5.0 Faculty Governance

The faculty of the college and university are organized with assemblies and committees which carry out faculty responsibilities for shared governance.  Part V of the Faculty Handbook describes the structure of faculty governance.  Revisions of policies in the remainder of Part V become effective immediately upon approval by the Joint Faculty Assembly and both presidents (or at an alternate date stipulated in the policy itself).  Revisions to Part V originating from either the Joint Faculty Assembly or the presidents should be acted upon and notification provided within 60 academic calendar days.

5.0.1 Faculty Role in the Governance of the College of Saint Benedict

The primary role of the faculty in college governance is the implementation of the educational goals of the College of Saint Benedict.  In this capacity the faculty is responsible for curricular requirements including but not limited to: admissions and graduation requirements, the core curriculum, additions and deletions of majors, minors, or programs.  The faculty is also responsible for issues relating to faculty welfare including but not limited to: tenure, promotion, sabbaticals, compensation, working conditions, and faculty development.

The faculty participates in college governance through the Joint Faculty Assembly, through the College of Saint Benedict Faculty-Staff Assembly and through its representatives on standing committees or ad hoc committees of the college and Saint John's University.

Generally, the initiation of educational policy is the responsibility of the faculty.  Whether changes in educational policy are initiated by the faculty, the academic administrators, the president or the Board of Trustees, changes of a major nature in educational policy require consultation among the faculty, the provost, the president, and the Board of Trustees, unless there is agreement to do otherwise.

5.0.2 Faculty Role in the Governance of Saint John's University

To better meet its educational goals, Saint John’s University is committed to cooperation among the Board of Regents, the administration, the faculty, the students, the monastic community, and the College of Saint Benedict.  The broadest possible exchange of information and opinion is necessary for effective planning and implementation of the university’s educational objectives.

Each constituency of the academic community has different initiating and decision-making responsibilities; the responsibility for initiating and formulating recommendations for the appropriate decision-making body is ordinarily exercised through the various committees of the university and the college.

One of the primary responsibilities of the faculty is the implementation of the educational goals of the university.  The faculty plays a major role in formulating degree requirements, curricula, faculty status and welfare, and programs for professional development.

The faculty carries forward its obligations with respect to academic affairs chiefly in the Joint Faculty Assembly, in the Saint John’s University Faculty Assembly, and through its representatives on appropriate standing committees of the university and the college.

Faculty members have additional responsibilities to exchange information with and serve as consultants to constituencies of the university.  These responsibilities may be fulfilled by participation in committees of the Board of Regents or the administration, divisional and/or departmental governance, or ad hoc committees.

In general, initiation of educational policy shall rest with the faculty; but whether initiated by the faculty, the academic administrators, the president, or by the Board of Regents, changes of a major nature in educational policy of the university shall require consultation among the faculty, the provost, the president, and the Board of Regents, unless there is agreement to do otherwise.

The faculty are subject to the reserve power of control by the Board of Regents in their prescription and determination of requirements for admission, the curriculum requirements for graduation, the nature and number of degrees to be conferred, and regulations for the conduct of the educational work of the university. No exercise of the powers herein conferred on the faculty which, in the judgment of the president of the university involves a major issue in the educational policy of the university, shall take effect without the concurrence of the president of the university and the approval of the Board of Regents.  The power of review or final decision in these areas is lodged in the Board of Regents or delegated by it to the president.  Only in exceptional circumstances, however, is nonconcurrence exercised, and the reasons for the action are communicated to the faculty.