Revision Responsibility: President/CEO

Responsible Executive Office: President/CEO

Purpose:

To establish an effective means whereby employees and students have an opportunity to actively participate in specific areas of institutional decision-making.

Policy:

I. The Role of Committees

Fulfillment of Platt College’s mission requires the active involvement of all members of the College community. The committee structure represents the joint interest of all College constituencies in the operations of the College and provides a formal avenue for participation in shared governance of the institution. The suggestions, comments, and recommendations from the committees provide meaningful input into developing policies and procedures and the decision-making processes of the College. This input is vitally important to those responsible for the administration of College functions.

II. Types of Committees and Terms of Appointment

A. Standing Committees

1. These are permanently established committees with responsibilities related to College functions.

2. With the exceptions of student members who serve one-year terms and those who serve by virtue of their position, the term of appointment is for two years, unless specified differently in the committee’s bylaws/rules. 

B. Ad Hoc Committees

1. These are temporary committees assigned the responsibility of investigating specific issues or topics and making recommendations relative to them.

2. The term of appointment is for the duration of the assignment.

III. Composition and Membership

A. The membership of committees takes into consideration the need for appropriate representation by college constituencies and the need to have personnel knowledgeable of the assigned area on the committee. Because of the nature of some committees, certain members may serve by virtue of position or may be re-appointed regardless of the length of service on these committees.

B. Committees are designed to be working committees.  The size of the committee is determined according to the responsibilities and duties of the committee. Persons appointed to standing committees will be notified by January 1.  Appointments to committees typically expire December 31, except for standing committees that serve for additional periods of time.  Requests for committee service should be made to individuals at least 30 days before the appointment begins. 

C. The administrative officer to whom the committee reports serves as an ex-officio member. Committees may also avail themselves of the advice and assistance of other members of the College faculty, staff, students, and alumni as needed.  

Procedures:

I. Standing Committee Appointments

The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean, School of Nursing are responsible for recommending to the President the names of faculty, staff, and students to serve on the standing committees.

II. Reporting Guidelines

A. Each committee has an appropriate administrator (i.e. Dean, School of Nursing or Vice President of Academic Affairs) designated as the normal reporting channel. The committee’s business shall be conducted with this individual who, in turn, has the responsibility for keeping the President and other appropriate personnel informed of the committee’s activities.

B. Minutes should be kept of each committee meeting, approved by the committee members, and sent to the Executive Administrative Assistant for website upload. Committee minutes should be made available to the general College community via the website to the appropriate constituencies, except in the case of committees assigned responsibility for matters requiring confidentiality (for example: grievance hearings, etc.). The minutes should reflect members present, members absent, issues discussed, and actions taken by the committee.

C. Any recommendations by a committee should be sent directly to the appropriate administrative officer with a brief explanation of the purpose of the recommendation. So that committees may operate more effectively, the administrative officers to whom the committees report will keep all committee members informed as to actions taken on the committee’s recommendations.

III. Committee Chairpersons

The committee shall select a chairperson at its first meeting, unless otherwise indicated in the committee charge.

IV. Meetings

The number of meetings should be commensurate with the nature and amount of business to be transacted by the committee; however, to be viable, each standing committee should meet at least twice per calendar year.

V. Organization

A. At the first meeting, the committee will develop internal procedures appropriate to its function. The charge to the committee should be fully understood by each member so that the committee can explore all available means of fulfilling the committee’s charge.

B. Frequency of meetings, times and places should be established. Selection of officers and the determination of subcommittees should also be made as appropriate.

VI. Quorum

A. The attendance requirement in order for a committee to conduct business and the minimum vote for committee recommendations should be determined in accord with the following guidelines at the first meeting.

1. The minimum attendance requirement is one-half of the membership plus one, excluding ex-officio members.

2. The minimum requirement for passage of a recommendation is over 50% of those present. This requirement may be increased, but should not exceed two-thirds of those present.

B. In the event a committee fails to obtain a quorum for two previously called meetings, any business requiring approval will be sent to the appropriate administrator without recommendation.

