SMSU Committees

Charge

• Collaborate and provide guidance on new academic advisor training topics and ongoing academic advisor professional development. 
• Discuss best practices to promote an effective academic advising system throughout the University to enhance academic advising for all students
• Ensure students are educated on academic advising expectations, their role in academic advising, and their responsibilities in the advisor-advisee relationship
• Create opportunity for open dialog and feedback from students, faculty, and staff regarding academic advising
• Present the concerns of academic advisors to administration as appropriate
• Annually review and revise academic advising resources (e.g. the Advising Handbook, Academic Advising Guide, etc.)
• Conduct institutional assessments of academic advising to determine effectiveness and identify potential areas of improvement
• Develop a communication plan for academic advisors to share critical information throughout the academic year

Membership for the AASC will be open to volunteers at the end of each member's commitment.  A call for volunteers will take place at the end of spring semester to fill vacant membership positions through the various bargaining units.  If a member is unable to complete their commitment, and emergency call will go out to fill the remaining time in that member's term.  The membership will be comprised of: 

Membership

Chair (Ex-Officio: Assistant Director of Student Success
The Director of Advising, Recruitment, and Retention for the School of Education
The Director of Online Learning and Transfer Partnerships
2 IFO members from BEPS & 2 IFO members from ALS 2 should be new advisors with 1-3 years experience, 2 should be returning advisors with 4+ years of experience
1 coach or the Faculty Athletics Representative
Registration & Records Office Representative
Access Opportunity Success or Office of Diversity & Inclusion Representative
Center for International Education Representative
1 general representative from MSUAASF
1 administrative assistant for an academic department (AFSCME)
1 Administrator (either the Provost, the Dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, or the Dean of the College of Business, Education, and Professional Studies
2 student representatives (1 first-year student and 1 upperclassmen)

Term

1 year for IFO, MSUAASF, AFSCME members, student representatives

Contact

Deans' Office

Charge

This Committee shall hear appeals from students with grade appeals, students accused of violations of the Academic Honesty policy and students failing to make Satisfactory Academic Progress. The committee meets at the end of each academic semester.

Membership

Academic Deans: 2
SmSUFA: 5
Student: 2
Ex-Officio: non-voting 2

Term

1 year

Contact

Deans' Office

Charge

Membership

SmSUFA: 5 (2 alternates)
ASF: 5
Student: 1 (J-Board Coordinator)

Term

1 year

Contact

Coordinator of Student Judicial Affairs

Charge

This is the advisory committee for Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Issues. The responsibilities of the committee consists of:

1. Review, update and make recommendations concerning EO/AA programs, policies and procedures for the University.
2. Provide assistance in developing and preparing the AAP and goals.
3. Identify and report problem areas and recommend needed corrective action.
4. Serve as a forum and channel for transmitting EO/AA concerns to University administrators.

Membership

Affirmative Action Officer
SmSUFA: 2
ASF: 2
AFSCME: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
Student: 2

Term

1 year

Contact

Affirmative Action Officer

Charge

Membership

Campus Diversity Office (Co-Chair)
Provost (Co-Chair)
Coordinator of Accessibility Services
Director of Residence Life
Dean of Students
Director of Athletics
Senior Director of Communication and Marketing
Director of Public Safety
Campus Human Resources Officer
LGBTQ+ Center Coordinator
ASF Representative (may be a member also serving by function)
SmSUFA Representative (may be a member also serving by function)
Student Representative

Term

2 year

Contact

Erin Kline (Co-Chair)

Charge

Membership

Administration: 2
Assistant to the Deans
Registrar: Ex-Officio; non-voting
SmSUFA: 4
ASF: 2
Council 5: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
Students: 2
Student Affairs
Advancement
Scheduling & Events Services

Term

1 year

Contact

Deans’ Office

Charge

Membership

SmSUFA: 3
ASF: 2
AFSCME: 1
Students: 1

Term

1 year

Contact

Deans’ Office

Charge

This committee oversees and plans the Commencement celebration activities and the Commencement program.

