Councils
University Councils
A system of major University councils concerned primarily with policy development, and secondarily with monitoring policy implementation, functions under the jurisdiction of the Faculty Senate and the University Administration. Many councils report to the Senate while others, whose responsibilities do not fall directly under the scrutiny of the Faculty Senate, report to the Administration. Membership of the councils is collegial, including appropriate University administrators.
Faculty appointments to all councils, with the exception of the Graduate Council and Curriculum Council, will be made by the Faculty Senate. (Department chairpersons may serve in faculty positions on the councils.) Similarly, administrative and student members of these councils are designated by the constituencies to be represented. Each council functions under its own bylaws (which have been approved by the Faculty Senate or Administration, depending on which has jurisdiction).
Faculty Senate Councils
- Academic Standards Council: The Academic Standards Council is responsible for recommending University policy and procedures pertaining to academic standards for admission, progression, and the granting of degrees and certificates. Specific areas of concern include but are not restricted to: advising, academic standards, scholastic appeals, admission and progression requirements, honors programs and societies, advanced standing and placement, evaluation of transfer policies, and standards for award of ISU credit.
- Budget Council: The Budget Council is responsible for reviewing University and unit budgets and making recommendations to Faculty Senate and the Budget Planning Committee that pertain to the acquisition and disposition of institutional financial resources as such actions affect the academic mission of the University.
- Campus Planning Council: The Campus Planning Council is responsible for recommending University policy and procedures governing the development, maintenance, and effective utilization of University property. Specific areas of concern include: space utilization, land use planning, campus beautification, planning and parking, energy conservation, naming and using of facilities, and new construction.
- Council for Teaching and Learning: The Council for Teaching and Learning is responsible for recommending university policy concerning student and faculty teaching and learning at ISU. Its purview includes the development, coordination, and implementation of university-wide assessment programs pertaining to student learning and to curricular instruction with regards to accreditation standards.
- Cultural Affairs Council: The Cultural Affairs Council is responsible for recommending University policy and procedures governing public programs, lectures and exhibits sponsored by the University, and to bring together the University and Idaho communities into a rich cultural center of activities. By sponsoring events that feature visual and performing artists and speakers, it becomes a link between many people of different backgrounds but with a common interest. The Council has two grant programs that are used to help sponsor appropriate events.
- Curriculum Council: The Curriculum Council is responsible for ensuring the quality and appropriateness of undergraduate courses and undergraduate degree programs offered by Idaho State University. All proposals for the addition of or changes in undergraduate courses and undergraduate degree programs must be approved by the Curriculum Council.
- Faculty Senate Advisory Council: The Faculty Senate Advisory Council serves as a gathering of individuals from the leadership of Idaho State University’s Faculty Senate and its Councils with representatives of the central Administration in the spirit of collaboration and shared governance to discuss important issues pertaining to Faculty and Faculty Senate’s purview. These discussions will: 1) help facilitate timely execution of recommendations approved by Faculty Senate from the Senate and Senate Councils with the Administration leadership, 2) give elected Faculty Senate leaders representing the University Faculty an opportunity to discuss possible issues and/or concerns generated from the various Councils of the Faculty Senate, and 3) provide Administration leadership the opportunity to meet directly with elected representatives of the Faculty to raise new issues for discussion and Senate consideration.
- Faculty Professional Policies Council: The Faculty Professional Policies Council is responsible for recommending University policy and procedures in the areas of employment and retention; salary and other compensation; appeals; and grievances. These include policies of academic freedom and due process; policies pertaining to faculty appointment, reappointment, tenure, promotion, termination and non-reappointment; emeritus status; sabbatical leave; consulting; faculty professional recognition and development; and legislative policies such as SBOE or other proposals affecting faculty welfare.
- Research Coordinating Council: The Research Coordinating Council is responsible for recommending University policy and procedures in the areas of University and faculty research projects; coordination of research bureaus, centers, and institutes; and enhancement of University research capabilities.