POLICY08:01:00
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIPS
This policy pertains to standing, college-wide committees and councils. The existence of these
bodies does not preclude the creation of temporary committees, working groups, or teams within
or among departments and divisions.
Please refer to committee membership for individual members.
- Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee
Hears appeals from students who have been charged with academic misconduct by an
instructor or a student appeal of a course grade. Upon student appeal, this committee
reviews evidence provided by the academic dean and the student and either upholds
or overturns the sanction imposed by the instructor. The committee is composed of
five faculty members, who serve two-year terms, and two students, nominated by the
Dean of Students or designee. Committee members are appointed by the president. If
any member of the Academic Misconduct Appeals Committee is involved in a case
presented to this group, he or she will be replaced by another member of his or her
respective representative group. Should an appeal occur when classes are not in
session and/or a committee member(s) is (are) not available to participate, the
president will appoint an alternate committee member(s) on an ad hoc basis. - Academic Leadership Team
Academic Leadership Team functions as the staff meeting for the vice president of
Academic Affairs. Composed of academic deans, assistant vice presidents of
Academic Affairs, director of Distance Education, director of Quality Enhancement
Program (QEP), faculty senate president and director of the Pellissippi Academic
Center for Excellence. Discusses and makes recommendations to the vice president
regarding topics relevant to functioning of the academic departments, including
curriculum, scheduling, hiring of faculty, student perception of instruction, allocation
of academic spaces, professional development, and review of policies. - Accessible Informational Materials & Technologies Committee
The Accessible Information Materials and Technology (AIMT) Committee provides
advocacy, promotion, and training to faculty and staff to assist the institution in
meeting best practices and standards. The AIMT Committee oversees the creation and
implementation of the Accessible Informational Materials and Technology Plan
(AIMT Plan) and is responsible for establishing institutional standards for AIMT
compliance. Additionally, the AIMT Committee will take the lead in administering
Academic Audits and Reviews as requested by the College. - ADA Advisory Committee
Advises and makes recommendations regarding matters of concern to persons with
disabilities on campus to ensure equal access and opportunity. Assesses needs and
plans for faculty development related to disabilities. Provides a forum for students
with disabilities to share their needs so they will be enabled to function as
independently as possible. Identifies and advocates for changes in college policies
and procedures relative to persons with disabilities as needed. - Administrative Council
Composed of the administrative staff of the College except for the president and vice
presidents. Primary responsibilities include reviewing and recommending policies
and establishing procedures and processes to improve overall
administration/operation of Pellissippi State. Provides input on special initiatives,
budget priorities, goals, and other activities relating to the mission of the College and
makes recommendations to the president and president’s staff. - Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)
Assists in providing a safe academic environment for faculty, staff and students.
Representing a cross section of college departments, the BIT is not punitive and is not
a disciplinary board but rather serves as the central point of contact for threat
assessments. Responds to reports of disruptive, problematic or concerning behavior or
misconduct; conducts an investigation; performs a threat assessment; determines the
best mechanisms for support, intervention, warning/notification and response; then
deploys appropriate college and community resources and coordinates follow-up. The
team also identifies patterns of concern for a student or group of students across all
campuses. Committee will report annually to the senior staff. - Bias Education Referral Team
Provides assistance to individuals harmed and will proactively address instances of
hate and bias for faculty, staff and students. Responsibilities include; collecting
incident details, developing a plan of action; meeting with all parties affected by an
incident, developing a bias communications plan, making appropriate referrals for
support, and maintaining documentation. BERT is not a disciplinary committee. The
committee generates referrals to campus departments to review for policy violations. - Career Program Assessment Committee
