Standing Administrative Advisory Groups

This page provides a summary of the role of each adjudicative and mandated committee and identifies the chair of that committee or other appropriate contact. For more information, please consult the  Faculty Governance charters document.

Academic Advising Council

Contact: Kate Kinsinger, Director of Academic Advising

Purpose:

The Academic Advising Council will perform the following duties:

  1. Monitor, assist in implementing, and report to the Executive Cabinet and campus community the progress of the Excellence in Academic Advising Action plan to enhance academic advising including:
    1. Insuring communication of institutional policies and goals for academic advising;
    2. Reviewing the assessment of the academic advising goals and learning outcomes;
    3. Monitoring and recommending revisions to the academic advising delivery system;
    4. Reviewing academic advising training programs;
    5. Implementing institutional and individual evaluation of the quality of academic advising;
    6. Assisting in the development of mechanisms to insure that high quality academic advising is rewarded and recognized at local, regional, and national levels; and
    7. Supporting the development and use of information systems to enhance advising; and
    8. Promote the professionalization of academic advising.
  2. Discuss and recommend solutions to advising system problems as they arise.
  3. Provide the President a completed a periodic review of the Excellence in Academic Advising Action Plan and recommend continuing and new strategies to improve advising.
  4. The Academic Advising Council will also carry out other duties as assigned by the Executive Cabinet-level or designee lead of academic advising.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Equal Employment Opportunity(EEO) Advisory Group

Contact: Benjamin Brauer, Title IX Coordinator

Purpose:

The purpose of ADA/EEO Advisory Group is to: 1) advise the Director of ADA/EEO Compliance regarding equal employment opportunity concerns; 2) help eliminate and prevent discrimination based upon race, color, sex, disability, age, national origin, ethnic background, sexual orientation, creed, political or religious opinion or affiliation, veteran’s status, or material status; and 3) help eliminate and prevent sexual harassment. The Committee’s function includes:

  1. Identify ADA/EEO concerns.
  2. Reviewing relevant existing programs, practices, and policies for their compatibility with equal employment opportunity goals.
  3. Suggesting mechanisms to enhance ADA/EEO efforts at the University.
  4. Reviewing existing policies and procedures for handling discrimination/harassment complaints, and suggesting modifications to these policies/procedures whenever appropriate.
  5. Reviewing existing policies and procedures for handling complaints of sexual harassment and suggesting modifications to these policies/procedures whenever appropriate.
  6. Advising on the coordination and implementation of the ADA/EEO Program.
  7. Suggesting methods to ensure that the University demonstrates a strong commitment to its mission to serve a diverse student body as well as its mandate by the University System of Maryland to provide equal education and employment opportunity in all programs.
  8. Serving as an advisory body of the Director of ADA/EEO Compliance in the investigation of allegations of discrimination and/or harassment, when requested, and/or as a body to hear the appeal of cases to the Director according to established procedures.

The ADA/EEO Group will also carry out such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Director of ADA/EEO Compliance or by President.

Athletics Advisory Council

Contact: Michael Monahan, Faculty Athletic Representative

Purpose:

The Athletic Advisory Council shall serve as a review and advisory body to the President of Frostburg State University. The duties and responsibilities of the AAC shall include, but are not limited to:

  1. Provide advice on matters raised by the Athletic Department, SAAC, SGA, the Faculty Senate, or the Staff Senate.
  2. Provide counsel to the Director of Athletics concerning matters of athletic policy formulation, budgetary planning, educational programming, and staff development.
  3. Promote an understanding of intercollegiate athletics among faculty and others in the campus community.
  4. Review existing sports programs in relation to the athletic budget. Issues can include number of teams, current level of play, scheduling, scholarship support, and any equity concerns.
  5. Review summary reports detailing the academic progress and retention of all student athletes.
  6. Review and act upon any appeals or requests for waivers to the Frostburg State University Policy on “Academic Eligibility for Athletes”.
  7. Recommend academic standards for eligibility. The standards should equal or exceed both NCAA and conference minimums.
  8. Review injury surveillance reports.
  9. Review annual reports of missed-class time for athletic travel, student-athletic surveys and exit interviews.
  10. Review and recommend policy regarding student absences based on athletic contests.
  11. Assist the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and Director of Athletics with any institutional inquiry into alleged or suspected major NCAA rules violations.
  12. Review summary reports of NCAA violations.
  13. Review Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) submissions.
  14. Provide advice related to Title IX and gender equity in athletics.
  15. Review the Strategic Plan for Athletics on, at least, an annual basis.
  16. Review and recommend team codes of conduct. Ensure that instances of student athlete misconduct are handled in a manner consistent with institutional standards.
  17. As appropriate, provide members to serve on search committees for any athletic position.

