Faculty Assembly
The faculty functions through a Faculty Assembly form of government with standing committees. Through plenary sessions, the Assembly provides opportunities for faculty to be involved in all aspects of university governance.
Purpose
The faculty acting formally through Faculty Assembly shall make recommendations to the President, subject to approval by the Board, regarding:
(1) curriculum, subject matter and methods of instruction, and research; (2) requirements for admission and graduation; (3) aspects of student life that relate to educational processes; and (4) matters of faculty collective professional welfare; (5) recommend to the Board for its approval, candidates for degrees upon completion of university degree work (for additional information and clarity, please read this section along with Article IX, Section II of the Bylaws). The Faculty Assembly makes recommendations to the administration. In turn, the administration receives and considers received recommendations. When decisions differ from these recommendations, report in writing to the faculty.
The Faculty Assembly generally meets in a plenary session, on the first Thursday of the month during the academic year. Faculty Assembly meetings are open meetings, and all members of the Greenville University community are welcome to attend. When there is a fifth Thursday in a month, the Faculty Assembly meets in open forum, for which the agenda is based on faculty concerns and no votes are taken. Each meeting is chaired by the faculty moderator who employs the Robert’s Rules of Order for formal actions and votes. The Chief Academic Officer in consultation with the Faculty Executive Committee sets the meeting agenda. Other meetings may be called as needed by the President or the Chief Academic Officer. When decisions differ from recommendations, the administration through the Chief Academic Officer or a delegate will report in writing to the faculty.
Culture and Climate
In fulfilling its mandate and purpose, the Faculty Assembly will respect the dignity, values, and worth of each member. Importantly, the Faculty Assembly provides a place of respectful dialogue where all participants are on equal footing and have equal voice in decision-making. The Assembly practices are premised on the assumption that voice is an essential element of each faculty member’s professional contribution and responsibility to the University. As such, the Assembly champions a climate of trust and leads to the highest levels of openness, communication, and participation. To sustain a spirited climate of openness, the leadership of the Assembly will approach internal tasks using a collaborative model to pursue the good of the University and those it serves.
Membership
The faculty is comprised of the President, Chief Academic Officer, Assistant/Associate Chief Academic Officer(s), full-time professors of all ranks, instructors, adjuncts instructors, and/or other persons determined by the President and Board of Trustees. As discussed in Article IX, Section I of the University Bylaws, members of the Assembly have full voting rights.
Adjunct instructors who have taught six credits or more, during two of the previous three semesters, (fall, spring, summer) including the current semester, are voting members in the Assembly during the current semester.
The Student Association President will be invited to attend and participate in Faculty Assembly meetings. However, participation excludes voting.
Quorum
A quorum consists of 51% of full-time faculty (only full-time faculty and not adjuncts). The quorum of full-time faculty is required for all votes in the Assembly.