Academic Committees Operating Procedures
The Academic Committees of the University System of Georgia are designated by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Presently, there are 24 Academic Committees.
Membership of Academic Committees
The membership of each academic committee consists of one voting member appointed by the President of each institution offering work in the field with which the committee is concerned. The term of office of all members of academic committees is one year or until the expiration of the period of appointment to the committee if the latter is less than the former. Committee members are eligible for reappointment by their institution. The chairperson of each academic committee is elected by the voting membership.
If, after appointment to a standing academic committee, a member is unable to serve, the substitute will be appointed through regular channels i.e. from the President of the institution to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Each committee has an Executive Committee that represents the leadership of the committee and that may serve as the final decision-making voice of the committee. Some committees, for example, have an Executive Committee composed of the past president, current president and president-elect of the committee. Other configurations also exist.
All standing academic committees have at least one USG liaison designated by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The liaison:
- attends the meetings of the academic committee
- maintains a file of committee activities and
- assists in the coordination of recommendations, studies, and reports of the committee to assure that actions of the committee are forwarded to the appropriate group for consideration.
Academic Committee Functions
The function of the academic committees is:
- to study the curricula and programs of instruction in the discipline or disciplines within the purview of the committee
- to make reports and recommendations concerning the improvement of instruction and the curriculum
- to exchange information and ideas
- to improve articulation and coordination between units of the University System and
- to consider any other matters requested by the Executive Vice Chancellor or his/her representatives.
Academic Committee Meetings
Academic Committees are requested to meet at least once/academic year, and more often if necessary. Committees may transact business by email or correspondence in lieu of meetings at a specified location. Expenses for travel by a member of an academic committee to a committee meeting will be paid by the institution.
Submitting Academic Committee Meeting Minutes
- Within two weeks after an Academic Committee meeting, minutes should be sent electronically to all committee members (including the USG liaison) for review.
- Any additions, deletions and/or corrections are incorporated into the minutes by the Committee secretary and are electronically redistributed to the committee membership and USG liaison for final approval. This should be accomplished within four-six weeks of the meeting.
- The USG liaison will forward the approved minutes of the committee, and any committee recommendations (see standard form) to Pat Wright for posting on the USG website. The Chief Academic Officers will be notified as minutes are posted.
- Committee recommendations requiring consideration within the USG will be forwarded by the liaison to the appropriate committee for consideration and action.
- The USG liaison will notify the Academic Committee of decisions on recommendations.
Reviewed Sept. 26, 2007