Committee Structure

The Academic Policies Committee (APC) and Curriculum Review and Approval Committee (CRAC) shall meet jointly as the Educational Policies Council (EPC) on an as-needed basis to discuss: 1) policies and procedures being established by APC; 2) implementation and review procedures being followed by CRAC; and 3) actions of the Academic Senate, the President or the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost. The chairs of APC and CRAC shall consult regularly about issues facing both committees. The chair of APC shall convene and serve as chair of EPC.

The Academic Senate derives its primary authority from Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of its Constitution. Its committee structure reflects this authority.

B. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

The Senate participates in five types of committees:

• Standing Committees
• All-University Committees
• Ad Hoc Committees
• Committees on which Senate has liaison representatives
• Committees for which faculty members are recommended by the executive appointment

Standing Committees

• Academic Policies Committee (APC)*
• Committee on Committees
• Curriculum Review and Approval Committee (CRAC)*
• Educational Policies Council (EPC)
• Elections Committee
• Executive Committee
• Faculty Affairs Committee
• Strategic Issues Committee
• Student Affairs Committee

*APC and CRAC comprise EPC.

All-University Committees

• Academic Affirmative Action Committee
• Academic Freedom Committee
• Academic Program Review Committee (APRC)
• Board of Appeals and Review (BOAR)
• Center for Teaching Faculty and Development Advisory Committee
• Enrollment Management Committee
• Faculty Honors and Awards Committee
• Fellowship Committee
• Graduate Council
• Honorary Degree Committee
• Interdisciplinary Council, All-University
• International Programs, All-University
• Library Advisory Committee
• Professional Development Council
• Students, Faculty, and Staff with Disabilities
• Teacher Credential Committee (TCC)
• Teacher Education, All-University (AUTEC)
• University Academic Assessment Advisory Committee
• University Advancement Activities Advisory Committee
• University Historical Archives
• University Research Council
• University Sabbatical Committee
• University Tenure and Promotions Committee
• University Written English Proficiency Committee

Committee on which the Senate has liaison members or representatives

• Academic Council on International Programs (CSU)
• Alumni Association Board
• Associated Student Board of Directors and Legislature
• Campus Safety Committee
• Educational Technology Advisory Committee
• Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects
• Parking Committee
• Projects Oversight Committee 
• Retreat Program Planning Committee 
• Student Employment Advisory Committee 
• Transportation Committee
• University Scholarship Selection Committee

Committees for which the faculty members are recommended for executive appointment

• Administrative Review Committees 
• Foundation, SFSU 
• Franciscan Shops Board 
• Instructionally Related Activities Board 
• Search Committees
• Student Center Governing Board 
• University Budget Committee

C. STANDING COMMITTEES - CHARGE AND MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION

1. ACADEMIC POLICIES COMMITTEE

Charge:

The Academic Policies Committee (APC) shall study and evaluate existing educational policies and plans and may initiate recommendations for changes in them. No modifications in such plans or policies shall be implemented without the approval of this Committee.

Among the specific functions of the Academic Policies Committee are the following:

1. The review of and suggested modifications in the academic master plan based on the continuing analysis of the educational objectives of the University and the needs of its students;
2. The determination of the general scope and relative size or priority of programs;
3. The establishment of criteria for adoption or modification of degree programs;
4. The review of grading practices and standards;
5. The review of admissions policies;
6. The review of each year's academic calendar; and
7. The development of criteria governing experiential learning, both prior (e.g., CEEL, credit by examination, advanced placement) and sponsored (e.g., internships, supervised field experiences), and of procedures for implementing such criteria.

• A minimum of seven members of the Academic Senate
• Two students, one graduate and one undergraduate, appointed by the Associated Students
• The Vice President for Academic Affairs

2. CURRICULUM REVIEW AND APPROVAL COMMITTEE 

Charge:

The primary responsibility of the Curriculum Review and Approval Committee (CRAC) is to ensure that University programs follow those criteria and procedures developed by the Academic Policies Committee. In particular, it shall:

• Review proposals for new or revised majors, minors and concentrations.
• Review all course and program recommendations made by and, as appropriate, develop charges to the General Education Council, the Graduate Council, and the All-University Literacy Committee.
• Ensure appropriate consultation among academic deans and Colleges of the University in order to minimize course duplication and proliferation.
• No changes falling within its area of responsibility shall be implemented without the approval of this Committee.

