Committees of the Board
The Committees of the Board shall be established to facilitate the business of the Board, communicate with the University administration, study issues of concern to the Board and matters to be brought before the Board, and to provide recommendations to the Board for approval.
Following Board elections, as outlined in Article I, Section 3, the Chairman of the Board shall make committee appointments, including an appointment of a chairperson to each of the Committees. Each Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, including the Committee chairperson and a member of the Executive Committee. The student Regent shall serve on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.
No Committee may act for the Board on matters requiring Board action, except for the Executive Committee as noted under Subsection A below. All Committees shall refer such matters to the Board for appropriate action in a regular or special meeting.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is the governance committee of
the Board. It shall consist of the Chair of the Board,
the Vice Chair of the Board, and the immediate past
chair of the Board. The President of the University
shall serve as an ex officio member of the Committee.
The Committee membership shall change concurrent with the schedule for Board elections as outlined in Article I, Section 3, of these Bylaws.
The Executive Committee shall have a broad mandate from the Board to work with the Board Chair and the President of the University to help the Board function effectively and efficiently. It shall be vested with the authority to act on behalf of the Board on emergency matters that cannot or should not be delayed until the Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting or until a special meeting of the full Board is called, such action taking place at a meeting of the Executive Committee that has been properly noticed in accordance with the requirements of Washington law. Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business of the Executive Committee. If three members of the Executive Committee are not available, the chair of the Board of Regents may designate any member of the Board to temporarily fill the role as a member of that Committee. The Committee’s responsibilities shall, at a minimum, include:
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Ensuring that a substantive orientation process is in place for all new board members;
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Overseeing, or determining with the Board Chair and University President, the timing and process of periodic board self assessment;
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Encouraging Board members to participate periodically in in-service education opportunities;
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Ensuring the Board adheres to its rules of conduct and the Washington State Ethics in Public Service Law;
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Supporting and advising the University President when needed and monitoring the President’s performance and compensation.
In sum, this Committee is responsible for good governance, and shall review and recommend to the Board policies and practices affecting the performance of the governing board and its members in service to Washington State University and to the public trust.
Academic and Student Affairs Committee
This Committee may consider matters relating to curricula, faculty affairs, student affairs, equity and diversity affairs, information technology, and enrollment management, and transmit its recommendations regarding these matters to the full Board.
The President shall appoint ex officio members from among the officers of the University who shall be responsible for the agenda and for transmitting Committee recommendations to the Board.
Matters within the purview of this committee include, but are not limited to:
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Academic Policy. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on matters relating to the educational policies of the University, including curriculum; instruction; educational technology; distance learning; research; public service; admission requirements; the establishment and disestablishment of educational and research units; and the establishment and disestablishment of degree programs;
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Enrollment Management and Planning. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on matters pertaining to enrollment management and planning for the University, including enrollment levels for each campus, overall levels of undergraduate and graduate enrollment; and graduation rates. It will also consider issues relating to student service areas of the University, including admissions, registration, financial aid, student advising, housing.
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Faculty Affairs. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on matters relating to the faculty, including revisions to the Washington State University Faculty Manual and composition of the faculty;
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Student Affairs. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on matters concerning student programs and services, such as academic support programs, and concerning the general welfare of the student body, and shall consider policies that promote healthy surroundings to ensure student safety, high-quality environment, and academic excellence.
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Student Policies. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on policies governing student discipline, conduct, and student organizations.
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Equity and Diversity Affairs. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on matters relating to equity and diversity, and assist the Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity to take a leadership role in these areas.
- Information Technology Policy. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on policy matters relating to the use and acquisition of computer services, telephone services, and other technologies used or proposed for use by the University.
External Affairs and Athletics Committee
This Committee is responsible for review of external activities and marketing efforts of the University. The President shall appoint ex officio members from among the officers of the University who shall be responsible for the agenda and for transmitting Committee recommendations to the Board.
Matters within the purview of this committee include, but are not limited to, considering and making recommendations to the full Board regarding the following:
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External Affairs. Coordinating policy and planning relative to institutional relations with outside constituencies. This may include activites pertaining to government affairs, alumni affairs, community relations, parent organizations, the media, and athletics.
