William and Mary

College-wide Committees



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Committee Descriptions

COLLEGE-WIDE COMMITTEES
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT COMMITTEES
Arts & Sciences
Student Affairs
COLLEGE-WIDE COMMITTEES

Academic Calendar Advisory
This committee is responsible for drafting the academic calendar for each academic year and submitting the draft(s) to the Provost for approval. In 2007-08, the committee completed its recommendations for calendars through 2020. The committee meets from time to time to discuss any new issues that might have arisen regarding the calendar since its approval. Normally, the committee should not need to meet more than a couple times a year, unless in the process of developing drafts for multiple years. Time commitment by students would be fairly minimal on this committee.

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Admission Policy Advisory
The Admission Policy Committee serves at the pleasure of the Provost. The committee is composed of eight faculty members from various schools, four students, and three ex-officio administrators who meet two or three times a year. Its function is to oversee the College's admission policies and procedures. As such, it works very closely with the Office of Admission, the Provost for Enrollment and the Office of Financial Aid. An Admission Athletic Review subcommittee of five persons (three faculty and two administrators) also meets six or seven times a year for the purpose of evaluating the admission of athletes requiring further action outside of the regular admission process.

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Advisory Committee on Safety and Security
The Advisory Committee on Safety and Security serves in an advisory capacity and reports recommendations to the Chief of Campus Police and the Vice President for Administration. The committee is responsible for providing guidance related to security issues on the campus which originate from students, faculty, and staff, and acts as an agent through which community concerns about security can be addressed. These issues may include, but are not limited to: campus security, community policing, building effective student/police relationships, promoting efforts to reduce violence and fear, and communicating security and safety concerns and solutions across the campus. The committee is expected to meet on a regularly established schedule, at least twice a semester. Other meetings may be called to address specific issues that may require immediate students input.

  • 6 undergraduate students

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Assessment Steering Committee
The purpose of this committee is to design and implement a long-range plan to launch assessment in a new direction. The Committee first reviewed the history of the revised curriculum at William and Mary. From this overview, they presented a long-range plan for student assessment in two major sections. The first of these involves assessment of general education, and includes subsections addressing evaluation of the revised curriculum and co-curricular activities, and the assessment of the seven general education requirements. The second major section includes a plan for the next round of departmental and program assessments. The Conclusion argues that this assessment plan provides a framework for integrating academic and administrative resources in the support of the undergraduate program.

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Athletic Policy Advisory
The Committee, composed of faculty appointed by the Faculty Assembly and the Schools, meets regularly with the Athletic Director, Associate Athletic Director, Faculty Representative to the NCAA, and the NCAA Compliance Officer to discuss and monitor the relationship between academics and athletics at the College. Grade reports for all student-athletes are reviewed each semester, budgetary issues are discussed; faculty concerns about the role of intercollegiate athletics are often considered. The Committee recently provided input on the Athletic Department's Interim-Report on gender equity. Committee members also assist the Athletic Department in conducting exit interviews with graduating seniors each spring. The Committee generally meets two to three times a semester.

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Commencement Policy
The Commencement Policy Committee makes recommendations to the President on the content and nature of the Commencement weekend activities, including the format, elements, and sequencing of the ceremony itself; the manner of conferring degrees; the processes for ticket distribution; the overall coordination for scheduling and space allocation for weekend events. The Committee also makes decisions on any Commencement Policy proposals and/or appeals. Members of this committee are responsible for coordinating the process for selecting the student Commencement speaker and for identifying who will receive major awards at Commencement (the Carr Cup, the Botetourt Medal, and the Sullivan Awards). The Commencement Policy Committee usually meets 4 or 5 times during the academic year, and is chaired by the Vice President for Student Affairs.

  • Note: The Undergraduate positions on this committee are ex officio and not open for general application.
  • 2 graduate students; 3 undergraduate students (Student Assembly President, Senior Class President, Senior Class Vice President)
  • Additional links: Commencement

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Equal Opportunity/Sexual Harassment
The Director of Equal Opportunity is the Chair of this Committee. The EO/SH Committee plays an active role in advancing the goals of equal access and diversity throughout the campus community. The Committee has been at the forefront of efforts to create a hospitable climate for all of the College's diverse constituents. In addition, the Committee provides guidance to the Office of Equal Opportunity, which oversees faculty and administrative hiring and manages the College's compliance with federal and state equal opportunity laws. The Committee meets monthly during both the academic year and summer. Members undertake significant initiatives outside the context of meetings to advance the College's equal opportunity mission.

