The Academic Affairs standing committees advise the University on matters related to academic policies and procedures, curricula and programs of study, assessment, academic integrity, criteria and qualifications for promotion in rank, and other issues that affect the academic life of the University and the well-being of students and faculty. The seven standing committees serving academic affairs have, as their chief function, the role of considering proposals and making recommendations to the academic administration and maintaining the integrity of the learning environment. The Academic Affairs Standing Committees are:

• Faculty Affairs, Evaluation & Promotion Committee
• Core Curriculum Committee
• Educational Assessment Committee
• Committee on Academic Integrity 
• Faculty Professional Development Committee
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Faculty Standing Committee on Student Learning Experiences: Community, Curriculum, and Careers
• Doctoral Education Committee

A chair or co-chairs will be appointed for each committee, who will establish the meeting agenda and ensure that meeting minutes are taken. The Chair(s) will provide a written report for the Academic Affairs Resource page. The charge to each committee is provided below.

1. Faculty Affairs, Evaluation, and Promotion Committee
   The Faculty Affairs, Evaluation, and Promotion Committee shall make recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President on institutional policies and practices relevant to the academic environment of the University, and especially on issues related to faculty. The Committee reviews, recommends, and monitors faculty evaluation systems, the faculty code of behavior, ethical issues, and issues of diversity. Also, the committee may make recommendations on the standards for the review of faculty performance, for promotion in faculty rank, and for the promotion review process. The Committee reviews individual cases for promotion in rank according to the guidelines in the Faculty Promotion in Rank section of the Faculty Handbook.
2. Core Curriculum Committee
   ​The Core Curriculum is the undergraduate curriculum that constitutes requirements for common learning. The core of courses ensures that the education aspirations outlined in the Bay Path University Thumbprint are fully integrated throughout the Core Curriculum. The Core Curriculum facilitates the acquisition of knowledge, skills, abilities, appreciations, and values that promote human excellence through liberal education. The Committee is responsible for investigating effective program design, recommending to faculty and administration a strategy for strengthening Bay Path’s core requirements. As outlined in this Handbook, proposals for changes to the Core Curriculum must be approved through the Curriculum Approval Process. The functions of the Committee include:
   1. Articulate a statement on a rationale for specific core curriculum goals in a liberal arts context as appropriate to Bay Path’s mission.
   2. Review, develop, and recommend policy and standards regarding common learning.
   3. Establish and revise criteria for courses in the Core Curriculum.
   4. Articulate skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to meet educational objectives congruent with institutional mission, vision, and thumbprint aspirations.
   5. Facilitate assessment and monitor student outcomes within the Core Curriculum.
   6. Consider and recommend strategies for improved writing and other academic skills across the curriculum.
3. Educational Assessment Committee
   The Educational Assessment Committee advances assessment policy and practice with an emphasis on program-level learning outcomes. Toward a culture of assessment, the committee champions the role of assessment as a key strategy for organizational learning and continuous improvement, supports the assessment of academic programs by providing consultation for activities such as assessment planning and implementation, and ensures equivalency of outcomes attainment between students in the traditional undergraduate program and Bay Path Online (BPO.)
4. Committee on Academic Integrity
   The Committee on Academic Integrity interprets and enforces the University Policy on Academic Integrity in the undergraduate and graduate divisions. Committee membership consists of full-time faculty and BPO Academic Directors.  The Committee Chair works collaboratively with the University administration to administer this Policy.  Activities of the committee and proceedings of formal Hearing Boards occur entirely within the University community. Committee members will hold two-year terms. Membership will ensure consistency with upholding academic integrity policy. The Committee will ensure membership from all schools and will be a representative body across all faculty groups.
5. Faculty Professional Development Committee
   The Faculty Professional Development Committee supports the professional development of faculty and academic staff in areas of teaching, research, and service. The Committee annually awards grants in teaching, research, and service to faculty and academic staff members on the basis of individual development plans. See Faculty Research, Scholarly Activity, and Works Grant.
   The Faculty Professional Development Committee assists the chair/co-chairs in planning and delivering a robust program of faculty professional development activities and opportunities. The Committee also assists in the planning of the annual Academic Achievement Day. The Committee oversees the administration of the faculty research and creative works grant application process.
6. Institutional Review Board
   The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Bay Path University is a standing committee designated to promote and protect the rights and welfare of all research participants and research activity affiliated with the University. In compliance with federal law, institutions that accept research funding from the federal government must have an IRB to review all research involving human subjects (even if a given research project does not involve federal funds) and safeguard the rights and welfare of people (and animals) participating in research. In addition, the IRB at Bay Path University has the authority to approve or disapprove research proposals or require modification in research proposals to have the proposals meet the IRB guidelines. All research activities involving any Bay Path community members (including staff, administrators, faculty, or students) or any Bay Path resources must comply with Bay Path IRB procedures and policy.

7. Faculty Standing Committee on Student Learning Experiences: Community, Curriculum, and Careers
   The Faculty Standing Committee on Student Learning Experiences: Community, Curriculum, and Careers is chartered to enhance student academic learning by developing evidence-based recommendations. The committee will analyze and review curriculum and processes with a unique focus on the diverse lived experiences of students, acknowledging the varied capacities, opportunities, and challenges they face. By bringing together faculty expertise, the committee will innovate and address key areas, including creating a supportive and equitable academic community, ensuring fair access to resources, adapting curriculum to multiple entry points and student commitments, and working to improve career readiness for all students.

8. Doctoral Education Committee
   The Doctoral Education Committee reviews and makes recommendations relevant to doctoral-level education at Bay Path.  The Committee reviews, recommends and supports such things as the role, value and philosophical framework supporting doctoral education, unique teaching and learning considerations and requirements (e.g. faculty teaching loads, dissertation advisement load, contract length, learning outcome criteria, research support), institutional marketing, branding and recruitment opportunities and needs, alignment with BPU mission and aspirations, and resources needed to demonstrate quality delivery of doctoral-level education, provide students with a robust and effective learning experience in alignment with individual program outcomes and goals and support program completion.  The Committee is responsible for recommending and supporting a strategy for institutionalizing doctoral education at Bay Path.  Members include faculty and staff who teach in or provide administrative support to one of the Bay Path doctoral programs.  The Committee works in close collaboration with the academic leadership team, including the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Deans.