BFA Faculty Affairs Committee

"The Faculty Affairs Committee shall address matters of faculty responsibilities and rights in teaching, research, and service. In particular, the Committee shall: make recommendations in regard to a comprehensive and continuing system to evaluate faculty teaching, while at the same time giving proper protection to the rights of individuals; make recommendations in regard to rewards for teaching; give continuing attention to the role and functions of teaching assistants and teaching associates; evaluate the adequacy of teaching facilities and participate in planning the development of teaching facilities; and act as a clearinghouse for suggestions from all members of the academic community regarding the quality, effectiveness, and improvement of educational processes on the Boulder campus. The Committee shall be responsible for policy relating to the professional responsibilities of faculty members. It shall periodically review the Professional Rights and Duties of Faculty Members and Roles and Professional Duties of Department Chairs document, and recommend to the Assembly appropriate revisions. The Committee shall monitor the activities of the Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee, the Council on Research and Creative Work, and the Privilege and Tenure Committee of the Faculty Council, and make appropriate recommendations to the Assembly on matters of policy relating to the work of these committees." BFA Standing Rules, Article V, Section 1(g).

Annual Report 2011-2012

The Faculty Affairs Committee (FAC) focused on two different efforts this year.  First, the FAC executed its responsibility for reviewing issues related to faculty concerns as directed by ExCom or other committees.  These issues included opinions on additional faculty benefits including tuition and caretaker services, open access in library journals, and discussions regarding the new concealed weapons ruling.  These opinions were delivered to the appropriate committees or ExCom depending on the requirement.

The second focus for the FAC was on the development of new initiatives to bring forward on behalf of the faculty.  The two initiatives focused on by the faculty were the development of an Interdisciplinary Faculty Seminar and an Internal Visiting Faculty program.  Both initiatives were approved by the ExCom and the general BFA through official motions.  The initiatives have been presented to the Provost and the Chancellor.  The initiatives require the administration to provide some initial seed funding.  The initiatives await decisions at the administration level.

The final discussion that is currently underway in the FAC is a potential merger with the Academic Affairs committee (AA).  The discussion focuses on whether there is sufficient overlap between the two committees and if a larger committee would better serve the long-term interests of the faculty.

Committee Resources

• Faculty Handbook

Meeting dates, times, and locations:
Fall, 2011: 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. on the following Thursdays: September 1 – UMC 404 September 22 – UMC 404 October 13 – UMC 404 November 3 – UMC 245 (Note different room.) December 1 – UMC 404	Spring, 2012: TBA