Career Program Assessment is a standing committee charged with providing guidance
and ensuring the quality of the assessment processes of the College’s two-year degree
programs. Responsibilities include review assessment reports from each program as
scheduled, recommending revision and/or approval before the reports are submitted;
establish processes for new assessment proposals; review new assessment proposals
and recommend changes when necessary; and establish and maintain resources
regarding assessment and best practices/examples. - Conflict of Interest Committee
Reviews disclosures made under Section 8 of TBR Policy No. 1:02:03:10 Conflict of
Interest. The committee evaluates conflict of interest disclosures and makes
determinations regarding actions that may be required to manage, reduce or eliminate
conflicts of interest. Written minutes forwarded to the senior staff. - Consumer Information Committee
The Consumer Information Committee meets periodically (typically twice a year) to ensure
student consumer information is up-to-date and meets federal regulatory requirements. It
includes a member from each of the following departments or roles: Financial Aid, Webmaster,
Student Account Services, Registrar/Records, Career Development, Police, and Athletics. - Critical Incident Management Team
Ensuring that the College can operate effectively in the event of a crisis, a Critical
Incident Management Team (CIMT) convenes to determine the course of action to be
taken. The Chief of Police leads this team. The composition of the Critical Incident
Management Team can vary, depending upon the type of crisis and which division or
area of the College it involves. However, the core of the team remains the same and
includes the following members: president, vice presidents, director of Facilities,
Chief of Police, manager of Environment Health & Safety, director of Marketing and
Communications, executive director of Economic and Workforce Development, and
site campus deans. Various college personnel may be called upon to serve as
members of the CIMT, depending upon the situation. The Chief of Police, in
coordination with the president, will designate additional members of the CIMT as it
is deemed necessary. - Cultural Engagement & Inclusion Committee
The mission of the Cultural Engagement & Inclusion (CE & I) Committee is to
coordinate and enhance the campus wide cultural engagement and inclusion efforts.
Spearheaded by the Coordinator, Cultural Engagement & Inclusion, and in
partnership with faculty, staff, and students who plan educationally enriching cultural
events, the main purpose of this committee is to amplify four (4) of our six (6) core
values: Community & Civic Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
Excellence, and Relationships, towards our strategic initiative to instill a sense of
belonging in all students and employees. The CE & I Committee helps celebrate and
educate Pellissippi State about cultural and intellectual diversity, which makes the
college stronger and advances the mission of closing equity gaps. Reporting to the
office of Equity & Compliance and appointed by the President, the committee is
comprised of representatives from pre-established committees, departments, and
groups doing similar work. - Curriculum Development Committee
Recommends new policies or courses of action related to educational programs.
Encourages proposals for innovative curricula and new programs designed to meet
the needs of the service area. Reviews new curricula, new programs, or substantive
changes in existing curricula and programs. Supports and monitors the curriculum
process. Two representatives from each academic department serve two year terms,
and the committee chair is a faculty member. - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee The
mission of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee is to
educate, advocate, engage, and empower the Pellissippi State community by
cultivating partnerships and resources to create and sustain an environment that is
inclusive, equitable, diverse, and accessible. - Employee Recognition Committee
Oversees faculty/staff awards process to include recognition of retirees, years of
service, foundation awards, and all other forms of formal recognition. Initiates and
oversees nominations and selection process. Regularly reviews and revises processes
and awards criteria. Coordinates on-campus celebrations and entertainment. - Faculty Development Committee
Develops and supports professional development programs for full-time and adjunct
faculty and provides opportunities and resources for faculty enrichment across the
College. The committee’s goal is to improve the quality of instruction and promote
overall faculty excellence in accordance with the current strategic plan. This
committee plans and makes recommendations to the vice president of Academic
Affairs regarding faculty development opportunities and college in-service sessions,
