UH - Hilo Academic Affairs
Faculty Governance – Responsibilities and Relations
Version dated May 5, 2006
(Original draft written by VCAA and subsequently modified by the 2005-2006 Congress Executive
Committee. This document should be reviewed by the Senates, the Graduate Council, and the 2006-2007
Congress.)
I. Introduction
With the creation of the Congress and the Graduate Council, faculty governance at UH-Hilo
entered a new era. There is some unfinished business, however, in the defining the roles of these
bodies. Without some clear-cut guidelines there is the potential for duplication of effort,
increased bureaucracy, and even conflict over responsibility and authority. This document
attempts to identify areas where duplication or conflict is likely and to propose solutions to these
potential problems. The broad areas covered here are:
1. Curriculum
2. Admissions and graduation requirements
3. Organization, planning and evaluation
4. Graduate education
There is general agreement that issues affecting only one college should be dealt with by the
faculty governance body of that unit. But issues are not always defined in such a sharp manner.
For instance, the introduction of a new course can be viewed as requiring the allocation of
additional resources and thus there is the possibility that funds will be diverted from one campus
entity to another. Finally, it is acknowledged the senates, congress, and the graduate council
merely make policy recommendations to the Deans, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
(VCAA) and the Chancellor. Under ordinary circumstances the Deans and Chancellor are
obligated to implement the recommended policies. If there are extraordinary circumstances,
however, the Deans and Chancellor may choose not to implement the recommendations. In the
later case, they must provide a prompt written explanation of the reasons for adverse action.
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In this white paper, we shall present general principles or procedures knowing that they are
subject to interpretation. We will then explain through discussion and example how these
principles and procedures should be applied. The governing principles are:
a) efficiency and lack of redundancy;
b) clear delineation of responsibilities and prerogatives;
c) clear explanation of how issues are routed from one entity to another
There are three levels of faculty governance entailed in graduate issues – Senates, Graduate
Council, and Congress. The senates advise the Deans, the Graduate Council advises the VCAA,
and the Congress advises the Chancellor (who may delegate to the VCAA). Having two
University wide bodies consider an issue introduces an unnecessary redundancy. Only issues
having substantial impact should be given such scrutiny. Examples of such high impact issues
include the introduction of new graduate programs and compensation for graduate instruction.
The decision on issues to be considered by Congress should be made by the Chair of Congress
with the advice of the Chair of the Graduate Council. The VCAA may ask for advice from a
body that has decided not to consider and issue.
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II. Undergraduate Curriculum
II.A Courses and Programs
Matters of curriculum including courses, course content, prerequisites, and requirements for
majors and minors and certificatesare the purview of the appropriate College Senate. The
senates have the responsibility for providing oversight to assure the academic quality of courses
and programs under their perview.
In matters transcending two or more Colleges, such as a multidisciplinary program, the
responsible Senates must agree. Thus, proposals will be considered by the Senates of the
participating colleges prior to action by the Congress.
The Congress will have authority and responsibility over curricular issues in some special
circumstances. These include the introduction of new degrees, campus-wide general education
requirements, programs offered in conjunction with other institutions including joint degrees and
programs employing faculty not in the UHH tenure system, and programs reasonably expected to
alter the mission of the University.
II.B Admission and Graduation Requirements
Congress shall establish minimum entrance requirements and graduation requirements for all
baccalaureate programs. Similarly, the Graduate Council will specify these requirements for
graduate programs. Individual colleges may elect to impose additional admissions or graduation
requirements.
Individual colleges may elect to sponsor special opportunity programs for undergraduate
students that would not otherwise meet admissions criteria. Such programs must include
components such as specified criteria, faculty review panel, and availability of support services.
Special opportunity programs must undergo periodic review by the Congress Admissions
Committee.
Discussion
Minimum admissions requirements may be specified in terms of previous degrees, grade point
averages, and test scores. Graduation requirements include grade point averages, number of
units completed, residency, transfer credit, and so forth.
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III. Graduate Education
All graduate education issues will be examined by the Graduate Council. Organizationally, the
Graduate Council will replace the Congress as the University wide advisory body on graduate
issues except when those issues have exceptional University wide impact. In those cases, first
the Graduate Council and then the Congress will consider the issues. The recommendations of
both bodies will be forwarded to the VCAA.
On issues wholly contained within one academic unit, the Senate will first consider the issues
and then the Graduate Council. The recommendations of both bodies will be forwarded to the
appropriate Dean.
The graduate council has the responsibility to ensure the academic quality of all graduate courses
and programs. In this capacity, it will provide oversight over the creation, modification, and
deletion of graduate programs and courses. The graduate council does not need to consult with
the congress when terminating a graduate program due to academic or fiscal deficits.
IV. Matters Potentially Spanning More than One Governance Body
While it is not possible to anticipate all the possible curricular issues that may significantly
impact the mission and reputation of UH-Hilo, there are some that, although confined to a single
college, may require campus wide attention. Entering into agreements with other institutions
that will provide part of our students’ instruction or employ our faculty are examples of actions
that should receive such attention.
IV.A. New Degrees and Programs
The introduction of a new degree, rather than a new major within a degree, is a change of
sufficient impact on the mission and resources of UH-Hilo that the attention of both the
responsible Senates and the Congress is required. In particular, the introduction of graduate
degrees is changing the role of UH-Hilo. These programs should be chosen carefully and there
should be assurance of success through the application of proper resources, sustainability,
congruence with the University Mission/Strategic Plan, and the guarantee of sufficient
enrollments.
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When a senate or the graduate council recommends the introduction of a new degree or graduate
program, the proposal is then routed to Congress. The recommendations of both governing
bodies is forwarded to the VCAA. As a matter of principle, the whomever proposes a new
degree, new undergraduate program, or new graduate program has a responsibility to broadly
disseminate information about the proposed program at the time that “permission to plan” is
sought, or at the time that discussions with outside parties regarding funding is initiated.
Congress has a responsibility to evaluate proposed new programs and degrees in light of the
strategic plan.
IV. B General Education
General education policy can be thought of as a two step process: the first is the setting of
general requirements, and the second is the implementation of the general requirements. The
Congress shall set the general requirements and the Senates shall determine which of its courses
can be used to meet these requirements. Congress has the responsibility for establishing the core
General Education requirements that all UHH students must meet. Colleges have the right to add
additional General Education or graduation requirements for students in a particular college.
IV.C Dual-Seated Graduate-Undergraduate Courses
A dual-seated course is one which consists of a 600 level course that meets simultaneously with
a 400 level course with the same title. Both the graduate council and the relevant senate must
approve such courses and both governing bodies are responsible for maintaining academic rigor.
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V. Organization, Planning and Evaluation
V.A
Organization
The Congress will advise on the creation, deletion, combining, splitting or other modification of
academic units except in the case where the units undergoing reorganization are wholly
contained within a single entity having a faculty governance body.
Discussion
Applying the principle of empowering the lowest level unit with appropriate span of authority, a
reorganization of the College of Arts and Sciences into three colleges would be under the aegis
of the CAS Senate and Dean. If, however, the reorganization also including the combining of
the Natural Sciences Division and the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources, it
would need to be considered by both Senates and the Congress.
V.B
Academic Program Evaluation
The Congress will be responsible for providing guidance on procedures for academic program
evaluation. The VCAA will be responsible for initiation and oversight of program
review and providing the necessary resources.
V.B
Strategic Plan
Insofar as the strategic plan is broader than any academic unit, the chancellor holds the
responsibility for overseeing the development, review, and assessment of the strategic plan.
Congress and the senates shall provide feedback and recommendations when requested.
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