Faculty Handbook
SECTION 1
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
The University of Montevallo is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of: the Governor of the State, who is an ex-officio President of the Board; the State Superintendent of Education, who is ex-officio member of the Board; four members serving from the State-at-Large and one member from each congressional district appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the State Senate, for staggered terms of 12 years. An executive committee of five members is designated by the President of the Board, one of the five members being named as Chair of the Executive Committee and another Vice Chair. Five members constitute a quorum of the Board.
The Board of Trustees administers the University through its chief executive officer, the President of the University, who acts as a representative of the Board in policy and procedural matters. All authority of persons attached to the University or employed by the University, in any capacity, is derived either directly from the Board of Trustees, under the law of the State of Alabama, or through the Board's chief executive officer, the President of the University, acting as a representative of the Board.
The Board of Trustees (via Policy 01:001) has delegated authority to the President to exercise the following powers and duties and to delegate the same to designated administrative officials of the University:
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appointment, acceptance of resignation, termination, or other changes in status of personnel, including the determination of job descriptions;
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compensation of personnel;
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suspension or disciplinary action against personnel;
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establishment and elimination of personnel positions and their alignment in organizational framework;
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approval of travel and contractual obligations, such as equipment purchases, services, institutional memberships, intercollegiate athletics, construction, and moving expenses;
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determination of which officials shall have authority to act as President, in his or her absence and in what order;
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the making of changes in the annual UM Operating Budget, as required by changing circumstances, within the confines of past practice, broad policy parameters inherent in each budget, and major revenue and expenditure totals--subject to Trustee non‑concurrence (Such changes are reported to the Board in connection with the presentation of quarterly financial and other reports which Trustees receive);
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setting charges and making changes in UM charges for such items as reproduction of transcripts, duplication and printing charges, bookstore, and vending machine charges, library fines, orientation fees, parking and related fees and fines, and other such charges;
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development and implementation of policies and procedures required to administer effectively all of the operational affairs of the University.
1.03 University Administration
President: Responsibility for the total operation of the University rests with the President of the University as the chief executive officer of the University. The President delegates to the various officers and committees authority and responsibility for accomplishing the duties assigned to them.
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs: The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, hereafter referred to as "Provost," is responsible for providing leadership to and supervision of all aspects of the University's academic and related support programs, policies, procedures and personnel.
Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer:
The Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer serves as the President's principal advisor concerning finances and business-related matters. The Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer acts as a fiscal agent for separately-funded programs which fall under the broad umbrella of the University. In connection with the above, this officer has responsibility for personnel, policy, and programs within the Division of Business Affairs and supervises and coordinates the following service areas: Business Office, Cashier's Office, Equal Opportunity, Personnel Services and Risk Management, Student Financial Services, Bookstore, and Food Services.
Vice President for Student Affairs:
The Vice President for Student Affairs is the principal advisor on non‑academic student matters. This Vice President is a member of the Academic Council. This officer is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, staffing, budgeting, evaluating and coordinating the following areas: Student Development, Counseling, Career Center, Health Center, Housing and Residence Life, Minority and International Student Affairs, Student Support Services, Student Activities, Student Activity Center, McNair Scholars Program, and Upward Bound.
Vice President for University Advancement: The Vice President for University Advancement serves as the President's liaison regarding development and alumni affairs. The Directors of Development and Alumni Relations and Public Relations report directly to this Vice President.
Special Assistant to the President and Legislative Liaison: The Special Assistant provides service directly to the President in four areas: (a) institutional advice, management, administration and support; (b) legislative and governmental affairs; (c) general support; and (d) representation.
Director of Physical Plant: The Director serves as the President's principal advisor for facilities and is responsible for maintenance of building and grounds and for supervision of the following areas: Campus Police, Central Receiving, Construction and Renovation, Inventory Control, Rental Property, Campus Utilities, Housekeeping and Grounds, and the Motor Pool.
Academic Deans: The academic deans of the colleges report to the Provost/VPAA and provide leadership in curriculum offerings and instruction. Specific responsibilities assigned to the Deans include the following: general supervision over instructional matters, including instructional personnel; analysis and evaluation of instruction and recommendations of changes to improve academic opportunities for students; counseling students and faculty in matters relating to instruction; applying academic regulations to individual cases as conditions require; establishing class schedules, approval of student programs of study, and generally directing academic affairs within their respective colleges; voting membership on the Graduate Council; and other duties as assigned by the Provost/VPAA.