as well as working with the vice president of Academic Affairs to make faculty aware
of the latest trends in classroom research, innovative teaching strategies, and
technological advancements to improve student success. The committee is chaired by
the Pellissippi Academic Center for Excellence Director and consists of two faculty
members from each academic department. Meetings are held monthly and at other
times as needed. - Faculty Senate
Serves as the primary avenue for the effective participation of the faculty in the
governance and development of the College; as the representative governing body of
the faculty; as the means by which faculty establishes reciprocal communication with
all segments of the College regarding college programs, policies, and procedures; as a
setting for initiation, formulation, discussion, and recommendation of academic and
related policies affecting the academic unit of the College. Assumes the responsibility
to study, report, advise, and make recommendations to the president and through
him/her to the Tennessee Board of Regents on matters of college policy and
procedure in areas of primary concern. - Faculty and Staff Sick Leave Bank Boards
Appointed by the president to administer the Faculty and Staff Sick Leave Banks for
those who have elected to participate. - General Education Committee
General Education is a standing committee charged with providing support and
guidance on matters related to the General Education program, including curriculum,
assessment, and compliance with Pellissippi State, Tennessee Board of Regents, and
SACSCOC policies. Committee responsibilities include: review College policies and
procedures regarding general education courses and recommend revisions; provide
feedback, when requested, on TBR general education policies; review
departmental/discipline assessment reports as scheduled, recommending revision
and/or approval before submission; establish processes for new assessment proposals;
review new assessment proposals and recommend changes when necessary; and
establish and maintain resources regarding assessment and best practices/examples. - General Education Strategy Committee
The General Education Strategy Team (GEST) researches and recommends strategies
to implement across the top ten highly enrolled courses at PSCC in hopes of
narrowing existing equity gaps as part of the work of Achieving the Dream. - Grievance Committee Hearing Pool
Provides a prompt and fair hearing for any grievance subject to committee review in
accordance with college procedure. Members will receive training on the college
grievance procedure. Members are appointed by the president in consultation with the
executive director of HR. - Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)
The main goal of IACUC is similar to that of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). It
is to provide guidance in research using vertebrate animals as subjects and ensure
their humane treatment during research. There are five IACUC members: the IRB
Chair, two IRB scientist members, an IRB external member, and an Animal
Science/Animal Care Expert selected by the NBS Dean. The members review
research proposals with animals as subjects and accept or reject such proposals. - Institutional Effectiveness Committee
This committee, formerly the Strategic Planning Committee, serves as the central planning
committee for the overall effectiveness of the institution and the ongoing development and
implementation of the College’s strategic plan. The committee is organized into eight working
teams: Vision Team, Strategic Planning Team, Data Team, Community Team, Student
Enrollment & Communication Team, Assessment Team, and Shared Learning Team. Full
committee meetings alternate with individual team meetings. The committee reviews pertinent
data and information, planning assumptions, issues, and input, and functions as a task force in
approving planning goals, objectives, and institutional budget. All committee members are
responsible for collecting input and sharing information within their assigned team, with the
larger committee, and college-wide. Annual activities associated with this planning process
include (1) developing or updating unit goals and objectives (by divisions, departments, and
programs); (2) assessing the outcomes of activities for achievement of goals and objectives; (3)
reporting on progress and achievements; (4) incorporating planning and progress information
into performance appraisal, including setting of individual objectives; (5) allocating or
reallocating resources based on assessment results/priorities; and (6) finalizing the strategic plan
for the College. Composed of the president, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, deans,
executive directors, directors, presidents of Administrative and Support Councils and Faculty
Senate, faculty and student representatives, and other stakeholders. - Institutional Review Board (IRB)