Membership

Administration: 1 + Exec Admin Assistant
SmSUFA: 3
ASF: 1
AFSCME: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF: 1
Students: 2
Ex-officio’s: Assistant to Academic Deans
Communication and Marketing, Registrar, Student Center, Alumni, Director of Accessibility Services
Director of Facilities and Physical Plant (or designee)

Term

1 year

Contact

Provost Office

Charge

The Committee on Institutional Assessment coordinates, assists, and supports a university –wide program of evaluation and feedback to enhance institutional effectiveness. To this end, the committee is charged with

• Fostering a university-wide culture of assessment.
• Developing, implementing, and reviewing a comprehensive university assessment plan.
• Articulating and disseminating assessment results to the campus community that serve to enhance the university’s ability to achieve its goals and outcomes.
• Collaborating with the Liberal Education Committee and Strategic Planning Committee on all aspects of assessment related to campus infrastructure.
• Supporting on-going HLC accreditation efforts.

Membership

Chair: Assessment Coordinator
SmSUFA: One member from each academic department
Library: 1
Dean of Students
Director of Institutional Research & Reporting
Academic Commons Rep: 1
ASF: 2
AFSCME: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1

Term

1 year

Contact

Deans' Office

Charge

The Committee on Online Learning's mission is to support the development and delivery of quality and equity-minded online, hybrid, and multimodal courses at SMSU.  The Committee will also provide leadership for the broader engagement and support of SMSU.  The Committee will also provide leadership for the broader engagement and support of SMSU students who learn online.  Responsibilities include: 

• Recommend policies, procedures, best practices, and training for online instructors;
• Review and assist in the development of online education reports, proposals, policies, and procedures; 
• Provide input for university-wide planning and implementation of online learning initiatives; 
• Articulate and reinforce how online and hybrid courses are equivalent in rigor, expectations, and student participation to their on-campus counterparts; 
• Recommend professional development activities for both online faculty and students; 
• Support efforts from the Director of Online Learning and Transfer Partnerships, the Deeann Griebel Student Success Center, Institutional Research, IT, COLT, and other campus entities in identifying and addressing the needs specific to online courses, instructions, and students; 
• Review and recommend working goals and objectives in an effort to continually improve online educations and the experience of online learners at SMSU.  

Membership

SmSUFA Faculty (online instruction experience preferred) representing the following:
2 ALS members
2 BEPS members
1 at-large
Deans (2)
Representative from IT/COLT
Representative from the Deeann Griebel Student Success Center
Director of Online Learning and Transfer Partnerships
ASF Representative (may be a member also serving by function)
Representative from MMA/MAPE/CONF 5/MGRL/AFSCME (may be a member also serving by function)
Students:
* 1 graduate (online preferred)
* 1 undergraduate (online preferred)
Provost (ex-officio)

Term

2 years for SmSUFA members, 2 years for Council 5 member, 1 year for student representatives

Contact

Deans' Office

Charge

The Cultural Diversity Committee will work to ensure that Southwest Minnesota State University demonstrates a commitment to the centrality of diversity as an important part of the University’s educational mission. The Committee will engage the University to ensure that our students learn in an inclusive, diverse learning community that fosters intellectual engagement and discovery among peers from different backgrounds. The Cultural Diversity Committee will work with the campus community to demonstrate the importance of diversity as an intricate part of our university experience.

Membership

SmSUFA: 3
ASF: 3
AFSCME: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
Students: 3
Community/Regional Rep: 1
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
Ex-officio: Affirmative Action Officer
Sub-committee members may be added but do not have formal vote
Provost

Term

1 year

Contact

Campus Diversity Officer

Charge

The Gender Equity in Athletics Committee is charged with the development of the Gender Equity in Athletics policy and the development of the SMSU Gender Equity Plan for Athletics, which would include

1. The issue(s) of concern and/or the current status,
2. The goal for improvement in specific areas,
3. The timeline for accomplishment, and
4. The individual(s) responsible for accomplishing that goal.

