Faculty Committees
Standing faculty committees, through their representative nature and through the work in
which they engage, embody essential components of healthy shared governance at Fort Lewis
College. Members of faculty committees serve two-year terms with no limit on reappointment
(Faculty Handbook, Part I, Article VI, §2). Committee chairs are elected by the voting faculty
of a committee and serve a one-year term which may be renewed up to four successive terms
((Faculty Handbook, Part I, Article VI, §3). The Faculty Senate may provide special charges
to standing faculty committees as necessary and may suggest to the College Administration
special charges for College committees. As dictated by the Faculty Handbook (Part I, Article
VI, §2) ex-officio members serve in an advisory, informational, liaison, but non-voting
capacity.

Academic Policy Committee

Academic Standards Committee

Advising Committee (Inactive)

Assessment Committee

Awards Committee

Committee on the Status of Women Faculty

Curriculum Committee

Faculty Handbook Committee

Faculty Policy Committee

Faculty Senate Executive Committee

Liberal Arts Core Council

Graduate/Post Graduate Academic Policy Committee

Grievance Council

Honors Council
Academic Policy Committee
Charge: This Committee creates a forum for the faculty to work in collaboration with
academic administration to develop a comprehensive set of academic policies and procedures.
This charge outlines the goals of the committee and its membership.
Goals
The enduring concern of the Academic Policy Committee is ensuring the quality of the learning
experience and the integrity of the Fort Lewis College degree, and advancing an institutional
perspective and practice in all areas of academic affairs.
The initial goals for the committee will be to:

Establish a common format for the articulation of policies and procedures

Develop an effective communication system for engagement with draft policies and
procedures by faculty, academic administration, students, and staff in other
divisions.

Develop a systematic approval process reflecting the shared governance of academic
policy and procedure.

Develop an effective notification system for the communication of finalized policies
and procedures to the same groups.

Draft and bring forward for discussion and approval policies and procedures required
to meet the requirements of the Higher Learning Commission, state statute and
policy, and federal statute and policy.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments, major issues discussed, and recommendations, if any, for alterations to the
charge.
Membership:
The Committee shall consist of the following eight members appointed by the SEC:

Member of Academic Standards Committee (convener)

Member of Curriculum Committee

Member of Assessment Committee

Member of Faculty Handbook Committee

Member of Liberal Arts Core Council

1 faculty member each from the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business
Administration, and Department of Teacher Education not currently serving on
any of the committees listed above.

Ex officio- 1 student member selected by the Associated Students of Fort Lewis
College