PSCC IRB reviews all proposals to conduct research at Pellissippi State or using Pellissippi
State employees or students as subjects, unless the case for exemption from review is made by
the researcher(s) and approved by the IRB chair. In addition, the PSCC administration may
request that PSCC IRB provide input on certain research projects that are reviewed by the TBR
IRB as specified in the TBR IRB Procedures in order to make decisions about participation in the
proposed research project. PSCC IRB is registered with the Office for Human Research
Protections of the US Department of Health and Human Services. - Institutional Review Panel for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship
Reviews appeals submitted by students who have lost their Tennessee Education
Lottery Scholarship. Makes decisions regarding scholarship renewal based on the
documentation provided by the student. - Integration Committee/Core Team
The Integration Committee leads the College’s efforts in implementing a fully
integrated student experience at Pellissippi State. This work includes the development
of guided pathways, the utilization of holistic student supports, the strengthening of
the connections between academic affairs, student affairs, and workforce
development, and the alignment of other strategic initiatives. The committee will
report to the senior staff on a quarterly basis or more frequently if necessary. - Instructional Development Committee
Supports and monitors the instructional development process. Solicits proposals for
classroom approaches aimed at closing equity gaps. Reviews new developments in
education technology and provides information to the faculty concerning such
developments. Promotes student retention through curriculum and instructional
development. Report annually to senior staff. - International Education Committee
Develops, promotes, and supports international and/or intercultural initiatives at
Pellissippi State. In addition, the IEC administers a robust scholarship program that
supports study abroad programs offered through the Tennessee Consortium for
International Studies (TnCIS). - IT Steering Committee
The IT Steering Committee will be the bridge addressing the IT concerns of the
school to each Pellissippi division. The committee will serve as the core
implementation team overseeing all planning, installations, and updates for the IT
needs of the college. The committee will consist of one representative from each
division, Internal Audit, one faculty member, and all IT directors/managers. - Low Income Student Services Task Force The
Low-Income Student Services Taskforce and Office of Institutional Effectiveness,
Assessment, and Planning work together to increase low-income students’ access,
support, and opportunities for success. This task force supports quality assurance
funding for Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Key performance indicators
include increasing the Pell grant recipient FTF retention from 43% (2020) to 50% by
Fall 2024 (PSCC metrics), increasing the Pell grant recipient 3-year FTF graduation
rate to 28% (most recent rate 23.9%) by 2024-25, and reducing the gap between 3-yr
FTF graduation rate of Pell recipients and non-recipients to 7% or less (most recent
gap 9.5%) by 2024-25. - Online Learning Team The
Online Leadership Team (OLT) serves as a recommending body to the College on
matters related to online and other distance education courses including online
student support and success, online faculty support and training, online education
policies and procedures, and other areas pertaining to distance education that promote
the mission of Pellissippi State Community College. The committee will be chaired
by the Director of Distance Education (non-voting) and consist of one faculty
member from each academic department as well as one representative from PACE
and a staff member from the Distance Learning Department. Committee members
will serve a term of at least three years. Meetings will be held monthly and at other
times as needed. New committee members will be required to go through external
online certification through Online Learning Consortium or another approved
certification program. - President’s Council
Meets quarterly to review, revise and approve college policies. Provides IT
governance and receives quarterly reports of IT activities and plans. Composed of the
president, the vice presidents, the presidents of the Administrative and Support
Councils and Faculty Senate, and a Student representative. - Program Advisory Boards
Assist the College with assessing current occupational needs within the community;
review and recommend improvements in career program curricula, resources, and
services available to support quality career programs; and serve as a link with the
community to foster positive relations with business/industry and the general public.
