The overall goal of this committee is to increase the retention of and graduation rates among African American men in the College of Humanities and Sciences. We have become aware that this population (along with Latino men) lags behind other groups within the college.

This initiative from the CHS Dean’s office is designed to enhance the educational and learning experiences of African American male students and to foster a supportive environment. The term “African American” is used to refer to students of African ancestry.

Members of the 2017-2018 College African American Male Student Advocacy and Mentoring Committee are:

• Christopher Brooks, Chair (School of World Studies)
• Faye Belgrave (Psychology)
• Alvin Bryant (Biology)
• Charlene Crawley (Interdisciplinary Science)
• Michael Hall (English)
• Mychal Smith (Chemistry)
• Shawn Utsey (African American Studies)
• Natasha Wood (Biology)

CHS African American Male Student Advocacy and Mentoring Initiative Mission Statement

VCU seeks to attract, reward, and retain distinguished faculty, leaders, scholars, and artists of national and international reputation. Endowed professorships and chairs are key to this accomplishment. The College Endowed Review Committee considers candidates nominated for positions of endowed professorships and chairs and makes their recommendation to the Dean. The Committee meets on an ad hoc basis, and serves a term of three years.

Members of the 2016-2019 College Endowed Review Committee are:

• Liz Canfield (Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies)
• Vivian Dzokoto (African American Studies)
• Rima Franklin (Biology)
• Richard Godbeer (Humanities Research Center)
• Angela Reynolds (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics)
• R. Dale Smith (English)
• Clarence Thomas (Robertson School of Media and Culture)

Endowed Chairs and Professorships Guidelines
CHS Endowment Distribution Guidelines

Promoting greater diversity and equity in the College.

• Charlene D Crawley, Chemistry
• Grover A Espinoza Ruiz, History
• Kathleen M Ingram, Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies
• J. R. Marshall, English
• Edmund O Acevedo, Dean’s Office
• Amy R Verrelli, Anthropology
• Philathea M Cole, Student Services
• Fernando A Tenjo, Biology – Co-Chair
• Ravi K Perry, Political Science – Co-Chair

3-yr term. Meets monthly on 1st Tuesday at 4 pm.

• Kristina Anthony (Math, 2018)
• Susan Bodnar-Deren (Sociology, 2018)
• Bethany Coston (Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, 2019)
• Brian Daugherity, (History, 2019)
• Tracey Dawson-Cruz (Forensic Science, 2018)
• Scott Gronert (Chemistry, 2019)
• Heather Jones (Psychology, 2020)
• Maria Rivera (Biology, 2019)
• Carmen Rodriguez (Biology, 2020)
• Christopher Stevenson (School of World Studies, 2019)
• Scott Street (Statistics and Operations Research, 2018)

Faculty Senate Alternates

• Suzanne Ruder (Chemistry, 2018)
• Rivka Swenson (English, 2018)
• Patricia Cummins (World Studies, 2018)

(An alternate should be contacted if a senate member is unable to attend a meeting.)

Faculty Senate website.
faculty-senate-meeting-bullet-points-8-30-2016
faculty-senate-meeting-bullet-points-10-4-2016

The Graduate Academic Committee shall be composed of one member elected from each department, school and interdisciplinary program that has a graduate program, one graduate student in the College nominated by the Student Government Association and alternate, and one chosen by the Committee on Administration. The dean or the dean’s designee shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee. The chairperson will be elected by the committee for a one-year term; nominees will include all tenured faculty on the committee. The Graduate Academic Committee shall be concerned with graduate admission requirements, degree requirements, academic standards, curriculum development, the establishment of new graduate courses and programs and the abolition of existing ones, and other matters relating to the graduate programs in the College of Humanities and Sciences. It should establish regular communication with the University Graduate Council and will report in writing their activities to the president of the Faculty Council on a monthly basis.

• James ‘Clint’ Turbeville (Biology – MS)
• Nick Farrell (Chemical Biology – CHEM/MED/PHAR)
• Julio Alvarez (Chemistry – MS, PhD)
• Les Harrison (English – MA)
• Tal Simmons (Forensic Science – MS)
• Ryan Smith (History – MA)
• Ronald Evans (Kinesiology & Health Sciences – MS, PhD)
• June Nicholson (School of Media & Culture – MS)
• Angela Reynolds (Mathematics – MS)
• Eric Garberson (Media, Art & Text – ENGL/MASC/ART)
• Everett Carpenter (Nanoscience – CHEM/PHYS)
• Michael Reshchikov (Physics – MS)
• Michael Southam-Gerow (Psychology – (4) PhD programs)
• Paul Brooks (Systems Modeling & Analysis – MATH/SSOR)
• Julie Honnold (Sociology – MS)

Ad-hoc Members

• Ed Acevedo (H&S Dean’s Office)
• Brian Verrelli (Life Sciences – PhD)
• Clint McCown (English) UGC representative

The College has recently established our Hispanics/Latinos Student Advocacy and Mentoring Team, and would like to thank Maria C. Rivera, Associate Professor of Biology, for her efforts in helping to establish and lead this effort.