Membership:

• A minimum of seven members of the Academic Senate
• One undergraduate student and one graduate student appointed by the Associated Students
• The Associate Vice President for Academic Programs/Planning

Charge and Membership

Examples of issues that might come before EPC include but are not limited to requests by programs for exceptions to GE policy and proposals for program discontinuance. The process for review of proposed discontinuance of undergraduate and graduate degrees, concentrations, minors, and certificates is fully outlined in AS Policy #S93-177 Academic Program Discontinuance.

Many committees have business that may eventually come before APC, CRAC or EPC (for example, General Education Council, Graduate Council, Interdisciplinary Council, Liberal Studies Council, Library Advisory Committee). Given the nature of the issues dealt with by the General Education Council and the Graduate Council, it remains important that EPC send formal liaisons to these two committees. Other Committee chairs considering issues that are likely to be brought to EPC, APC, or CRAC shall forward copies of meeting agendas and minutes to the appropriate chair(s) on a regular basis and/or shall consult with the chair(s) whenever relevant issues arise. Chairs may request a liaison to attend the meetings, when needed, or ask to meet with the entire committee.

4. FACULTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Charge:

1. The Faculty Affairs Committee (FAC) shall study and evaluate existing policies and may initiate recommendations for change in, or for more successful implementation of, such policies. FAC may also initiate policy. Specific concerns include but are not limited to: hiring, retention, tenure and promotion; faculty evaluation; faculty professional development; professional ethics; consultative practices and policies concerning administrative appointments and selection of school/department chairs; affirmative action; and academic freedom.
2. Modifications in such policies shall be implemented after consultation with FAC, except for those mandated by a collective bargaining contract.
3. In the area of faculty affairs, FAC shall serve as the principal recommending body to the Academic Senate.

• A minimum of seven members of the Academic Senate, including at least one lecturer
• The Dean of Faculty Affairs

5. STRATEGIC ISSUES COMMITTEE

Charge:

The Strategic Issues Committee (SIC) shall study and evaluate existing and proposed plans and policies concerning the relations between San Francisco State University and other entities external to the University. The specific domains of concern for the SIC will include:

1. Relations with domestic and overseas universities, community colleges and public schools including admission requirements, course equivalencies and transfer credits;
2. Campus response to Chancellor’s Office actions including Executive Orders, policies and planning activities;
3. Service-learning and civic engagement;
4. University development, advancement and government relations;
5. SF State and CSU long-range planning and goal-setting;
6. Accreditation and other interactions with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges;
7. Scanning of the environment for potential issues that might affect the University and the Senate; and
8. Other items as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.

Membership:

• A minimum of seven members of the Academic Senate;
• One undergraduate and one graduate student appointed by Associated Students;
• A member of the Administration designated by the President.

6. STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Charge:

The responsibility of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) is to define and recommend to the appropriate body institutional policy as it affects students, including but not limited to the following areas: student life services; advising and counseling; testing and student learning; Student Union; financial aid; foreign students and other special groups; health services; housing; student government; student conduct and student justice. SAC shall also concern itself with instructionally related University activities such as intercollegiate athletics, publications and Creative Arts productions.

1. SAC has a primary responsibility to bring before the Academic Senate, the Associated Students, or the Administration, wherever appropriate, policy matters in the area of student life. It will be responsible for defining, recommending and periodically reviewing policy in the realm of student life in order to provide additional direction to those charged with administering institutional policy.
2. SAC will receive recommendations and opinions from other established bodies and committees on possible institutional policy regarding student affairs.

