COM Governing Statute 3C College Governance and Roles of the Faculty Committees

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Purpose

The purpose of this governing statute is to provide operating policies for the committees of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). The role of this governing statute is to define guidelines and procedures for the organization and governance of the COM Committees. This governing statute is in place to foster and promote shared governance and excellence in the academic environment.

Policy Statement

The CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) is committed to shared governance, collaboration, and excellence in teaching, research, service, and administration. This policy defines the organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities of faculty, administration, and committees to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in decision-making. 

By fostering a collegial and collaborative environment, this framework supports the COM’s mission to prepare exceptional osteopathic physicians while maintaining accreditation standards and advancing healthcare education.

Standing Faculty Committees

The standing faculty Committees of the COM are listed below, including procedures for appointment, scope, and function. The standing committees shall operate consistent with the following rules:

  1. Any member of the faculty may be elected or appointed to these committees consistent with the process identified in this Policy. 
  2. Faculty member interest on serving will be gathered each year by the Dean’s office. Faculty members may also inform the Dean about the committees on which they are interested in serving. Before advising the Dean of their interests, faculty are encouraged to consult with the faculty members who serve or previously served on a committee concerning duties of committee members and time commitment expected from committee members. 
  3. Re-appointment/re-election of faculty members to committees may take into consideration of the faculty member’s past engagement and attendance based on feedback from the committee chair. 
  4. The Dean has discretionary authority to remove members from a committee due to a committee member’s failure to attend committee meetings. 
  5. Meeting attendance via phone or electronic conference system may be allowed in the event time or distance prohibits on-site attendance or with approval of the Committee Chair. 
  6. In order to vote and do business, a meeting must be attended by a quorum of the Committee. A quorum shall be 51 percent of the voting members. 
  7. In general, all faculty are welcome to attend and observe any meeting, unless otherwise indicated. However, closed sessions or executive sessions may be held, if required, at the determination of the Chair or if deemed necessary by majority vote of the committee. Attendance at closed sessions will typically be limited to the Committee’s members, but may include ex officio members. The Committee may also invite individuals with specific experience or knowledge relevant to the discussion in closed or executive session to attend the meeting.

Curriculum Committee (COM-CC)

  1. Mission: 

    The mission of the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine Curriculum Committee (COM-CC) is to create, review, improve, implement, and support the professional educational curriculum across all four years of instruction as delivered to the students, and as defined by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and as it meets the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine Mission.

  2. Committee Membership

    The Chair of the COM-Curriculum Committee will be appointed by the COM Dean. The term of the Chair will be defined as one (1) academic year and may be renewed by the Dean annually. The Chair will vote only in the event of a tie. 

    The Curriculum Committee will be comprised of at least five (5) full members appointed by the Dean, in consultation with the Committee Chair. The membership should include a broad representation of the COM; whose collective involvement in the curriculum spans all four (4) years of the D.O. program. The vote of each full committee member will count as one (1) full vote.

    In addition to the full members, the Dean may appoint up to four (4) student representatives, who will serve as Associate Members with one (1) collective vote. Student members will represent the curriculum across all years of instruction. 

    Assistant/Associate deans shall serve as ex officio, non-voting members

COM Assessment and Outcomes Committee (AOC)

  1. Mission:

    The College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Assessment and Outcomes Committee (AOC) collaborates with students, faculty, staff, administrators, other College committees, CHSU Outcomes and Assessment Committee, and CHSU’s Office of Institutional Assessment, Effectiveness, and Research as appropriate, to systematically review the College’s progress towards the mission of the COM and CHSU.

  2. Membership:

    The membership of the COM-AOC shall be appointed by the COM Dean. Membership shall be reviewed annually. 

    The Chair of the will be appointed by the COM Dean. The term of the Chair will be one (1) academic year and may be renewed by the Dean annually. The Chair will vote only in the event of a tie. 