Dean of Graduate Studies: The Dean of Graduate Studies reports to the Provost and is responsible for graduate admission and the maintenance of appropriate records.
Department Chairs: The Department Chair is responsible for effective and efficient use of all department resources toward achievement of departmental goals and objectives and for making recommendations toward those ends to the appropriate college dean. This includes review and evaluation of curricular and academic program matters; development of an effective academic advising program; accommodation of instructional support services; recommendation of departmental needs; administration of the departmental budget; and administration of University policies and procedures, including those pertaining to faculty.
Director of Academic Program Initiatives: This officer reports to the Provost and is responsible for faculty development activities, cooperative efforts with the public schools, and the Pascal P. Vacca Eminent Scholar Chair.
Director of Admissions: This officer reports to the Provost/VPAA and has responsibility for the services provided by the Office of Admissions.
Director of Athletics: The Director of Athletics reports to the Provost and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the intercollegiate athletic program.
Director of Computer Services: The Director of Computer Services reports to the Provost and is responsible for providing administrative and academic computer services to support the goals and objectives of the University.
Director of Continuing Education: This officer reports to the Provost and is responsible for all activities related to continuing and adult education.
Director of the Honors Program: The Honors Program Director reports to the Provost/VPAA and is responsible for administering the University's Honors Program.
Director of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment: Reporting to the Provost, the Director of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment is responsible for coordinating institutional planning, evaluation and effectiveness; developing and maintaining a resource center for information about planning, assessment and evaluation; maintaining an inventory of the University of Montevallo's planning, assessment and evaluation activities and instruments; consulting and assisting academic departments, administrative units and committees with planning, evaluation and assessment goals, methods, and problems; chairing the Institutional Effectiveness Committee; conducting selected University-wide evaluation studies; reporting on the University's evaluation and assessment activities.
Director of Libraries: The Director of Libraries reports to the Provost and is responsible for administering the Library in a manner best suited to student and faculty needs.
Registrar: The Registrar reports to the Provost and is responsible for all activities related to student records and registration.
Faculty members have an obligation to be informed about issues affecting the greater good of the university community and to become involved in decision-making, especially regarding academic affairs. The faculty's role as active participants in University governance is assured through the Faculty Senate's Constitution and Bylaws. The Faculty Senate, with elected representatives from faculty ranks, is an advisory body to the President and the Board of Trustees and is a recognized channel of communication between faculty and administration. The Faculty Senate makes recommendations to the President on academic matters and other issues of importance to faculty. In addition to these elected positions, faculty are participating members on University committees. The Faculty Senate also serves as a committee on committees and annually reviews the University committee structure, recommending changes in committees and committee memberships. (Refer to Policy 02:200.) Appendix A contains the Senate's Constitution and Bylaws.
Graduate Council. The Graduate Council recommends policies concerning the graduate program, determines eligibility for graduate faculty status, recommends graduate programs, and considers other business which may pertain to the graduate programs. The Graduate Council is composed of one graduate faculty member from each department having graduate programs. The Dean of the Graduate School serves as chair and the academic deans serve as ex-officio members.
Justice Council. The Justice Council is the judicial branch of the SGA. It is composed of three faculty members and three student members. The Justice Council hears cases referred by the Vice President for Student Affairs involving the Honor Code, the student conduct code, rules and regulations of the University, interpretation of the SGA Constitution, and cases referred from other officers and administrators.
Council of Department Chairs. The Council of Department Chairs, consisting of the chairs of each academic department, reviews and makes recommendations concerning academic policies and procedures that affect departmental operations. Members elect their chair.
Committees and councils provide a means by which the faculty and staff may participate in the formulation of policies and procedures. All committees are recommending bodies. Committee appointments are made for a three-year terms by the President, who also appoints committee chairs. At least one student shall be assigned to each standing or ad hoc committee, after the SGA has been given an opportunity to make recommendations. At least one administrative official or staff member shall be assigned to each standing committee.
