2. Faculty Governance

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The Faculty

The Faculty of the Institute comprises the Academic Faculty, the Research Faculty, and designated Administrative Officers as defined below. The Faculty is granted the right and responsibility of its own governance; the governance of Students; the creation of such committees as may be required; the prescribing of regulations regarding admission, suspension, expulsion, discipline, scholarship, classes, courses of study, and requirements for graduation; and the creation of such other regulations as may be necessary or proper for the maintenance of high educational standards.

To fulfill these responsibilities, the Faculty establishes the following bodies: the Faculty Executive Board, the Academic Faculty, the Research Faculty, the Academic Faculty Senate, and the Research Faculty Senate.  Some matters will require the Academic Faculty Senate and Research Faculty Senate to meet in joint session which will be termed a meeting of the Faculty Senate.  Some matters will require a meeting of the whole Faculty comprising the Academic Faculty, Research Faculty, and designated Administrative Officers.  Joint meetings of the Faculty Executive Board and the Georgia Tech Staff Council may be held from time to time for business appropriate to such a gathering.

Any Administrator designated to serve on the Faculty Executive Board, the Academic Faculty Senate, the Research Faculty Senate, or any Standing Committee of the Faculty may appoint another appropriate and qualified Administrator or Faculty member to serve on that body and to carry out any designated duties related to that body in said Administrator’s place. Such an appointment must be approved in advance by the Faculty Executive Board.

Limitations on Participation in Faculty Governance
Participants in faculty governance are called on to make long range decisions on behalf of the Institute.  Persons elected to serve on faculty bodies typically serve terms of three years.  Therefore, participation in faculty governance is appropriate for those with long term commitments to the Institute and those having the time to devote to faculty governance.  Accordingly, the following restrictions will be made:

  • Personnel with titles designated as Temporary or Visiting, or having other limited term appointments, will not be eligible to participate in faculty governance.
  • Persons holding only adjunct appointments or other honorary titles shall not be considered to be members of the faculty [per Board of Regents Policy Manual 3.2.1.1].
  • Only persons serving the Institute at least 0.75 full-time equivalent (FTE) in eligible positions as defined herein shall qualify to participate in faculty governance, unless otherwise approved by the Faculty Executive Board or specified by the Statutes. Individuals who would otherwise fall into this category but are temporarily employed less than 0.75 FTE or on leave of absence would be suspended from participation in faculty governance for the duration of that situation.

While the above limitations are appropriate in support of sound faculty governance, they do not in any way diminish the important contributions that individuals subject to these limitations render to the Institute.

Within the above limitations, those eligible to participate in faculty governance shall be determined solely on the basis of the position held within the Institute, as specified below in Sections 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.

Secretary of the Faculty

  • A member of the Faculty shall be appointed the Secretary of the Faculty by the President on the recommendation of the  Faculty Senate to serve as a permanent secretary of the various Faculty bodies listed above.
  • The Secretary shall not serve concurrently as a representative to a faculty body nor as a member of a standing committee and shall be given appropriate released time funded by the Administration.

    Duties

  • Keep minutes and records 
  • Post the minutes of the various bodies.
  • Accept the Nominating Committee reports from the Faculty Executive Board.
  • Under the supervision of the Faculty Executive Board, conduct the elections to fill faculty governance positions addressed by the  Nominating Committee. In these elections, voters will indicate their preference for as many candidates as necessary to fill  the indicated openings. Elections from these selats will be determined by the highest vote totals from the pool of candidates for each office.
  • Serve on the Institute Policy Committee.
  • Support campus efforts related to SACSCOC or other accreditation/compliance reviews.
  • Serve on campus committees when requested
 

 

2.1 Faculty Executive Board

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Composition

  • The Faculty Executive Board shall consist of representatives of the Administration, the Faculty as defined below, the Students and the Classified Employees. (See a list of members at www.facultygovernance.gatech.edu).
  • The representatives of the Administration shall be the President, the Provost, and the Executive Vice-President for Research.
  • Representatives of the Faculty shall be elected for terms of three (3) years. Representatives may not be elected to serve consecutive terms. 
  • Members shall be elected by the following units from their elected representatives in the Academic Faculty Senate and the Research Faculty Senate: each College, the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and a composite unit of Services and Central Administration:
  • From the Academic Faculty Senate: Academic Faculty members from each of the above Units shall elect one (1) member to the Faculty Executive Board for each one hundred fifty (150) Academic Faculty (rounded) employed in that Unit. A member chosen for the Faculty Executive Board may not be an administrator. No more than four (4) members per Unit from the Academic Faculty Senate may be elected to the Faculty Executive Board. Each College will be allocated at least one (1) member on the Faculty Executive Board. 
  • From the Research Faculty Senate: Research Faculty members from each of the above Units shall elect one (1) member to the Faculty Executive Board for each one hundred fifty (150) Research Faculty (rounded) employed in that Unit. A member chosen for the Faculty Executive Board may not be an administrator. No more than four (4) members per Unit from the Research Faculty Senate may be elected to the Faculty Executive Board.  If a unit has too few Research Faculty members to result in at least one representative, the Faculty Executive Board will supervise creating an aggregate with one or more other units to provide an opportunity for members from such units to be elected to the Faculty Executive Board.
  • Unit representation shall be based on data compiled from the Fall semester preceding the election. 
  • On election to the Faculty Executive Board, Faculty vacate their membership in the Academic or Research Faculty Senate  as an elected representative of their unit. They shall also vacate any position on a Standing Committee of the Faculty.
  • The representatives of the Students shall be the President of the Undergraduate Student Body and President of the Graduate Student Body. Neither shall have the right to vote. 
  • Three representatives of the Classified Employees shall be designated by the Staff Council. These representatives shall not have the right to vote. 
  • Additional non-voting ex-officio members shall include the Chair of the Statutes Committee, the Georgia Tech Representative to the University System of Georgia Faculty Council, and the President of the Georgia Tech Chapter of the American Association of the University Professors (AAUP).
  • The Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall be elected annually by the Board from among its elected members.   
  • A quorum of the Board shall be a majority of its elected members. 

 

Powers

  • Function as the executive body of the Faculty and guide the activities of the Faculty, their representative bodies, and their committees; develop ways of communicating and implementing decisions; formulate plans for consideration of both immediate issues and continuing concerns; and serve, through its Chair, as official spokesperson on actions taken by the Faculty. 
  • Coordinate the activities of all Standing Committees, receive their reports, transmit them with recommendations to the appropriate body for action, and then forward the results of actions through administrative channels for implementation. 
  • Take whatever action is deemed necessary between meetings of the Academic Faculty, the Research Faculty, or their representative bodies on time-sensitive matters within the jurisdiction of these bodies. If the action is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Academic Faculty or of the Research Faculty, then only members of the Faculty Executive Board from that Faculty are eligible to vote in considering that action, and a quorum for that vote is a majority of the elected members of that component of the Faculty.
  • Plan the programs for the Faculty bodies, and establish the agenda for each meeting. The agenda shall include Standing Committee reports, presentation of issues for consideration and possible action, items suggested by the President, and items raised from the floor. 
  • Determine whether to add or subtract from the list of job titles designated as members of the Academic Faculty or the Research Faculty.
  • Actions taken by the Faculty Executive Board shall be posted online for viewing by the Faculty of the Institute. 

