Standing Committees

Except as noted, the Provost or designee is chairperson. Faculty members are appointed by the President. All students listed on standing committees have full voting membership privileges.

Academic Appeals

Hears cases of students who desire to appeal a final course grade, academic suspension, probation or dismissal, or charges of academic dishonesty. Each college shall designate one full-time faculty member to serve on the Academic Appeals Committee and one alternate. Faculty members from each college will nominate students at the beginning of the academic year, and the dean will forward these names to the Provost for consideration. For any given case, the committee will consist of three faculty members and two students from outside the college from which the appeal arises.

Academic Dishonesty

Reviews cases in which students have been accused of multiple instances of academic dishonesty to determine appropriate penalties. The committee includes one faculty representative from each college and is chaired by the Provost or designee.

Assessment and Accreditation

Reviews academic assessment reports required by the Board of Governors and the WV-HEPC during the Program Review process, or as subsequent follow-up reports. Assessment and Accreditation Committee recommendations are shared with the Provost, College Dean, Department Chair or Program Director, and Assessment Coordinator for each academic program under review. Final reports and recommendations are submitted to the University Board of Governors and the WV-HEPC. The committee includes one faculty representative from each college, the Director of University Effectiveness, and a Chair appointed by the Provost. Membership terms are for three academic years and members may serve multiple terms. If a member is unable to fulfill their role, their college dean nominates a replacement for the remainder of that term.

Campus and Community Diversity

Provides leadership in addressing diversity-related issues. The committee includes faculty, staff, students and members of the community.

Council of Department Chairpersons and Program Directors

Shares information about mutual problems for the purpose of effecting solutions; works cooperatively with other administrators, faculty, and students; makes formal recommendations when necessary in any and all areas of campus and academic life to the appropriate person or body including but not limited to the President and the Provost. Members: Department chairpersons of all academic departments and Program Directors of all individually accredited academic programs.

Council of Deans

Distance Education

Provides leadership and oversight for all eLearning (online learning/distance learning). Supports the Office of eLearning and maintains compliance with WLU policy and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement as well as benchmarking performance against the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions’ Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education. Chaired by the Director of Distance Education, membership includes faculty representatives from each college and school, Office of eLearning staff, and a student selected by Student Government.

Faculty Development

Meets regularly to manage available faculty development funds. Responsibilities include establishment of guidelines, approval of requests for funding professional activities, and dissemination of information related to faculty development. Members: one faculty member from each college, a department chairperson or program director, a college or school dean, and the Provost or designee.

Graduate Studies Council

Shares information about mutual problems for the purpose of effecting solutions; works cooperatively with other administrators, faculty, and students; makes formal recommendations when necessary in any and all areas of campus and academic life relative to graduate education to the appropriate person or body including but not limited to the President, Provost, Curriculum Committee, and Faculty Senate. Serves as a general oversight body for graduate programs. Members: the Provost, the deans of academic colleges and schools with graduate programs, one faculty representative from each graduate program and one graduate student.

Institutional Research Board

Establishes and maintains guiding principles which elicit the highest professional standards in dealing with experimental human subjects in order to provide assurances that proper standards are met and procedures do not infringe upon the safety, health, and welfare of subjects at risk. The IRB will consist of at least one faculty representative from each college, an IRB administrator, and an IRB chair. The IRB administrator is the Dean of the College of Sciences who designates, in consultation with the Provost, an IRB Chair. Nominations for IRB membership are submitted by each college Dean as necessary, and appointments are determined by the IRB administrator and chair. The IRB administrator and chair are responsible for ensuring that IRB membership composition meets, to the best of their ability, current federal guidelines and regulations. Membership terms are for three academic years and members may serve multiple terms. If an IRB member is unable to fulfill their role, their college dean nominates a replacement for the remainder of that term.

Research, Creative Activity and Performance (RECAP)

Plans and organizes the annual RECAP symposium and competition for students of West Liberty University with the goal of recognizing and rewarding outstanding achievement in scholarly Research, Creative Activity, and Performance among both graduate and undergraduate students. Membership includes faculty and staff.

Residency Appeal

Hears cases of those students who desire to appeal tuition residency status. Members: three faculty members and one student elected by student government who is classified as an out-of-state student for purposes of tuition payment.

Sustainability

Organizes and promotes efforts related to recycling, environmental education, and sustainability. Consists of faculty, staff, and students.