The Faculty Senate makes annual recommendations to the President for membership on University committees except for the Administrative Assessment, Faculty Grievance, General Education, Information and Instructional Technology, Institutional Effectiveness, Justice Council, Space Utilization, Staff Grievance, Teacher Education, University Planning, and University Writing Committees. The Faculty Senate shall maintain a list of faculty members not assigned to any standing committee. Recommendations for faculty membership on committees created during the year or for temporary members requested by sub-committees of standing committees should be made by the Faculty Senate only after consulting the list. The Faculty Senate also reviews annually the existing standing committees and recommends to the President the continuation or elimination of those committees and any related changes thought to be desirable. Each committee shall periodically review its charge and recommend any desired revision of the charge to the administrative official to whom it reports and to the Faculty Senate, with final approval made by the President. All committees shall keep minutes of their meetings. The minutes shall reflect the attendance of members. An official copy of minutes shall be submitted by each committee to the administrative official to whom the committee reports, as well as to the President in the case of committees not reporting directly to the President, with a copy designated to the Faculty Senate and to the SGA.
The following outline broadly defines University committees and their respective fields of operation.
Academic Development, Research and Special Projects Committee. This committee attempts to provide support service and procure funds for academic development including sabbaticals. This committee is responsible for promoting faculty research and administering and recommending funds for faculty special projects. Reports to Provost.
Administrative Assessment Committee. The Administrative Assessment Committee coordinates and reviews the administrative assessment procedure, and recommends any modifications in the process or in the forms used. Reports to President.
Admissions, Retention, and Academic Advising Committee. This committee recommends the general policies for the admission of students and procedures for improving retention. In addition, the Committee is involved in the development of the procedures for academic advising as well as considering the impact of advising on retention. Reports to Provost.
Alumni Committee. This committee works with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in promoting the alumni program, both on and off campus. The chair of the committee is designated as the University's representative on the Executive Board of the Alumni Association. Reports to Director of Development and Alumni Relations.
Awards and Scholarships Committee. This committee reviews applications for scholarships and awards, assigns grants to individuals who have been recommended to the committee, and evaluates annually the effectiveness of the scholarship program. The Scholarship Committee also serves as an advocate for scholarships at the University, constantly examining their effect on recruitment. Additionally, the Committee should review annually scholarship policies and procedures. Reports to Provost.
Black Heritage Committee. This committee exists to develop a programs of general interest to the University community which enhance an understanding and an appreciation of the contributions made by African‑Americans to American and world civilizations. Reports to Vice President for Student Affairs.
College Night Committee. The annual all‑student production, "College Night" is the major student event of the year and brings many visitors to the campus. The purpose of the College Night Committee is to provide the promotion, stimulation, supervision, and direction necessary to this important activity. Committee members are advisors to the student body, and have a specific responsibility to uphold high standards for the production. Reports to Vice President for Student Affairs.
Concert and Lecture Committee. This committee has overall responsibility for the events inherent in its name. Planning for specific activities shall be the responsibility of this committee. In the event additional personnel are required to present a specific event and such personnel are not available within the committee, a request for such personnel should be directed to the Faculty Senate. Reports to President.
Dancy Lectures Committee. The Dancy Lectures Committee has responsibility for planning and directing the biennial series of lectures funded by a grant from the estate of Unity Dandridge Dancy. The primary function of the committee is to bring to the University of Montevallo and the general community outstanding scholars in the humanities and arts and to make specific arrangements for each series of lectures. Reports to President.
Equal Opportunity Committee. This committee consists of students, faculty, and staff members representing all facets of the University and includes males and females and minority and non‑minority group members. Members are appointed annually by the President, who designates the chair. The University's EO officer coordinates the work of the committee. The primary responsibility of the Equal Opportunity Committee is advising the President on matters pertaining to equal opportunity, including the University Affirmative Action Plan. Reports to President.
Faculty Grievance Committee. This Committee reports to the President and is charged with making recommendations to the President on grievances it hears. More detailed information on grievance policy and procedures can be found under "Policies" on the University's web page or in the University Policy Manual, available in department offices (UM Policy 04:300).
General Education Committee. The General Education Committee is a standing committee established to approve courses that satisfy the general education requirements using the general education objectives as the standard and to evaluate the extent to which the general education program meets the established objectives. Voting members from the respective colleges are elected according to the following proportional representation: College of Arts and Sciences, four; College of Business, one; College of Education, two; and College of Fine Arts, two. The Division of Student Affairs has one voting staff member elected by the Division of Student Affairs, and there is to be one voting student member recommended by the Student Government Association and appointed by the Provost, upon consultation with the academic deans. The Provost serves as an ex-officio non‑voting member of the General Education Committee. Reports to Provost.