The committee is charged to annually reassess and modify the Gender Equity Plan for Athletics in conjunction with evaluating data on all subjects of Title IX compliance.

The Committee will also evaluate other issues as assigned or determined to compliance with Title IX regulations.

Goals and Action Steps

Year 1

1. Committee approved and convened
2. Hold initial planning meeting(s)
3. Provide educational workshop (externally facilitated)
4. Tour athletic facilities for assessment purposes

Year 2

1. Provide educational workshop
2. Review assessment of athletic facilities
3. Develop Initial response to assessment
4. Identify other areas for assessment

Membership

Title IX Coordinator and Athletic Director (Co-Chairs)
CFO
Associate VP of Enrollment Management
Two Associate Athletic Directors
Faculty Athletics Representative
Intramurals and Club Sports director/representative
Alumni Foundation Employee
Two head coaches (1 men’s/ 1 women’s coach)
One ASF Representative (may be a member also serving by function)
One SmSUFA Representative (may be a member also serving by function)
One Classified employee (may be a member also serving by function)
Four students:
2 student athlete advising committee
Intramural/ club sport participant/representative
Student Senator, who serves on fee committee

Term

2 year

Contact

Charge

This committee facilitates the University’s strategic plan by reviewing, monitoring, and communicating progress toward the University’s goals. This may include updating the plan, soliciting input on the plan from the university community, and participation in University Strategic Planning events. This committee also monitors and orchestrates the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation initiatives and aligns these tasks with strategic operations.

Membership

Administration: 6
SmSUFA: 9 (SmSUFA President; Long-range Chair; Curriculum Chair; CIA Chair; Academic Affairs; Physical Plant Chair; 3 at-large)
ASF: 2
AFSCME: 1
Coalition (MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL): 1
Students: 2
Other (i.e. Area Legislator, Community/ Region/ Alumni/ Foundation representative): 2
By Function: Campus Diversity Officer
By Function: Director of the Deeann Griebel Student Success Center
By Function: Director of Residence Life
Ex-officio Member (President)

Term

2 year

Contact

Ross Wastvedt, Provost

Charge

1. Consult with the members of the SMSU campus on the appropriateness of awarding honorary degrees to the nominees, and
2. Submit its recommendations(s) to the President

Membership

SmSUFA: 3
AFSCME: 1
ASF: 1
Administrator: 1
Alumni President or Designee
Ex-Officio Student (SA President)

Term

1 year

Contact

President’s Office

Charge

Scope

1. Organize at least one hunger awareness event each academic year
2. Coordinate with the University to ensure there is a designated staff person on campus to educate students on SNAP and other public services aimed to reduce food insecurity.
3. Notify students in work-study employment of their potential eligibility for SNAP benefits and provide information to those students that include eligibility criteria and how to apply for benefits.
4. Re-apply for Hunger free campus designation every four years
5. Assess barriers to students using current on and off campus resource
6. Create and distribute survey to students to get more specific understanding of food needs
7. Research and find options for distributing culturally appropriate foods

Meeting frequency

1. Meetings will occur at least three (3) times a year

Membership

One (1) member from SmSUFA
One (1) member from ASF
One (1) member from AFSCME
One (1) member from MMA/MAPE/CONF
One (1) Graduate Assistant from the Mustang Market
One (1) Graduate Assistant from Student Government
Four (4) students appointed by the Student Association

Term

2 year

Contact

Charge

This is a committee of faculty, administration, and students who will review all university research activities involving human or animal participants to ensure that it is being conducted ethically. Committee meets in fall and then on an as needed basis.