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Planning and Government Affairs. Supporting the long-range planning efforts to the Board by developing plans aimed toward elevating the status of public higher education to all local, state and federal constituencies and agencies, including the Washington Legislature and the general public.
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Athletics. Reviewing issues related to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and athletic policies and planning.
- Development. Reviewing policies pertaining to development activites of the University and the WSU Foundation.
- Economic Development and Extension. Reviewing policies pertaining to economic development, engagement, and Extension activites to enhance the University's efforts in helping build the state's economy.
Finance and Audit Committee
This Committee ensures the fiscal stability and long-term economic health of the University. It may consider matters relating to the following: the fiscal and accounting functions of the University and associated programs and policies; the University's real and intellectual properties; the physical assets of the University; the deployment of technology by the University; and classified and administrative/professional employees.
The President shall appoint ex officio members from among the officers of the University who shall be responsible for the agenda and for transmitting Committee recommendations to the Board.
Matters within the purview of this committee include, but are not limited to, considering and making recommendations to the Board regarding the following:
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Investments. This Committee shall be the Board Committee on investments and shall consider and make recommendatins concerning investment policies and guidelines; monitor the performance of the treasurer and other officers charged with implementation of such policies; monitor performance of the Consolidated Endowment Fund and other managed funds as reported by the Investment Committee.
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Audits. This Committee shall be the Board Committee on audit. In its audit function, it will assist the Board of Regents in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to: the integrity of the University's financial statements, the systems of internal control, the performance of the auditors and internal audit function, and the University's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Committee shall review all matters related to audit and provide reports to the Board, with recommendations when Board action is required.
a. This Committee, in its audit role, shall meet a minimum of four times per year to consider business related to its audit function. Sufficient opportunity for the internal and independent auditors to meet with the Committee should be provided. At least annually, this Committee, as part of its audit function, shall meet with the internal auditor in the absence of University officers.
b. This Committee, in its audit role, may investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all records, facilities, and personnel of the University and the authority to engage other individuals as necessary to carry out its duties, consistent with Washington’s competitive solicitation requirements and other applicable laws.
c. The responsibilities of this Committee, in its audit role include, but are not limited to, a review of the internal audit plan, a review of the audits completed, and a review of annual audited financial statements. -
Operating and Capital Budget Endorsement. This Committee shall oversee the annual and long-range operating and capital budgets for the University and review and provide recommendations to the Board concerning all proposed requests for appropriation of state funds for the University’s operating and capital budgets, prior to submission to the legislature or other state authorities..
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Student Fees, Policies, and Charges. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations on rates and resulting fees directly affecting students, such as Housing and Dining polices and fees; Student Health and Wellness policies and fees; Student Recreation Center policies and fees; and Services and Activities fee allocations.
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Borrowing. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations concerning the long-term financing of capital projects and any other borrowing which may be required by the University.
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Real Property. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations concerning the ownership, management, leasing, acquisition, and disposition of the University’s real property.
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Intellectual Property. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations concerning the University’s intellectual properties; shall review management of these assets, as well as technology transfer activities conducted on behalf of the University by the WSU Research Foundation; and shall propose policies to ensure that income to the University will be maximized over the long term.
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Trust Lands. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations for action, as appropriate, as to matters related to the University’s trust lands and regularly review the management of these assets to ensure that they are being managed in appropriate ways to maximize income to the University over the long term.
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Physical Facilities. This Committee shall be the buildings and grounds committee of the board. It shall consider and make recommendations as to matters relating to the planning, building, maintenance, operation, and naming of the physical facilities of the University, and the purchasing of equipment and supplies utilized by the University.
- Information Technology. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations as to financial matters relating to the use and acquisition of computer services, telephone services, and other technologies used or proposed for use by the University.
- Classified and Administrative/Professional Employees. This Committee shall consider and make recommendations as to matters relating to classified and administrative/professional employees, including revisions to the Administrative and Professional Personnel Handbook, composition of the University’s workforce; and collective bargaining agreements for those employees who are represented by an exclusive bargaining representative.