 

Replacement of Members

If an elected member of the Faculty Executive Board resigns, takes a leave of absence, or undergoes a change of assignment so that he/she no longer qualifies as a member of the unit he/she was elected to represent, the Faculty Executive Board shall designate the first runner-up from the most recent election for that position to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. If the first runner-up is unable or unwilling to serve, the position goes to the second runner-up, etc. If the entire slate of nominees for that position is unable or unwilling to serve, the Faculty Executive Board shall appoint an appropriate replacement to serve the remainder of the unexpired term upon recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board’s Nominating Committee. 

 

Georgia Tech Representative to the University System of Georgia Faculty Council (USGFC)

The Faculty Executive Board (FEB) shall select the Georgia Tech Representative to the University System of Georgia Faculty Council (USGFC). The representative shall also serve as a non-voting exofficio member of the FEB.

The USGFC (https://www.usg.edu/faculty_council/) is an advisory body to the Chancellor, created in May 2010, that includes representatives of all USG institutions and holds two meetings a year. Each institution's representative must be a faculty member selected by a process determined by the institution's faculty.

During spring semester of years in which a USGFC representative is to be selected, the FEB shall solicit nominations and volunteers for the position, including announcements to the FEB and Faculty Senate. Candidates must be faculty members and should have significant experience with academic matters, prior service in faculty governance, and historical knowledge of the Institute.

The USGFC representative will be selected by the FEB for a three-year term, with the possibility of a second term. If a vacancy occurs during a term, the FEB shall select a new representative to serve the remainder of the current year followed by a full three-year term.

 

Nominations
At the end of each Fall semester, the Faculty Executive Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee.

  • The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three (3) members of the Academic Faculty, as defined in Section 2.2.1, three (3) members of the Research Faculty, as defined in Section 2.3.1, and one (1) Student. Of these, one (1) each of the Academic and Research Faculty members shall also be members of the Faculty Executive Board. The Student shall be named jointly by the Student representatives to the Faculty Executive Board. The Chair of the Committee shall be named by the Faculty Executive Board from among the Faculty members of the Committee. 
  • The Committee shall prepare a slate of nominees to fill positions becoming vacant in the membership of each Standing Committee, the Faculty Executive Board, and such other elections designated for supervision by the Faculty Executive Board. Reports covering each position shall be presented to the Faculty Executive Board. The slate of nominees, when approved by the Faculty Executive Board, will have at least 50% more candidates than positions to be filled in the election for each office. Exceptions can be made when insufficient qualified candidates are available. 

2.2 Academic Faculty

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2.2.1 Members

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Membership in the Academic Faculty of Georgia Tech is defined as those for whom an essential part of their job responsibility is enhancing, leading, developing, and delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.  It is understood that Academic Faculty members are also often significantly involved in leading, developing, and delivering research.  Membership in the Academic Faculty shall be determined solely on the basis of the position held within the Institute. Titles included shall be consistent with Board of Regents policies for faculty membership and limited to positions with direct involvement in meeting student academic needs.

A list of titles included in the membership of the Academic Faculty shall be maintained by the President’s Office and posted on a website accessible to the Georgia Tech community.  Corrections, additions, or deletions from this list shall only be made with the approval of the Faculty Executive Board and the President.

Persons affected by such a change shall be notified.  Deletion of particular titles from a list of faculty titles may be appealed to the Faculty Executive Board within 60 days of notification of an affected faculty member and a hearing requested. Such appeals will only address the status of particular titles. Questions about the titles held by individuals and their faculty status should be addressed to their unit and the Office of Human Resources.  If there are persons who no longer have Faculty status after a change in the lists of Faculty titles, those persons shall remain entitled to rates of leave accrual available to them in their prior status.

Eligibility for participation in Faculty governance shall follow the guidelines set out in Section 2.

Student Delegates
The Students shall be represented without vote by the President of the Undergraduate Student Body and the President of the Graduate Student Body.

 

2.2.2 Powers and Meetings

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Powers

  • Formulate and develop comprehensive educational policies and regulations.
  • Define and establish Institute-wide policies on academic matters, including admission policy, grading standards, and the requirements to be met by the candidates for the various degrees.
  • Establish the Standing Committees herein defined and such temporary committees as may be needed to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner.
  • Consider all candidates for degrees and recommend to the President that the appropriate degree be conferred on each approved candidate.
  • Recommend through the President to the Board of Regents the establishment, modification, or discontinuance of degrees, of departments of instruction and of colleges; and the establishment, modification, or discontinuance of centers which function to coordinate interdisciplinary educational and research programs.
  • Consider proposed general regulations governing student conduct, all phases of student life and activities, and all forms of student organizations insofar as these matters are properly subject to the jurisdiction of the Institute. All such proposals must be approved by the Academic Faculty and the President prior to implementation.
  • Rescind or modify actions of the Academic Faculty Senate.
  • Make recommendations to be considered by the Research Faculty or the whole Faculty.
  • Establish its rules of procedure and determine all matters pertaining to its own meetings not otherwise specified in this Handbook.

Meetings

The President shall be the presiding officer of the Academic Faculty.  The Academic Faculty shall meet at least once a year, in the Spring semester. The time of meeting shall be determined by the Faculty Executive Board. One hundred (100) members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.  Special meetings may be called on the President’s own volition or shall be called by the President on petition of fifty (50) members to the President, or on the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board.  In such special meetings the matters considered shall be restricted to those listed in the call for the meeting.

In the President’s absence, the Provost shall preside.  In the absence of both the President and the Provost, the Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside. All members of the Academic Faculty shall have the right to vote.

Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Faculty and shall be posted online.

Presidential Veto
The President shall have the power of veto over any action of the Academic Faculty. The President shall notify the Secretary of the Faculty, in writing, of the veto and the reasons for it, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action of the Academic Faculty.  The Academic Faculty may appeal the veto to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting. Any such appeal shall be sent via the President who shall forward it to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor.

Standing Committees
The Academic Faculty serves as the parent body to the following Standing Committees whose functions and procedures are specified in Section 2.6:

  • Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
  • Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee
  • Student Regulations Committee
  • Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee
  • Student Activities Committee
  • Student Grievance and Appeal Committee
  • Student Honor Committee
  • Student Computer Ownership Committee
  • Academic Integrity Committee

Recommendations from these committees may be approved by the Academic Faculty or by its Academic Faculty Senate.

2.2.3 Academic Faculty Senate

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Powers

The President shall be the presiding officer of the Academic Faculty Senate.  All members of the Academic Faculty Senate, except those expressly excluded, shall have the right to vote.  The Academic Faculty Senate may act for the Academic Faculty in all matters except the appeal of a Presidential veto of an action of the Academic Faculty in a meeting of that body.

 

Members

The Academic Faculty Senate shall comprise:

  • Elected members of the Academic Faculty Senate subject to the provisions of ‘Distribution of Elected Representatives’, below.
  • Chairs of Academic Faculty Standing Committees
  • Ex officio members:
    • The President and the Provost.
    • Without the right to vote; the Vice-President of Student Life, the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice-Provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development, the Deans of the Colleges and the Library, and the Registrar.
  • Elected members of the Faculty Executive Board.
  • Two (2) nonvoting Student delegates.