Ex officio -- Provost

Ex officio -- Member of Deans Council selected by the Provost

Ex Officio -- Registrar

By invitation -- Higher Learning Commission Criteria Team Leaders

By invitation -- Director of eLearning

By invitation -- Director of Assessment
Current Members:
TBD
Academic Standards Committee
Charge: This Committee advises the Provost through the Faculty Senate, to which it reports.
Its charge is to maintain and improve the academic standards of the College. The Committee
shall encourage and recognize outstanding scholastic achievement of students; review,
initiate and recommend Academic Standards policies; determine what academic action
(probation level 1, probation level 2, suspension, or dismissal), if any, is appropriate at the
end of each term; monitor the progress of probationary students; hear and judge the cases
of academic dishonesty brought before it by any member of the academic community; hear
and judge the cases of students wishing to appeal academic suspensions or dismissals; and
receive and consider proposals about academic standards from any member of the academic
community.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments, major issues discussed, and recommendations, if any, for alterations to the
charge. Additionally, the committee will submit a more lengthy report by June 1 summarizing
relevant statistics on academic standings, etc.
Membership:
Eight faculty members appointed by SEC as well as ex officio members from relevant
administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee members.
Current Members:
Justin McBrayer (15) (Co-Chair since 2013)
Dawn Mulhern (16) (Co-Chair since 2013)
Beverly Chew (15)
Veronica Furst (16)
Carrie Meyer (15)
Delilah Orr (16)
Kaori Takano (15)
Ryan Smith (16)
Crystal Fankhauser (ex officio – Student Success)
Susan Foster (ex officio - Registrar's Office)
Ken Pepion (ex officio – Administration)
Jenn Wagnon (ex officio - PAA)
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Advising Committee—(Inactive)
Charge: The Advising Committee is charged with serving as a forum for student, faculty,
and administrative concerns with advising; identifying areas for improvement in the
academic advising system; and developing plans to make the identified improvements. The
Committee reports to the Faculty Senate and, therefore, serves as the primary body acting
in shared governance to facilitate discussion of current and proposed advising practices and
priorities College wide.
Current Members: N/A
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Assessment Committee
Charge: The Assessment Committee will work with the Office of Assessment to review 5-year
assessment plans and to request any significant missing information and/or clarifications,
provide feedback, and validate final plans.
Throughout the academic year, Assessment
Committee members will also serve as peer liaisons to departments, as needed, to offer
support and guidance regarding assessment issues.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: Any number of faculty members appointed by SEC as well as ex officio
members from relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee
members.
Current Members:
Suzie Null (15) (Convener)
Rebecca Austin (16)
Erich McAlister (15)
Shawn Meek (16)
Faron Scott (15)
Perry Solheim (16)
Heidi Steltzer (15)
Lisa Snyder - ex officio
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Awards Committee
Charge: The Awards Committee is responsible for choosing the New Faculty Teaching Award,
the Alice Admire Teaching Award, the Featured Scholar and the Roger Peters Distinguished
Professor Award recipients. The Committee notifies colleagues regarding when and how to
apply for these awards.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: The committee will have five members corresponding to the five academic
disciplines as defined for the College Personnel Committee: one from the sciences, one from
the social sciences, one from arts & humanities, one from teacher ed or the library and one
from the school of business.
The members are elected by the faculty in the respective
disciplines. Chair is elected by the committee members.
Current Members:
Election to be conducted after approval of new membership criteria.
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Committee on the Status of Faculty Women
Charge: The Committee on the Status of Women Faculty makes recommendations to the
Faculty Senate on issues pertinent to the status of women faculty. The Committee will advise
the senate and facilitate the implementation of policies, programs, and services that address
issues of concern to women faculty.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: Any number of faculty members appointed by SEC as well as ex officio
members from relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee
members.
Current Members:
Julie Korb (15) (Chair since 13)
John Baranski (16)
Keri Brandt (15)
Michael Fry (16)
Kathleen Hilimire (15)
Sarah Roberts-Cady (16)
Stephanie Owings (15)
Carol Smith (ex officio)
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Curriculum Committee
Charge: The Curriculum Committee assists and supports the faculty in development and
oversight of the curriculum at Fort Lewis College. It initiates, receives, reviews and
recommends actions on proposed curricula and curricular changes including the creation,
elimination or alteration of programs and specific courses. The Committee proactively
communicates to the faculty and the College Administration regarding its policies, procedures