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Faculty Committee on University Priorities
This committee works very closely with the Provost's Office and the Office of Finance.

  • The ex officio committee members are the President of the Student Assembly and President of the Graduate Council.

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Food Services Advisory
The Food Services Advisory Committee provides regular feedback to the College regarding the dining services contract and dining services. Students and Dining Services managers discuss and resolve problems as they arise. Students receive assessment reports and give feedback. The committee also contributes to the contract review and renewal process. The committee meets for one hour every three weeks during fall and spring semesters. In years when the dining services contract is out to bid, more meetings are needed.

  • 1 graduate student; 16 undergraduate students (4 per class)
  • Additional links: Dining Services

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Honor and Student Conduct Appeals
Hears appeals concerning rulings of the Honor and Student Conduct Council. This committee requires a commitment of 2-4 meetings per month.

  • 10 undergraduates; 15 graduate students -- 3 from each of the 5 schools

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Honorary Degrees Advisory
This committee is charged with accepting suggestions for honorary degrees and commencement speakers from the community. The committee gathers background on the nominees, reviews and recommends to the Provost those names that the committee feels are appropriate. The Board of Visitors makes the final selections. Student members are on the committee by virtue of held offices. The President of the student assembly, President of the senior class, and the President of the graduate council serve as members of the committee. Since the committee does its work during February and March, (3-4 meetings overall), this means that during the course of the meeting of the committee, student officers change because of March elections. Generally the previous year officers start the process, and then the new officers take over. Student members are responsible for polling their constituencies to gather names for commencement speakers. They review the suggestions in the commencement committee with the VP, Student Affairs and bring a ranked list to the Honorary Degree committee.

  • Note: The Undergraduate positions on this committee are ex officio and not open for general application.
  • 1 graduate student (Graduate Council President); 2 undergraduate students (Senior Class President, Student Assembly President)

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Parking Advisory

The Parking Advisory Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Vice President for Administration on parking policy issues including, but not limited to the decal pricing system, allocation and reallocation of spaces, and parking fine amounts. The Committee is made up of students, faculty, and staff and meets approximately once a month.

  • 2 graduate students; 3 undergraduate students

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Parking Appeals
The Parking Appeals Committee is responsible for: reviewing parking appeals from students, staff, faculty and visitors; acting on special requests for passes that include medical reasons, community service volunteering, and work exemptions; and meeting with those members of the community that want to appeal any decisions in person. The Committee is made up of students, faculty and staff. The Committee meets approximately once a month once the full committee has been established beginning around October 1.

  • 3 graduate students; 5 undergraduate students
  • Additional links: Parking Services

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Student Conduct Council
This body has the responsibility for adjudicating charges of alleged misconduct by students and imposing fair sanctions as provided in the Student Handbook. The Student Conduct Council is comprised of faculty, staff, and students (both graduate and undergraduate). The 13 undergraduate members are selected each year through a separate application process coordinated by the Dean of Students Office. The 15 graduate student members (3 from each of the 5 graduate schools) are selected on an annual basis by a process determined by each of the graduate student governing bodies. Members of the Student Conduct Council will be trained to serve as panel members on Student Conduct Panels. Undergraduate panelists will hear cases involving accused undergraduates; graduate student panelists will hear cases involving accused graduate students from their own graduate school communities.

  • NOTE: The undergraduate members of the Student Conduct Council are selected through a separate process administered by the Dean of Students Office.
  • 13 undergraduates, 15 graduate students -- 3 from each of the 5 graduate schools

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Sustainability Committee

The Committee on Sustainability (COS), appointed in fall 2008 by W&M President Taylor Reveley, is charged with developing, planning and recommending to the President strategies for implementing the College's Sustainability Policy, and integrating sustainability into the life of the College.  Information on COS is found on the Sustainability website. 

