School Committees

The Faculty Advisory Committee (hereinafter “FAC”) is structured and operates as described in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  The FAC includes all eligible members of the tenure track faculty.  Prior to the start of each academic year and fall semester, the Tenure Track CBA provides that the tenured and tenure-track faculty of the School shall decide whether and to what extent full-time non-tenure track (NTT) faculty shall be represented on the FAC. 

The FAC is convened at least once per term by the Director who, in consultation with the FAC, sets the agenda for its meetings.  FAC members may request that items be added to the agenda.  Additional meetings of the FAC may be called by the Director, as needed or upon a request by at least one-half of the members of the FAC.  The FAC elects one (1) tenured faculty member to serve as the School’s representative to the College Advisory Committee (hereinafter “CAC”).

The Graduate Studies Committee (hereinafter “GSC”) includes the following faculty members:

• The Graduate Coordinator, who serves as the GSC Chair.
• A minimum of three faculty members elected from those possessing Graduate Faculty Status in the School.
• Members will serve a 2-year term with one rotating off each, providing continuity of at least two members from year-to-year.

The GSC assists the Graduate Coordinator with the oversight and development of the School’s graduate program.  The GSC is responsible for evaluating applications for admission and evaluating and recommending individuals for graduate appointments.  The GSC is also responsible for monitoring the progress and academic performance of graduate students in the School.  The GSC reviews proposals for new graduate courses, changes in course content and related curricular matters, and conducts periodic reviews of the School’s graduate program as a whole.  In matters of curriculum, the GSC makes its recommendations to the School Curriculum Committee, who then make recommendations to the FAC.

The School Curriculum Committee (hereinafter “CC”) shall consider all curricular proposals, including Workshop and Special Topic courses or academic issues such as blanket substitutions.  Any faculty member or the faculty as a whole may propose items for discussion.  Curricular proposals approved by the FAC shall be recommended to the Director and, upon his/her approval, forwarded to the College Curriculum Committee (hereinafter “CCC”) for consideration.  The chair of the School’s CC is the de facto representative to the CCC.

The policies and procedures which govern the School’s Ad Hoc Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion (hereinafter “RTP”) Committee are included in University Policy.  Procedural and operational guidelines for this committee are provided annually by the Office of the Provost.  This committee reviews materials relevant to the professional performance of faculty who are candidates for reappointment, tenure, or promotion in rank, and to make recommendations to the Director on each of these personnel decisions.  The recommendations of this committee and the Director, together with the materials assembled for the committees, are forwarded to the Dean of the College.

The Student Academic Complaint Committee is appointed by the FAC.  The Undergraduate Program Coordinator serves as the Chair of the Student Academic Complaint Committee.  The policies and procedures of this committee are governed by University Policy 3342-4-02.3, including but not limited to the addition of at least one (1) student representative to the committee.  An undergraduate student will be added to the committee for complaints from undergraduate courses and a graduate student will be added to the committee for complaints from graduate courses. 

In the event that a member of the Student Academic Complaint Committee is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the FAC will select a replacement from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty.  If the Assistant to the Director is the subject of or may otherwise be involved with a student complaint, the Director will appoint a member of the Student Academic Complaint Committee to chair the committee and the FAC will appoint an additional member to the committee from the full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty.

The Director may establish, charge, and appoint the membership of ad-hoc committees and other necessary assignments as required for the operations of the School.  In establishing ad-hoc committees, naming members, and designating a committee Chair, the Director shall consult with the FAC.  The Director will welcome requests and preferences from the faculty before establishing and making appointments to ad-hoc committees and assignments.

The following are examples of the School’s various Ad-Hoc Committees and Assignments.  This list is illustrative and not considered all inclusive.

• FDM Scholarship Committee
• Faculty and Staff Recognition and Awards Committee
• FDM BFA Committee
• FDM Research Culture Fund Committee
• FDM Destination Kent State/FYE Course/Advising
• FDM Development/Advancement
• Library Liaison
• Fashion Student Organization (FSO) Advisor
• Modista Student Organization Advisor