Distribution of Elected Representatives

There shall be one (1) elected representative for each twenty (20) members (rounded) of the Academic Faculty for each School, the Colleges without Schools, and components of Services and Central Administration (which includes the Libraries and other components). Aggregates of units with fewer than ten (10) members of the Academic Faculty shall be formed as required by the Faculty Executive Board.  Unit representation for terms beginning in the Fall semester shall be based on data compiled from the preceding Spring semester.

See http://www.facultygovernance.gatech.edu for a list of the current elected representatives.
 

Nomination and Election Procedures
Representatives of a School, a College, and sub-units of the Services and Central Administration of sufficient size as defined above shall be elected prior to the first meeting of the Academic Faculty Senate in the fall semester by a process to be determined by the members of that unit, except that the nominations shall be open and a secret ballot used.  Nominations and elections for remaining representatives of the aggregate units in the Services and Central Administration shall be supervised by the Faculty Executive Board.

The election of representatives shall take place annually, with approximately one-third (1/3) of the representatives being replaced each year when their terms expire.

Eligibility of Voters and Candidates
All members of the Academic Faculty shall be eligible to vote, but only in the election of representatives from their respective constituent unit.  All members of the Academic Faculty shall be eligible to be candidates for election to the Academic Faculty Senate except:

  • Ex officio members of the Academic Faculty Senate;
  • Academic Faculty members who are presently serving as members of the Academic Faculty Senate.
  • Academic Faculty members who are presently serving as members of the Faculty Executive Board, including those who are finishing a term at the time of the election.

Terms of Office
A representative shall be elected for a three (3)-year term.  Representatives may not serve consecutive terms. 

Filling Vacancies
If a representative resigns, takes leave of absence, is elected to the Faculty Executive Board, or undergoes a change of assignment so that he/she no longer qualifies as a member of the unit which he/she was elected to represent, the Faculty Executive Board shall arrange for a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. Units that elect their own representatives will be asked to hold a special election.  Representatives from aggregate units will be replaced by designating the first runner-up from the most recent election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. If the first runner-up is unable or unwilling to serve, the position goes to the second runner-up, etc. If the entire slate of nominees for that position is unable or unwilling to serve, the Faculty Executive Board shall appoint an appropriate replacement to serve the remainder of the unexpired term upon recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board’s most recent Nominating Committee. 

 Meetings 
The Academic Faculty Senate shall hold at least one (1) meeting during each semester of the academic year.

A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a scheduled or properly called meeting.

Special meetings may be called on the President’s own volition, or shall be called by the President on petition of one-third (1/3) of the members, or upon the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board. In such special meetings, the matters considered shall be restricted to those items listed in the call for the meeting.

In the President’s absence, the Provost shall preside. In the absence of both the President and the Provost, the Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside.

The Academic Faculty Senate shall establish its rules of procedure and determine all matters pertaining to its own meetings not otherwise specified herein or determined by the Academic Faculty.

Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Faculty and shall be posted online.

Presidential Veto 
The President shall have the power of veto over any action of the Academic Faculty Senate. The President shall notify the Secretary of the Faculty, in writing, of the veto and the reasons for it, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action of the Academic Faculty Senate.  The Academic Faculty Senate may appeal the veto to the Board of Regents by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting. Any such appeal shall be sent via the President who shall forward it to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor.

 

2.3 Research Faculty

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2.3.1 Members

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Membership in the Research Faculty of Georgia Tech is defined as those whose primary job responsibility involves leading, developing, and delivering the research, extension, and technology transfer programs of the Institute.  Membership in the Research Faculty shall be determined solely on the basis of the position held within the Institute. Titles included shall be consistent with Board of Regents policies for faculty membership.

A list of titles included in the membership of the Research Faculty shall be maintained by the President’s Office and posted on a website accessible to the Georgia Tech community.  Corrections, additions, or deletions from this list shall only be made with the approval of the Faculty Executive Board and the President.  

Persons affected by such a change shall be notified.  Deletion of particular titles from a list of faculty titles may be appealed to the Faculty Executive Board within 60 days of notification of an affected faculty member and a hearing requested. Such appeals will only address the status of particular titles. Questions about the titles held by individuals and their faculty status should be addressed to their unit and the Office of Human Resources.  If there are persons who no longer have Faculty status after a change in the lists of Faculty titles, those persons shall remain entitled to rates of leave accrual available to them in their prior status.

Eligibility for participation in Faculty governance shall follow the guidelines set out in Section 2.

Student Delegates
The Students shall be represented by the President of the Undergraduate Student Body and President of the Graduate Student Government Body. Neither shall have the right to vote.

2.3.2 Powers and Meetings

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Powers

  • Establish any ad hoc committees it deems necessary to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner
  • Define and establish Institute-wide policies on matters of general interest not specifically delegated to the Academic Faculty (see Section 2.2).
  • Make recommendations to be considered by the Academic Faculty
  • Have the power to rescind or modify actions of the Research Faculty Senate
  • Establish its rules of procedure and determine all matters pertaining to its own meetings not otherwise specified in this Handbook.

Meetings
The presiding officer of the Research Faculty shall be the President.  The Research Faculty shall hold at least one (1) meeting each during the Fall and Spring semesters, by itself or in combination with the Academic Faculty. One hundred (100) members present at a scheduled or a properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings may be called on the President’s own volition or shall be called by the President on petition of fifty (50) members or upon the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board. In such special meetings the matters considered shall be restricted to those items listed in the call for the meeting. 

In the President’s absence, the Executive Vice-President for Research (EVPR) shall preside. In the absence of both the President and the EVPR, the Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside.  All members of the Research Faculty shall have the right to vote.

Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Faculty and be posted online.

Presidential Veto
The President shall have the power of veto over any action of the Research Faculty.  The President shall notify the Secretary of the Faculty, in writing, of the veto and the reasons for it, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action of the Research Faculty.  The Research Faculty may appeal the veto to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting.  Any such appeal shall be sent via the President who shall forward it to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor. 

 

2.3.3 Research Faculty Senate

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Powers
The President shall be the presiding officer of the Research Faculty Senate. All members of the Research Faculty Senate, except those expressly excluded, shall have the right to vote. The Research Faculty Senate may act for the Research Faculty in all matters except the appeal of a Presidential veto of an action of the Research Faculty in a meeting of that body.

Members

  • Elected representatives, as defined in ’Distribution of Elected Representatives’, below.
  • Ex officio members:
    • The President and the Executive Vice-President for Research (EVPR).
    • Without the right to vote: Other Executive Vice-Presidents, Vice-President for Research, and the Directors of the Georgia Tech Research Institute and Enterprise Innovation Institute.
  • Two (2) nonvoting Student delegates.
  • Elected members of the Faculty Executive Board.

 Distribution of Elected Representatives
There shall be one (1) elected representative for each twenty (20) members (rounded) of the Research Faculty for each School, the Colleges without Schools, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and components of Services and Central Administration (which includes the Enterprise Innovation Institute, Libraries, and other components). Aggregates of units with fewer than ten (10) members of the Research Faculty shall be formed as required by the Faculty Executive Board.  Unit representation for terms beginning in the Fall semester shall be based on data compiled from the preceding Spring semester.

