Dear Horned Frog,

At a time when our University is experiencing such great change and growth, it is more important than ever that the concerns of students be heard.  Each year, a handful of students are selected to serve on University Committees and represent the interests and concerns of the student body.  Each committee works to define policies that affect people like you, from academic appeals to on-campus parking.

Without your participation, the student body will not be represented when policies affecting all students are revised.  Below you will find a list of committees and a link to the online application.  Please consider this opportunity to serve as the voice of TCU students.  Applications for the 2007-2008 school year were due Friday, March 2nd. 

Committee Descriptions

Academic Appeals. Serves as a judiciary body for appeals concerning grades and other academic matters. Academic controversies are brought to the Academic Appeals Committee only after regular channels of the department and college have been used. The Committee's decision is final unless either party appeals to the Provost/Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, with the ultimate adjudicator as the Chancellor. The committee meets when an appeal is brought to it. Meetings last 1-2 hours and there's 3-5 per year. The time of each meeting depends upon the schedule of the parties in the appeal. It is essential that student members of the committee attend the meetings; thus students with highly restricted schedules should not volunteer for this committee.

Compliance & Affirmative Action. Guides all University programs and efforts to comply with federal legislation related to equal opportunity in employment and program access. The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Diversity and Community, also the University's Affirmative Action Officer.

Computer & Telecommunications. The most prevalent arena this committee monitors is trends in computing and telecommunications pertinent to the educational enterprise. The committee also reviews policies and procedures related to the application of computer and telecommunications technologies to instruction, research, advising, and administrative functions by students, faculty and staff.

Environmental Health & Safety. Assesses environmental health and safety issues that affect the University. Identifies and addresses potential risk exposures within the University as well as offering direction on guidelines and procedures to address these exposures. Two meetings per semester.

Evaluation. Studies and recommends changes in the evaluation procedures of/for faculty and academic administrators. The committee annually reviews the forms, the distribution mechanisms, and the method of tabulating evaluation results.

Honors Council. Plans and supervises the University's Honors Program with the Director of the honors Program. Develops new Honors Program opportunities. Students who wish to apply must be in the Honors Program. Meet two to three times a semester with each meeting lasting one to two hours.

Honors Week. Plans and supervises the activities of Honors Week with the Director of the Honors Program and the Honors Council.

Institutional Biosafety. Institutional Biosafety develops standards and reviews proposed projects involving recombinant DNA to insure compliances with federal and University policies governing research and DNA.

Instructional Development. Receives applications from the faculty for financial support for the improvement of teaching methods or for general enrichment of teaching.

Intercollegiate Athletics. This committee is a formal channel of communication between the athletic department, the faculty, the student body, and the administration. The primary focus of the Committee is on academic matters through seeking information from appropriate officials regarding current developments related to student athletes' academic concerns. Meet four times per year, with each meeting lasting roughly one hour.

International Students. Gives assistance to the University's International Students, makes recommendations on policies relating to such students, and supports the International Student Advisor. Meet three to four times a semester for one to two hours per meeting.

Library. Studies library needs in light of academic programs and advises the University Librarian on matters of policy, development of resources, and optimal ways of integrating library programs with other academic activities. Meet two times a semester for 1-2 hours.

Scholarship & Financial Aid. Advises the Director of Scholarships and Student Financial Aid on matters relating to financial aid for students. Serves as an advisory body that reviews and evaluates student appeals concerning their financial aid eligibility.

Student Conduct & Grievance. Hears disciplinary cases referred by the Student Affairs Office or appealed by students, and grievance cases brought to it by students when such cases of not fall within the jurisdiction of other quasi-judicial committees. Individuals are expected to resolve grievances informally, whenever possible, before appealing to this committee. Typically meet two times a semester for 2-3 hours per meeting.

Student Organizations. Works with members of the Student Affairs staff in matters concerning formation and operation of all student groups. The committee determines policy for these groups and hears cases of rules infractions. Meet when requested.

Student Publications. Appoints the editors and business managers for The Daily Skiff and the Image Magazine. Hears complaints and modifies policies for these student publications. Acts as an appeal body on problems of an editorial or advertising nature and proposed business contracts regarding these publications to the business office of the University.

Traffic Regulations & Appeals. Hears appeals concerning present traffic violation and makes recommendations to the administration regarding traffic policies and campus parking. The administration consults with the traffic committee in a timely manner regarding the implementation of changes in traffic policies. Meet two to three times a semester for roughly one hour per meeting.

Undergraduate Admissions & Retention. Annually reviews undergraduate admission, enrollment, and retention statistics. Facilitates communication between the Admissions Office and other members of the University community, particularly the Faculty Senate. Serves in a responsive and proactive manner to consider issues concerning admission and retention, including annual strategic goals. Have four meetings per academic year with each meeting lasting roughly one hour.