Handbook last updated February 9, 2024
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2.1 General Description
The corporate title of the University is "The President and Board of Trustees of Santa Clara College."
The University is divided into administrative units that report to the President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Vice President for University Relations, and the Vice President for Enrollment Management.
Instruction and research are conducted within six major academic units: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Jesuit School of Theology, the Leavey School of Business, the School of Education and Counseling Psychology, the School of Engineering, and the School of Law. Each of these areas is headed by a dean reporting directly to the Provost.
The University has three Centers of Distinction: the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, and the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Each of these Centers is headed by an executive director, reporting directly to either the President or Provost.
Academic administrators at all levels have specific responsibilities in formulating and implementing academic plans. The faculty have general responsibility for contributing to this process.
2.2 Board of Trustees
In accordance with the charter granted to the University by the State of California in 1855, the Board of Trustees holds full legal power and responsibility for the operation of the University.
In accordance with the Bylaws of the President and Board of Trustees of Santa Clara University, the Board is a self-perpetuating body consisting of at least 45 Trustees but no more than 50 Trustees of which 35 positions will be for lay Trustees and ten or more will be for Jesuits. The exact number of Trustees shall be set from time to time by resolution of the Board. Of the Jesuit Trustees, one shall be the President of the University and one shall be the Rector of the Jesuit Community at Santa Clara University. Of the 35 lay Trustees, approximately 25 percent will be alumni/ae, one of whom will have received a bachelor's degree from the University not more than five years prior to election as a Trustee.
All members serve for three year terms except for the President and the Rector of the Jesuit Community who serve by virtue of their offices.
2.3 President
The President is the chief executive officer of the University. In accordance with the Bylaws of the President and Board of Trustees of Santa Clara University, he must be a member of the Society of Jesus.
The President is elected by the Board of Trustees for a renewable term of six years and has the authority to conduct the operations of the University subject to direction and control by the Board. He reports to the Board at regular intervals on the condition of the University and submits to the Board for approval the annual budget, any major change in policies or programs, the list of candidates for degrees and honorary degrees, and the names of commencement speakers.
The President has the power to appoint and dismiss academic and administrative officers of the University, but he must obtain approval of the Board to create a new Vice Presidential position.
On the recommendation of the deans and the faculty, and by the legal authority of the Board of Trustees, he signs all degrees conferred by the University and all Letters of Appointment for faculty with appointments of a full academic year in the Jesuit School of Theology. He is member ex officio of the faculty and of all University committees.
Most of the President's authority is exercised by delegation to subordinate officials. All authority not specifically delegated is reserved to him.
2.4 Provost and Vice Presidents
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has responsibility for the administration of all academic and co-curricular programs and services. All responsibilities ascribed to the Provost in this Handbook are understood to be responsibilities of the Provost, designated vice provost, or other designate.
The Vice President for Administration and Finance has responsibility for the fiscal and business operations of the University, including preparation and administration of the annual budget and human resources.
The Vice President for Enrollment Management has responsibility for undergraduate admissions and administration of University financial aid programs.
The Vice President for University Relations has responsibility for alumni affairs, marketing, and the development of financial support from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
2.5 Director of Campus Ministry
The Director of Campus Ministry reports directly to the President and is responsible for organizing liturgies and other spiritual activities for the campus community. Resources and services are offered for people of various religious faiths.
2.6 Academic Deans
As the principal academic and administrative officer of a college, school, or division, the dean is responsible for ensuring the quality of the educational program and promoting high standards in teaching and scholarship. All responsibilities ascribed to the dean in this Handbook are understood to be responsibilities of the dean, designated associate dean, or other designate.
Deans approve the appointment of all faculty under their jurisdiction; oversee and ensure appropriate standards for the periodic evaluation of faculty in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service; and make recommendations on promotion and tenure. Deans also prepare and administer the annual budgets of their college, school, or division.
Deans are appointed by the President and report directly to the Provost.
2.7 Department Chairs
The chair of a department is appointed for a specified term by the Provost with the advice of the faculty members of the department and the dean. The chair reports to the dean.
The chair is responsible for the orderly administration of the department, the quality of its educational program, and high standards in teaching and scholarship on the part of its faculty. To achieve these ends, the chair coordinates the recruitment of new faculty members; evaluates faculty members at regular intervals in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service; coordinates departmental processes related to promotion or tenure; plans and coordinates the instructional program; assigns courses and teaching schedules to faculty members; prepares and administers the departmental budget; and conducts the general business of the department. On decisions of importance to the department and the University, the chair is expected to consult other faculty members of the department.