(See http://www.facultygovernance.gatech.edu/  for a list of the current representatives.)

Nomination and Election Procedures

Representatives of a School, a College, a Laboratory or other unit of the Georgia Tech Research Institute, and sub-units of the Services and Central Administration of sufficient size as defined above shall be elected prior to the first meeting of the Research Faculty Senate or the full Faculty Senate in the fall semester by a process to be determined by the members of that unit, except that the nominations shall be open and a secret ballot used.  Nominations and elections for remaining representatives of the aggregate units in the Services and Central Administration shall be supervised by the Faculty Executive Board.

The election of representatives shall take place annually, with approximately one-third (1/3) of the representatives being replaced each year when their terms expire.

Eligibility of Voters and Candidates

All members of the Research Faculty shall be eligible to vote, but only in the election of representatives from their respective constituent unit.  All members of the Research Faculty shall be eligible to be candidates for election to the Research Faculty Senate except:

  • Ex officio members of the Research Faculty Senate.
  • Research Faculty members who are presently serving as members of the Research Faculty Senate.
  • Research Faculty members who are presently serving as members of the Faculty Executive Board, including those who are finishing a term at the time of the election.

Terms of Office

A representative shall be elected for a three (3)-year term. Representatives may not serve consecutive terms.

Filling Vacancies

If a representative resigns, takes leave of absence, is elected to the Faculty Executive Board, or undergoes a change of assignment so that he/she no longer qualifies as a member of the unit which he/she was elected to represent, the Faculty Executive Board shall arrange for a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. Units that elect their own representatives will be asked to hold a special election.  Representatives from aggregate units will be replaced by designating the first runner-up from the most recent election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. If the first runner-up is unable or unwilling to serve, the position goes to the second runner-up, etc. If the entire slate of nominees for that position is unable or unwilling to serve, the Faculty Executive Board shall appoint an appropriate replacement to serve the remainder of the unexpired term upon recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board’s most recent Nominating Committee.

Meetings
The Research Faculty Senate shall hold at least one (1) meeting each during the Fall and Spring semesters, by itself or combined with the Academic Faculty Senate. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a scheduled or properly called meeting.

Special meetings may be called on the President’s own volition or shall be called by the President on petition of one-third (1/3) of the members or upon the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board. In such special meetings, the matters considered shall be restricted to those items listed in the call for the meeting.

In the President’s absence, the Executive Vice-President for Research (EVPR) shall preside.  In the absence of both the President and the EVPR, the Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside.

The Research Faculty Senate shall establish its rules of procedure and determine all matters pertaining to its own meetings not otherwise specified herein or determined by the Research Faculty.

Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Faculty and shall be posted online.

Presidential Veto
The President shall have the power of veto over any action of the Research Faculty Senate. The President shall notify the Secretary of the Faculty, in writing, of the veto and the reasons for it, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action of the Research Faculty Senate.  The Research Faculty Senate may appeal the veto to the Board of Regents by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting. Any such appeal shall be sent via the President who shall forward it to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor.

 

2.4 Administrative Officers

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Some Administrative Officers appointed by the President shall be designated as members of the Academic Faculty or Research Faculty at the time of appointment  (Board of Regents Policy Manual 3.2.1.2)

The Academic Faculty will include the following Administrative Officers of the Institute: the president, the administrative and academic deans, registrar, librarian and chief fiscal officer (Board of Regents Policy Manual 3.2.1.3).

The President may designate other full-time Administrative Officers as ex-officio members of the Academic Faculty or Research Faculty in consultation with the Faculty Executive Board (Board of Regents Policy Manual 3.2.1.3). Administrative Officers may be designated as voting members of the Academic Faculty or Research Faculty with approval of the Faculty Executive Board; otherwise, the position shall be non-voting.

When a person is first appointed to a position in the Academic Faculty or Research Faculty and later accepts a role as an Administrative Officer, that person may participate in faculty governance as a member of the Faculty body corresponding to either title.  Such a person will be subject to restrictions on administrators serving on Standing Committees or the Faculty Executive Board as laid out in Sections 2.1 and 2.6.

2.5 Combined Meetings

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2.5.1 Powers and Meetings of the Whole Faculty

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Powers

The presiding officer of a meeting of the whole Faculty shall be the President. All members of the Faculty as defined above shall have the right to vote. 

The Faculty shall:

  • Establish the Standing Committees herein defined and such ad hoc or temporary committees as may be needed to conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner;
  • Define and establish Institute-wide policies on matters of general interest not specifically delegated to the Academic Faculty or the Research Faculty (see Sections 2.2 and 2.3);
  • Accept or reject proposed changes to this Handbook;
  • Make recommendations to be considered by the Academic Faculty or the Research Faculty;
  • Have the power to rescind or modify actions of the combined Faculty Senate; and
  • Establish its rules of procedure and determine all matters pertaining to its own meetings not otherwise specified in this Handbook.

Meetings

The whole Faculty shall hold at least one (1) meeting each during the Fall and Spring semesters. One hundred (100) members present at a scheduled or a properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings may be called on the President’s own volition or shall be called by the President on petition of fifty (50) members or upon the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board. In such special meetings the matters considered shall be restricted to those items listed in the call for the meeting.

In the President’s absence, the Provost shall preside. In the absence of both the President and the Provost, the Executive Vice-President for Research shall preside.  In the absence of all of the above, the Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside.

All members of the Academic Faculty and the Research Faculty shall have the right to vote.  Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Faculty and shall be posted online.

Presidential Veto

The President shall have the power of veto over any action of the whole Faculty. The President shall notify the Secretary of the Faculty, in writing, of the veto and the reasons for it, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action of the Faculty.  The Faculty may appeal the veto to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting. Any such appeal shall be sent via the President who shall forward it to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor.

Standing Committees

The whole Faculty serves as the parent body to the following Standing Committees whose functions and procedures are specified in Section 2.6:

  • Faculty Benefits Committee
  • Faculty Honors Committee
  • Faculty Status and Grievance Committee
  • Statutes Committee
  • Faculty Services Committee
  • Welfare & Security Committee

In addition, the Faculty will continue to maintain Standing Committees for Faculty Benefits and for Welfare and Security until such time as a transition to a possible joint committee with Classified Staff is realized.

Recommendations from the above committees may be approved by the whole faculty or by the Faculty Senate.

2.5.2 Meetings and Powers of the Faculty Senate

2.5.2 Meetings and Powers of the Faculty Senate abruneau3

A joint meeting of the Academic Faculty Senate and Research Faculty Senate shall be termed a meeting of the Faculty Senate.  A majority of the combined membership of the two senates shall constitute a quorum at a scheduled or properly called meeting.

If any College, GTRI, or the composite unit of Services and Central Administration qualifies for more representatives than a limit of one-third (1/3) of the total voting members of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Executive Board shall work with the sub-unit(s) with the largest number of representatives to reduce their representation so that the limit is maintained.

