Committees

The Faculty Senate conducts much of its work through its committees, establishing and charging both standing and ad hoc committees. The committees, which report to the Faculty Senate chair, consider a broad range of issues that include university and system-wide activities and policies. Faculty Senate committees have great success in effecting change through the participation of faculty and shared governance. Administration-approved and acknowledged committee recommendations are tracked for completion. If you would like to get involved in any of the committees below, complete the annual Spring Interest Survey sent out by the Faculty Senate office each spring or contact the Faculty Senate office.

List of Faculty Senate Committees

Academic Standards Committee

Monitors and studies issues related to the academic policies and organization of the university, and makes recommendations on grading practices, admission standards, degree requirements, academic status and scholarships.

Committee Contact Information:
MaryAnn Demchak, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: mad@unr.edu
Phone: (775) 682-7852

Administrative Faculty Committee

Conducts studies and makes recommendations on personnel policies, procedures and practices that affect the welfare and employment status of administrative faculty.

Committee contact information:
Loren Pietsch, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: lpietsch@unr.edu
Phone: (775) 682-8005

Bylaws and Code Committee

Conducts studies and makes recommendations on revisions to the NSHE Code, the University of Nevada, Reno Bylaws, Faculty Senate Bylaws and other governing documents, such as the University Administrative Manual.

Committee contact information:
Anna Panorska, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: ania@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 784-6548

Campus Affairs Committee

Monitors, conducts studies and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues that are of campus concern, such as budgets, work environment, campus safety and food service.

Committee contact information:
Scott Hinton, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: shinton@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 784-4994

Community Engagement Committee

In alignment with the University’s land-grant mission and Carnegie Community Engaged University designation, this committee identifies, supports and highlights community engagement work across the University.

Early Career Academic Faculty Committee

Promotes the success of early career academic faculty, conducts studies on University practices, policies and procedures and makes recommendations to the senate and administration on matters that affect the welfare and success of Early Career Faculty.

Committee Contact Information:
Elizabeth de los Santos, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: xdelossantos@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 682-7520

Executive Board Nominating Committee

Develops a slate of candidates for the new Executive Board of the Senate. Executive Board elections occur by Faculty Senate vote at their May meeting.

Faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Explores ways to support diversity in academic programs, support programs, and in the composition of faculty, administration, staff and student body.

Committee contact information:
Travis D. Hardwick, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: thardwick@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 682-6774

Research and Grants Committee

Monitors University policies and offices that significantly affect the ability of faculty to compete for external funding, conduct high-quality research and publish research results.

Committee contact information:
Carrie Busha, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: cbusha@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 784-7084

Salary, Benefits and Budget Committee

The Salary, Benefits and Budget Committee monitors, conducts studies, and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues that affect budgetary decisions at the University, salary schedules, benefits and employment policies

Committee contact information:
Elliott Parker, 2024-25 committee chair 
Email: elliottp@unr.edu
Phone: (775) 784-6408

University Athletics Committee

Monitors the University's athletics program, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Committee Contact Information:
Ryan Jerz, 2024-25 committee chair
Email: rjerz@med.unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 682-7312

Ad Hoc Committees

Faculty Senate ad hoc committees are formed for a specific task or objective, and dissolved after the completion of the task or achievement of the objective. Ad hoc committees may be established by the senate executive board, subject to approval of charges by the Faculty Senate.

Faculty senators are encouraged to serve as members or liaisons on Faculty Senate committees, or University boards, councils, commissions or committees.

View the 2024-25 Faculty Senate Members and Liaisons.