    Membership shall consist of at least five (5) COM faculty, including at least two (2) members from each of the Biomedical and Clinical Faculty. Student representation will include one (1) student per class (i.e., total of four students). All faculty members have equal voting privileges. Student members will have one (1) collective vote. 

    Non-Voting, Ex-Officio Members: Staff from the Office of Academic Affairs and Assessment and the Director of Institutional Assessment, Effectiveness, and Research shall serve as non-voting, ex officio members of the committee. The Chair and/or Committee shall have discretionary authority to invite any of the Associate/Assistant Deans to attend the meetings as guests of the committee.

Faculty Development Committee (FDC)

  1. Mission:

    Mission: The Faculty Development Committee encourages the professional development of COM faculty through leading, advancing, and supporting collegial opportunities, strategies, and initiatives that share the vision and values of CHSU and COM, promote faculty wellness, and establish an inclusive intellectual climate that promotes faculty engagement and interaction within the COM.

  2. Membership:

    a. Chair: The Chair of the FDC shall be appointed by the Dean of the COM. The Chair must be a full- time faculty member. 

    b. Members: The members of the FDC shall be recommended by the FDC Chair to the Dean of the COM for approval and appointment. If the Dean disagrees with the Chair’s recommendation, the Dean will request that the Chair provide a new recommendation. 

    c. Term Length: Members shall be appointed for two (2) year terms, and the Chair for one (1) academic year. Terms may be renewed by the Dean. 

    d. Membership: Membership shall consist of at least five (5) COM full-time or adjunct faculty members, including at least one representative from Clinical Faculty and one representative from Biomedical Faculty.

Admissions Committee (COM-AC)

  1. Mission/Function:

    The COM-AC reviews all applicants’ comprehensive portfolios after completion of the interview process. These review meetings occur on an as-needed basis, typically at least monthly during interview season, but more frequently if needed. The COM-AC shall make recommendations for students to be admitted, placed on a waiting list, or declined. COM-AC recommendations are advisory only. The Dean shall make the final admissions decision. 

    Additionally, the COM-AC’s purpose is to provide recommendations to the COM-CAC regarding the application requirements, the student interview process, and criteria for admission.

  2. Membership:

    The COM-AC shall be comprised of at least five (5) members of the Faculty appointed by the Dean. University and college admissions administrative personnel shall also serve as non-voting ex-officio members of the AC. Faculty members are appointed for two-year (2) terms. Appointments may be renewed by the dean. The AC meets in closed session only. Non-members, guests, and students are not allowed to attend the AC’s meetings. 

    The Chair and Vice Chair shall be selected by vote of the AC Members.

Students at Academic Risk Committee (StARC)

  1. Function:

    The purpose of StARC is to identify and evaluate individual cases of OMS-I and OMS-II students’ declining academic performance or risks to individual student’s expected academic performance. 

    The StARC’s will provide input on and programs for the students identified at academic risk. In doing its work, the StARC can work in collaboration with other committees, academic units, and departments to support student success.

  2. Membership:

    All members are appointed by the Dean in consultation with the COM-CAC-Executive Committee. The StARC will include the Academic Achievement Director (AAD) for OMS-I and OMS-II students, as well as the learning specialist and Director of Student Services. The Chair of each group shall be the Director of Student Services.

COM Student Progress Committee (COM-SPC)

  1. Function:

    The SPC evaluates individual cases of student academic failure(s) and/or lapses in professionalism in accordance with the COM’s policies (COM Student Progress Committee Policy, Student Conduct and Professionalism Policy, COMLEX USA Policy, COM Academic Standing and Progress Policy).

  2. Structure/Membership:

    The members of the SPC are CHSU Faculty (as defined in Governing Statute 3b) appointed by the Dean of the COM. Members serve a one-year term, concluding at the end of the academic year.