Hallie Farmer Lectures Committee. The Hallie Farmer Lectures Committee has responsibility for planning and directing the series of lectures supported by the Hallie Farmer Fund. The primary responsibilities of the committee are to select appropriate topics and lecturers for the series and to make specific arrangements for each series. Reports to President.
Human and Animal Subjects Research Committee. The Human and Animal Subjects Research Committee is composed of at least five individuals on the University faculty who have knowledge regarding research performed with human or other vertebrate subjects. The committee shall have at least one non‑scientist member. The committee makes recommendations regarding the physical and psychological safety of any University research project which involves human or other vertebrate subjects. All faculty and staff members contemplating research involving human and animal subjects shall submit their research project methodology to the chair of the committee prior to initiating the research. The committee is not to judge the general value of the research project but only the safety of human and animal subjects. The committee is responsible for reviewing all research involving human or other vertebrate subjects (Refer to Section 4.25 Research with Human and Animal Subjects). Reports to Provost.
Information and Instructional Technology Committee. The Information and Instructional Technology Committee reviews and assesses the status of instructional and information technologies on campus and recommends appropriate applications of technologies. Reports to Provost.
Institutional Effectiveness Committee. This committee monitors institutional effectiveness activities to determine when additional or improved efforts are needed; assists in coordinating assessment activities and consults with areas as needed; assists with general institutional assessments; insures that assessment results are being used for program improvement; and provides periodic feedback on assessment activities and results. Reports to President.
Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. This committee provides general oversight to the University's program of intercollegiate athletics. Reports to President.
International Student Advisory Subcommittee (Subcommittee of Student Organizations, SGA Advisory and International Student Advisory Committee). This committee makes recommendations involving all activities, programs, and matters relating to international students. The Coordinator of International Student Advising and the President of the Association of International Students are members of the committee. Reports to Vice President for Student Affairs.
Library Committee. This committee studies the library needs of the University community and makes recommendations to the Library Director. Each college has at least one representative on this committee. Reports to Provost.
Space Utilization Committee. The Space Utilization Committee reviews usage of all University facilities and space and recommends appropriate usage to the President. Reports to President.
Student Organizations, SGA Advisory, and International Student Advisory Committee. This committee considers applications for new organizations and makes recommendations to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The committee analyzes the needs of student organizations and evaluates the effectiveness of the various organizations. The chair keeps on file the annual reports required of all student organizations. Reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Student Publications Committee. Serving as the policy formulating group for all official student publications, the principal responsibility of this committee is to aid and advise students in producing publications consistent with the standards of the University. Specific duties include interviewing and approving or disapproving candidates for editorships of student publications; receiving suggestions from officers and other members of the faculty, staff, and student body concerning the publications and their operating procedures; and acting as an intermediary between editors of student publications and the staff, faculty, and student body. Reports to Vice President for Student Affairs.
Teacher Education Committee. Representatives from each college and the public schools make up the Teacher Education Committee. This committee is responsible for reviewing all policies regarding the admission, retention, and completion of the Teacher Education Program. Committee members are selected from each department which has a teacher education program. The committee is chaired by the College of Education dean or designee. Reports to Provost.
Traffic Appeals Committee (Subcommittee of Justice Council). This sub‑committee has the responsibility for reviewing complaints regarding traffic citations given on the University campus. This review includes changes in policies and/or procedures and cancellation of citations when appropriate. Reports to Vice President for Student Affairs.
University Planning Committee. This committee, chaired by the Provost and reporting to the President, is responsible for coordinating and overseeing strategic planning. Faculty representation includes: a faculty member elected from each college, the President of the Faculty Senate, and the Chair of the Council of Department Chairs.
University Writing Committee. This committee consists of ten voting members and two non‑voting members. The Provost appoints eight voting members representing each of the colleges, and to the highest degree possible, balancing representation between the humanities and the sciences and between the liberal arts and the more applied disciplines. The ninth voting member is the Chair of the Freshman English Committee. Should the Chair of the Freshman English Committee also be serving as Chair of the University Writing Committee, then the Chair of the Department of English will appoint another member of the Department. The Student Government Association recommends annually a voting student member. Non‑voting members of the committee are the Committee Chair, who is appointed by the Provost, and the Dean of Arts and Sciences, who serves as an ex-officio member. The Chair votes in the case of a tie. The duties of the University Writing Committee are to encourage the use of writing as a mode of learning and communication throughout the curriculum and to recommend to the General Education Committee policies and practices regarding the implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of the writing component of the general education program. Reports to Provost.