The President shall be the presiding officer of the Faculty Senate. Voting privileges are the same as those pertaining to the members of the Academic Faculty Senate and the Research Faculty Senate. The chairs of all Faculty Standing Committees are deemed also to be voting members of the Faculty Senate if not already designated. Ex officio members of the Academic Faculty Senate and the Research Faculty Senate are ex officio to the Faculty Senate with the same voting status as in those bodies. The Faculty Senate may act for the Faculty in all matters except the amendment of the Faculty Handbook and the appeal of a Presidential veto of an action of the Faculty in a meeting of that body.

The Faculty Senate shall hold at least one (1) meeting each during the Fall and Spring semesters.  Special meetings may be called on the President’s own volition or shall be called by the President on petition of one-third (1/3) of the members or upon the recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board. In such special meetings, the matters considered shall be restricted to those items listed in the call for the meeting.

In the President’s absence, the Provost shall preside. In the absence of both, the Executive Vice-President for Research shall preside.   In the absence of all of the above, the Chair of the Faculty Executive Board shall preside.

The Faculty Senate shall establish its rules of procedure and determine all matters pertaining to its own meetings not otherwise specified herein or determined by the Faculty.

Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Faculty and shall be posted online.

Presidential Veto

The President shall have the power of veto over any action of the Faculty Senate. The President shall notify the Secretary of the Faculty, in writing, of the veto and the reasons for it, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action of the Faculty Senate.  The Faculty Senate may appeal the veto to the Board of Regents by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a scheduled or properly called meeting. Any such appeal shall be sent via the President who shall forward it to the Board of Regents through the Chancellor.

2.5.3 Combined Meetings of the Faculty Executive Board and the Georgia Tech Staff Council

2.5.3 Combined Meetings of the Faculty Executive Board and the Georgia Tech Staff Council abruneau3

Joint meetings of the Faculty Executive Board and the Georgia Tech Staff Council may be held from time to time to provide the Institute with advice concerning matters of mutual interest and wide applicability to employees across the Institute. Such meetings will be arranged by mutual agreement between the Chairs of these bodies and with the concurrence of the President or the President’s designee.

Standing Committees

The Faculty and the Georgia Tech Staff Council may charter some Standing Committees jointly and establish appropriate procedures for the selection of members of these committees.  The Faculty Executive Board shall act on behalf of the Faculty for their part in establishing and coordinating the activities of such committees.  It is expected that such committees will cover topics of wide interest to both faculty and staff, such as benefits, employee welfare, and security. Recommendations from these committees may be heard in joint meetings of the Faculty Executive Board and Georgia Tech Staff Council or separately by mutual agreement of the chartering organizations.

2.6 Standing Committees of the Faculty

2.6 Standing Committees of the Faculty abruneau3

There are two categories of Faculty Standing Committee: those of the Faculty as a whole and those of the Academic Faculty, as follows:

Faculty

  • Faculty Benefits Committee
  • Faculty Honors Committee
  • Faculty Status and Grievance Committee
  • Statutes Committee
  • Faculty Services Committee
  • Welfare and Security Committee

Academic Faculty

  • Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
  • Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee
  • Student Regulations Committee
  • Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee
  • Student Activities Committee
  • Student Grievance and Appeal Committee
  • Student Honor Committee
  • Student Computer Ownership Committee
  • Academic Integrity Committee

(See http://www.facultygovernance.gatech.edu/ for of members of the various Standing Committees.)

Each Committee is expected to assemble and evaluate information relevant to its charges, to propose policies or procedures for consideration by the parent body, and to make other recommendations for action by the parent body.  After approval of a policy or procedure by the parent body, the Committee is charged with assuring that all employees and units of the Institute act in accord with the policy.  A Committee may be empowered to act for the parent body to translate approved policy or procedure into specific actions or judgments.  Such actions and judgments remain subject to the approval or disapproval of the parent body.
 

Procedures
Each Standing Committee may establish its own rules of procedure, consistent with the policies of the parent body.
 

Members
Standing Committees shall be composed of eligible Faculty, Administrators, and Students.  Committee membership is by election or specific designation as provided by this Handbook.  Limitations on service are covered below.

Administrators named by this Handbook to be members of Standing Committees serve permanent and continuing terms, since they represent a relevant office or staff.  Members of an Administrator’s office or staff may be requested to meet with the Committee for consultation.
 

Election of Members
Elections of representatives of the Faculty and Administration to Standing Committees shall be conducted during the Spring semester by the Secretary of the Faculty.  The Faculty Executive Board, with the assistance of its Nominating Committee, will prepare a slate of nominees that has at least 50% more candidates than positions to be filled in the election for each committee.  Exceptions can be made when insufficient qualified candidates are available.  Voters will indicate their preference for as many candidates as necessary to fill the indicated openings.  Elections from these slates will be determined by the highest vote totals from the pool of candidates for each committee.

Elected Faculty members of a Standing Committee shall serve a three (3)-year term beginning at the start of the Fall semester and may succeed themselves once.  Elected members shall serve on no more than two (2) Standing Committees simultaneously.

Student members of a Standing Committee, whether elected by the Undergraduate and/or Graduate Student Government Association or specifically designated by this Handbook, shall serve a one (1) year term beginning at the start of the Fall semester of each academic year.  They may succeed themselves once.
 

Replacement of Members
If an elected Faculty or Administration member of a Standing Committee resigns, takes a leave of absence, or undergoes a change of assignment so that he/she no longer qualifies as a member of the unit he/she was elected to represent, the Faculty Executive Board shall designate the first runner-up from the most recent election for that position to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.  If the first runner-up is unable or unwilling to serve, the position goes to the second runner-up, etc.  If the entire slate of nominees for that position is unable or unwilling to serve, the Faculty Executive Board shall appoint an appropriate replacement to serve the remainder of the unexpired term upon recommendation of the Faculty Executive Board’s Nominating Committee.  When the Chair of a Standing Committee is to be absent from the Institute for an entire semester, the committee shall elect a chair pro tempore for the period of absence.

When a Student member of a Standing Committee resigns or is no longer qualified for the position in which he/she serves, the Undergraduate and/or Graduate Student Government Association will appoint a successor for the remainder of the academic year and shall inform the Secretary of the Faculty.
 

Limitations upon Service

Faculty Executive Board Membership
Faculty members who are members of a Standing Committee (or Committees) may be candidates for the Faculty Executive Board.  If elected, they must resign from the Standing Committee(s). No elected members of the Faculty Executive Board shall serve on a Standing Committee. 

School Chairs
Chairs of Schools and similar level unit leaders shall, for the purpose of election to committee membership, be considered members of the Academic Faculty and not as Administrators.  Chairs may not be elected to membership on committees charged with reviewing or overseeing the Chair’s actions as an administrator.

Administrators
Administrators or Faculty members shall not be eligible to serve on Standing Committees that are charged with reviewing or overseeing their administrative functions, unless this Handbook specifically provides otherwise.  Administrators named by this Handbook to be members of Standing Committees serve permanent and continuing terms.
 

Voting in Committee
All members of a Standing Committee have the right to vote unless specifically excluded by this Handbook.  A committee may establish its own rules of procedure insofar as such rules are in agreement with the policies of the parent body.  A committee quorum shall be a majority of the voting membership.
 

