PROPOSALS
APPROVED BY THE FACULTY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Thesis and Dissertation Procedures
The Faculty Council approves of the proposal from the COSS Directors of Graduate Study to
modify the rules regarding composition of committees for theses and dissertations, and
recommends it approval by the Administrative Council, as follows:
“… to allow one member of the three person dissertation of thesis committee to be
selected from outside the University of West Georgia. This third member must have a
doctorate in a related field and must be willing to serve on the committee without
compensation, and must provide consent in writing to this effect. Department chairs and
committee chairs will each be responsible for vetting and authorizing the selection of a
third reviewer. Non-UWG committee members may participate in person or virtually
through the use of audio or video communication technologies, such as Skype.”
2 Strategic Planning
The Faculty Council approves the draft of the Mission, Vision, Goals and Action Steps statement
from the COSS Strategic Planning Committee and recommends its approval by the
Administrative Council, with the following proposed revisions:
EDITING TO THE VISION STATEMENT:
COSS will be a recognized leader in creating a collaborative learning and research culture,
promoting community engagement, attracting an increased proportion of talented and
passionate students and faculty. COSS will provide distinctive and sought out programs
and graduates, leading to an expanded and diversified resource base.
ADDITIONS TO THE ACTION STEPS:
ACTION STEP 2.c.
To enhance students’ awareness of global issues, promoting their understanding of such
concerns within broader social, political and cultural frameworks.
ACTION STEP 2.d.
To cultivate advanced oral and written communication skills of students.
ACTION STEP 4.d.
To effectively utilize campus media (UTV13, The West Georgian, The WOLF Internet
Radio) and the student-managed public relations firm to promote and showcase academic
success and extracurricular endeavors to the campus, alumni, and global communities.
3. Course and Program Modifications
The Faculty Council approves the following proposed course and program changes:
a. modify title and description of POLI 3102
b. modify the area F requirements of the B.A. degree in Political Science
c. modify the area F requirements of the B.S. degree in Political Science
d. eliminate the pre-major in Sociology
4. PWLA Credits
The Faculty Council approves the use of up to two credits of PWLA 1600 to count toward credit
totals for graduation. Other PWLA courses should not be included for such purpose.
FOR INFORMATION
1. The Faculty Council endorses the reinstitution of the publication Studies in the Social Sciences
by COSS, and will work closely with its newly appointed editorial team.
2. The Faculty Council approves internal operating procedures involving the creation of three ad
hoc subcommittees (see Appendix 1), with membership as follows:
Academic Affairs: Jim Dillion, Pam Hunt, Kay Marden
Planning: Chris Aanstoos, Cathi Jenks, Brad Yates
Faculty Development: Stan Caress, Tom Hunter, Soo Moon
3. The Faculty Council accepts the charge, granted to it by the Dean and the Administrative
Council, to be the body that will determine the awarding of internally funded faculty research
grants. It charged its Faculty Development Committee with the task of drafting proposed
procedures to be presented to the Council at its next meeting.
4. The Faculty Council will next meet on October 19. All proposed course and program
modifications should be posted to the web site by October 12, and all other agenda items
should be sent to Chris Aanstoos (aanstoos@westga.edu) by that date.
APPENDIX 1
INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL SCHEMA OF THE FACULTY COUNCIL:
THREE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES
Academic Affairs
Tasks: 1) receiving and evaluating all proposals for course and program modifications, additions
and deletions; 2) developing proposals related to Honors programs; 3) developing proposals
related to academic policies and academic advisement; 4) interfacing with the Undergraduate
Programs, Graduate Programs, Honors Programs and Academic Policies committees of the
Faculty Senate on all matters of interest to COSS.
Planning
Tasks: 1) developing any proposed changes to the Bylaws; 2) organizing, supervising and
certifying the college-wide elections for Faculty Senate and Faculty Council in the Spring; 3)
consulting with the Dean on matters of budget; 4) developing proposals with regard to issues of
strategic planning; 5) developing proposals on matters of the library and other campus facilities
and services; 6) developing proposals or matters of information technology and serve as the
liaison with the office of ITS; 7) interfacing with the Rules, Budget, Strategic Planning,
Technology and the Facilities and Services committees of the Faculty Senate on all matters of
interest to COSS.
Faculty Development
Tasks: 1) developing proposals on matters of faculty development; 2) organizing, supervising
and certifying the election of members to the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Advisory
Committee in the Fall; 3) developing proposals regarding issues of tenure, promotion and posttenure review; 4) developing any proposed changes to the Policies and Procedures; 5)
developing proposals on matters of student affairs, alumni relations, and university relations; 6)
interfacing with the Faculty Development, Student Affairs, Intercollegiate Athletics and the
University Relations committees of the Faculty Senate on all matters of interest to COSS.