and deadlines. It facilitates fair and transparent curriculum processes and practices that
embody the faculty’s roles and responsibilities for developing and overseeing College curricula
in service to the College mission.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Option 1 Membership: The committee will have ten members appointed by SEC: a faculty
member who also serves on the LAC Council and nine faculty members corresponding to the
five academic disciplines as defined for the College Personnel Committee: two from the
sciences, two from the social sciences, two from arts & humanities, one from teacher ed, one
from the library, and one from the school of business as well as ex officio members from
relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee members.
Option 2 Membership: The committee will have eight faculty members appointed by SEC:
one from the LAC Council, one from the sciences, one from the social sciences, one from arts
& humanities, one from teacher education, one from the library, one from the school of
business, one from an interdisciplinary program, and ex officio members from relevant
administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee members.
Current Members: TBD after membership is settled
John Baranski, arts & humanities (15) (Convener)
Paul Booth, arts & humanities (16)
Lloyd Chittenden, library (15)
Paul Clay, school of business (16)
John Condie, sciences (15)
Gerald Crawford, sciences (16)
Jennifer Gehrman
Kris Greer, teacher ed (16)
Michael Valdez
Theresa Rodrigues (ex officio – Registrar’s Office)
Olivia Burkhart (ex officio – Registrar’s Office)
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Faculty Handbook Committee
Charge: The Faculty Handbook committee is responsible for the review and recommending
revision of the Fort Lewis College Faculty Handbook. The committee will inform the Faculty
Senate when changes to the Handbook are warranted.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: Any number of faculty members appointed by SEC as well as ex officio
members from relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee
members.
Current Members:
Betty Dorr (15) (Convener)
Shere Byrd (16)
Kris Greer (15)
Andrew Gulliford (16)
Susan Moss (15)
Chuck Riggs (16)
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Faculty Policy Committee
Charge: The Faculty Policy Committee will lead discussion and help to provide faculty input
on issues and policies that concern faculty, for example, faculty salary, faculty course load,
course size, Merit II procedures and policies, college organization, student evaluations, faculty
expectations and review processes. The committee is charged with researching the issue at
hand, writing a report and/or draft resolution on the issue, seeking faculty input (which may
range from soliciting e-mail or electronic survey feedback to small forums to faculty wide open
meetings as the FPC deems appropriate), and finally submitting a final report/resolution to
the Faculty Senate. It is the intent that the faculty and the administration on this committee
will work openly and transparently together—this is an attempt at improved joint governance
as opposed to parallel governance.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: Any number of faculty members appointed by SEC as well as ex officio
members from relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee
members.
Current Members:
Carl Lienert (15) (Convener)
Chiara Canella (16)
Chad Colby (15)
Lauren Delle (16)
Leslie Goldstein (15)
Rick Gore (16)
Ryan Haaland (15)
Susan Kraus (16)
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Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Charge: The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate shall function as part of the Senate.
It shall function in a leadership and advisory capacity but shall not legislate. All members of
the Executive Committee are voting members of the Faculty Senate with the exception of the
President of the Faculty Senate. The Executive Committee may be convened whenever
necessary by its Chair or whenever requested by two or more of its members.
Membership: The membership of the SEC is defined by the Faculty Handbook (Part 1, Article
VI, §6) to include all and only the officers of the Faculty Senate. This includes the President,
Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Committees Officer, and the
faculty representative to the Board of Trustees. As dictated by the handbook, the President
and faculty representative to the Board of Trustees are elected by the faculty at large. The
remaining officers of the senate are elected by the senate.
Current Members:
Dugald Owen (President, first term: 14-15)
Kenny Miller (Vice President, first term: 14-15)
David Blake (Corresponding Secretary, first term: 14-15)
Ellen Paul (Recording Secretary, first term: 14-15)
Kris Greer (Committee on Committees, first term: 12-13)
Justin McBrayer (Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, first term: 14-16)
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Liberal Arts Core Council
Charge for the 2014-2016 Academic Years: The primary goals of the Liberal Arts Core
Council are 1) to develop an assessment plan and align a sample of the existing LAC courses
to the new LAC learning outcomes; 2) to collect baseline data for assessment of student
learning in the LAC program; 3) to work with departments to select and seek CCHE approval
