The Executive Faculty of the School of Medicine (SOM) consist of over 1,200 regular faculty located on the UCHSC campus and at its affilitated institutions. The SOM Executive Faulty has jusisdiction over all matters under the Laws of the Regents, Article IX.2.B, that concern only the School of Medicine, such as deciding all matters of educational policy affecting the SOM, and including academic requirments for admission, for continuance, and for graduation. In addition, the Executive Faculty of the SOM has jurisdiction over matters of academic ethics under such procedures as may be approved by the Board of Regents.
The powers and duties of faculty are defined in relation to the Administration and the Board of Regents in University of Colorado Faculty Handbook (Part I, Section VIII.B, p 31-32). According to these guidlines "The faculty shall have the principal responsibility for originating policy in accordance with the Laws of the Regents and the laws of the State of Colorado" specifically in the areas of academic policy, scholastic policy and academic ethics. Additionally, "the faculty shall act jointly with the administration to make recommendations to the Board of Regents in the areas of: faculty appointment matters, regulation of student conduct, budgetary reviews concerning University resources, selection of academic administrators and policy concerning the general academic welfare of the University. Further, "the faculty shall in its own discretion formulate the faculty organizational system to effect policies and regulations established as stated above."
The executive faculty of the School of Medicine has therefore the responsibility and the power to develop the school's governance structure. Accordingly, the SOM executive faculty established the Rules of the School of Medicine which specifically creates the SOM Faculty Senate and outlines the role, policies and operating procedures for this faculty governance body. As provided therein, the Faculty Senate consists of 75 faculty (non-Chairperson) representatives from the Executive Faculty elected in accordance with specific departmental representation as outlined in the rules.
On academic issues, the governance of the School of Medicine is shared by three separate and distinct bodies:
1.) the Executive Office, administered by the Dean of the SOM with the support of all Senior Associate, Associate and Assistant Deans;
2.) the Executive Committee consisting of Department Chairs, Center Directors and Faculty Officers; and
3.) the Faculty Senate
On administrative matters, the Faculty Senate and the Executive Committee are advisory to the Dean who is responsibile for facilitating educational, clinical and research activities within the SOM.