Meetings
Any member of a committee may request that the Chair call a meeting.  One-third (1/3) of the members of a committee may call a meeting by distributing to all members a jointly signed call, designating purpose, day, place, and time.  Only the matters stated in such a call may be acted upon at the meeting so called.  With the prior approval of the Chair, any member of a Standing Committee who is compelled to be absent from a meeting may send a representative with the power to vote.  No member of a Standing Committee shall participate in the consideration of an appeal of the member’s own decision rendered in the performance of other duties.

Between meetings of the the Academic Faculty, the Research Faculty, or their representative bodies any matters requiring emergency action and not delegated to a Standing Committee shall be referred to the Faculty Executive Board.  Standing Committees charged with judicial activities, either in initial hearings or appeals, shall proceed with dispatch to hear the cases and render decisions.

During its deliberations and before making recommendations, a Standing Committee shall consult with offices and persons having responsibility relevant to its charges.

The minutes of each meeting of a Standing Committee shall be promptly transmitted to the Secretary of the Faculty for posting online.  The minutes will be presented at the next meeting of the parent body for approval including the approval of all action items. Annually, each Standing Committee shall submit a written report to the Secretary of the Faculty detailing its activities and findings.  This report will be posted online and an oral summary shall be made to the Faculty.

Subcommittees
When a Standing Committee needs assistance to accomplish its charge, the Chair may appoint appropriate subcommittees with approval of a majority of the Committee and the approval of the Faculty Executive Board.

Subcommittees so appointed shall be chaired by a member of the appointing Standing Committee, unless otherwise approved by the Faculty Executive Board, and shall be composed of appropriate persons in the Institute.  Sub-committees may fall into one of two categories, ad hoc or standing.  An ad hoc subcommittee shall be given a specific charge and a specific terminal date for its final report to be submitted to the parent committee.  A Standing Subcommittee shall exist upon a continuing basis in order to handle a specific charge of the parent committee.  Members of Standing Subcommittees shall be appointed annually.

Members of a subcommittee may be present to provide whatever clarification is requested when their report is submitted to the Standing Committee and shall provide the same assistance in the meetings when the report is brought before the appropriate parent body.

 

2.6.1 Faculty Benefits Committee

2.6.1 Faculty Benefits Committee abruneau3

Members
The Faculty Benefits committee shall consist of:

  • Five (5) members of the Faculty elected by that body, including at least one member each from tenured/tenure-track, non-tenure-track academic, and research faculty;
  • Two (2) staff members designated by the Staff Council and one (1) retired faculty member designated by the Silver Jackets;
  • Two (2) non-voting ex-officio members shall include the Chair of the Statutes Committee and the elected representative to the University System Faculty Council;
  • One (1) Graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association; and
  • Three (3) ex-officio members, without a vote: a representative from the Office of Human Resources, the Vice Provost for Faculty or designee, and the Georgia Tech representative to the University System of Georgia Faculty Council.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the committee from among the elected Faculty members. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Chair from among the other members.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Originate or receive recommendations relative to employee benefits.
  • Review annually Institute policy, plans, and procedures on such matters as insurance, retirement, sick leave, death benefits, and vacations.
  • Review annually the general policy of the Institute with regard to wage scales, working conditions, and other matters of a similar nature pertaining to non-professional employees.
  • Make a comprehensive review of the complete insurance program at least every fifth year.
  • Promote the development of facilities for the benefit of Faculty and Staff members.

 

 

2.6.2 Faculty Honors Committee

2.6.2 Faculty Honors Committee abruneau3

Members
The Faculty Honors Committee shall consist of:

  • One (1) Faculty member from each College, one (1) from GTRI, and one (1) from faculty in Services and Central Administration, elected by their respective constituencies and serving staggered terms; 
  • One (1) Undergraduate Student with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association; and
  • One (1) Graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the committee from among the elected Faculty members. The Chair shall appoint a Secretary from among the other members.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Maintain and publicize a list of Institute-level faculty awards and proactively seek out the development of additional awards.
  • Originate or receive names of Faculty members to be nominated for honors and awards.
  • Evaluate and take appropriate action for the awarding of such honors and awards.
  • Assist in planning annual events such as the retirement dinner.

 

2.6.3 Faculty Status and Grievance Committee

2.6.3 Faculty Status and Grievance Committee abruneau3

Members
The Faculty Status and Grievance Committee (FSGC) shall consist of

  • Seven (7) members of the Faculty, who are not administrators and at least four (4) of whom carry the rank of Professor, elected by the Faculty.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee.  The Chair shall appoint a Secretary from among the other members.

By majority vote, the Committee may convene in Executive Session to consider any formal or informal case before it, or related matters.

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Assist informally, upon oral or written request from a member of the Faculty, in the investigation and resolution of grievances.
  • Receive and review formal written grievances submitted by a member of the Faculty and, if appropriate, conduct formal investigations and/or convene a hearing following procedures specified in this Handbook, "Grievance: Process and Procedures" (section 3.1.9).
  • Receive referrals from Deans arising from the Periodic Peer Review of tenured faculty, in accordance with the "Periodic Peer Review Policy" in this Handbook (section 3.3.9).
  • Carry out informal inquiry in cases of possible dismissal of non-tenured Faculty with a contract during their contract terms or of tenured Faculty, as specified in "Procedures for Removing Faculty Members" in this Handbook (section 3.1.10) and in a manner consistent with the Policy Manual of the Board of Regents (section 8.3.9).

The Committee may:

  • Review the policy of the Institute with regard to salary scales, tenure, teaching loads, leaves of absence, and other matters of a similar nature pertaining to members of the Faculty.
  • Investigate variations in the application of such policies by the units within the Institute.
  • Furnish any recommendations from such reviews and investigations to the Faculty Executive Board.

In its distributed minutes and in the annual report of its activities and findings, the Committee shall preserve anonymity of the cases it reviews but state the type of issues involved and actions taken.

Records of Committee proceedings and supporting documents shall be preserved by the Secretary. At the end of each academic year, the Chair shall transmit to the Secretary of the Faculty the relevant records of the FSGC for appropriate archiving.

Procedures followed by the Committee in addressing faculty grievances are set out in Section 3.1.9.

 

2.6.4 Statutes Committee

2.6.4 Statutes Committee abruneau3

Members
The Statutes Committee shall consist of:

  • Five (5) Faculty members elected by the Faculty, including at least one member each from tenured/tenure-track, non-tenure-track academic, and research faculty.
  • One (1) Undergraduate Student with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association; and 
  • One (1) Graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from the elected Faculty members.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Originate, or receive and consider, all proposed amendments to this Handbook.
  • Ensure that copies of previous editions of this Handbook are kept in the archives of the Institute.
  • Review this Handbook to ensure it is consistent with institutional documents such as administrative manuals, regulations, and catalogs, and with policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
  • The Chair of the Committee or designee shall serve on the Institute's Policy Steering Committee and as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Faculty Executive Board.

