Glossary
Shared Governance - Shared Governance is a collaborative process wherein University stakeholders—administration, faculty, staff, and students—together advance the mission of the University as a community dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. The process of shared governance is intended to promote the discernment of the best policies to meet the needs of our University community.
Academic Affairs UPC - The Academic Affairs UPC works with the provost and deans to improve teaching, learning, and research and to enhance the overall quality of academic programs. This UPC serves as the locus of dialogue in the formulation of University-wide policies, procedures, and guidelines that relate to academic affairs.
Budget and Finance UPC - The purpose of the Budgeting and Finance UPC is to advise the President and the University Budget Review Team on major budget issues, policies, and long-range planning.
Faculty Affairs UPC - The Faculty Affairs UPC collaborates with the provost, deans, and department chairs to promote the professional development of faculty. In this capacity, it serves as the locus of dialogue in the formulation of University programs and policies pertaining to all aspects of faculty responsibilities, including but not limited to appointments, retention, professional leaves, promotion, and tenure.
Research UPC - The purpose of the Research UPC is to promote and improve the overall quality of Loyola's research programs and grant proposals. This UPC is responsible for University-wide policies and procedures pertaining to research matters and grant proposals in all schools and departments. In that capacity, this UPC serves as the locus of dialogue in the formulation of University-wide policies (in concert with other regulatory requirements), programs, procedures, and guidelines that relate to research and grants.
Shared Governance Task Force – In August 2005, President Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., commissioned a Task Force to evaluate the University’s Shared Governance system. The 2003 Provisional Shared Governance Charter called for such a review after two full years of governance activity. President Garanzini noted that the aim of the review should be developmental, and indicate the strengths and weaknesses of the current system as well as make suggestions for improvement.
Staff Affairs UPC - The Staff Affairs UPC collaborates with the vice presidents for Human Resources and department heads to attract, retain, and develop staff, and to improve the quality of service and administrative support provided to on-campus and off-campus clients of the University. In this capacity, the UPC serves as the locus of dialogue in the formulation, review and recommendation of substantive policies and initiatives that deal specifically with the responsibilities and rights of staff. For the purpose of this charter, staff is defined as all non-faculty and non-student employees.
Strategic Planning UPC - The purpose of the Strategic Planning UPC is to promote, coordinate, and oversee planning across the University. It attempts to link the University's programs and services with its mission, markets, and resources. In meeting the challenges of external as well as the internal environment, it strives to display and foster strategic thinking, timely action, and adequate communication.
Student Affairs UPC - The Student Affairs UPC contributes to the improvement of the overall quality of the educational experience as related to co-curricular programs, residence life, and student support services. The UPC monitors the effectiveness of and serves as the locus of dialogue in the formulation and recommendation of major policies and program initiatives that affect student life and that contribute to the satisfaction and success of our students.
University Coordinating Committee (UCC) - To supervise and coordinate the selection of members to UPCs and to ensure the responsible, efficient, and effective workflow of each UPC. Monitors the resolution of all issues charged to UPCs and ensures proper notification to all interested and affected parties.
University Policy Committee (UPC) - The primary function of a UPC is to be the locus for dialogue in collaborative policy formation prior to approval by the University President. The secondary function of a UPC is to review matters or issues as assigned by the University Coordinating Committee or that fall within its purview as described in this document and to make recommendations to the appropriate administrator on such matters or issues. These UPCs meet as often as needed but at least twice per semester during the regular academic year. Each includes a proportion of administrators, faculty, staff, and students that will ensure wise deliberation and the sharing of critical information and input. All faculty, staff, and student members are selected by their elected representative bodies and councils (Faculty Council, Staff Council, and Unified Student Government) for all seats on the UPCs.