Redbook Committee – June 2008 Report

The Redbook Committee met on May 28, 2008 to review proposed By-Laws of the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies [SIGS] and Minimum Guidelines for Graduate Education. The Committee discussed and acknowledged its advisory role relating to all by-laws. The Redbook Committee understands that its role in the review of by-laws is to provide advice regarding provisions affecting faculty welfare. In this capacity, the Committee noted some additional matters need to be resolved in graduate affairs including the question of graduate faculty involvement in decanal search and review committees (R.B. 3.2.1B, 3.23.B). It is not clear what group constitutes the faculty of SIGS, i.e., whether it is the graduate faculty as a whole or the Graduate Council under the new SIGS by-laws. The Committee also discussed the process for review of the proposed by-laws and minimum guidelines. One issue raised was whether the widely-consultative process for these by-laws revisions followed the specific requirements of the current Graduate School by-laws. This issue was not resolved, in large part because the role of the Redbook Committee is merely advisory and the Board of Trustees may approve unit by-laws without the advice and consultation of the faculty senate.

Submitted by,

Enid Trucios-Haynes

REDBOOK Committee Chair