Faculty Senate

Role in Service

• Consult with department chairs, program directors, division directors, Advising and Career Center staff or other relevant parties regarding proposed changes to and initiation of policy and procedure affecting instructional operations, e.g., curriculum, degree requirements, admission and retention, the structure of the academic programs;
• Ensure opportunities for participation in shared governance by providing input on faculty assignment to vacancies on the College’s standing committees and ad hoc work groups in adherence with MTYCFA CBA;
• Form ad hoc work groups for the purpose of completing work assigned by Executive Council or College Council;
• Review and update the faculty handbook jointly with MTYCFA and division directors annually;
• Participate in state-level shared governance initiatives and provide input to state-level entities, including the Montana University System Faculty Association Representatives (MUSFAR), the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, and Board of Regents; and
• Inform and gather input from GFC Faculty regarding state-level shared governance initiatives and activities.

Role in promoting excellence

• Promote creativity, quality, and innovation by encouraging the development of intellectual property and promoting the ethical and fair use of course resources and human capital;
• Foster a culture of collaboration and collegiality across divisions and departments; and

Role in fostering communication

• Lead free and open discussion and deliberation of faculty concerns; route those concerns to various internal and external entities; act as a hub for communication across academic departments and between divisions; and serve as a communication link by providing feedback to faculty regarding discussion, deliberation, and decision-making surrounding concerns faculty have elevated through Faculty Senate;
• Provide a venue for communication with faculty members;
• Ensure engagement of the entire faculty by scheduling and holding regular Faculty Senate meetings; and
• Meet periodically with the CEO/Dean.

Deliverables

In addition to responding to requests for faculty input, Faculty Senate is responsible for a variety of deliverables (work products). Deliverables include:

• A proposed slate of faculty to fill standing committee vacancies for the coming academic year
• A proposed slate of faculty to fill ad hoc committee vacancies
  • Syllabus template review
  • Faculty handbook review
  • Faculty Senate handbook and bylaws review
  • Strategic Action Plan reporting
  • Policy input
• Regular input to College Council