 

2.6.5 Faculty Services Committee

2.6.5 Faculty Services Committee abruneau3

Members
The Faculty Services Committee shall consist of:

  • Six (6) Faculty members elected by the Faculty,
  • Two (2) Administrators elected from the Faculty; and
  • One (1) Student with at least junior standing selected jointly by the Undergraduate Student Government Association and the Graduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected by the Committee from among the elected non-administrative Faculty members. The Chair shall appoint a Secretary from among the other members.
 

Duties
The Committee shall review annually the Institute’s policies and procedures governing functions providing support to the work of the Faculty, including the Library, Professional Education, and Research Centers.

 

2.6.6 Welfare and Security Committee

2.6.6 Welfare and Security Committee abruneau3

Members
The Welfare and Security Committee shall consist of:

  • Five (5) Faculty members elected by the Faculty, including at least one member each from tenured/tenure-track, non-tenure-track academic, and research faculty;
  • One (1) Staff member recommended by the Staff Council and appointed by the Faculty Executive Board;
  • One (1) Undergraduate Student with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association;
  • One (1) Graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association; and
  • Four (4) ex-officio members, without a vote: the Georgia Tech Police Chief, the Vice President for Facilities Management, the Director of Environment Health & Safety, and the Director of Research Security, or their designees.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint a Secretary from among the other members.

Duties
The Committee shall review the policies and procedures governing institutional functions concerned with health, safety, and the general welfare, including campus planning, campus security, parking, safety and fire protection, radiation safety, civil defense, Auxiliary Services, and the Health Center. A comprehensive review of each function should be conducted at least once every two years. The Committee will annually provide recommendations from such reviews to the Faculty Executive Board.

The Committee shall coordinate with the Campus Physical Environmental Committee of the Staff Council regarding matters of common concern, including joint recommendations when appropriate.

 

2.6.7 Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee

2.6.7 Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee abruneau3

Members
The Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee shall be composed of representatives of the Administration, the Academic Faculty, and the Students.

The Administration shall be represented by the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Associate Provost for Academic Effectiveness, and the Dean of Students. The Registrar shall be the Secretary.

The Academic Faculty shall be represented by members elected by the Academic Faculty from tenured or tenure-track Faculty members who are not Administrators, determined as follows:

  • Ten (10) seats on the committee will be distributed among the Colleges in proportion to the fraction of the total number of undergraduate student credit hours produced in each College in the preceding academic year.
  • Another ten (10) seats on the committee will be distributed among the Colleges in proportion to the fraction of the total number of undergraduate majors registered in each College in the fall term of the present academic year.
  • Then the participation of each College will be adjusted to be at least two (2) and no more than seven (7) members. These adjustments may result in a total number somewhat different from twenty (20).
  • Changes in the number of College representatives shall be made when the criterion for such changes has been met for two (2) successive years; however, any individual elected shall have a full term of office regardless of such changes in the number of representatives.

The Students shall be represented by one (1) member with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Academic Faculty members.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Recommend to the Academic Faculty the requirements for all undergraduate degrees and propose changes in undergraduate degree requirements and curricula;
  • Evaluate all proposals for new undergraduate courses and degree programs from each Instructional Unit and transmit them with recommendations to the Academic Faculty for action;
  • Review all proposals for deactivation (suspension) or reinstatement of undergraduate degree programs and present the results to the Academic Faculty Senate as an information item prior to the Institute communicating such requests to USG and SACSOC, as appropriate.
  • Recommend to the Academic Faculty guidelines regulating Student petitions for course substitution and grade corrections
  • Rule on requests and appeals by undergraduate Students for exceptions to established rules and regulations in academic matters
  • Review new methods, aids, and techniques of instruction in order to make recommendations to the Academic Faculty or to the appropriate Instructional Unit.

 

2.6.8 Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee

2.6.8 Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee abruneau3

Members
The Institute Graduate Curriculum Committee shall be composed of representatives of the Administration, the Academic Faculty, and the Students.

The Administration shall be represented by the Vice-Provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development and by the Associate Provost for Academic Effectiveness. The Registrar shall be Secretary.

The Academic Faculty shall be represented by members elected by the Academic Faculty from tenured or tenure-track Faculty members who are not Administrators, determined as follows:

  • Twenty (20) seats on the committee will be distributed amongst the Colleges in proportion to the fraction of graduate education credit hours delivered by each College in the previous academic year.
  • Then the participation of each College will be adjusted to be at least two (2) and no more than seven (7) members.  These adjustments may result in a total number somewhat different from twenty (20).
  • Changes in the number of representatives for each College shall be made when the criterion for such changes has been met for two (2) successive years; however, any individual elected shall have a full term of office regardless of such changes in representation.

The Students shall be represented by one (1) graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Academic Faculty members.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Recommend the minimum requirements for all graduate degrees and propose changes in graduate degree requirements and curricula.
  • Evaluate all proposals for new graduate courses and degree programs from each Instructional Unit and transmit them with recommendations to the Academic Faculty for action.
  • Review all proposals for deactivation (suspension) or reinstatement of graduate degree programs and present the results to the Academic Faculty Senate as an information item prior to the Institute communicating such requests to USG and SACSOC, as appropriate
  • Establish guidelines which will encourage appropriate research activities as an integral part of the graduate program and encourage high standards of student research, and foster the utilization of all available resources in the development of research activities that are supportive of the graduate programs of the Institute.
  • Rule on requests and appeals by graduate Students for exceptions to established rules and regulations in academic matters.
  • Develop policy and minimum requirements for the admission of Students to graduate programs, the admission of Students to candidacy for an advanced degree, and the awarding of graduate degrees.
  • Decide, in consultation with the Instructional Unit concerned, what undergraduate courses may be accepted for graduate credit.
  • Develop policy for qualifications of Faculty members who teach graduate courses and direct thesis research.
  • Develop policy for the awarding of graduate fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.

 

2.6.9 Student Regulations Committee

2.6.9 Student Regulations Committee abruneau3

Members
The Student Regulations Committee shall consist of:

  • Eight (8) members of the Academic Faculty, including at least four (4) tenured or tenure-track members;
  • Two (2) Undergraduate Students with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association;
  • One (1) Graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association;
  • Four (4) ex-officio members, without a vote: the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development, the Dean of Students, and the Registrar, or their designees.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint the Secretary from among the remaining members of the Committee.

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Conduct a comprehensive review, at least once every five years, of the Rules and Regulations section of the Georgia Tech Catalog for consistency and relevance of its provisions, making recommendations of any proposed changes to the Academic Faculty.
  • Originate or receive all proposed changes in or amendments to Institute policies and regulations pertaining to the student body, both graduate and undergraduate.
  • Review any proposed changes to determine whether they are in accord with this Handbook and make recommendations concerning proposed changes to the Academic Faculty.
  • Define and publish, with the approval of the Academic Faculty and the President, the official policy of the Institute concerning acceptable student conduct and academic integrity.  This policy shall define categories of offenses and penalties.

2.6.10 Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee

2.6.10 Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee abruneau3

Members
The Student Academic and Financial Affairs Committee shall consist of

  • Five (5) members of the Academic Faculty, including at least three (3) tenured or tenure-track;
  • The Registrar, who shall be the Secretary;
  • One (1) graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association;
  • Two (2) undergraduate Students with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association; and
  • The Administrator in charge of the Georgia Tech Counseling Center who shall be an ex officio member without voting rights.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Academic Faculty members. 