    The members shall include, at a minimum: a) One (1) faculty member who also serves as the Academic Achievement Director, OMS-I. b) One (1) faculty member who also serves as the Academic Achievement Director, OMS-II. c) One (1) faculty member who may also serve as the Academic Achievement Director, or equivalent, for OMS-III/IV d) At least one (1) additional Biomedical Science Faculty Member. e) At least one (1) additional Clinical Science Faculty Member f) One (1) Committee Chair.

    The SPC oversees and/is composed of three year-specific subcommittees: a) Year 1 Subcommittee b) Year 2 Subcommittee c) Years 3 and 4 Subcommittee

    Each subcommittee is responsible for developing and assuring compliance with remediation plans for students in their respective year. 

    The subcommittees membership shall consist of, at a minimum: a)The Year-specific Achievement Director (AAD), who serves as Chair of the Sub Committee. b) One (1) Learning Specialist. c) One (1) member of the OAA&A department may attend to support the subcommittee functions.

    The SPC Chair or Subcommittee Chair has discretionary authority to invite an individual student’s Faculty Advisor or a Course Director to attend a meeting.

Full Committee Quorum and Voting

A quorum of committee members is required to finalize any decision. For purposes of the SPC, a quorum is defined as having 5 or more members present and the chair may be included as a committee member for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. The chair of the SPC only votes in the event of a tie vote of those members present for academic referrals. The chair may vote for professionalism referrals. In circumstances where an immediate vote is essential, the Chair has discretionary authority to include an associate or assistant dean as an ad hoc voting member.

Rank and Promotion Committee (RAP)

  1. Mission:

    The mission of the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine Rank and Promotion Committee (COM-RAP) is to recommend full-time faculty for promotion and to recommend adjunct and clinical preceptor faculty for rank and promotion as it aligns with the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine Mission.

  2. Structure:
  • Meetings will be scheduled on an ad-hoc basis, when needed, as determined by the submission of one or more faculty portfolios for review. 
  • At least one (1) meeting during the academic year will be held to review the Rank and Promotion Policy. 
  • A quorum will consist of at least 51% of voting members in attendance. 
  • Proposed agenda items must be submitted to the Chair in a timely fashion (at least one week prior to the meeting) for addition to the meeting agenda. Items deemed untimely will be added to the next appropriate meeting. 
  • Unless otherwise specified by the Chair with consent of the candidate, discussions about specific candidates and their qualifications will be conducted in a closed session.

  1. Membership:

    The Chair of the COM-RAP will be appointed by the COM Dean for a term of one (1) academic year, renewable annually for up to three (3) consecutive years. The Chair will vote only in the event of a tie.

    The COM-RAP will be comprised of five (5) voting members, and a Chair (i.e., a total of six (6) faculty members), each of which will be appointed by the Dean. The voting members must include: a) At least two (2) members from Clinical Faculty; and b) At least two (2) members from Non-Clinical Faculty.

    Ex-Officio (non-voting) members may be appointed by the Dean.

    A Vice Chair may be selected from among the five voting members above, who will serve in place of the chair as needed.

    The Dean may substitute any COM-RAP member if there is a conflict of interest that prevents the member from fairly evaluating a particular applicant

Faculty Council

  1. Mission/Function: 

    The Faculty Council is a faculty organization that serves as a representative forum for faculty participation for the free exchange of ideas and concerns of all faculty. The Faculty Council serves as a liaison between COM faculty and COM-CAC in such matters.

