The executive committees of the schools, colleges, or departments assist the dean or director in formulating educational, instructional, and research policies for consideration of the faculty and act on the behalf of the governing faculty in matters of budget, appointments, and promotions. They also assist with administrative functions. In some units, the dean or director performs executive duties without an executive committee (Chapter V. The Faculties and Academic Staff bylaws 5.02 and 5.06).

Rules for the composition of the executive committee, the ways in which governing faculty members vote for executive committee members, and the specific responsibilities and operating procedures of the executive committee vary in individual units and are typically set forth in that unit’s bylaws. Most academic units also have other standing committees, such as a curriculum committee and a tenure and promotion committee. It is important for faculty members to be aware of their units’ policies and procedures concerning the functioning of all of its committees and to participate as is appropriate in unit level committees. For more information on faculty participation in governance, see Chapter 4 “Faculty Roles in Governance.”