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Home Governance Committees Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF)

Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF)

Charge

The Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (“SCOF”) oversees and advises SEC on matters relating to the University’s policies and procedures concerning the academic mission, including the structure of the academic staff, the tenure system, faculty appointments and promotions, faculty research, and faculty governance. In general, the Committee deals with the matters covered by the following sections of the University’s Handbook for Faculty and Academic Administrators: I.E.-F., H.2., II.A.-D.

SCOF 2025-2026 Membership

  • Hydar Ali (Dental Medicine)
  • Nelson Flores (GSE), Chair
  • Carmen Guerra (PSOM/Medicine)
  • Julia Hartmann (SAS/Mathematics)
  • Jeffery Saven (SAS/Chemistry)
  • TBD
  • Ex officio:
    • A representative of the Senate Tri-Chairs
    • Sherri Adams (Dental Medicine), PASEF non-voting representative

Specific Charges, 2025-2026

  1. Continue to explore how the Faculty Senate could more effectively represent the interests of non-standing faculty by addressing questions offered in SCOF’s 2024-2025 report. Consider the convening of an advisory subcommittee that includes equitable representation of standing faculty, associated faculty, and academic support staff from across the University to assist in this exploration.
  2. Seek feedback from campus stakeholders (including from each of the schools) on the proposal to revise the title and description of ranks currently within the ‘Academic Support Staff’ category (Faculty Handbook Section II.B.) that was developed by SCOF during 2024-2025 and revise as needed. and explore if and how to replace that category with a new teaching track that acknowledges the pedagogical work done by individuals hired in this track and seeks to identify improved professional pathways for faculty who currently fall under this category.
  3. Consider any matters affecting faculty size, appointments, and tracks brought to the committee by individual schools.
SCOF Reports
Guidelines for Faculty Track Changes in Handbook

Guidelines for Faculty Track Change Requests from Schools

For schools wishing to amend the faculty tracks laid out in the Faculty Handbook, the above Guidelines (approved by the Faculty Senate in 2011) must be followed for purposes of the Senate’s review.  Any supporting documentation, including records of approvals in School faculty meetings, should be routed to the Office of the Provost, which will then forward the information to the Senate together with a cover letter indicating the Office’s position on the proposal. 

The documentation is then reviewed by the Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF), which will reach out to the School with questions or clarification requests.  SCOF meets monthly between September and April.  Upon approval by SCOF, it is then reviewed by the Senate Executive Committee (SEC).  Upon SEC approval, the Senate’s review of the proposal is concluded and information about the review is shared with the Office of the Provost and with the school.