Each April, the General Assembly elects 10 students to sit on 6 standing committees of the Duke University Board of Trustees (BOT). Any graduate or professional student can run for a position on the standing committee. The BOT meets 4 times are year, and the student representatives who attend these meetings contribute the graduate and professional student perspective to the highest governing body at Duke. The Medical Center Academic Affairs meets at lunchtime on Friday. The others generally meet on Friday afternoons.
Representatives are expected to:
• Read through all materials in BOT packets
• Attend pre-meetings with all GPSC BOT reps prior to BOT meetings (1.5 hrs)
• Attend the 4 BOT meetings for the year (2-3 hours each)
• Submit written reports following meetings
• When necessary, talk to students to get more perspective on the issues to be discussed
• Be proactive in bringing issues to the agenda for discussion and participate thoroughly in the conversation
Listed below are the responsibilities of each committee. Please visit the People section to view lists of current and past representatives to the BOT committees.
Duke University
Board of Trustees
Standing Committee Descriptions
Approved October 2008
Faculty, Graduate and Professional Schools Affairs Committee
1. Membership. The Faculty, Graduate and Professional Schools Affairs Committee shall be composed of not less than four Trustees, two of whom shall also be members of the Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee, at least two faculty members, and at least two students (at least one of whom shall be a graduate or professional student). The Provost shall serve, ex officio, as a non-voting member of the Committee, and the President may appoint other non-voting members as required to properly exercise the duties of the Committee.
2. Powers and Duties. The Faculty, Graduate and Professional Schools Affairs Committee oversees all activities that support the academic mission of the University, including the articulation of the academic mission of the University, enhancing the quality of the academic program, considering new academic programs and significant modifications in existing academic programs, fostering faculty development and other faculty priorities, all matters relating to the graduate and professional student experience (including academic, extra-curricular, and co-curricular affairs), promoting scholarly research, and overseeing strategic planning for the University and its constituent schools. The Committee’s jurisdiction coordinates with, but does not extend to, matters under the jurisdiction of the Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee or the Undergraduate Affairs Committee.
Business and Finance Committee
1. Membership. The Business and Finance Committee shall be composed of not less than four Trustees, two of whom shall also be members of the Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee, at least one faculty member, and at least one student. The Executive Vice President shall serve, ex officio, as a non-voting member of the Committee, and the President may appoint other non-voting members as required to properly exercise the duties of the Committee.
2. Powers and Duties. The Business and Finance Committee is responsible for safeguarding and monitoring the University’s financial stability and long-term economic health. The Committee serves as the Board’s principal forum for the consideration of matters relating to the University’s business operations, administration, budgeting, financing, financial reporting, and financial reserves. On a regular basis the Committee provides the Board with complete financial overviews of the University and recommends policies and procedures governing the funding of yearly operational plans and the financing of long-term capital needs.
Facilities and Environment Committee (Formerly Building and Grounds)
1. Membership. The Facilities and Environment Committee shall be composed of not less than four Trustees, at least one faculty member, and at least one student. The Executive Vice President shall serve, ex officio, as a non-voting member of the Committee, and the President may appoint other non-voting members as required to properly exercise the duties of the Committee.
2. Powers and Duties. The Committee is responsible for all planning, construction, maintenance, expansion, and renovation projects that impact the University’s consolidated infrastructure, physical facilities, and natural environment, including its lands, improvements, and capital equipment. Within parameters established by the Committee and approved by the Board, the Committee oversees capital projects; designs for projects; and certain capital projects of Duke University Health System, Inc.; the selection and appointment of architects, construction managers, and contractors for such projects; acquisition or disposition of property; and operation and maintenance projects of a certain magnitude. The Committee makes appropriate recommendations to the Board concerning the University’s Master Plan, buildings, grounds, roads, walkways, parking facilities, utilities, and environmental sustainability and policies relating thereto.
Institutional Advancement Committee
1. Membership. The Institutional Advancement Committee shall be composed of not less than four Trustees, at least one faculty member, and at least one student. The Vice President for Public Affairs and Government Relations, the Vice President for Durham and Regional Affairs, and the Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development shall serve, ex officio, as non-voting members of the Committee, and the President may appoint other non-voting members as required to properly exercise the duties of the Committee.
2. Powers and Duties. The Institutional Advancement Committee reviews, discusses, and, when appropriate and necessary, recommends action on important and substantive issues and proposals involving development, public affairs and government relations, community affairs, and alumni affairs. The Committee reviews and recommends University-wide policies and practices concerning philanthropic giving, fundraising initiatives, alumni programming, communications and media, government and public relations, and community affairs.
Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee
1. Membership. The Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee shall be composed of not less than four Trustees, two of whom shall be members of the Faculty, Graduate and Professional Schools Affairs Committee, and two of whom shall be members of the Business and Finance Committee; at least two faculty members; and at least two students, one of whom shall be the President of the Davison Council. The Provost and the Chancellor for Health Affairs shall serve, ex officio, as non-voting members of the Committee, and the President may appoint other non-voting members as required to properly exercise the duties of the Committee.
2. Powers and Duties. The Medical Center Academic Affairs Committee oversees all activities that support the academic mission of the Medical Center, which is defined as the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, and all academic institutes and programs affiliated with these schools. This oversight responsibility shall include consideration and recommendations relating to programs, policies, and projects of the constituent schools and programs within the Medical Center, coordination with the Business and Finance and Facilities and Environment Committees regarding budget and financial affairs and capital projects of the Medical Center, and all matters relating to Medical Center students, including academic, extra-curricular and co-curricular affairs.
Undergraduate Affairs Committee
1. Membership. The Undergraduate Affairs Committee shall be composed of not less than four Trustees, at least two faculty members, and at least three students. The Provost and the Dean for Undergraduate Education shall serve, ex officio, as non-voting members of the Committee, and the President may appoint other non-voting members as required to properly exercise the duties of the Committee.
2. Powers and Duties. The Undergraduate Affairs Committee is responsible for the academic, social, ethical, and personal development of undergraduate students. The Undergraduate Affairs Committee oversees and recommends policies relating to the undergraduate experience, including academic studies; curriculum; residence life; student governance and activities; and the general physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of undergraduate students.