September 5, 2008

TO:                  Peg Finders, Director, School of Education

                        Convener, Teacher Education Governing Council

FROM:            Joe Heim, Chair

                        Faculty Senate

RE:                   Committee Charge for 2008-2009 Academic Year

This memo is intended to serve as the initial charge letter to the Teacher Education Governing Council for the 2008-09 academic year. 

In response to concerns that, frequently, committee member turnover each year tends to slow committee work, the senate executive committee is working to find better ways to orient new committee members.  Additionally, we would like to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of committee work.  To that end, we will be trying several new ideas. 

1. The SEC will be holding a meeting of Chairs during the week before classes in January.  The purpose of this meeting will be for committee chairs to report on progress on charges to date and discuss any problems committees may be experiencing.
2. I am including a copy of the 2007-08 Teacher Education Governing Council end-of-year report with this charge letter. The SEC strongly encourages you to review their work.
3. All members of your committee will receive an electronic copy of this letter.

Per Faculty Senate Bylaw II. (s):  “Each faculty committee shall hold an organizational meeting and report the name of the chairperson to the senate office by October 1. (Joint Chairpersons are not permitted.)” 

Therefore, as the convener of the TEGC, please arrange, as soon as feasible, an organizational meeting.  In addition to a chairperson, please also elect a secretary.   

 Primary responsibilities of the chairperson include:

o       promptly informing the Senate office (5-8018) the results of the election of officers and any changes in committee membership.*

o       organizing and conducting meetings.

o       completing a year end report on the TEGC activities to be submitted to the Senate Office no later than May 31, 2009.

*The committee chairperson should carefully review Faculty Senate Bylaw II, “Faculty Standing Committees” for information on committee attendance and the role of alternates.

Primary responsibilities of the secretary include:

o       recording minutes of each meeting.

o       promptly sending meeting minutes to Sibbie Weathers (weathers.sylv@uwlax.edu) so that the minutes can be posted on the faculty senate website. 

In the event the committee chooses to rotate secretarial duties, please designate one person to be responsible for e-mailing the meeting minutes to Sibbie Weathers.

According to Faculty Senate Bylaw II. S. The Teacher Education Governing Council, the duties and responsibilities of the committee shall include:

1.  Developing and reviewing policies on issues affecting teacher education programs including overall program philosophy and framework, and unit assessment.

2.  Establishing, in consultation with departments or colleges, standards pertaining to certification requirements, candidate review policy, admission requirements, exit requirements and enrollment management.

3. Reviewing, in consultation with departments or colleges, proposals for new teacher education programs or changes in current teacher education programs, and forwarding recommendations to the appropriate curriculum committee.

4.  Monitoring and maintaining the Strategic Plan for the School of Teacher Education.

5.   Providing advice to the Director of the School of Education.

6.   Serving as an advocate for teacher education on campus and in the community.

7.   Reviewing accreditation and program approval reports for teacher education programs.

Although no special charge is being given to the committee this year, should the membership wish to bring any policy issues to the attention of the senate, it should certainly do so.  Any recommendations that the committee would like to make to the senate should be submitted to our office in a timely fashion. 

Finally, if the Senate Executive Committee or I can assist your committee in any way during the year, please do not hesitate to ask.

saw

Enclosure

cc:        Members, TEGC