  2. Responsibilities: The Faculty Council’s role is to:
  • Meet at least once in the fall and once in the spring; 
  • Be familiar with the governance guidelines, policies, and procedures of the COM and of the University; 
  • Deliberate on matters for the purpose of formulating recommendations. 
  • Advise COM-CAC on faculty priorities and goals; d. Review and provide comment on proposed revisions of governing documents and policies submitted for review by the COM-CAC or Dean. 
  • Share faculty suggestions, concerns, and responses to COM-CAC queries; 
  • Act as a support representative for faculty in communications with leadership; 
  • Create working groups, as directed by the Dean, to explore specific issues resulting in recommendations back to the COM-CAC or Dean; 
  • Liaise with other CHSU faculty bodies as needed and as directed by the COM-CAC or Dean.
  1. Membership:
  • The Faculty Council is an elected body composed of five members: two (2) faculty members from the Biomedical Education Department; two (2) faculty members from the combined Clinical Departments, and one (1) Faculty Council Chair. Service on the Faculty Council is limited to members of the Voting Faculty and department chairs. 
  • All Faculty Council Members, including the Chair, shall be elected by the Voting Faculty. Nominations and elections will take place in May of each year. Elections will be anonymous and overseen by the COM Manager of Business Affairs and Administration (or designee). In the event of a vacancy arising during the year, special elections may be held to fill vacancies that arise during the year. 
  • Faculty Council members other than the Chair serve two (2) year terms. The Chair serves a one (1) year term. 
  • The faculty may vote to recall a Faculty Council member, but a recall requires a two-thirds super-majority vote.

Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC)

  1. Function:

    The GMEC will advise, promote, and assist in the development of new graduate medical education (GME) programs in the geographic area of interest of the COM.

  2. Membership:

    The GMEC will be chaired by the Assistant/Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education (ADGME) and will be composed of faculty members, which may include clinical preceptor faculty from affiliated hospitals and community GME training programs.

The College Administrative Committee (COM-CAC)

  1. Purpose:

    The College of Osteopathic Medicine College Administrative Committee (COM-CAC) serves as an advisory body to the Dean. It is responsible for advising the Dean on the strategic direction of the COM and recommending improvements in infrastructure, systems, policies, and procedures to ensure that the COM remains cost-effective, sustainable, and compelling to stakeholders.

  2. Responsibilities:

    Under the Dean’s direction, the COM-CAC shall coordinate and implement all faculty, student, and staff policies in line with the mission, vision, and goals of the COM. Areas of advice may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Disposition of recommendations and policies made by standing or ad-hoc committees.
  • Recommended changes to COM policies, and procedures.
  • Recommended curriculum changes 
  • Processes related to enrollment, admissions, and other student matters. 
  • Facilities and technology needs of the COM. 
  • Relationships and partnerships between the COM and external institutions. 
  • Other educational, clinical, scholarly, and research activities of the faculty and COM.

  1. Structure:

    The COM-CAC is chaired by the Dean and is composed of all senior college administrators, and others who are appointed by the Dean. The Faculty Council Chair is invited to attend all COM-CAC meetings. 

    The CAC Executive Committee (CAC-EC), composed of the Dean and all Associate/Assistant Deans, may meet on an ad hoc basis between COM-CAC meetings to discuss matters of an urgent or confidential nature and to conduct routine business.

  2. Meetings: 

    The COM-CAC shall meet at least once a semester.  An agenda will be prepared by the Dean (or designee).  Minutes will be taken and made accessible to all COM-CAC members. Any faculty committee, including the Faculty Council, may submit proposals to the COM-CAC for consideration.

Continuing Medical Education Committee (CME)

  1. Function:

    The CME committee will advise, promote, and assist in the development of new and ongoing continuing medical education programs in the geographic area of interest of the COM.

  2. Chair and Membership:

    The Chair of the will be appointed by the COM Dean. The term of the Chair will be one (1) academic year and may be renewed by the Dean annually. The Chair will vote only in the event of a tie. 

    The CME will be composed of faculty members and may include clinical preceptor faculty from affiliated hospitals and community GME training programs.

Task Forces and Ad Hoc Committees

The Dean has discretionary authority to form a Task Force or appoint members to an ad hoc committee to address a specific issue or need. The Task Force or Ad Hoc Committee the Dean will appoint a Chair and members to serve on various task forces or ad hoc committees. Task Forces are advisory to the Dean.