Committees

Faculty Senate committees are an essential part of faculty shared governance and carry out much of the Senate’s work. The Faculty Senate establishes and charges both standing and ad hoc committees to examine issues, develop recommendations, and provide faculty perspectives on matters affecting the University.

Reporting to the Faculty Senate chair, Senate committees consider a broad range of University- and Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)-wide issues, policies and initiatives. Through research, consultation and collaboration with faculty, administrators and other members of the University community, Senate committees develop recommendations that can inform policy, improve University practices and advance shared governance.

Administration-approved and acknowledged committee recommendations are tracked to monitor their implementation and completion.

All faculty are welcome and encouraged to serve on Faculty Senate committees. Faculty can express interest in committee service through the annual Spring Interest Survey distributed by the Faculty Senate office or by completing the Faculty Committee Service Interest Form at any time.

Faculty Senate Committees: Information and Webpages

Academic Standards Committee (ASC)

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. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on December 9, 2026, and its end-of-year report on May 5, 2027.

Committee Contact Information:
Jennifer Ng, 2026-27 Committee Chair
Email: jenniferng@unr.edu
Phone: (775) 327 5164

Administrative Faculty Committee (AFC)

The committee conducts studies and develops recommendations regarding personnel policies, procedures and practices that affect the welfare and employment status of administrative faculty. During the 2026–27 academic year, the committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 10:30–11:30 a.m. and will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on December 9, 2026, and its end-of-year report on May 21, 2027.

Committee Contact Information:
Asta Ratliff, 2026-27 Committee Chair
Email: astar@unr.edu
Phone: (775) 682 8619

Bylaws and Code Committee (BCC)

Serves as a resource on the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and the University of Nevada, Reno governing documents, including NSHE Code, the University Administrative Manual (UAM) and the bylaws of the University, colleges/schools, divisions, departments and the Faculty Senate. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on January 22, 2027, and its end-of-year report on May 5, 2027.

Committee Contact Information:
Paul Devereux, 2026-27 Committee Chair
Email: devereux@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 682 7090

Campus Affairs Committee (CAC)

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. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on December 9, 2026, and its end-of-year report on May 21, 2027.

Committee Contact Information:
Erika Westoff, 2026-27 Committee Chair
Email: ewesthoff@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 682 8883

Community Engagement Committee (CEC)

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. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on January 22, 2027, and its end-of-year report on May 21, 2027.

Committee Contact Information:
Peter Reed, 2025-26 Committee Chair
Email: psreed@unr.edu
Telephone: (775) 327-2283

Early Career Academic Faculty Committee (ECAFC)

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. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on December 9, 2026, and its end-of-year report on May 5, 2027.

  • Early Career Academic Faculty Events Committee information (2026-27 chaired by Laura Smithers)

    • Committee Contact Information:
    Samantha Bickert,​ 2026-27 Committee Chair
    Email: sbickert@unr.edu
    Telephone: (775) 682 5539

    Executive Board Nominating Committee (EBNC)

    Annually develops a slate of candidates for the new Executive Board of the Senate. Executive Board elections occur by Faculty Senate vote at a spring meeting.

    Committee Contact Information:
    Vacant

    Faculty Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (FDEIC)

    Explores ways to support diversity in the context of the larger University mission that is committed to a culture of excellence, inclusion, and accessibility. All faculty are welcome and invited to join any of our committees. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on January 22, 2027, and its end-of-year report on May 21, 2027.

    Committee Contact Information:
    Randall Owen, 2026-27 Committee Chair
    Email: randallowen@unr.edu
    Telephone: (775) 784 6385

    Research and Grants Committee (RGC)

    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. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on January 22, 2027, and its end-of-year report on May 5, 2027.

    Committee Contact Information:
    Emily Boss, 2026-27 Committee Chair
    Email: eboss@unr.edu
    Telephone: (775) 682 5007

    Salary, Benefits and Budget Committee (SBBC)

    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. The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on December 9, 2026, and its end-of-year report on May 5, 2027.

    Committee Contact Information:
    Chris Kelly, 2026-27 Committee Chair 
    Email: cjkelly@unr.edu
    Phone: (775) 784 8067

    University Athletics Committee (UAC)

    Monitors the University's athletics program, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The committee will present its mid-year report to the Faculty Senate on January 22, 2027, and its end-of-year report on May 21, 2027.

    Committee Contact Information:
    Kari Johnson, 2026-27 Committee Chair
    Email: kari@unr.edu
    Telephone: (775) 682 6786

    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 current year Faculty Senator liaisons to University committees