To apply for membership on one of the three subcommittees of COS (Science and Technical Advisory Committee STAC, Operations OPS, and Program and Education PEDS) complete the short application form on the Sustainability website.  Applications for subcommittee memberships are accepted continuously throughout the academic year.

Use this same form to apply for one of the two undergraduate or one graduate student representative appointments to the COS Steering Committee.  Steering Committee appointments are for one year beginning in the fall semester.  Please clearly indicate on the form that you wish to apply for the Steering Committee.


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ARTS AND SCIENCES COMMITTEES

Educational Policy
The Committee on Educational Policy conducts a continuing study of the undergraduate educational program, regularly reviewing the educational policies and procedures of the Faculty. It reviews recommendations and requests for changes in the curriculum brought before it by any member or agency of the Faculty or any officer of the College. It brings proposals involving changes in educational policy before the Faculty, together with its recommendations for action, but has authority to approve or disapprove any changes in the curriculum that do not alter existing policy.

  • 0 graduate students; 3 undergrads

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Graduate Studies
There is a standing Committee on Graduate Studies which makes recommendations to the Faculty regarding policy, and carries out established policy, with respect to admissions, curricula, degree requirements, and academic standards in programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, and such other earned post-baccalaureate degrees as may fall within the jurisdiction of the Faculty; and, concurrently with other Faculties of the College, for all programs in which members of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences participate substantially. The Committee on Graduate Studies, of which the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research is chair, includes the Dean of Graduate Studies of the School of Marine Science and the chairs of departments and directors of programs of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences offering graduate work or their respective representatives, and such other members of the Faculty as the Committee on Faculty Affairs may recommend. This committee meets every other week throughout the academic year.

  • 1 graduate student (President of the A&S Graduate Student Association); 0 undergrads
  • Additional links: Graduate School

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Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies
The duties for the Committee on Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies are: "to make policy for a variety of honors and interdisciplinary programs including concentration honors, Monroe Scholars, and interdisciplinary degree programs; to serve as advisors for Monroe Scholar Summer Projects; and to make policy and referee proposals for various faculty development programs, including the May Seminar/University Fellowships program".

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International Study Abroad Committee
The Study Abroad Committee is responsible for overseeing the academic policies of the College’s undergraduate study abroad programs insofar as these policies concern faculty and students in Arts & Sciences.  The committee’s oversight responsibilities include curricula and course content of study abroad programs, study abroad enrollments, transfer credits from study abroad programs, and academic issues related to the Resident Directors.

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STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEES

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee
The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee has been created to insure a comprehensive response to the issue of substance abuse at the College of William and Mary. Its functions shall be:

  • Study the incidence of substance abuse on campus and the problems and issues which emerge from it
  • Evaluate College policies and procedures, educational activities, and counseling/referral services related to substance abuse and recommend changes where appropriate.
  • Sponsor and/or facilitate training experiences, educational programs, and other activities which improve the level or knowledge about substance abuse and enhance the community's ability to respond.
  • Through its programs and services, the Committee will also seek to encourage the development of responsible attitudes toward the use of beverage alcohol.
  • Specifically in the coming year, while continuing to address issues of alcohol abuse, the Committee will give even greater attention to the use and abuse of other substances.
  • The Committee averages two one-hour meetings each month. Other time commitments include subcommittee work on a volunteer basis and usually total only one additional hour for the entire year

    • 1 graduate student; 4 undergrads

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Special Interest Housing
The Special Interest Housing Committee is appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs, to "plan, allocate and review all protected housing (both academic special interest housing and housing assigned to organizations such as the fraternities and sororities)." One responsibility of the Committee is to establish the timeline and standards for review of the use of special interest housing by organizations that currently have special interest housing space allocated to them.

The Special Interest Committee meets 1-3 times each semester, with each meeting lasting about one hour. Members work in subcommittees to assess review reports submitted by groups that currently have Special Interest Housing. This work takes about two hours in the Spring Semester. In years when proposals for new Special Interest Housing are submitted, members are also expected to review the proposals. This takes less than one hour in the Fall Semester.

  • 0 graduate students; 4 undergrads (1 from Greek Housing, 1 from Language Houses/Reves, 1 from an Academic Special Interest House and 1 from any other campus residence)

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