculty elected by VESA

One non-agent A&P faculty elected by the non-agent A&P faculty

College representative to the University Commission on Outreach and International Affairs

College representative to the University Commission on Research

Two staff members elected by the Staff Association

One student from CALS Graduate Committee

The members will elect the chair

Charge:

To study, formulate, and recommend to Council policies and procedures concerning international programs. Areas for consideration include: promoting international research, education, development, public service, extension, and other matters related to international activities.

Membership:

CALS International Programs Coordinator

One faculty from each CALS Department nominated by the Department Head

One agent faculty and one Extension Specialist elected by VESA

One non-agent A&P faculty elected by the non-agent A&P faculty

One staff member elected by the Staff Association

CALS Representative from University Council for International Affairs

The members will elect the chair

1. The Council shall meet two times each semester (preferably September, November, February, and April) and at other times as called by the Chair.
2. The Secretary shall prepare and distribute the agenda to members of the Council one week prior to each meeting, record attendance, and record and distribute copies of the minutes to members of the Council and to all faculty and other personnel in the College designated by the Council. Items to be placed on the agenda must be in the hands of the Secretary at least ten days prior to the meeting date.
3. Any member of the Council may place an item on the agenda. This procedure provides a means for any group to submit items of urgency directly to the Council for consideration. However, under normal operating procedures, policy recommendations and decisions are reviewed by the appropriate governance entity(s) and then submitted to the Council for final disposition. Voting may be conducted electronically.

It is essential and expected when policy is being formulated in a committee or other entity or considered by the Council, that concerned groups have an opportunity to study, debate, and state their positions on the matter at hand, before final action is taken by Council.