3_2_6

Section 3: Comprehensive Standards

3.2.6 There is a clear and appropriate distinction, in writing and practice, between the policy-making functions of the governing board and the responsibility of the administration and faculty to administer and implement policy.

Judgment of Compliance:
Compliance

Narrative/Justification for Judgment of Compliance:
Christopher Newport University is in compliance with this standard. The University Handbook, Section II Board of Visitors, Article III. Powers and Duties states:

The Board shall control and expend the funds of the University and any appropriation hereafter provided; control all real estate and personal property of the University; make all needful rules and regulations concerning the University, appoint the president who shall be its chief executive officer, and all teachers; fix their salaries; provide for the employment of other personnel as required; and generally direct the affairs of the University.

The formulation of the broad policies under which every aspect of the university's operations are carried out, as well as the implementation of these policies, is subject to the Board's review, possible modification, and ultimate approval. The Board appoints the President to initiate proposed policies, to execute approved policies and to administer the University. The President serves as the authorized officer through whom communication takes place between the Board and the Faculty, the Board and the Students, the Board and officers of the administration, and other employees of the University. The Board, as the governing authority of the University, delegates to the President the authority to oversee and to administer the policies of the Board and to manage the administrative, instructional, research and service programs of the University. These roles are delineated in the Board of Visitors By-Laws, published in Section II of the University Handbook:

The President of the University shall be the chief executive and academic officer of the University. The President shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve at its pleasure.
Duties of the President — The President shall
a) attend all meetings of the Board and shall have notice of and the privilege of attending all meetings of its committees;
b ) have responsibility for the operation of the University in conformity with the purposes and policies determined by the Board;
c) act as adviser to the Board and shall have responsibility for recommending to it for consideration those policies and programs which in the President's opinion will best promote the interests of the University;
d) recommend to the Board long-range educational goals and programs and the new degrees which may be best suited to attain those goals and programs;
e ) recommend to the Board the election, compensation, promotion, and leaves of absence of the faculty except as otherwise provided;
f ) have primary responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of proper relationships with the graduates of the University;
g ) at all times maintain cordial relationships with the students, guarding and protecting their best interests;
h ) submit to the Board at the June meeting each year an annual budget for the operation of the University for the following fiscal year, and shall prepare and submit to the Governor, after approval by the Board, a biennial budget request as required by law or regulation;
i) promote the development of the endowment funds of the University and be authorized to accept any gift or grant subject to the approval of the Governor as required, making a report thereon to the Board of such gifts or grants;
j) present by November 1 of each year the annual financial statements of the University to the Board of Visitors, the Secretary of Education, and, under oath, to the Auditor of Public Accounts as required by Section 2.1-160 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended; [report of the President to the Board at its January meeting] and to give the Board an update of University matters at each meeting of the Board.
k) perform such other duties as may be required by the Board.

The Board is responsible for establishing broad institutional policies, securing financial resources, and selecting the president of the university as described in the By-Laws. The Board exercises financial responsibility and control over the university and has in place procedures to ensure that it is informed about the financial condition and stability of the university. Financial reports are regularly included in materials prepared for Board meetings. Executive Officers report regularly to the Rector and relevant Board committees on all significant matters or changes related to financial condition, especially increases or decreases in funding or projections. The Executive Vice President reports on the financial operations at each meeting of the Board.

In practice, the distinctions between policy making and implementation are evident in the university's organizational structure (Section XVI of the University Handbook). The organizational structure reflects the administrative functions carried out by the Office of the President and the Chief of Staff and Vice Presidential areas reporting to the Chief of Staff. These include Human Resources, University Advancement, Student Services, and auxiliaries, facilities, technology, and physical plant through the Executive Vice President. Intercollegiate Athletics, Public Affairs, and Planning and Budget report to the Chief of Staff. Together these offices implement the student support services policies and the physical and administrative policies of the university.

