X. Faculty Governance (DRAFT)

Each faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) is encouraged to participate in and support his or her school's governance organization. Faculty governance is the recognized conduit by which faculty can effectively communicate their thoughts and concerns to the administration. It provides a forum for open discussion of matters that affect faculty life and academic environment.
 
In an effort to clarify the roles of president, deans and faculty, and to foster communication between these parties, UTHSC has developed "The Statement on Governance". In keeping with The University of Texas Regent's Rules and Regulations (Part I, Chapter IV, Section 2.1), the UTHSC Statement on Governance indicates that the faculty will have a major role in the governance of their respective institutions in the following areas:
1. General academic policies and welfare
2. Requirements of admission and graduation
3. Approval of candidates for degrees
4. Curriculum and subject matter
5. Student life and activities as it relates to the educational and professional process
6. Honors and scholastic performance generally
7. Research
8. Faculty rules of procedure
9. Faculty Development and status
Furthermore, the Statement indicates that the administration shall support faculty recommendations in these areas except for those circumstances in which there are compelling reasons that shall in turn be communicated to the faculty.
 
At the UTHSC-H level, the Interfaculty Council (IFC) serves as the faculty governance body with membership elected from full-time faculties of the UTHSC-H's Schools as described in the "Bylaws of the Interfaculty Council". The IFC acts as an advisory body to the President of UTHSC-H and as a liaison with the Administration and the Schools' faculty governance organizations.
 
At the Dental Branch, the Faculty Senate serves as the faculty governance body as established by the "Bylaws of The Faculty of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Dental Branch" (see attached). The Senate acts as the representative body of the faculty in all institutional matters. The Dental Branch Senate consists of elected Senators representing each of the School's Departments. In addition to the Senate, faculty are encouraged to be involved in faculty governance through participation in the Faculty Assembly and service on committees. The respective roles and responsibilities of the Senate, Dean, Administrative Council, Faculty Assembly and Standing Committees are all described in the Dental Branch bylaws.
 
For a more complete review of the documents cited above, please refer to the UTDB Web Page under UT Houston General Information.