Wednesday, the Homewood Schools Academic Council met at 3 p.m. in the Shriver Hall Board room for its second of two meetings in September, to discuss issues affecting the Homewood campuses of Johns Hopkins University today.
The council consists of Hopkins President, William Brody, twelve professors and faculty members from both the Krieger School Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering.
It includes two vice provosts, several members without a vote, the Dean of the School of Engineering, and the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
The Academic Council overall has several different tasks and procedures that must be addressed at every meeting.
During a standard meeting, the council of twenty Johns Hopkins professors and deans reviews any candidates for a faculty position and others for any available or annual promotions provided by the council. Then the nominated faculty member must be approved by council.
Other general procedures include an evaluation and review of any new degrees, majors, or minors at each Homewood school.
The council also advises the senior members including the dean, provost, and president, on questions related to policy and procedure, both in academics and research at both schools.
One of the final duties of the Academic Council is to alert the administration of any problems that have been brought to the council's attention.
In the past, the council has taken a major role in many important behind-the-scenes decisions required to help the university function correctly.
These decisions include, among others, finding a new dean of the engineering school and the continuation of covered grades for freshman.
One of the main responsibilities of the Academic Council is to appoint professors for either rewards, promotions, or appointments.
Because the rank and tenure of a faculty member is controlled and determined by the Academic Council, it is a lengthy process that requires a great amount of scrutiny.
In order for a professor to receive an award, the council must run through a lengthy appointment procedure as stated in their constitution:
First, the staff or faculty member must be recommended for the title or rank specified by stipulations in the constitution. Furthermore, depending on the position, the recommendation might need to be approved by the tenured department member and a request must then be received and reviewed by a specified dean.
In some cases, if the dean approves the recommendation, they must consult the Academic Council during the designated meeting and give a presentation on the candidate.
During the presentation, the dean highlights relevant facts about the candidate's biographical information, personal characteristics, and published works, also specified under specific stipulations of the Academic Council constitution.
In other cases, the dean must follow the procedures regarding appointments and promotions detailed in the Council's constitution or the decision might be made by the Academic Council's subcommittee.
If the person must be approved by the Academic Council's subcommittee on appointments and promotions and a decision is not reached, the issue is brought to the attention of the entire council.
Often the formality of presentation is bypassed by a decision made by the subcommittee. The subcommittee also focuses on appointments and promotions, academic affairs, administration and the budget. There is also an agenda committee, committed to planning future discussions.
In cases for more temporary positions, or cases where University funds are not used for the candidate's position, the decision is made by the Deans and noted to the council.
Such cases would include Homewood professor, lecturer, and most adjunct faculty positions.
Overall, the council has a series of checks and balances in their many duties. The group meets every two weeks in the Shriver Hall board room.
The Academic council meets twice a month. The next meeting will be Oct. 6, from 3-6 p.m.