(The School of Law is not organized by departments and hence has no department chairs.)
2.8 Committees
Much of the business of the University is conducted through the work of four kinds of internal committees: University governance committees (covered in Section 2.9), Faculty Senate committees (covered in Section 2.11), committees mandated by civil law (covered in Section 2.12), and other standing and ad hoc committees (covered in Sections 2.13 and 2.14).
2.9 University Governance
University governance is exercised through several University Policy Committees and the University Coordinating Committee.
There are six University Policy Committees: the Academic Affairs Committee, the Faculty Affairs Committee, the Staff Affairs Committee, the Student Affairs Committee, the University Budget Council, and the Planning Action Council.
Further details regarding the specifics of University governance, along with the charge and the composition of each committee, are available from the University Coordinating Committee.
2.9.1 University Coordinating Committee
The purpose of the University Coordinating Committee is to make governance more efficient, effective, and responsive. Its duties are (1) to coordinate the work of the University Policy Committees, (2) to appoint to each University Policy Committee members who are competent to perform the work of that committee, and (3) to guarantee appropriate consultation and efficiency in the overall process of University governance.
2.9.2 University Policy Committees
University Policy Committees are collaborative governance bodies whose members include administrators and other appropriate individuals, according to the specific area of responsibility entrusted to a University Policy Committee.
University Policy Committees are the final collaborative governance bodies with the authority to:
- Formulate and recommend new University policy and major strategic change, and
- Review significant change in existing policy.
The purpose of each of the six University Policy Committees is summarized in the next sections.
2.9.2.1 Academic Affairs Committee
The Academic Affairs Committee works with the Provost to improve teaching and learning and the quality of academic programs. In that capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation of University policies, procedures, and guidelines that relate to academic affairs.
2.9.2.2 Faculty Affairs Committee
The Faculty Affairs Committee works with the Provost to promote the professional development of faculty. In this capacity it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation of University programs, policies, and procedures pertaining to the responsibilities of the faculty.
2.9.2.3 Staff Affairs Committee
The Staff Affairs Committee works with the Vice President for Administration and Finance to promote staff development and to improve the quality of service and support provided. In this capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation, review, and recommendation of policies and initiatives pertaining to the responsibilities, rights, and compensation of non-union staff members.
2.9.2.4 Student Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee works with the Provost to promote the quality of the Santa Clara educational experience as related to co-curricular programs and student support services. In that capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation and recommendation of major policies and program initiatives that affect student life and that contribute to student satisfaction and success.
The University Budget Council works with the President to develop and recommend the annual macro budget in the context of long-range financial planning.
The Planning Action Council works with the President to promote, coordinate, and oversee planning at the University level. It attempts to link the University's programs and services with its mission, markets, and resources.
2.10 Faculty Senate
The Faculty Senate shall consist of:
- all tenured and tenure-track faculty except for administrators at or above the level of dean of a school or college;
- all Senior Lecturers and Lecturers;
- all other faculty on greater than half-time appointments who receive an academic year contract, except visiting faculty.
Its purpose is to develop and to express the opinion of the faculty on academic and professional matters, to facilitate participation of the faculty in forming the policies of the University, and to make the collective experience and knowledge of the faculty available to the President. It is governed by its own Bylaws, which are given in Appendix A.
2.11 Committees of the Faculty Senate
2.11.1 University Committee on Rank and Tenure
The University Committee on Rank and Tenure shall consist of six tenured Professors, one elected by the tenured and probationary faculty members in each of the following constituencies: the School of Engineering, the School of Business, those departments of the College of Arts and Sciences (except the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry) offering the degree of Bachelor of Arts, those departments of the College of Arts and Sciences (except the Department of Economics) offering the degree of Bachelor of Science, the School of Education and Counseling Psychology, and the University at large (excluding the Jesuit School of Theology and the School of Law).
The term of office for each member shall be three years, with no more than two members' terms to expire in any one year. The Committee shall elect its own chair annually.
Faculty members shall not serve more than four consecutive years on any Rank and Tenure committee. On completion of two or more consecutive years of Rank and Tenure Committee service, a faculty member is normally ineligible to be elected for further Rank and Tenure Committee service until after a hiatus as specified in the Faculty Senate Election Rules and Procedures (Supplement to Appendix A).
The committee makes recommendations on petitions for tenure or promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor.