Committees should follow Robert’s Rules of Order when conducting official committee business.  A quick reference list is available at http://www.robertsrules.com/interp_list.html

VII. Current College-Wide Standing Committees

Academic Support and Career Services Committee: (Reporting Channel = Vice President of Academic Affairs)

The Academic Support and Career Services Committee develops, reviews, and recommends policies for student activities and services, such as referrals for tutoring, counseling, housing and transportation recommendations, campus events, and student activities. The committee provides enforcement of procedures and regulations to maintain appropriate standards of conduct within the student community. The Committee consists of 6 members, including 2 faculty members, 2 students, and 2 staff members.

Admissions Committee: (Reporting Channel = Dean of Nursing)

The purpose of this committee is to review applications. The committee reserves the right to select applicants with the best qualifications who meet the minimum criteria. This Committee consists of at minimum 2 full-time faculty members and 1 full-time staff member.       

Admissions Department Committee: (Reporting Channel = Dean of Nursing)

The purpose of this committee to address the design and application of admissions policies and procedures. The Committee consists of all employed admissions department members.       

Clinical Faculty Committe: (Reporting Channel = Clinical Placement Coordinator)

The purpose of this committee is to enhance awareness of excellence in clinical experiences, to promote collegiately among clinical and didactic faculty members, and to facilitate and maintain clinical relationships. 

Goals:

• Promote consistent Faculty Practice expectations
• Support Clinical Faculty professional development
• Promote involvement of Clinical Faculty in the School of Nursing's mission by promoting teaching, research, and service
• Participate in the development and evaluation of policies and plans affecting Clinical Faculty
• Keep abreast of the new curriculum changes and be active in the content and implementation of the curriculum

Committee membership includes the Clinical Placement Coordinator, one didactic nursing faculty member, the Chair of the PFO, and all full and part-time clinical/simulation faculty members. 

Coordinators Committee: (Reporting Channel = Vice President of Academic Affairs) The purpose of this committee is to understand the needs of students, faculty, and staff and how to assist them in relation to each coordinator's role and responsibilities. The Coordinators Committee consists of all coordinators and deans.

Curriculum and Outcomes Committees: (Reporting Channel = Dean, School of Nursing)(Faculty Coordinator of Foundational Liberal Arts =Foundational Liberal Arts)

This Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Dean, School of Nursing or the Faculty Coordinator of Liberal Arts and the Executive Committee on all curriculum changes or new programs.  Membership includes full and part-time faculty. The Dean, School of Nursing and/or the Faculty Coordinator of Liberal Arts oversee foundational liberal arts and sciences.

Distance Education (Online Learning) Committee: (Reporting Channel = Coordinator of IT Services)

The purpose of this committee is to develop guidelines for distance education courses and make recommendations to the PFO regarding policies and procedures for distanced education training of faculty and students.  The committee advises the strategic planning committee on institutional needs and best practices for distance education and formulates strategies for ensuring input and ongoing development and support for instructional and distance technologies. The distance education committee consists of the Coordinator of IT Services, 2 faculty, 1 staff, and 1 student.

Diversity Committee: (Reporting Channel = College President)

The purpose of this committee is to assist in the development of plans, strategies, and initiatives to encourage increased diversity in the enrollment of the college and involvement in the college by diverse individuals at all levels of the institution.  The diversity committee consists of 1 faculty member, 1 staff member, and 3 students. 

Executive Committee: (Reporting Channel = College President)

This committee has administrative authority for the institution and is composed of the President-Chair, Vice President of Academic Affairs-Vice Chair, Dean, School of Nursing, and Associate Dean, School of Nursing.

Knowledge Resource Library Committee: (Reporting Channel = Vice President of Academic Affairs)

The purpose of this committee is to address the mutual needs of the Knowledge   Resource Library (KRL) and the Academic Departments in developing a KRL that meets student and faculty needs. The committee makes recommendations for acquisitions of resources for the KRL. This committee is composed of the Information Specialist-Chair, the Library Assistant, 1 faculty representative, and 1 student.

Platt Faculty Organization: (Reporting Channel = Dean, School of Nursing)

Primary Authority: The PFO shall have power to formulate, implement, and evaluate policy governing:

• Curriculum
• Structure of the nursing program related to academic matters
• Standards for admission, progression, and retention of students in collaboration with the Admissions Committee
• Standards for the appropriate use of academic freedom
• Aspects of student life directly related to the nursing educational process
• Procedures for implementation of these aforementioned powers
• Evaluation processes and outcomes in collaboration with the Executive Administrative Team
• Ongoing assessment and evaluation of student learning outcomes, program outcomes, role-specific graduate competencies, and ACEN standards.

