Faculty Development Committee Bylaws

Article I – Name and Authority

The Faculty Development Committee (FDC) is a standing subcommittee of the Snow College Faculty Senate. While overseeing professional development in teaching at the college, the Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) and reports to the Faculty Senate.

Article II – Purpose

The Faculty Development Committee supports faculty professional development and instructional excellence at Snow College. The Committee promotes effective pedagogy, meaningful faculty development and dialogue, and appropriate integration of instructional technologies.

The primary responsibilities of the Committee are to:

Administer the Undergraduate Quality Initiative (UQI) budget and related faculty development funds.
Review sabbatical applications and provide recommendations to Academic Affairs.
Plan, support, and implement institutional faculty development programming such as Lunch Bunch, Division Discussions, and Faculty Workshops.
Organize and oversee the Snow College Pedagogy and Practice Conference.
Advise on matters related to teaching effectiveness, high-impact practices, and instructional innovation.
Advise the Teaching and Learning Center on decisions that impact Canvas usage, tool adoption, teaching and professional development resources, and training offered by the Teaching and Learning Center.
Promote the utilization of the resources of the Teaching and Learning Center to improve instructional practices.

Article III – Membership

Section 1. Composition

The Faculty Development Committee shall consist of the following voting members:

Faculty Development Chair(s), serving as Committee Chair(s)
Up to two faculty representatives from each teaching school
One Faculty Senate representative appointed by the Senate
TLC Director

All members are voting members.

Section 2. Faculty School Representatives

Each teaching school shall select up to two faculty representatives for three-year terms, renewable once. Selection may occur by school election or dean appointment. Schools are encouraged, when feasible, to stagger terms.

If a representative is unable to complete a term, the school shall select a replacement to complete the remainder of the term.

Section 3. Faculty Senate Representative

The Faculty Senate shall appoint one senator to serve as liaison and voting member of the Committee. The term of service shall be determined by the Senate.

Section 4. Faculty Development Chair(s)

The Faculty Development Chair(s) shall serve as Chair(s) of the Faculty Development Committee. The Chair(s) shall be selected through a search process that includes faculty, the Teaching and Learning Center Director, and Academic Affairs representation.

The Faculty Development Chair(s) shall serve a four-year term and receive appropriate reassigned time as determined by Academic Affairs. The term may be renewed once.

In the event the Chair is unable to complete the term, the Committee, in conjunction with Academic Affairs, shall select an interim Chair until a new Chair is appointed.

The position may be shared by two Co-chairs if recommended through the search process and approved by Academic Affairs. Co-chairs (Chair and Chair-elect) shall share responsibilities and reassigned time as determined at appointment.

Section 5. TLC Director

The TLC Director shall be selected through a search process that includes faculty and Academic Affairs representation and shall serve as a voting member of the Committee.

Article IV – Officers

The Faculty Development Chair (and Chair-elect, if applicable) serve as Chair (Co-chairs) of the Committee.

Duties of the Chair / Co-Chairs

The Chair(s):

Call for items, prepare meeting agendas, and preside over Committee meetings.
Coordinate the Committee’s review of UQI and sabbatical applications.
Oversee the administration of the Committee budgets.
Coordinate faculty development initiatives (Pedagogy Conference, Lunch Bunch, workshops, etc.) in collaboration with the TLC Director and Academic Affairs.
Serve as liaison between the Committee and Faculty Senate.
Ensure appropriate records of Committee actions are maintained.
Coordinate with the Teaching and Learning Center to promote effective pedagogy.
Ensure the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center is allotted time in Committee meetings to discuss issues facing the Teaching and Learning Center.

Article V – Duties of the Committee Members

The Faculty Development Committee shall:

Review and allocate faculty development funds in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Review sabbatical applications and forward recommendations to Academic Affairs.
Develop, support, and implement faculty development programs, including the annual Pedagogy Conference, Lunch Bunches, Division Discussions, and Faculty Development Workshops.
Provide recommendations concerning instructional practices and educational technologies.
Serve as advocates for faculty development within their respective school.
Represent the Teaching and Learning Center in school and department meetings.
Provide perspectives from the respective schools about Teaching and Learning Center initiatives and questions.
Gather information from schools that will strengthen professional development opportunities, Canvas tools, and teaching resources.

Article VI – Meetings and Voting

Section 1. Meetings

The Committee shall meet at least monthly during the fall and spring semesters. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair / Co-Chairs as necessary.

Section 2. Quorum

A majority of voting members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3. Voting

Each voting member shall have one vote.

Except as otherwise specified in these bylaws, actions of the Committee shall require a simple majority vote of members present at a meeting where quorum is established.

The Committee may conduct votes electronically, when necessary, provided all voting members are given the opportunity to participate in a timely fashion.

Article VII – Vacancies and Attendance

Members are expected to attend scheduled meetings regularly.

If a representative is unable to fulfill responsibilities due to extended absence or resignation, the school shall appoint or elect a replacement to complete the term.

Article VIII – Amendments

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed in writing to the committee Chair or CoChairs.

Proposed amendments shall be discussed at a regular meeting and may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership of the Committee.

Approved amendments shall be forwarded to the Faculty Senate as information items.

Article IX – Adoption and Review

These bylaws shall take effect upon approval by the Faculty Development Committee and acknowledgment by the Faculty Senate.

The Committee shall review these bylaws periodically to ensure continued alignment with institutional needs and Faculty Senate governance.

Last updated: April 17, 2026
Approved: April 17, 2026