Academic Senate

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Standing Committees of the UIUC Senate
and Other Bodies

For detailed descriptions, see Senate Bylaws, Parts D, E, and F.

Senate Executive Committee (SEC) initiates and guides the work of the Senate, coordinates and reviews activities of Senate standing and ad hoc committees, prepares the agenda for Senate meetings, reports to the faculty at the annual meeting, and performs other duties as specified by the Senate. Faculty members of the SEC are elected by the Senate from among Senate committee chairs. Student members of the SEC are senators and are elected by and from among student senators. The Chair and Vice Chair of the SEC are elected annually by and from among membership of the Senate.

Committee on Committees nominates the appropriate number of persons to serve on the Senate's standing and ad hoc committees, and on other University bodies to which members are designated by the Senate. Also, during the year, the Committee nominates replacements on committees where vacancies occur. Faculty members of the Committee must be senators and are nominated by faculty senators. Student members of the Committee must be senators and are nominated by the student senators.
Academic Freedom and Tenure safeguards the academic freedom of the faculty and the tenure status related to it. It conducts hearings in cases involving dismissal of tenured faculty and infringement of academic freedom.

Admissions considers matters of policy concerning campus standards and procedures for admission, advises the Director of Admissions and Records, and reviews administrative actions on student petitions.

Budget studies trends in the State and national budgets which may affect the University, the budgets of the University and this campus, the criteria followed in determining budgetary needs and in allocating resources, and the effects of budget decisions on educational quality and policy.

Campus Operations considers problems, needs and concerns pertaining to campus administrative operations that affect academic activities and the academic environment, examines trends in campus operations in higher education and recommends appropriate changes in campus policy, and serves in a broad advisory capacity to the Executive Director of Facilities and Services.

Conference on Conduct Governance reviews standards of conduct and initiates and recommends the adoption of rules it deems desirable.

Educational Policy examines matters such as degree programs, curricula changes, degree requirements, grading regulations, review and evaluation of experimental educational programs, budgetary implications of the foregoing, and other policy issues.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion develops, encourages, and evaluates equal opportunity and affirmative action programs and guidelines directed toward improving the status of underrepresented, disadvantaged or marginalized groups.

Faculty and Academic Staff Benefits investigates and reports on provisions for salaries, retirement benefits, sabbatical leaves, health insurance, life insurance, investment and savings plans, travel reimbursement, housing benefits, educational benefits, and employment conditions. (Students do not serve on this Committee.)

General University Policy studies and reports on such matters as size and composition of the student body, budget trends as related to the quality of the University, educational policy as it relates to changes of academic units, allocation of resources among units, and formulation of policy in anticipation of major societal changes.

Honorary Degrees initiates and reviews nominations for honorary degrees, making recommendations to Senate.

Information Technology identifies and considers needs, concerns, and trends pertaining to campus information technology issues, recommends desirable changes in campus policy, and serves in a broad advisory capacity to the campus chief information officer.

Library advises the campus Librarian on allocation of the Library budget and on formulation and execution of operating policies.

The Military Education Council reviews the military education curriculum and staff appointments and ensures academic freedom within military departments.

Public Engagement examines trends in public engagement here and in higher education generally, making appropriate recommendations.

Student Discipline is responsible for the conduct of the judicial functions of the student conduct governance system.

The University Senates Conference is a University-wide body composed of faculty representatives from each campus Senate. The Senate Committee on University Senates Conference keeps the Senate informed concerning matters before the Conference and represents the interests of the Senate in the Conference.

University Statutes and Senate Procedures reviews proposed amendments to the University Statutes, the Senate Constitution and Bylaws, and General Rules Concerning University Organization and Procedure.

University Student Life advises the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs on needs and concerns of students, and reviews campus recreational programs and facilities, making appropriate recommendations.