Academic Senate records

Collection

Identifier: AC 4

Staff Only

This collection is arranged into two series.

Series 1, Faculty Minutes and Academic Senate Records, is comprised of Faculty and Academic Senate meeting minutes and agendas, as well as supporting documentation for the meetings including correspondence and notes.

Series 2, Administration Committee, contains meetings minutes from 1923-1954.

Dates

1849-ongoing

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research; however, certain materials are fragile and require Archives staff for handling, or use may be restricted altogether. Many documents are marked "CONFIDENTIAL" and require archivist approval before viewing.

Extent

11.17 Linear Feet (13 boxes, 3 file cabinet drawers; further additions are expected)

Additional Description

Overview

This collection is comprised of Faculty and Academic Senate meeting minutes and agendas, as well as supporting documentation for the meetings including correspondence and notes. From 1849-1970, the group in charge of directing the educational program at the college recorded their meetings simply as "Faculty Minutes," though the group consisted of students and administrators as well as faculty. In 1970, they changed their name to Academic Senate.

Biographical / Historical

The Academic Senate carries major and direct responsibility for the educational program of the college. It exercises effective control over academic standards, and over all curricular matters, except for those matters specifically designated by the college Charter to be the function of the faculty. Major Academic Senate legislation is subject to the final jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees. The Senate maintains a close relationship to the admissions, business, public relations and development functions of the college.

The Senate functions not only through its regular and special meetings but through standing, special, and ad hoc committees. These normally report to and are responsible to the Senate. Committee members are appointed by the provost or elected by the faculty, or elected or confirmed by the Academic Senate.

Committees of the Academic Senate or the faculty make recommendations to the administration and to the Senate and/or faculty as appropriate with regard to policy matters, and also serve in a decision-making capacity within their respective areas of concern.

[the above from Adminstrative Policy Manual 2012]

The faculty of Beloit College first met formally in October, 1849. Records of their meetings continued to be called Faculty Minutes until they officially changed their name to Academic Senate. The first meeting of the Academic Senate was June 22, 1970.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection is comprised of a number of different accessions, including 2012-20 from the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College, many of which contained duplicate material. Two paper copies of minutes and agendas have been kept, and minutes and agendas from 1987-2010 have been digitized by the Provost and Dean of the College.

Specifically, 2012-20 came from Sheila Gustafson (former executive secretary to the Provost) and Csilla Macsari (former assistant to the Provost).