Faculty Senate Committees and Councils
Much of the work of the Faculty Senate takes place through its standing councils and committees. Faculty Senators serve on committees that address issues affecting faculty governance, academic affairs, research, teaching and learning, institutional policy, faculty welfare, and the broader university community.
These committees collaborate to advance the university’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Together, they identify emerging issues, review existing practices, and develop recommendations that are brought before the Senate for consideration and action.
This collaborative structure ensures that the voices of faculty and students are represented in university governance and decision-making.
The councils and committees below reflect the areas of work and responsibility established in the Faculty Senate Bylaws.
Select a committee to learn more about its role and responsibilities.
The Executive Council serves as the Faculty Senate’s leadership and coordinating body between meetings of the full Senate. It represents the Senate in meetings with university administration and other groups and addresses necessary business between regularly scheduled Senate meetings. The Executive Council helps coordinate appointments to Faculty Senate councils and committees, establishes ad hoc committees when needed, and advises the Faculty Senate President on faculty participation in searches for campus and system administrative positions. The Council also considers short- and long-range educational policies, particularly as they relate to university budget priorities. Each year, the Executive Council reviews the Faculty Senate Bylaws and recommends any needed amendments to the Senate for consideration.
The Access and Engagement Committee supports an engaged and accessible environment for all members of the Volunteer community. The Committee collaborates with other Faculty Senate committees, commissions, task forces, and university partners on efforts that promote access, engagement, and inclusion across campus. The Committee also reviews campus policies and practices related to access and engagement and offers recommendations for revisions when appropriate.
The Appeals Committee reviews cases involving concerns about due process and fairness in faculty employment and evaluation. The Committee gathers evidence and makes recommendations to the Chief Academic Officer or other university administrators regarding cases within its jurisdiction, following the processes outlined in the Faculty Handbook. The Committee’s responsibilities include cases involving tenure and promotion decisions, annual and cumulative performance reviews, and alleged violations of provisions in the Faculty Handbook or college and departmental bylaws. The Committee may also address other matters related to faculty grievances, disputes, performance, and employment as described in the Faculty Handbook.
The Athletics Committee considers the academic aspects of intercollegiate athletics and the university’s intramural athletics programs. The Committee may also address other athletics-related matters that are appropriate to its role and fall within the purview of the Faculty Senate.
The Awards and Professional Development Committee oversees the process for recognizing excellence in instruction and advising through the Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching and Advising/Mentoring Awards. The Committee also advises the administration on initiatives that support faculty professional development in teaching and research, and monitors and evaluates related programs and activities. It collaborates with other Faculty Senate, campus, and university groups on issues related to faculty and staff development.
The Faculty Affairs Committee concerns itself with faculty governance policies and practices, including the development and refinement of policies and procedures related to faculty appointment, promotion, retention, evaluation, tenure, retirement, and termination. The Committee reviews proposed revisions to the Faculty Handbook and its appendices and recommends changes in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook. It also considers other policies and practices that guide the work of faculty, including departmental bylaws and UT System policies. The Committee’s work is guided by the Trustees’ Policies Governing Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure and by faculty governance best practices in higher education, including those identified and promoted by the American Association of University Professors. Subcommittees The Faculty Affairs Committee includes two standing subcommittees that focus on issues affecting different faculty groups: Tenure-Track Issues Subcommittee Non-Tenure-Track Issues Subcommittee
Focuses on policies and procedures affecting tenure-track faculty, including appointment, promotion, retention, evaluation, tenure, retirement, and related provisions of the Faculty Handbook.
Focuses on policies and issues affecting non-tenure-track faculty, including appointment, compensation, benefits, promotion, retention, evaluation, shared governance, retirement, and termination.
The Faculty Communication Committee works to foster and enhance communication among faculty, the Faculty Senate, university administration, and external stakeholders. The Committee helps share information about Faculty Senate activities across the Senate’s caucuses and promotes communication and collaboration among faculty across academic and administrative units. The Committee also serves as the Faculty Senate’s nominations and appointments arm, working with the Faculty Senate President-Elect and the Senate’s caucuses to recruit nominees for open Senate positions and other faculty representative roles. Members also engage with deans, communications professionals, and other administrative leaders within their units to support communication and faculty engagement around unit planning and university initiatives.
The Finance and Benefits Committee provides faculty input and expertise on university budgeting and financial matters and makes recommendations to the Faculty Senate on issues affecting faculty benefits and welfare. The Committee analyzes budget and salary data, helps identify trends and priorities, and works with other Faculty Senate committees and university groups on financial and budget-related matters. The Committee also examines issues related to retirement, leave, insurance, and other faculty benefits and makes recommendations to the Faculty Senate. It collaborates with university task forces, councils, and committees addressing similar issues. Subcommittees The Committee includes two subcommittees that may meet together or separately as needed: Finance Subcommittee Benefits Subcommittee
Provides faculty input into the university budgeting process, analyzes and communicates budget and salary information, and considers both short- and long-term financial priorities affecting the university and its faculty.