• At San Francisco State University, students are respected as adults and citizens of the community and as such have all the rights and responsibilities of adults and citizens to participate in University and community affairs. These rights and responsibilities are to be guarded and fulfilled.
• If students as citizens act under the rights which are theirs, they must also accept the legal and ethical responsibilities which accompany these rights.
• The University, by its very nature, is a publicly supported institution designed to assist the student in developing as an adult and as a citizen, but which by law and good judgment cannot involve itself in partisan or other activities which might hinder its effectiveness as an institution of higher education serving people of all faiths, creeds, and political beliefs.
• The University cannot assume legal or financial responsibility for any person, whether faculty, student, or staff, who is not acting as its agent. In no student activity are students acting as agents of the University unless expressly stipulated by the University authority.
• All policies set out and activities carried on in the area of student affairs will be accomplished in a spirit of contributing to the larger intellectual aims of the University community.
• All institutional policies governing student affairs now in existence will be honored by the Committee unless specific Committee action is taken to the contrary.

• A minimum of seven members of the Academic Senate
• Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
• Five students, one each representing freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduates - Student committee members shall be elected by the Associated Students Legislature

D. STANDING COMMITTEES - PROCEDURES AND RULES

Their status as standing committees under the Academic Senate By-Laws entrusts to them the task of evaluating and developing all-university programs, policies, and procedures, and submitting recommendations which will aid the Senate in discharging its responsibilities. Members of committees represent the entire University rather than reflect the special interests of subdivisions of the University. The widest appropriate distribution of information to colleges, schools/departments, or to the general faculty by committees considering measures of concern to those colleges, schools/departments, or general faculty is herein recommended. Standing committees continue to have the privilege, if not the obligation, of inviting guests and of notifying interested parties when matters of mutual concern are under consideration.

The following recommendations may apply to all committees although they do not appear in the individual descriptions or charges.

1. Unless otherwise indicated, committees are free to establish their own rules and procedures and are invited to recommend to the Senate changes in structure or function. Meetings should normally be open rather than closed (see special circumstances). Committee chairs and members may invite resource personnel to meetings.
2. Committees may utilize the services of faculty for resource purposes, may create their own sub-committees or request the assistance of the Executive Committee for such purposes. All decisions and voting privileges, however, will be exercised only by duly appointed committee members.
3. On (or shortly before) June 1 of each year, each standing committee will forward to the Secretary of the Senate a brief written report of work accomplished, or in progress, since the filing of the previous year's report. No year-end report will be considered a majority report unless it has been signed by a majority of the committee's or council's voting members; this shall not preclude the right of minority reports. These reports will be reviewed by the Committee on Committees consisting of seven senators recommended by the Executive Committee. Approval of these reports will be assumed on a "no protest" basis, although Senate action may be taken if the review committee so recommends. The recommendations of the review committee shall be submitted to the Academic Senate at the earliest practical date in the fall semester.
4. Shortly after the seating of the new Senate, the Executive Committee will appoint senators to standing policies committees. At a time specified by the Chair of the Academic Senate, all new committees will convene for orientation and organization. At the first meeting of the Senate in the fall, the Executive Committee will recommend its standing committee appointments to the Academic Senate for approval.
5. A majority of a committee shall constitute a quorum except as otherwise stated.
6. Materials dealing with personnel cases or with matters deemed by a designated committee to be of a privileged nature shall be accessible only to current members of the designated committee.
7. Committees shall meet regularly (not less than once a month during the academic year) and upon the call of the chair of the committee or at the request of the Chair of the Academic Senate. If a committee member is absent from two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of a committee without prior notification of the chair, the chair may request that the Executive committee of the Senate declare the seat vacant. A replacement will then be made in accordance with the established procedures governing that committee.
8. Each committee may choose to add up to two faculty members as regular voting members if it concludes this will add special competencies to its membership, assist in the solicitation of the widest possible range of views, or otherwise increase its productivity. These members are in addition to those members selected by the Executive Committee.
9. If disagreements, not otherwise reconcilable, occur between University-level administration and other administrative levels or between the several schools concerning the implementation of policies or application of guidelines, or concerning whether proposed actions exceed allocation or violate established policies and guidelines, such disagreements and problems shall be considered by the Executive Committee and may be referred to a standing committee.
10. When the Standing Committee unanimously approves an item, the item shall be forwarded to the Academic Senate as a "consent" item.

