The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters. (Faculty role in governance)

Judgment Compliance

In its Faculty Handbook, updated annually, Reinhardt University publishes principles, guidelines, and policies regarding the responsibility and authority of faculty in matters of academic and governance of the institution.

First mention of “shared governance” appears under the heading “Guiding Principles,” Section I, 2.0 of the Faculty Handbook. In part, it recommends that the University provide clear policies and standards for faculty and “opportunities to exercise legitimate shared faculty governance.” [1] In Section II, “Shared Governance Structures, Roles, and Responsibilities,” the Faculty Handbook makes reference to the 1966 “Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities,” a cooperative document written by The American Association of University Professors, the American Council on Education, and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.  Although the statement does not constitute Reinhardt University policy, the published statement does establish guidelines in best practices for creating shared governance policies. [2]

The “Role of Faculty in Shared Governance” policy clearly states the four areas of responsibility over which faculty have legitimate authority or influence. [3]

1. The faculty have the primary “authority and responsibility” to development and recommend “policies, rules, and regulations in all matters concerning curriculum (including programs and courses of study, major field requirements, individual courses, and the core curriculum), to conduct classes and administer final examinations, to set requirements for graduation, and to specify the educational standards of the University.” [3]

In the academic year 2016-2017, the Faculty Senate, the governing body of the faculty, reviewed and voted on several new academic programs, which provides evidence of faculty control over curriculum and academic policies. [4] [5]

2. The Faculty shall participate with the administration in the formulation and implementation of policies concerning: a) Appointments, promotions, tenure, salaries, dismissals, and evaluation of faculty members and academic administrators; b) Operations of the Hill Freeman Library, the Office of Information Technology, and other learning-resource services; c) Preparation of the academic calendar, including the scheduling of commencement exercises, academic convocations, semesters, and final examinations; d) Admission, registration, retention, dismissal, and academic discipline of students.

Faculty annually participate in promotion and tenure decisions and work with the Provost, when necessary, to update policies governing these matters.  For example, the Provost, in 2015-2016, worked with the Faculty Executive Committee and the Promotion & Tenure Committee to establish guidelines for submission of Post-Tenure portfolios.  The guidelines were brought before Faculty Senate.  The Senate proposed piloting the program.  In 2016-2017, following the pilot, the guidelines were submitted to Faculty Senate for consideration as policy. [6] Similarly, in 2015-2016, the faculty, working through the Academic Policies, Procedures, and Standards Committee revised the University’s policy for academic warning, probation, and suspension. [7] Examples of Senate meeting minutes and agendas are provided in the supporting documentation. [14, 15]

3. The Faculty shall participate with the administration and properly constituted representative student groups in the formulation and implementation of policies for the following matters: a) Student publications, financial aid, and housing; b) Intercollegiate athletics; c) Student organizations; d) Other student activities.

Faculty serve on a task force called the Athletic Advisory Council, which sets guidelines and policies for how academics and athletics should operate in support of student success. [8, 9]  Additionally, through the Learning Environment Committee, faculty make recommendations to the Provost or Leadership Team. [10] [16] Recently, these committees have worked under as “Move the Needle” committees, specifically working to develop co-curricular learning outcomes that will direct and guide the social programing provided by Student Life. [11]

4. In order to carry out the work of shared governance, Reinhardt faculty may “establish committees and councils.”

Reinhardt University’s faculty are organized into standing faculty committees, ad hoc committees, and Move the Needle Modules; here is a list of committees with assignments to faculty. [12, 13]

All faculty resolutions and formed committees or councils are subject to approval by the President and the Board of Trustees.

[1] Reinhardt University Faculty Handbook, Section I, 2.0 “Guiding Principles,” p. 11

[2] Reinhardt University Faculty Handbook, Section II, 1.0 “Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities,” p. 13

[3] Reinhardt University Faculty Handbook, Section II, 3.0 “Role of the Faculty in Shared Governance,” p. 23

[4] Example of Reinhardt University Academic Programs Approved in 2016-2017: BSN Program

[5] Example of Reinhardt University Academic Programs or Policies Approved in 2016-2017: BFA in Creative Writing

[6] Reinhardt University Post-Tenure Review Policy

[7] Example of Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension Policy

[8] Athletic Advisory Council

[9] Athletic Attendance Policy

[10] Learning Environment Committee Report on Classrooms

[11] First-Year Experience Roadmap

[12] Faculty Committees 2016-17

[13] Faculty Committees 2017-18

[14] Example of Reinhardt University Senate Agenda

[15] Example of Reinhardt University Senate Minutes

[16] Learning Environment Committee Meeting Minutes Sep 2013