Committees
In 2011-12, the Senate of College Councils includes nine standing academic committees. Per the Senate Constitution, committees are created and maintained each year through majority approval of the Senate Executive Board. Committee chairs and co-chairs are appointed by the President, Vice President and Financial Director and are approved by the Executive Board.
Each Senate committee is thematically focused on a particular academic issue. Members of the committees – which include the chair or co-chairs, appointed At-Large members and Senate Representatives from the various College Councils – serve as experts on the academic issue around which their committee is focused. Committees play a major role in setting Senate’s legislative agenda and are frequently responsible for researching, writing and presenting the legislation introduced during Senate General Assembly meetings. Additionally, many Senate committees coordinate major programming events throughout the year and work to raise awareness on campus regarding their particular academic focus.
Academic Enrichment Committee
The Academic Enrichment Committee is responsible for promoting educational experiences that go beyond the classroom. These experiences should provide students with unique learning environments that allow students to apply what they have learned while gaining practical knowledge and experience. Issues examined by this committee include academic service-learning, study abroad and internship opportunities, among others.
Committee co-chairs: Anne Norman and Andrew Zigler
Academic Integrity Committee
The Academic Integrity Committee is responsible for increasing the visibility of the Honor Code and incorporating integrity into University culture. Committee members have the opportunity to research integrity at various Universities as well as give feedback regarding their own educational experiences in order to further the development of AIC. The committee will work with Student Judicial Services and other administrators in writing legislation and implementing University-wide programs, such as IntegrityUT Week, in order to promote integrity at the University.
Committee co-chairs: Michelle Moon and Andrew Clark
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee serves as the premier student voice in curricular and instructional issues at the University. Committee members explore avenues to better the academic experience by working with other students, faculty members and administration. Members are encouraged to interact with their classroom colleagues and introduce new initiatives to the committee using their own experiences. Initiatives are produced into legislation, backed by research and consultation with the Four Documents, and are presented to the Senate General Assembly.
Committee co-chairs: Laura Wright and Josh Fjelstul
Faculty Affairs Committee
The Senate Faculty Affairs Committee is dedicated to fostering a closer relationship and a deeper appreciation between UT students and their faculty through various programs designed to showcase honorary professors. The main initiative Faculty Affairs takes to increase interaction between the two bodies is hosting Faculty Appreciation Week, which includes planning events and coordinating Senate’s Professor of the Year award. Additionally, members of the committee regularly research faculty policies at the University’s peer institutions to find best practices to implement at UT.
Committee co-chairs: Lisa Newman and Chase Crook
Multimedia and Press Committee
The Multimedia and Press Committee works with the Communications Director to help publicize all Senate and College Council events and programs. Responsibilities include designing ads, creating videos, writing blogs and using any other forms of publicity needed to adequately inform the University community about Senate and its programs.
Committee co-chairs: Morgan Caridi and Chris Nguyen
Outreach and Development Committee
The Outreach and Development Committee is responsible for organizing and coordinating fundraising efforts for Senate. The Committee works with other Senate standing committees to raise money for their events and programs. The Outreach and Development Committee is also responsible for building and fostering alumni relations.
Committee co-chairs: Hannah Tucker and Bala Varadhan
Recruitment and Retention Committee
The Recruitment and Retention Committee is responsible for addressing issues dealing with recruiting and retaining top students at the University by working with the Office of Admissions and the College of Undergraduate Studies. Programs hosted by the Committee include the Ready, Set, Go! College Readiness Workshop and Longhorn School Bus.
Committee co-chairs: Christine Thorne-Thomsen and Mark Jones
Undergraduate Research Committee
The Undergraduate Research Committee is responsible for promoting research opportunities to undergraduates and enhancing the undergraduate research experience at this University. The committee will focus on exploring ways to integrate research into the curriculum while continuing to make opportunities and information more accessible to students. Members will also work to foster an interconnected undergraduate research community by working closely with programs and organizations on campus that support and facilitate undergraduate research.
Committee co-chairs: Ryan Hirsch and Danny Zeng
External Affairs Committee
The External Affairs Committee is responsible for representing the councils and agencies in Senate. Each second-year At-Large works closely with one council or one agency to make sure that their needs are being met when it comes to programming, policy or individual initiatives. They are expected to attend council meetings and report on what they have been doing with that council or agency.
Committee co-chairs: Fransisco Tamayo and Jeff Stevens