E. ALL-UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES

1. ACADEMIC AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE (AAAC)

Academic Senate Policy #S99-124 (formerly #F84-124 and incorporating revisions from #S86-142)

MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION:

4 Faculty elected at-large for two-year staggered terms

3 members appointed by the President for two-year terms

2 members chosen by AAAC for two-year terms

2 members appointed by the Senate Executive Committee for two-year staggered terms

CHARGE:

The SFSU goal is to achieve within each department and administrative unit as a whole, a diverse, multiracial faculty of both sexes capable of providing for excellence in the education of its students and for the enrichment of the University community. It is the responsibility of the Academic Affirmative Action Committee (AAAC) in conjunction with the Affirmative Action Director, to monitor departmental efforts to comply with affirmative action regulations.

2. ACADEMIC FREEDOM COMMITTEE

Charge:

1. To keep itself informed of current theory and practice of academic freedom;
2. To be alert to cases on campus involving possible infringements of the rights and responsibilities
3. To receive requests for its study and advice concerning such cases of possible infringement of the rights and responsibilities of academic freedom on campus;
4. To support academic freedom and responsibility whenever and in whatever manner it deems necessary; and
5. To govern its actions so as not to interfere with the rights of the individuals involved in grievance procedures or with the effective functions of the grievance machinery.

• Five faculty members elected by the faculty at-large for a three-year term. No member of the Academic Senate or the University Administration above the level of department chair shall serve on the Committee.

3. ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEE

Policy #S06-133

The purpose of the academic program review process at San Francisco State is to assure University degree programs of the highest quality. The role of the Academic Program Review Committee (APRC) is to review and evaluate the efforts of faculty and administrators to clarify the intellectual vision, range, coherence, and currency of each program. In addition, APRC will examine the program’s organizational structure, review the program’s learning outcomes, evaluate their indicators of program success, and evaluate program goals and effectiveness. APRC shall make recommendations for action, and propose the resources needed to accomplish program goals.

Charge:

The APRC shall perform four major functions:

a. Review of Handbook: At the beginning of each review cycle, APRC will review the handbook prepared by the Office of the Associate Vice President for Academic Planning and Educational Effectiveness (AVP-APEE).

b. Consultation: At the start of the process for a given College, representatives from the instructional units, the College, the Office of Academic Planning and Educational Effectiveness, and the APRC will meet to discuss the content and process of the review. One or more members of APRC shall meet with schools/departments which are preparing self-studies to explain the purpose of the review process and to answer questions. APRC also shall monitor the academic program review process to ensure that information and assistance are available as needed.

c. Review and Evaluation: The Office of Academic Affairs shall forward to APRC copies of each program’s self-study, the external review, and the dean's and program's responses to the external review. In order to provide a University-wide faculty perspective and to assist in University planning, the APRC will analyze each unit's complete program review file. 

APRC shall meet with program faculty, the College Dean, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs’ staff to clarify all recommendations made and all responses to those recommendations. APRC will also accept additional data and recommendations from the Dean and/or unit at this time. The Committee will then proceed to evaluate all recommendations made in the self-study, external review and dean's and program's responses to the external review, and develop a summary report of accepted recommendations. The department/program will respond to the APRC summary report by developing an action plan on how to implement the recommendations.

d. Recommendation: Based upon the documents, interviews, and accepted implementation plan, and in consultation with program, College, and Academic Affairs representatives, APRC, with the assistance of the AVP-APEE, will then develop a concluding action memorandum. This memorandum will specify any actions the unit, program, and/or College is advised to consider or is required to carry out, together with timelines for implementation and consequences resulting from failure to act appropriately. The memorandum will be signed by the department chair, college dean, chair of APRC, and the Provost or designee. Dissent by any party to the recommendations shall be put in writing and attached to the memorandum. The memorandum will be kept on file in the Office of Academic Planning and Educational Effectiveness and in the Academic Senate and will be in effect until the completion of the current review cycle. The memorandum will be used by the AVP-APEE to monitor the effectiveness of program change and adherence to the concluding action memorandum. The memorandum will also be used at the beginning of the next cycle to assess the degree to which actions that had been recommended or required in the previous cycle have been undertaken.