As an institution of higher education, it is our responsibility to educate active and productive members of society. This responsibility includes, not only providing knowledge, skills, and competencies, but also preparing the students to be full participants in an increasingly complex, global, and diverse society. Research indicates that meeting the educational challenges of the 21st century global economy and society is enhanced by greater campus diversity. According to the Department of Education forecast, the enrollment of undergraduates in colleges and universities is expected to increase ~14% in the coming years. As a result of the demographic changes in the country, the profile of the students attending undergraduate institutions is also changing, resulting in increased campus diversity. The projected continuous growth in college enrollments provides the opportunity for universities to develop new strategies to ensure developing at its maximum the talents and minds of all students, including underrepresented minorities. Multiple studies suggest a diverse campus is not enough to achieve the educational benefits associated with diversity; it also requires a supportive environment that facilitates the full engagement of all groups in the educational process.

Hispanics/Latinos represent the most rapidly growing segment of the country’s population, and their numbers are expected to increase significantly in colleges and universities. Now is the right time to put in place strategies and initiatives that maximize the talents of all students, and facilitate the realization of their academic goals and career aspirations. Although the enrollment of Hispanics/Latinos in institutions of higher education in the U.S. keeps growing, the rate of college degree completion for this group is still lower than for other underrepresented minorities. While the number of Hispanics/Latinos at VCU is increasing, they are not yet reflecting their differential state demographics. Supporting and sustaining a thriving Hispanic/Latino student population at VCU will enhance a campus environment in which all students will develop their cross cultural competencies, skills essential to succeed in an increasingly diverse domestic and global economy.

Given the current demographic trends, it is important to understand how to create a learning environment that will facilitate the success of Hispanic/Latino students at VCU. Institutional academic success is achieved when all students are provided the support needed to achieve/develop their maximum potential. We acknowledge that other underrepresented minorities, low-income, and first-generation students face similar challenges to the Hispanic/Latino students, but we expect that the findings and recommendations of this team will lead to institutional changes that will enhance the academic experience of a larger pool of VCU students.

The Hispanics/Latinos Student Advocacy and Mentoring Team is a new initiative launched by the College of Humanities and Sciences with the goal of enhancing the educational experience of the Hispanic/Latino students at VCU and fostering the development of thriving students who are fully engaged in the campus life. A thriving college student displays the following characteristics: is fully engaged in the learning process; has developed the skills to efficiently manage time, responsibilities and stress; has a positive outlook on their career choice and future aspirations; has meaningful connections to others in the campus community including within-group and across-group peers; and is committed to contribute to the community at large.
Faculty and staff with the common goal of providing a supportive environment where Hispanic/Latino students can thrive and successfully complete their degrees compose the team. The immediate task of the team is to provide mentoring, advising, and connections to the opportunities that will facilitate a successful academic experience. By reaching out, being accessible, and being responsive to all students, especially during their first year, the team will help the students navigate the stresses, pressures, and demands of college life, and will better understand how those issues manifest among the VCU Hispanic/Latino students. The team members will act, as role models by providing the support and guidance that will help the students to build the confidence and skills that lead to success and self-advocacy.

Some of the long-term goals of this initiative include:

• To identify the unnecessary barriers that may impede academic progress and success of the VCU Hispanic/Latino students and to envision opportunities for overcoming those barriers.
• To design programs that help VCU Hispanic/Latino students increase the sense of belonging and take full advantage of the VCU commitment to diversity.
• To increase retention and degree attainment of Hispanic/Latino students.
• To design strategies and programs that can enhance the education experience of Hispanics/Latinos at VCU, and to ensure that existing and new policies are supportive of their academic success.
• To understand the perceptions, beliefs and experiences shaping how Hispanic/Latino students view the campus diversity climate.
• To understand the dynamics, barriers and opportunities for Hispanics/Latinos across all the college disciplines, including learning environments and classroom experiences.
• To enhance the institutional climate that encourages meaningful interactions and the full participation of all students.

Members of the Hispanics/Latinos Student Advocacy and Mentoring Team are:

• Maria C. Rivera, Biology
• Camille Brenke, VCU Student
• Virginia Casanova, World Studies
• Rosalie A. Corona, Psychology
• Barbara M. Ingber, Global Education Office
• Anita A. Nadal, World Studies
• Fernando A. Tenjo, Biology
• M. Carolina Yaber, Biology

Each department in the College supplements the criteria and procedures in the College guidelines to reflect any additional concerns of the department and the discipline. The College’s Promotion and Tenure Committee is responsible for reviewing departmental guidelines and forwarding them to the Faculty Council of the College for final action. The Faculty Council is then responsible for final approval of documents before their implementation. All departmental documents, along with copies of the university and College guidelines are available to all faculty members of the department.