Advisory Authority: The PFO shall actively participate in the decision making process regarding matters affecting the educational processes and policies for which it has primary responsibility. In the performance of this advisory function, it is necessary that the PFO be apprised, in advance, of significant prospective actions by the Administrative Team. Therefore, the PFO shall have authority to advise on matters of policies, particularly those matters dealing with the following:

• Departmental budget
• Student conduct and disciplinary actions
• Departmental development activities
• Physical facilities
• Aspects of faculty life related to nursing education process including, but not limited to, workload and faculty search activities.

The PFO consists of all full and part-time nursing faculty and staff (who hold an RN license) and all full and part-time foundational liberal arts and sciences faculty. 

Platt Student Nurses Association: (Reporting Channel = Faculty Advisor, School of Nursing)

As a part of the National Student Nurses' Association, Platt Student Nurses Association helps to mentor the professional development of future registered nurses and facilitates their entrance into the profession by providing educational resources, leadership opportunities, and career guidance.

Platt Student Veterans Organization (SVO): (Reporting Channel = Faculty Advisor)

The School of Nursing at Platt College Student Veterans Organization (SVO) is an organization committed to serving veterans and their families.  The SVO is an independent student run organization that strives to further veteran’s lives by providing awareness, support, and resources at the college. We utilize the Faculty, Staff, and other student organizations to reach our goals which include:

• Cooperation, communication, support and information exchange for veterans or those interested in/supportive of veterans.
• Development of appropriate strategies to assist, encourage, and support the implementation of the mission at Platt College
• Maintain a registry of members available to serve as advocates and resource individuals for developing, planning, and evaluating initiatives, policies, and procedures pertinent to the current veteran services
• Veteran representation and involvement throughout the college
• A forum through which Veterans at Platt college may articulate their unique concerns and issues collectively
• Engage in fundraising for various activities related to military and or veterans interests in social activities, memorials/monuments, and donations to relevant charities

Membership is open to all students, dependents and those who have a desire to be a member.

Program Advisory Committee: (Reporting Channel = Vice President of Academic Affairs)(Nursing = Dean, School of Nursing)

The Program advisory committee is lay committee appointed to review the established curricula of the program, instructional-related program materials, equipment and facilities, and student achievement outcomes as a means to provide the College with an external review of its programs.  As such, they do not establish policy and/or procedures nor become involved in program or department operations. The College must have a diverse program advisory committee that includes qualified representatives from the employment community, practitioners, and others from the field of higher education, regulators, etc. as appropriate.  Program advisory committee meetings must include at least three members in attendance that represent the employment community and/or practitioners from the program area and at least one individual qualified to review and comments on the program’s general education and distance education requirements

Strategic Planning and Priorities Committee: (Reporting Channel = President)

The Strategic Planning and Priorities Committee reviews and reaffirms the College’s mission statement and core values and creates a vision statement from College feedback before submitting to the Board of Directors.  Additionally, the committee helps to formulate a five-year strategic plan and annual action plans.  The strategic plan consists of goals, measureable objectives, strategies, proposed actions, and annual outcomes.  The action plan consists of specific action items that, when implemented, lead to the achievement of the stated objectives.  The Vice   President of Academic Affairs, as instructed by the President,  is responsible for ensuring actions listed in the plan.  The Dean and Associate Dean of Nursing are responsible for developing program level plans that address program level functions and the college’s strategic goals.  The Faculty Coordinator of Foundational Liberal Arts will collaborate with the Dean, School of Nursing in regards to foundational liberal arts and sciences.     

VII. Ad Hoc Committees

Grievance Committee: (student or employee)

The purpose of this committee is to address formal student grievances.  If a committee is needed for resolution of a grievance, the Grievance Committee will be composed of two (2) students, two (2) Platt College staff member, and one (1) Platt College Administrator. 

Created: July 28, 2009, Revised: August 3, 2010 to demonstrate new committees, January 17, 2011 to reflect revised organizational chart, November 29, 2012 to reflect addition of IT Student and Learning Management System Committee and the elimination of the School of Design committees, December 10. 2012 to include General Faculty Organization, June 17, 2013 to reflect Institutional Effectiveness, Distance Education, and Admissions Department Committee, June 8, 2016 to reflect combining of General Faculty Organization and Nursing Faculty Organization Committee into Platt Faculty Organization.