Distance Education Advisory Group

Contact: Sharman Adams, Associate Provost for Student Success and Graduate Education

Purpose:

  1. Recommend ways the University can take advantage of opportunities for different and better teaching through distance learning technologies.
  2. Review instructional efficiencies that can be realized through the use of distance learning technologies.
  3. Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the application of distance learning technologies to specific instructional areas.
  4. Recommend ways to use distance learning to bring outside instructional programming to the campus.
  5. Serve as an advisory group on scheduling, registration, technical, and other issues associated with the use of distance learning technologies on campus. 

Honors Program Advisory Group

Contact: Kara Rogers-Thomas, Director of the University Honors Program

Purpose:

The Honor Program Advisory Group will act as a general advisory committee to the Director of the Honors Program. Its responsibilities include:

  1. Promoting social, recreational, and instructional activities related to the Honors Program.
  2. Reviewing and recommending policies regarding honors housing.
  3. Reviewing and recommending policies regarding the Honor Student Association.
  4. Serving as an advisory board to the Honor Students Association Newsletter.
  5. Reviewing and recommending changes in admissions and retention criteria for students in the Honors Program.
  6. Developing, reviewing, and resolving questions of interpretation regarding Honor Program policies, requirements, and guidelines.
  7. Soliciting faculty development if courses for the Honors Program in general education and reviewing and recommending courses for inclusion in honors curriculum.
  8. Considering the eligibility of transfer students for honors in general education and the equivalency of honors courses for transfer from other institutions.
  9. Serving in an advisory role for issue relevant to the programs of the Honor/International House.

The Honor Program Advisory Group will also carry out such duties as may be assigned to it by the Director of the Honors Program, the Provost, or the Faculty Senate.

International Education Council

Contact: Victoria Gearhart, Director of the Center for International Education

Purpose:

The International Education Council will act as general advisory body to the Director of the Center for International Education. The Council shall report to the Provost through the Director of the Center for International Education. Its responsibilities shall include:

  1. The establishment of procedures and criteria for the review and evaluation of (a) FSU sponsored study aboard programs; (b) external or no-FSU sponsored study abroad/ work abroad programs; (c) programs designed to recruit and retain international students; and (d) FSU sponsored faculty exchange programs with foreign educations institutions. (The above are hereafter referred to as “International Programs”).
  2. The periodic review and evaluation of existing International Programs at FSU, and the recommendation concerning their continuation to the Provost.
  3. The review and disposition of proposals to establish new International Programs at FSU.
  4. The establishment of procedures and criteria for the administration of existing international programs and FSU study abroad scholarships.
  5. The review of study abroad scholarship applications and the selection and recommendation of study abroad scholarship recipients.
  6. The support of co-curricular programming and initiatives involving the Center of International Education.
  7. The encouragement and support of the internationalization of the University curriculum.

Intersession and Summer School Advisory Group

Contact: Brittni Kaetzel, Director of Special Academic Services

Purpose:

The Intersession and Summer School Advisory Group will review current policies relating to Intersession and Summer School and make recommendations to ensure or accelerate the student’s time to degree. The Advisory Group will also recommend marketing strategies and implement initiatives to generate an increase in summer school and intersession enrollment as well as the number and types of courses available to students during these academic terms.

Library Advisory Group

Contact: Lea Messman-Mandicott, Director of the Library

Purpose:

The purpose of this Library Advisory Group is to assess, evaluate, and recommend to the Library Director and the Provost major issues affecting the library and institutional services. The Library Advisory Group will develop procedures for receiving and reviewing information relating to improving the access and development of the library.

Student Learning Assessment Advisory Group

Contact: Sara-Beth Bittinger, Associate Vice President for External Relations and Fiscal Management

Purpose:

The purpose of the Student Learning Assessment Advisory Group is to advise the Provost regarding issues of student learning assessment. The Advisory Group will identify strategies to improve both student learning and the process of assessment of student learning. Both sets of recommendations will contribute to the University’s process of budget development and resource allocation. Specific tasks are assigned to The Advisory Group including but not limited to:

  1. Promulgate and maintain a common language of assessment.
  2. Review existing assessment practice and measures, monitor their effectiveness, and suggest modification as appropriate.
  3. Recommend guidelines and policies for all aspects of student learning assessment activities.
  4. Coordinate assessment of the general education program.
  5. Review the bi-annual assessment reports of programs and provide feedback.
  6. Recommend actions to enhance assessment and student learning.
  7. Recommend actions for consideration in budgeting and resource allocation.
  8. Monitor the quality of assessment of student learning that is embedded in campus structures and processes and make recommendations for improvements as necessary.
  9. Establish and revise as necessary the appropriate protocol for reporting assessment activities.