Membership

• Richard Fine (English, elected 2016-19)
• Mar Góngora (World Studies, appointed 2016-19)
• Alenka Luzar (Chemistry, appointed 2017-20)
• Donald Smith (Philosophy, elected 2017-20)
• Jeff South (Robertson, elected 2017-20)
• Scott Vrana (Psychology, appointed 2015-18)
• Qin Wang (Statistics, elected 2017-20)

The College’s Technology Committee is primarily responsible for setting priorities in acquisition of computer technology and scientific equipment for the purpose of instruction and research. They also coordinate with the College’s Technology Services in implementing those same technologies for their respective member departments and schools.

Membership
Dr. Ghideyon Abay Asmersom, Chair 2014-2016
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

• Dr. Kirk Brown – Psychology
• Virginia Cassanova – School of World Studies
• Dr. Victor Chen – Sociology
• Dr. Christopher Ehrhardt – Forensic Science
• Dr. Robert L. Franco – Kinesiology and Health Sciences
• Dr. John Froitzheim – Political Science
• Dr. Kathleen Ingram – Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
• Michael Keller – English
• Dr. Kathy Murphy-Judy – LSEE
• Dr. Kristina Nelson – Chemistry
• Dr. Maria Rivera – Biology
• Dr. Scott Sherman – Robertson School of Media and Culture
• Dr. Greg Smithers – History
• Dr. W. Scott Street IV – Statistical Sciences and Operations Research
• Dr. Catherine Sutton – Philosophy
• Dr. Shawn Utsey – African American Studies
• Dr. Dexian Ye – Physics

The Undergraduate Academic Committee (UAC), in collaboration with the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (UUCC), is responsible for maintaining guidelines regarding degree requirements, academic standards, curriculum development and other undergraduate academic program matters in the College. UAC also addresses new rules, or changes in the rules, affecting the academic status of undergraduate students in the College, including admissions policies, academic advising, degree requirements and grades.

All changes in any course or program description within the College, no matter how minor, are to be submitted to UAC for approval including:

• Revision of curriculum outlines
• Revision of existing courses, including changes in course descriptions
• Course deletions
• Changes in descriptive statements of programs
• New courses
• New and revised minors
• New and revised programs
• New and revised majors
• New and revised concentrations

UAC also monitors topics courses, independent studies, general education requirements and the classification of honors modules.

Meeting schedule

UAC typically meets from 2-4 p.m. on the first Friday of the month during the academic year. If there are items of business that have not been completed at the end of the scheduled meeting, the committee will continue to meet each Friday in succession until all agenda items are completed.

Membership
UAC is made up of one representative from each department and school in the College who is elected for a two-year term. The chair is elected by the committee for a one-year term from among all tenured faculty on the committee.

Members of UAC for the 2015-16 academic year include the following individuals, and any necessary changes will be made as they become known:

• Adam Ewing (African American Studies)
• Dianne Jennings (Biology)
• Joe Topich (Chemistry)
• Gretchen Comba (English)
• Catherine Connon (Forensic Science)
• Archana Pathak (Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies)
• Leigh Ann Craig (History)
• Michael Pyles (Kinesiology and Health Sciences)
• Ghidewon Abay-Asmerom (Mathematics & Applied Mathematics)
• Jeff South (Media and Culture)
• Ken Akiba (Philosophy)
• Marilyn Bishop (Physics)
• Douglas Kimemia (Political Science)
• Linda Zyzniewski (Psychology)
• Christine Mowery (Sociology)
• Scott Street (Statistical Sciences & Operations Research)
• Cinzia Corubolo (World School)
• TBD (student member)
• TBD (student member)
• James Mays (Associate Dean)
• Kate Nash (Assistant Dean)

2-year term. Meets monthly on 1st Thursday at 3 pm.

Les Harrison (English, 2019)
Ravi Perry (Political Science, 2018)

Diane Jennings (Biology, 2019- alternate)
(The alternate should be contacted if a council member is unable to attend a meeting.)

University Council website

3-year term. Contacted if asked to serve.

• Julio Alvarez (Chemistry, 2020)
• Jason Arnold (Political Science, 2019-alternate)
• Ronald Evans (Kinesiology and Health Sciences, 2020)
• Sarah Meacham (History, 2020)
• John Ryan (Biology, 2019)
• Clarence Thomas (Robertson, 2020-alternate)
• Faedah Totah (Political Science, 2020)
• Scott Vrana (Psychology, 2018)
• David Wojahn (English, 2020-alternate)