Membership

SmSUFA: 3 and one from Science
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
AFSCME: 1
ASF: 1
Dean: 1 non-voting
Student: 1

Term

1 year

Contact

Academic Dean’s Office

Charge

The IAAC would serve in an advisory capacity to the President and the Athletic Director in matters relating to intercollegiate athletics. The committee would advise the President and A.D. on such matters as policies, procedures, and programs with affect to student-athletes, the athletic staff, the university, alumni and general public.

Membership

SmSUFA: 3 plus Faculty Athletic Representative
ASF: 2
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
AFSCME: 1
Student: 1
SAAC: 1
Booster Member: 1
At-large from Committee: 1
Alumni Assoc: 1

Term

1 year

Contact

Faculty Athletics Representative

Charge

This Committee is responsible for oversight of the SMSU Liberal Education Program (LEP) and associated Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). The committee reviews courses and activities in order to ensure that the philosophy and structure of the LEP is maintained. The committee meets weekly.

Membership

Faculty Co-Chair: (include one faculty member with ½ reassigned time to serve 3 years. The CO-Chair should teach at least one FYS or one CIS each year)
Administrative Co-Chair at the level of Assistant Dean or above. This Co-Chair should be involved in strategic assessment of the University.
Faculty from College of ALS selected by SmSUFA Executive Committee for 2 year term.
Faculty from College of BEPS selected y SMSUFA Executive Committee for 2 year term.
Member from McFarland Library for 2 year term
Member from Educational Opportunity Program for 2 year tern. Provost/VP for Academic and Student Affairs or designee to serve as needed as a consultant and non-voting member.
ASF

Term

3 years for co-directors, 2 years for other members

Contact

Deans’ Office

Charge

This committee will facilitate the recognition of excellence achieved by faculty, support faculty, staff, and administration. It will compile achievements such as publications, grants, awards, and honorary positions. The Mustang Ovations Committee will create an annual celebratory event for these achievements and publicize these through SMSU or other news and web outlets. Similarly, this committee will re-implement and coordinate the awarding of monthly Mustangs Making a Difference Awards. The Committee will also review recommendations to confer honorary degrees. When nominations arise, this committee will submit to the President recommendations to confer honorary degrees after consultation with members of the SMSU campus on the appropriateness of awarding an honorary degree to the nominee. Budget: A small budget will be developed to pay for expenses including the cost of Cowan Award medals, printing of the Mustang Ovations event booklet, a small Mustang Ovations event reception, and miscellaneous costs.

Membership

SmSUFA: 3
ASF: 3
AFSCME: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
Student Association President
Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach
Dean of Arts, Letters, & Sciences
Dean of Business, Education, & Professional Studies

Term

Contact

Charge

Hears requests from those who wish to appeal a parking ticket

Membership

MMA: 1
ASF: 1
MAPE: 1
AFSCME: 2
Students: 1-3

Term

1 year

Contact

Public Safety

Charge

Membership

Provost
Registrar
Director of Financial Aid
SmSUFA President (or designee)
ASF President (or designee)
A President (or designee) of MMA/MAPE/CONF 5/MGRL/AFSCME

Term

3 year

Contact

Eric White: Registrar

Charge

The Professional Development Day Planning Committee is responsible for planning and organizing annual Professional Development Day conferences to promote the professional goals and interests of SMSU faculty. This is not related to “Development Day” that promotes the goals and interests of SMSU staff.

Membership

Provost
Academic Deans
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Residential Life Director
Director of Diversity and Inclusion
SmSUFA: 1 ALS
SmSUFA: 1 BEPS
ASF: 1

Term

1 year

Contact

Deans’ Office

Charge

The purpose of the Campus Master Plan is to provide Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) with a valuable tool for future decision making that supports the academic mission and sets a logical course for capital improvements over the next thirty to fifty years.

Membership

Director of Facilities and Physical Plant
Provost
VP for Finance and Administration
Dean of BEPS
VP for Advancement & Foundation Executive Director
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MRGL: 1
AFSCME: 1
ASF: 1
Student: 1
Associate VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
Director of Athletics
Director of Accessibility Services
SmSUFA 3

Term

1 year

Contact

Director of Facilities

Charge

This committee reviews all requests for space on campus and makes recommendations to the University President.