Examines issues related to retirement, leave, faculty welfare, insurance, and other fringe benefits and develops recommendations for consideration by the Faculty Senate.
The Graduate Council is charged by the Faculty Senate to set standards for graduate admission, retention, and graduation; assess curricular revisions and new proposals for graduate programs; evaluate interdisciplinary, intercollegiate and international programs; and consider new initiatives and other matters of policy pertaining to graduate programs. Its structure and activities are governed by its Bylaws, which are adopted and amended by the membership of the Graduate Council and include rules consistent with these Bylaws. The Graduate Council’s bylaws and roster can be found on their website.
The Institutional Affairs and Infrastructure Committee provides faculty input on the resources, policies, and planning that support teaching, research, and service at the university. The Committee considers issues related to the University Libraries, information and educational technology, teaching and research spaces, campus buildings and renovations, institutional strategic planning, and UT System policies and initiatives that affect faculty work. The Committee also considers legislative issues that affect the university and its faculty and keeps the Faculty Senate informed about developments related to institutional resources, infrastructure, and planning. Subcommittees Subcommittees are established by the Committee Chair(s) each year or as needed and may include: Library and Information Technology Subcommittee University/System Relations Subcommittee Master Plan Subcommittee
Provides faculty input to the University Libraries and Office of Information Technology on policies, services, and resources that support teaching, research, and service. The Subcommittee also keeps the Faculty Senate informed about developments affecting library and information technology services.
Provides faculty input on issues involving the University of Tennessee System, the Board of Trustees, and the Tennessee legislature, including matters related to research, ORNL, information technology, and the Cherokee Campus. The Subcommittee also works with the Finance and Benefits Committee on matters related to the UT System budget.
Represents the Faculty Senate in the development of campus master plans by participating in discussions, town halls, and other planning activities. The Subcommittee works with Faculty Senate leadership to support faculty participation in campus planning and reports to the Senate on the development and status of the master plan.
The Research Council promotes excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The Council recommends policies and advocates for the needs of faculty engaged in research and creative work, while advising university administrative units on issues affecting the research community. The Council considers a broad range of research-related policies and resources, including research funding and incentives, interdisciplinary collaboration, intellectual property, research infrastructure and facilities, computational resources, and compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. It also addresses policies related to the protection of investigators, human research participants, experimental animals, and environmental and occupational health and safety. The Council supports efforts to communicate and celebrate research and creative achievements across campus and beyond. It also participates in the administration and review of research programs and recommends recipients for several university research awards, including the Chancellor’s Awards for Research and Creative Achievement, Professional Promise in Research and Creative Achievement, and Success in Multidisciplinary Research.
The Shared Governance Committee brings together representatives of the Faculty Senate, Student Government Association, Graduate Student Senate, and Staff Advisory Group to share information, discuss concerns, and identify issues of common interest across the university community. The Committee works collaboratively to strengthen shared governance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It may bring shared concerns to university administrators, recommend issues for consideration by the participating governance bodies, and meet with administrators to address matters of mutual concern. The Committee does not vote or bring resolutions or action items to the Faculty Senate. Instead, it serves as a forum for communication and collaboration among the university’s faculty, students, and staff and provides a shared perspective to university leadership through reports issued twice each year.
The Teaching and Learning Council works to advance excellence in teaching and academic advising at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The Council considers issues related to recognizing and rewarding quality instruction and advising, improving teaching and advising at the campus and departmental levels, and developing guidelines for the evaluation of teaching, academic advising, and curriculum. The Council examines policies and practices related to teaching and works with the Chief Academic Officer to recognize excellence in teaching and advising. In collaboration with Teaching & Learning Innovation and the Graduate School, the Council develops programs and practical strategies to support and improve teaching and advising across the university.
The Undergraduate Council is charged by the Faculty Senate with establishing standards for undergraduate admission, retention, and graduation; reviewing undergraduate curricular matters; developing interdisciplinary programs; approving new programs; and considering other educational policies affecting undergraduate programs. The Council’s structure and activities are governed by its Operating Guidelines, which are adopted and amended by the Council’s membership and are consistent with the Faculty Senate Bylaws. The Council reports its substantive actions to the Faculty Senate through the Executive Council. Actions involving curricular or academic policy are subject to review and approval by the Executive Council and the Faculty Senate. More information can be found at the Undergraduate Council’s website.