2.11.2 College and School Committees on Rank and Tenure
2.11.2.1 College and School Committees on Rank and Tenure
Except as stated below, the College of Arts and Sciences shall have two committees on Rank and Tenure, one for the departments (except the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry) offering the degree of Bachelor of Arts and one for the departments (except the Department of Economics) offering the degree of Bachelor of Science. The School of Engineering, the School of Business, and the School of Education and Counseling Psychology shall have one committee each. Should the Provost, the Faculty Senate President, or the relevant dean believe that a committee will have eight or more cases in a year, that committee may be divided into two committees and supplementary committee members may be elected. When a committee is divided into two, the chairs of those two committees will work with each other so as to maintain uniform standards. Each committee shall consist of no fewer than three, and no more than seven members, all of whom shall be tenured Professors or Associate Professors. All committees shall have at least one member at the rank of Professor. The committee members shall be elected by the tenured and probationary faculty members in their respective constituencies.
The term of office for each member shall be three years, with no more than two members' terms to expire in any one year. Each committee shall elect its own chair annually.
Faculty members shall not serve more than four consecutive years on any Rank and Tenure committee. On completion of two or more consecutive years of Rank and Tenure Committee service, a faculty member is normally ineligible to be elected for further Rank and Tenure Committee service until after a hiatus as specified in the Faculty Senate Election Rules and Procedures (Supplement to Appendix A).
The committees make recommendations on petitions for tenure or promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor.
Revisions endorsed by Faculty Senate, June 2021
2.11.2.2 Committees on Rank and Tenure for the School of Law and the Jesuit School of Theology
The Constitution of the School of Law governs the composition of its committee(s) on rank and tenure, procedures for determination of rank and tenure, and determination of rank and tenure of its faculty members.
The "Exceptions to the Santa Clara University Faculty Handbook: Jesuit School of Theology" govern the composition of the Jesuit School of Theology's committee(s) on rank and tenure, procedures for determination of rank and tenure, and determination of rank and tenure of its faculty members.
2.11.2.3 College and School Committees on Promotion to Senior Lecturer
Except in the School of Law, each college or school shall have one Committee on Promotion to Senior Lecturer. When possible, each committee shall consist of five members, with the majority being Senior Lecturers and at least one tenured faculty member. The committee members are elected by the Senior Lecturers and the tenured and probationary faculty members in their respective college or school.
If there are fewer than three Senior Lecturers in the college or school eligible to serve, the committee shall consist of the three tenured faculty members and two, one or no Senior Lecturers.
The term of office for each member shall be three years, with no more than two members' terms to expire in any one year. Each committee shall elect its own chair annually. The committees make recommendations on petitions for promotion to the rank of Senior Lecturer.
Revisions endorsed by Faculty Senate, June 2021
2.11.3 College and School Grievance Committees
The composition, jurisdiction, and procedures of college and school Grievance Committees are stated in 3.10.1.
2.11.4 Faculty Judicial Board
The composition, jurisdiction, and procedures of the Faculty Judicial Board are stated in 3.10.2.
2.12 Compliance Committees
The following committees are appointed in compliance with federal regulations and guidelines.
2.12.1 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee ensures compliance with University policies as well as applicable state and federal regulations regarding the humane use of laboratory animals in research and instruction.
2.12.2 Institutional Review Board
The Institutional Review Board ensures compliance with University policies as well as applicable state and federal regulations for research involving the use of human subjects.
2.12.3 Biosafety Committee
The Biosafety Committee ensures compliance with University policies as well as applicable local, state, and federal regulations for research involving biohazardous materials and recombinant DNA.
2.12.4 Radiation Safety Committee
The Radiation Safety Committee ensures compliance with University policies as well as applicable state and federal regulations for research involving radioactive materials and radiation-generating equipment.
2.13 Core Curriculum Committee
The Core Curriculum Committee certifies the courses that fulfill each of the University's Core Curriculum requirements and proposes modifications regarding the skills and outcomes related to each requirement.
2.15 Boards
2.15.1 Board of Regents
The Board of Regents is a group of up to 60 men and women who provide special advice and support to the University's President and Board of Trustees. By their involvement with the University, they also become ambassadors for the University in the community. Regents are appointed by the President of the University.
2.15.2 Board of Fellows
The Board of Fellows is a group of up to 175 men and women who promote the University and work on various fund-raising projects. Members are appointed by the President of the University.
2.15.3 Academic Advisory Boards
The college and schools each have external advisory boards which work with the dean and faculty in developing, evaluating, and supporting programs.
2.15.4 Alumni Board of Directors
The Alumni Board of Directors oversees the work of the Alumni Association and plays an important role in guiding Santa Clara's Alumni Chapter programs. The Board is composed of no more than 30 members, all of them alumni, who are elected by the Board.