Membership

Chair: VP for Finance and Administration
SmSUFA: 1 appointed by Physical Plant Committee
SmSUFA Chair of the Physical Plant Committee: 1
Ex-Officio: Director of Facilities and Physical Plant
Ex-Officio: Assistant to Deans
Ex Officio: Coordinator of Accessibility Services
ASF: 1
AFSCME: 1
MMA: 1
MAPE: 1
Student: 1

Term

1 year

Contact

VP Finance & Administration

Charge

The purpose of the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee (SEM) is to optimize the overall enrollment of SMSU, including the recruitment of new students and the retention of current students. The committee’s role is primarily advisory and forward-thinking in nature. The Committee will take a data driven approach in its work and will include discussion, review, analysis, and evaluation of strategies, actions, and outcomes related to attracting and retaining students.

Membership

Executive Director for Enrollment Management
SmSUFA: 2
ASF: 3
Student Association: 2
AFSCME: 1
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 1
Financial Aid
Registrar
Advising
International Student Services
Diversity and Inclusion
Student Success
Admission
By Function: Dir of Inst Research & Reporting

Term

1 year

Contact

Executive Director for Enrollment Management and Student Success

Charge

This committee shall be responsible for recommending allocation of funds gathered through the Student Technology Fee. The committee shall hear proposals for the use of monies and recommend to the Student Senate allocations based on established criteria. The Student Senate recommendation shall then be forwarded to the President's Cabinet.

Membership

Students: 6
SmSUFA: 3
ASF: 2
Information Technology Services Rep designated by CIO (ex officio: non-voting) Chief Information Officer (ex-officio; non-voting)
SMSUSA President (ex-officio; non-voting)
Administrative Services: (ex-officio; non-voting)
COLT rep (ex officio, non-voting)
Chief Information Officer (or designee) (ex-officio, non-voting)

Term

1 year

Contact

Chief Information Officer

Charge

• To serve as an advisory board for the Center for International Education (CIE) on Study Aboard and Global Engagement matters as requested.
• To meet periodically and establish, review, and enforce education abroad procedures and deadlines that ensure fiscally sound and educationally stimulating study abroad opportunities worldwide.
• To review, evaluate, and approve faculty and staff proposals of all university sponsored affiliated programs and education abroad opportunities including short-term programs and semester-long experiences outside of the U.S.
• To serve as a resource to members of the SMSU community as they prepare and propose short-term faculty/staff led academic and program opportunities abroad.
• To advocate for new and continuing study abroad opportunities within SMSU and its partners.
• To assist the Center for International Education with study abroad related activities as requested (professional development days, study abroad campus fairs/expos, study abroad information sessions).
• To enact best practices in the field of International Education and Study Aboard opportunities.

Membership

Permanent Co-Chair: Director of the Center for International Education
Permanent Co-Chair: Faculty Chair of Global Studies Committee
Ex Officio/non-voting Administration: (Provost or Dean)
By Function: Financial Aid Office Rep
Business Services Rep
Registration & Records Rep
SmSUFA: 2
ASF: 1
MMA/MAPE/Conf/Mgrl/Council 5: 1

Term

Contact

Charge

Serve as a forum for the University community to: 1) provide input to the Chief Information Officer in support of ongoing strategic planning efforts focused on meeting the institution’s wide-ranging technology service needs; 2) provide input to the Chief Information Officer on policies and procedures development that involve information technology including institutional level information security measures; and 3) provide feedback for Information Technology Services regarding existing services and operations.

Membership

CIO
SmSUFA: 3
ATC Chair/Designee: 1
Library: 1
ASF: 2
MMA/MAPE/CONF/MGRL: 2
AFSCME: 1
Distance Learning Office: 1
Students: 3
At-Large (Appointed by Committee): 1

Term

1 year

Contact

Chief Information Officer