Academic Technology Advisory Group

Contact: Tim Pelesky, Chief Information Officer

Purpose:

The Technology Advisory Group will review issues relating to the use of computing and information technologies at the University, including use of the internet, the World Wide Web, and the University Internet. The Advisory Group will make recommendations to the President’s Cabinet regarding the development, purchase, distribution, and application of computing and information technologies on the main campus and at the Hagerstown and Frederick Centers.

The Technology Advisory Group will also carry out other duties as may be assigned to it by the Provost or the Faculty Senate.

Student Success Committee

Contact: Sharman Adams, Associate Provost for Student Success and Graduate Education

Purpose:

The Student Success Committee will perform the following duties:

  1. Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive Student Success Plan (SSP)
  2. Review and make recommendations on current policies and procedures to promote increased retention of students.
  3. Assess and recommend initiatives designed to increase student success.
  4. Maintain communication with the campus regarding student success initiatives and goals on retention reported to external agencies.
The Committee will also carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the Provost.

Center for Teaching Excellence Advisory Group

Contact: Holly Currie, Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence

Purpose:

The Center for Teaching Excellence Advisory Group will act as a general advisory committee to the Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. Its responsibilities include:

  1. Facilitate and encourage faculty to learn about effective pedagogy used by colleagues at FSU and elsewhere.
  2. Organize activities for individual faculty, departments, groups of faculty, and the University to reflect on student learning goals and actual outcomes.
  3. Stimulate and encourage faculty to reflect on their teaching and search for areas that may need improvement.
  4. Connect faculty with current research and other available resources on student learning and instruction.
  5. Provide new faculty with resources to help them develop teaching strategies that will enhance their teaching and improve student learning.

Graduate Learning Assessment Advisory Group

Contact: Sara-Beth Bittinger, Associate Vice-President for External Relations and Fiscal Management

Purpose:

The purpose of the Graduate Learning Assessment Advisory Group (GLAAG) is to monitor assessment practices at the graduate level. GLAAG will advise and make recommendations to the Provost on issues affecting the assessment of graduate student learning and their compliance with the institutional graduate learning outcomes. These recommendations will contribute to the University’s decision-making processes for resource allocation conducted during the periodic reviews of each program. Specific tasks are assigned to the Advisory Group.

  1. Promulgate and maintain a common language of assessment.
  2. Review existing graduate assessment practices and measures, monitor their effectiveness, and suggest recommendations for improvement as appropriate.
  3. Recommend guidelines and policies for all aspects of graduate student learning assessment activities.
  4. Ensure alignment of graduate program’s learning outcomes with graduate institutional learning goals, and facilitate compliance with the plan for institutional assessment.
  5. Recommend actions for consideration of resource allocation for the enhancement of graduate assessment and student learning.
  6. Establish the appropriate protocol for reporting graduate assessment activities, and monitor the systematic reporting of assessment data to the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research (AIR).

General Education Program Review Committee

Contact: Sharman Adams, Associate Provost for Student Success and Graduate Education

Purpose:

The General Education Program Review Committee is a standing University Advisory Committee dedicated to the assessment and improvement of the General Education Program.

  1. Coordinate the assessment of the General Education Program
  2. Facilitate campus-wide review and revision of the structure, goals, and objectives of the General Education Program
  3. Identify faculty development needs and opportunities related to the GEP and administer and award any funds provided by the Provost’s Office to meet those needs.

Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness Council

Contact: Sara-Beth Bittinger, Associate Vice President for External Relations and Fiscal Management

Purpose:

The Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness Council is an advisory council to the University, working with and providing information to the Executive Committee and the University Advisory Council (UAC). The Council may assist in the preparation of the University's strategic plan, and monitors its implementation and progress based on the Middle States standards and measures of institutional effectiveness. The Council offers recommendations on the integration of strategic actions, institutional effectiveness and transparent budget processes.
The Council may make recommendations for planning, but it is not a decision-making body. The Council may assist in the preparation of the University’s strategic plan.

AIEC interacts with the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research, as well as divisions and planning units. Specific tasks assigned to the Council are as follows:

  1. To promote, monitor, and evaluate progress on ongoing institutional renewal and effectiveness.
  2. To promote, monitor, and evaluate the process for ensuring that the University meets Middle States accreditation standards for institutional effectiveness, where applicable.
  3. To monitor and report to the President, the Executive Committee, and the University Advisory Council data reflecting regular assessment of institutional opportunities, strengths, and challenges.
  4. To recommend actions to the President, Executive Committee, and University Advisory Council for consideration in the budgeting and resource allocation cycle.
  5. To annually communicate to the University campus community information about planning and assessment.

The Council generates a report to the UAC to be delivered prior to the Summer Strategic Planning Retreat. This report will contain information and assessment on action priorities and will become the basis for the yearly USM Managing For Results (MFR) report.
AIEC will also carry out such other duties as may be assigned to it by the President.

 

Top