The University Handbook Section XVII on University Governance states:

The provisions of this section have been formulated through the process of shared governance. They do not, however, abrogate or supplement the overall authority of the Board of Visitors concerning the University's mission oversight of educational programs, appointment of members of the administration, faculty, and staff, preservation and maintenance of the physical plant, and direction and control of financial assets.

Section XVII.A.2. a. states:

The Instructional faculty shall have the reasonable opportunity to participate in the formulation, development, review, and alteration of regulations and procedures affecting academics and the Instructional faculty of the University. These regulatory and procedural areas shall include:

curriculum and transfer credit;

grading system, examination, and appeals;

faculty development;

standards for retention, promotions, tenure, and the recognition of merit;

faculty personnel matters such as fringe benefits, outside employment, leaves of absence, and other working conditions;

long and short range institutional academic and fiscal planning.

Academic and academic support functions are carried out in the areas reporting to academic affairs and the Provost of the University. All employees support the implementation of programs to fulfill the liberal arts curriculum and excellence in teaching. Other units are in place to ensure support is provided and excellence achieved. The Instructional faculty, academic deans, and Provost have the major responsibility for the development and organization of the curriculum. The Provost acts on the establishment, reorganization or discontinuance of academic programs after formal faculty consultation, with the Faculty Senate or the Graduate Programs Council, as appropriate. Changes to the curriculum are recommended by the Provost to the President and, when appropriate, by the President to the Board of Visitors.

The Academic Affairs and Faculty Affairs Standing Committees of the University are charged with making recommendations to the Provost and/or Faculty Senate or Graduate Programs Council as appropriate on matters pertaining to the University's curriculum and faculty. Committee membership includes faculty who are elected by the instructional faculty or appointed by the Provost or a combination of both. The Faculty Senate also appoints a liaison to any academic affairs committee that does not have a senator in its membership.

The academic affairs committees make recommendations to the Provost and/or the Faculty Senate as appropriate, on changes to the curriculum, degree requirements, academic performance, admissions standards, academic advising, and academic program review. In addition, academic affairs committees are charged with oversight of the Honors Program, academic technology services, library, speakers program, research activities, assessment and evaluation, international studies program, fellowship and scholarship activities, animal care and welfare, and the evaluation and promotion of the Administrative and Professional faculty. The faculty affairs committees make recommendations to the Provost and/or Faculty Senate, as appropriate, on faculty personnel issues, standards for the evaluation of faculty, termination matters, and faculty grievances.

The Board of Visitors is exclusively empowered to make all full-time faculty appointments, authorize elevations in academic rank and confer tenure. Section XI.2.c. of the University Handbook outlines the procedure for recruiting and initial appointment of full-time faculty Initial appointment contracts are approved by the Board.

The evaluation, promotion, tenure, and salary of instructional faculty are addressed in Section XI.8. of the University Handbook. A peer group made up of members of the department and, to a lesser extent, members of related departments is directly involved in making an initial recommendation for retention, promotion, and/or tenure of instructional faculty. The appropriate dean reviews the recommendation and acts on it from the perspective of academic management. The Faculty Review Committee, consisting of faculty representatives, provides a university-wide perspective in making its recommendations and forwards them, along with those of the dean, to the Provost, who makes final recommendations to the President. The President makes the final decision and, subject to the approval of the Board of Visitors, authorizes a contract reflecting that decision.

The University Handbook outlines the distinction between the policy-making function of the Board of Visitors and the responsibility of the administration and faculty to administer and implement policy. The Board appoints the President, who is the chief executive and academic officer of the institution. The Board allocates responsibility and authority to the President for the operation of the university and for all senior level administrators to report to and serve at the pleasure of the President. The handbook clearly defines the areas of responsibility of each of the senior level administrators (University Handbook Section XVI). The handbook also defines the responsibilities of the Instructional faculty and states that they shall have the reasonable opportunity to participate in the formulation, development, review, and alteration of regulations and procedures affecting academics and the instructional faculty of the University. The instructional faculty may delegate, with the approval of the President, certain responsibilities to other bodies including the graduate faculty, certain University committees, and the Faculty Senate.

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