Oversight of the APRC is primarily the responsibility of the Academic Senate. The APRC shall send a summary report of the committee's recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the program faculty, the college dean and the Academic Senate. APRC shall send any policy recommendations and an annual report to the Academic Senate. APRC shall make periodic status reports to the Academic Senate. APRC also may transmit reports and recommendations to other units as appropriate.

Membership:

• Eight representatives, one from each college.
• The AVP for APEE is an ex officio voting member.
• The Program Review Coordinator is an ex officio non-voting member.
• The Assessment Coordinator is an ex officio non-voting member.
• Each member of the Academic Program Review Committee serves a term of three years. Members may succeed themselves in office, with the exception that no one may serve for more than six consecutive years.
• The chair of APRC shall be elected from among the members of the committee.
• The chair shall receive one course release for two semesters, and the remaining members shall receive one course release for one semester.
• Staff support for APRC shall be provided by the Office of Academic Planning and Educational Effectiveness.

Charge:

The primary responsibility of the Curriculum Review and Approval Committee (CRAC) is to ensure that University programs follow those criteria and procedures developed by the Academic Policies Committee. In particular, it shall:

• Review proposals for new or revised majors, minors and concentrations.
• Review all course and program recommendations made by and, as appropriate, develop charges to the General Education Council, the Graduate Council, and the All-University Literacy Committee.
• Ensure appropriate consultation among academic deans and Colleges of the University in order to minimize course duplication and proliferation.

• No changes falling within its area of responsibility shall be implemented without the approval of this Committee.

• A minimum of seven members of the Academic Senate
• One undergraduate student and one graduate student appointed by the Associated Students
• The Associate Vice President for Academic Programs/Planning

4. BOARD OF APPEALS AND REVIEW

Academic Senate Policy #S84-121

Charge:

All students at San Francisco State University, as they work toward their educational objectives, are expected to adhere to a number of regulations and policies which have been established by the State Legislature, the Board of Trustees of the California State Universities and Colleges, and San Francisco State University.

In administering these regulations and policies, the University recognized that it must at times take into consideration the special needs of the individual student. The President, by virtue of his authority and responsibility for the administration of the educational program in the University, has delegated to the Board of Appeals and Review the responsibility for ruling on requests for special consideration. This Board, in addition to acting on student requests for special consideration, also evaluates policies and regulations and, when appropriate, recommends to the appropriate body reconsideration of policies and recommends modifications in interpretation and application of policies.

Membership:

• Dean of Graduate Studies (or designee)
• Dean of Undergraduate Studies (or designee)
• Four faculty members (appointed by the Academic Senate to serve staggered two-year terms). No more than one may be appointed from any one College. At least one must represent a department with a graduate program.
• Director of Undergraduate Admissions (or designee)
• Director of the Undergraduate Advising Center (or designee)
• One professional staff member designated by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
• University Registrar or designee (non-voting, to serve as secretary and record-keeper)
• Two students (selected by the Associated Students)

Academic Senate Policy #S07-243

The Charge:

The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development (CTFD) Advisory Board shall:

1. Provide advice and recommendations regarding the ongoing activities of the CTFD;
2. Serve as liaison to its various constituencies; and
3. Provide an annual report to the Academic Senate.

Membership on the CTFD Board:

• Nine faculty, one elected from each College and the Library, who will serve staggered three-year terms;
• The Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, ex officio;
• The Associate Dean for Faculty Development (director of CTFD), ex officio;
• One representative selected by the Vice President for Student Affairs;
• One representative selected by the Director of Academic Technology;
• One representative selected by the Academic Senate;

The Board will select its own chair and vice-chair.  The chair must have served on the Board for at least one year and will be elected each spring by the Board to serve a one-year term.