Duties
The Committee shall annually review and make appropriate recommendations to the Academic Faculty concerning:

  • The system for academic advising;
  • Policy governing the academic standing and classification of Students;
  • Both graduate and undergraduate financial aid programs;
  • The counseling and career planning program; and
  • The orientation program for new Students.

In addition, the Committee shall:

  • Establish and periodically review the qualifications for a Student to receive academic honors and prizes and advise the office or the individual responsible for the formal programs at which such awards are presented.
  • Originate or receive and make recommendations regarding all changes in policy, criteria, or procedures regarding Student admission and readmission to the undergraduate programs of the Institute.
  • Approve all intercollegiate schedules of extracurricular activities, such as athletics and debate, including post season athletic events.
  • Approve all institutional functions for which excused absences from classes for the Students involved are to be granted.

 

2.6.11 Student Activities Committee

2.6.11 Student Activities Committee abruneau3

Members
The Student Activities Committee shall consist of:

  • Five (5) members of the Academic Faculty;
  • the Dean of Students;
  • One (1) graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association; and
  • Two (2) undergraduate Students with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Academic Faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint the Secretary from among the remaining members of the Committee.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Receive and consider all proposed changes in any Constitution of the Student Body and make appropriate recommendations to the Academic Faculty.
  • Consider for approval all charters of student organizations recommended by the Student Government Association and make appropriate recommendations to the Academic Faculty.
  • Originate or receive, review, and recommend to the Academic Faculty all changes in regulations for the Student Government concerning social fraternities and sororities, clubs, societies, student housing, student publications, intramural athletics, the Georgia Tech Student Center, and other student organizations and activities.
  • Review all proposals from the Student Government to the President recommending the amount and distribution of student activities fees.

 

2.6.12 Student Grievance and Appeal Committee

2.6.12 Student Grievance and Appeal Committee abruneau3

Members
The Student Grievance and Appeal Committee shall consist of:

  • Three (3) members elected from the Academic Faculty, including two (2) tenured or tenure-track; and
  • One (1) Undergraduate Student with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association; and
  • One (1) Graduate Student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Academic Faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint the Secretary from among the remaining members of the Committee.

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Carry out duties associated with the Grievance Process as specified in Section XX of the Rules and Regulations in the Georgia Tech Catalog.  Specifically
    • The Committee shall appoint an outside member of the Academic Faculty to serve on an ad hoc appeal committee constituted at the school, college or unit level.
    • The Committee shall act as a second level of appeal in such decisions if requested by a student, as specified in the Rules and Regulations section of the Georgia Tech Catalog (XX.C.3).
  • Develop and, with the approval of the Academic Faculty Senate, establish and publish its own rules of procedures for the conduct of formal hearings.

The Committee may:

  • Act on its own cognizance, or upon request of any Student or group of Students, to specify or review grievances, suggestions, or criticisms concerning any matter relevant to the Institute that is not resolved by other mechanisms set out in Section 4.7 of the Faculty Handbook.  It may weigh and evaluate the material and transmit constructive recommendations to appropriate individuals, offices, committees or groups.

In its distributed minutes and in the annual report of its activities and findings, the Committee shall preserve the anonymity of individuals by generalizing the issues involved and the actions taken.

2.6.13 Student Honor Committee

2.6.13 Student Honor Committee abruneau3

Members
The Student Honor Committee shall consist of:

  • Twelve (12) members elected from the Academic Faculty, including at least nine (9) tenured or tenure-track;
  • Six (6) undergraduate Students with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association; and
  • Three (3) graduate Students selected by the Graduate Student Government Association.

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the Academic Faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint the Secretary from among the remaining members of the Committee.
 

Duties
Cases involving alleged dishonesty in academic matters on the part of a Student shall be heard and decided by a Hearing Panel formed from members of the Committee.

  • This Panel shall be composed of three (3) or four (4) Academic Faculty members, of whom a majority should be tenured or tenure-track, and two (2) or three (3) Students with at least one (1) Student from the same group as the accused (undergraduate or graduate). 
  • Each Panel shall have a Chair appointed by the Chair of the Student Honor Committee from among the faculty members on the Panel. 
  • The decision in the case shall be transmitted to the office, or offices, responsible for recording it, for notifying the Student officially, and for implementing the action.

In its distributed minutes and in the annual report of its activities and findings, the Committee shall preserve the anonymity of individuals by generalizing the issues involved and the actions taken.

 

2.6.14 Student Computer Ownership Committee

2.6.14 Student Computer Ownership Committee abruneau3

Members
The Student Computer Ownership Committee shall consist of

  • Five (5) members elected by the Academic Faculty;
  • One (1) Student of freshman standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association;
  • One (1) other Student selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association;
  • One (1) representative from the Office of Information Technology;
  • One (1) representative from the Georgia Tech Computer Store; and
  • One (1) representative from Auxiliary Services representing the Residential Networking group.

All members shall have the right to vote.  The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected Academic Faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint the Secretary from among the remaining members of the Committee.

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • At least annually, review and update the standard hardware specifications for a minimally-configured student computer.
  • Originate or receive all requests to add or delete specific software from the standard software suite used by the Georgia Tech community, make recommendations to the Academic Faculty regarding any significant modifications to the standard software suite, and adopt on its own discretion any minor modifications and/or revisions to the standard software suite.
  • Review annually all student computer support procedures, originate or receive all requests to modify these procedures, make recommendations for minor changes or revisions to the appropriate Administrative unit, and make recommendations for any significant changes to the Academic Faculty.
  • Originate or receive and make recommendations to the Academic Faculty regarding any changes to the Student Computer Ownership policy.
  • Assist in the establishment and promotion of activities that encourage the use of computers in education.

 

2.6.15 Academic Integrity Committee

2.6.15 Academic Integrity Committee abruneau3

Members
The Academic Integrity Committee shall consist of:

  • Three (3) members elected from the Academic Faculty, including at least two (2) tenured or tenure-track;
  • The Chair of the Student Honor Committee;
  • One (1) undergraduate student with at least junior standing selected by the Undergraduate Student Government Association;
  • One (1) graduate student selected by the Graduate Student Government Association; and
  • The student Chair of the Student Honor Advisory Council. 

The Chair shall be elected annually by the Committee from among the elected faculty members.  The Chair shall appoint the Secretary from among the remaining members of the Committee.
 

Duties
The Committee shall:

  • Assess and benchmark the nature of academic misconduct at Georgia Tech and in the nation.
  • Examine, assess, and recommend to the Academic Faculty methods and programs that can enhance the level of academic integrity at Georgia Tech.
  • Review, assess, and benchmark the current organizational structure, processes, and procedures for enforcing the Student Honor Code and for hearing cases of academic misconduct.  The Committee shall make appropriate recommendations to the Academic Faculty to improve this system.
  • May investigate and recommend to the Academic Faculty alternate methods of dispute resolution that could enhance the administration of the Student Honor Code at Georgia Tech.
  • Work in parallel with the Student Honor Advisory Council to promote the Student Honor Code as an integral part of academic values at Georgia Tech.