RIT Academic Senate (1995-2021) records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITArc-0593

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Academic Senate records document the meetings and actions of the Academic Senate from 1995 to 2021. The collection houses meeting minutes, committee reports, and curriculum proposals. Materials also relate to First in Class, an initative that developed from the Strategic Plan to support, “academic and applied research programs aimed at attaining strategic partnerships with industry and government” (Gordon, 531), student evaluation policies, minutes from Institute Council, and the creation of the Field House (1997-1999).

Dates

Creation: 1995-2021

Creator

Rochester Institute of Technology. Academic Affairs. Academic Senate (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researcher use. Some series may contain Personal Identifying Information (PII). RIT Archives staff should review before researcher use.

Biographical / Historical

The Academic Senate was created in 1995 through the adoption of the Charter of Academic Governance, and replaced its predecessor organization, the Faculty Council. Senate seats are apportioned to the Colleges and Educational Development Faculty based on the number of the faculty in that unit. There are currently 43 senators, and of those 43 senators 35 senators are elected for three-year terms. Serving as ex-officio members are the Provost (voting), one Vice-President (officio, voting), two Academic Deans (voting), VP and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion (non-voting), Associate Provost for Faculty Career Development and the Wallace Library (non-voting), the Director of RIT Libraries (non-voting), the Chair of Staff Council (voting), and the President of the Student Government (voting). The President of the Institute is an ex-officio, non-voting member. In 2021, the Academic Senate reorganized itself into a Faculty Senate.

The officers of the Senate, who act as the Executive Committee,consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Operations Officer, Treasurer, and Communications Officer. There are also 13 standing committees, with some of the membership being elected by the various colleges, and some being appointed by the Senate as at-large members.

The Senate meets generally every other Thursday from 12:05 p.m. until 1:50 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.

Academic Senate is committed to facilitating faculty participation in shared governance at RIT. That commitment necessitates timely communications on issues, concerns, and pending changes to the rules and regulations by which RIT will transition from "Very Good to Great." RIT Virtual Town Meeting (RIT VTM) is our concept for meeting this commitment. RIT VTM is enabled by forum discussions, the RIT Academic Senate Digital Media Library which is a searchable catalog of our legacy and working documents, and the mailing lists found throughout this site for communicating with the individuals and groups that constitute Academic Senate and the Academic Senate standing committees that represent our faculty. Should your concern not be met by contacting a specific individual or group of Academic Senate you are welcome to contact the entire Academic Senate and Academic Senate standing committee members by emailing your concern to RIT VTM. RIT Academic Senate,8 July 2015 http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/academicsenate/

Extent

6.67 Linear Feet (6 half document boxes, 13 document boxes, 2 cartons)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Records documenting the activities of the RIT Academic Senate Office from 1996 to the current year. The collection includes meeting minutes, newsletters, curriculum program proposals, committee reports, and other related items.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by subject matter.

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.

RIT Academic Senate records