for a subset of “transitional” LAC courses that will be offered during the transition into a
revised LAC curriculum; and 4) to solicit input from students, faculty, and administrators to
develop candidate models for a revised LAC curriculum.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: For 2014-2016, the committee will include one member from each academic
department as well as ex officio members as needed. The chair is elected by the committee.
Current Members:
Adventure Education- ????
Anthropology- Dawn Mulhern (16)
Art & Design- ????
Athletic Training- ?????
Biology- Erin Lehmer (convener) (16)
Chemistry- Rob Milofsky (16)
English- Shawn Fullmer (16)
Environmental Studies- Kathleen Hililimire (16)
Exercise Science- Cathy Simbeck (16)
Freshman Math- Sandy Gilpin (16)
Gender & Women’s Studies- Kathy Fine-Dare (16)
Geosciences- Gary Gianinny (16)
History- Ellen Paul (16)
Liberal Studies- Gordon Cheesewright (16)
Mathematics- Carl Lienert (16)
Modern Languages- Amy Sellin (16)
Music- Lisa Campi (16)
NAIS- Majel Boxer (16)
Philosophy- Sarah Roberts-Cady (16)
Physics/Engineering- ????
Political Science- ????
Psychology- Beverly Chew (16)
Public Health- none (has elected to be represented by biology)
School of Business- Deborah Walker (16)
Sociology- ????
Theatre- Kathryn Moller (16)
Writing Program- ????
Assessment Director- Lisa Snyder (ex officio)
Elearning Director- Kelly Stanley (ex officio)
General Education Coordinator- Pete McCormick (ex officio)
Registrar’s Office- Theresa Rodriguez (ex officio)
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Graduate/Post Graduate Academic Policy Committee
This Committee advises the Provost through the Faculty Senate, to which it reports. Its charge
is to maintain and improve the academic standards for the College for post-baccalaureate and
graduate students. The Committee shall encourage and recognize outstanding scholastic
achievement of students; review, initiate and recommend Academic Standards policies;
evaluate alignment of those policies with federal student aid policies; determine what
academic action (probation level 1, probation level 2, suspension, or dismissal), if any, is
appropriate at the end of each term; monitor the progress of probationary students; hear and
judge the cases of academic dishonesty brought before it by any member of the academic
community; hear and judge the cases of students wishing to appeal academic suspensions or
dismissals; and receive and consider proposals about academic standards from any member
of the academic community. The Committee will submit a report by March 1 summarizing
accomplishments, if any, for special charges or changes to the charge. The report will typically
be a computerized file; however, the Senate may request an in-person report.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: Any number of faculty members appointed by SEC with at least one member
from each department that offers graduate programs as well as an ex officio member from
the Academic Standards Committee and from relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair
is elected by the committee members.
Current Members:
Mary Ann Erickson (15) (chair since 14)
Jay Dougan (16)
Richard Fulton, from a department that offers graduate-level programs (15)
Jenn Wagnon (ex officio, Academic Standards Committee)
Carol Smith (ex officio, Enrollment Management)
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Grievance Panel
Charge: This Panel is led by a College Grievance Officer and is tasked with the adjudication
of formal grievances brought by faculty. The adjudication process is defined in the Faculty
Handbook (Part II, Article A, §20).
Membership: The membership of the Grievance Panel is defined by the Faculty Handbook
(Part II, Article A, §20, paragraph d) asan elected group of twelve regular faculty from which
a committee of three is selected to hear each faculty grievance. The College Grievance Officer
(CGO) is an additional member and is defined by the Faculty Handbook (Part II, Article A,
§20, paragraph c) as a member of the academic faculty appointed annually by the President
and responsible for coordinating and facilitating the grievance process.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Current Members:
Catalina Aguilar (16)
Rebecca Clausen (15)
Bill Dodds (16)
Janine Fitzgerald (15)
Larry Hartsfield (16)
Susan Kraus (15)
Don May (16)
evaluations
of
members,
and
Ellen Paul (15)
Delilah Orr (16)
Cathy Simbeck (15)
Les Sommerville (16)
Yohannes Woldemariam (15)
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Honors Council
Charge: The Honors Council is to develop, approve and provide oversight of initiatives to
enrich the experience of high-ability, high-achieving students at Fort Lewis College. These
initiatives include, but are not limited to, the John F. Reed Honors Program.
Report: The committee will submit a one-page electronic report by March 31 summarizing
accomplishments,
major
issues
discussed,
brief
evaluations
of
members,
and
recommendations, if any, for alterations to the charge.
Membership: Any number of faculty members appointed by SEC as well as ex officio
members from relevant administrative offices as needed. Chair is elected by the committee
members.
Current Members:
Kathleen Hartney (15) (Convener)
Kathy Fine-Dare (16)
Steven Fenster (15)
Kathleen Hilimire (16)
Bridget Irish (15)
Michele Malach (16)
Eric McAllister (15)
Kathryn Moller (16)
Astrid Oliver (15)
Joseph Ortega (16)
Kay Phelps (15)
Ava Santos (16)
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