Membership lists are maintained by the department deans and the office of the vice
president of Academic Affairs. - Strategic Enrollment Planning Committee
The purpose of this committee is to develop and manage the enrollment and retention
plans for Pellissippi State. The committee is chaired by the Vice President of Student
Affairs. - Student Disciplinary Hearing Body
Sits as the College’s official body to consider the charges lodged against a student, to
weigh the evidence presented, and to make decision(s) or recommendation(s)
regarding the disposition of the case. The committee is composed of three faculty
members, two staff members and two students. The faculty and staff members serve
two-year terms. The students serve one-year terms. All members are appointed by the
president. If any member of the Student Disciplinary Hearing Body is involved in a
case presented to this group, he or she will be replaced by another member of his or
her respective representative group. Should an appeal occur when classes are not in
session and/or a committee member(s) is (are) not available to hear the appeal, the
president will appoint an alternate committee member(s) on an ad hoc basis. - Student Government Association
Student Government Association (SGA) is a group of student leaders elected to
represent the diverse student interests within the community of Pellissippi State
Community College. SGA contributes to student success by mentoring, advocating
for the student body, and facilitating engaging co-curricular activities and programs
that promote learning and personal development. In addition to serving on college
and TBR committees, SGA provides valuable partnership with the college
administration regarding student issues and concerns. Annual report to the senior
staff. - Support Staff Council
Emphasizes and initiates opportunities for professional development; establishes a
forum and support group to create an atmosphere in which work-related problems can
be discussed and explored various councils/committees; initiates opportunities to
become better informed relative to activities in all department/areas of the College;
and reviews and makes recommendations to the president on policies or areas of
concern affecting the support staff. - Sustainable Campus Committee
Administers the Sustainable Campus Fee and develops a decision-making structure to
establish the amount of the fee to be used for the purchase of green power and on
campus sustainability initiatives. The committee is composed of an appropriate ratio of students,
faculty and staff. Committee members are appointed by the president. - Technology Access Fee Committee
Develops and monitors the three-year campus plan for expenditures of Technology
Access Fees (TAF), in compliance with the TBR Guideline B-060 #VII Expenditure
Guidelines for Technology Access Fee. Membership on this committee consists of
three faculty members, one student, a representative from Student Life, a
representative from the Business Office, and the vice president for Information
Services. - University Parallel Assessment Committee The
University Parallel Assessment Committee is a standing committee charged with
providing support and guidance on matters related to assessment in non-General
Education areas of University Parallel. The committee establishes and reviews
processes for assessment for courses and sequences that are inside University Parallel
but outside of General Education and Career Program curricula, represents and
consults with faculty to advise on assessment matters, reviews University Parallel
assessment reports, recommends revisions if necessary, and approves reports for final
submission, and establishes and maintains University Parallel resources made
available to faculty. The committee of at least 10 members should consist of faculty
members representing the following academic disciplines: Associate of Science in
Teaching, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts, English, Liberal Arts,
Mathematics, Natural and Behavioral Sciences, Engineering and Media
Technologies, Business and Computer Technologies, Library Services, and the
General Education Committee Chair. Faculty members will serve three-year terms,
which may be renewed. The Committee Chair, selected by the committee
membership, will serve for a two-year term. Ex-Officio members of the committee
include the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for University Parallel,
Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for Career Programs, Chair of the
Curriculum Development Committee, Director of Curriculum, Director of Distance
Education, Director of the Pellissippi Academic Center for Excellence, and Executive
Director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Assessment, and Planning. - Wellness Committee
The Wellness Committee is an institution-wide team who provides health, safety,
and wellness education and programming, as well as coordinates and collaborates on events with
campus and community partners to address holistic wellness topics. Our mission is to grow a
healthier community and to strategically create a culture that embraces wellness in everything we
do, including how we educate, engage, and serve our college community.
Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Approved: Executive Council, July 7, 1993
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, September 9, 1997
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, February 27, 2001
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, August 27, 2001
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, December 3, 2001
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, April 1, 2002
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, January 24, 2005
Editorial Changes, August 9, 2006
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, April 14, 2008
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, April 14, 2008
Editorial Changes, May 12, 2008
Editorial Changes, May 21, 2009, July 1, 2009
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, October 11, 2010
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 11, 2010
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff, October 25, 2010
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, October 25, 2010
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, August 29, 2011
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, August 29, 2011
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council October 31, 2011
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr. October 31, 2011
Reviewed Recommended: President’s Council, September 24, 2012
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., September 24, 2012
Review/Recommended: President’s Council, April 27, 2015
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., April 27, 2015
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, March 6, 2017
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., March 6, 2017
Editorial Changes: September 5, 2018
Editorial Changes October 16, 2018
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, August 10, 2020
Approved: President L Anthony Wise Jr., August 10, 2020
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, Sept. 14, 2020
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., Sept. 14, 2020
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, November 28, 2022
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise Jr., November 28, 2022
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, August 28, 2023
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., August 28, 2023
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Council, November 27, 2023
Approved: President L. Anthony Wise, Jr., November 27, 2023