Section 2

ORGANIZATION

Houghton College is owned by The Wesleyan Church, whose denominational offices are located in the International Center at Indianapolis, Indiana. Responsibility for administering the college is vested in the Board of Trustees of Houghton College (hereinafter referred to as the Board of Trustees). The General Board of Administration elects the Board of Trustees which operates under the general policies governing all Wesleyan educational institutions. The General Board must also approve major changes in the college mission, and ratify decisions relative to the acquisition or disposition of major portions of the campuses.

Houghton College's governance document, its Constitution, is subject to the provisions of the Discipline of The Wesleyan Church and the Standards for Educational Institutions issued by the General Board of Administration. According to the Constitution, "Houghton College serves The Wesleyan Church and the broader evangelical community as a liberal arts college emphasizing academic excellence, social equality, and the historic Christian faith." More specific information may be found in the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees and in the college's Constitution and Bylaws (Appendix A).

2.2 Accreditation

Houghton College is chartered as a four‑year liberal arts college by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. The Education Department of New York State annually renews the registration of all academic majors and periodically conducts evaluations of the academic programs. Houghton also has held regional accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1935, with subsequent approvals each decade thereafter. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education [3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000)] is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The music program is also certified by the National Association of Schools of Music.

2.3 Trustees

The membership of the Board of Trustees includes members‑at‑large as well as representatives of the General Board of Administration, Wesleyan districts within the region, and alumni. The president of the college is the executive officer of the Board of Trustees, and as such he is charged with carrying out the Board's programs and exercising administrative control of the college on the Board's behalf. A more detailed description of the trustees and their duties may be found in the Constitution and Bylaws of Houghton College (Appendix A).

2.4 Organization of the college

The administration, headed by the president, includes five major units (Academics, Enrollment Management, Advancement, Finance, and Student Life). Charts showing the organizational structure are found in Appendix B.

2.4.1 The President of the college

The president, as the chief administrative officer of the college, is the designated executive officer of the Board of Trustees, and…

a) is directly responsible to the Board for the fiscal, academic, spiritual, and disciplinary affairs of the college, and directs and controls the affairs of the college through those designated administrators who report directly to the president,

b) has custody and control of the grounds, buildings, and equipment of the college, and supervises the use and protection of all material resources and funds,

c) exercises care for the effectiveness of the activities of all personnel of the college,

d) is responsible for maintaining proper academic standards at the college, and confirms doctrinal soundness of all new faculty members and supervises the continuing employment of all faculty,

e) attends and participates in the faculty meetings, and is an ex officio member of all committees,

f) is charged with fostering the spiritual interests of the college and of the denomination as represented in the college, and arranges for the college's adherence to the General Board of Administration Standards for Educational Institutions of The Wesleyan Church,

g) provides official communication between the college and the trustees, keeps the trustees informed in regard to significant conditions at the college, and expresses the will of the trustees to the college and the concerns of the college to the trustees.

The president's signature binds the college by all diplomas issued.

Much of the administrative governance activity of the college is conducted by the five area councils: Academic Policy, Student Life, Advancement, Enrollment Management and Financial Affairs. Each council is chaired by the administrator who is responsible for that specific functional area, and each council may initiate, refine, review, and recommend policies in its area of responsibility. In addition, the president meets with his senior staff as the Administrative Committee, and he appoints ad hoc administrative committees as required to perform special tasks.

2.4.2 Academics

The academic vice president and dean of the college is appointed by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the president and an appointed search committee. The dean of the college is, under the president, the chief academic officer of the college.

2.4.2.1 Dean of the college

2.4.2.1.1 Academic programs

The dean of the college:

a) Is responsible for the academic and curricular functioning of the college

b) Coordinates the academic program from the larger perspective of the college as a whole in regard to the mission of the institution as a Christian college

c) Provides leadership in educational research and curriculum development

d) Acts as an initiator, catalyst, and facilitator of academic programs and has final authority and responsibility for curricular offerings and scheduling

e) Has final authority and responsibility for the overall coordination of the office of records, college library, Mayterm, summer school, special programs, instructional media, student advisement, student academic services and integrative studies

f) Appoints the coordinators of academic advisement, off-campus programs and special programs, and

g) Supervises the preparation of all catalog material.

2.4.2.1.2 Committees and representation

The dean of the college (or his appointee):

a) Is the chair of the faculty and is responsible to represent the faculty and the academic programs to the Administrative Committee, Board of Trustees, and other non‑faculty groups on and off campus

b) Serves as chair of the Committee on Committees

c) Serves as chair of the Faculty Committee on Rank and Tenure

d) Chairs the Academic Policies Council and has the authority and responsibility to ensure that the council is active, functioning, and responsive to academic needs of the college, and

e) Serves on the computer committee.

2.4.2.1.3 Faculty Responsibilities

The dean of the college:

a) Serves as the final supervisor of the faculty, although direct supervision of the faculty is generally delegated to the department chairs

b) Recommends to the president the employment, retirement, and dismissal of faculty members

c) Promotes the spiritual, personal, and professional development of faculty (including non‑teaching faculty who answer to him)

d) As chair of the faculty, works with the associate academic dean in preparing and conducting faculty meetings

e) Oversees department chair elections

f) Serves as the immediate supervisor of department chairs, and

i. is expected to use department chairs as advisors on academic matters in general and departmental

matters in particular, and

ii. is responsible for the administrative development of the department chairs.

2.4.2.1.4 Facilities and Finances

The dean of the college:

a) Has final authority and responsibility for the distribution and use of academic facilities and equipment,

b) Is responsible for the development and administration of the academic budget, and

c) Administers, along with the Faculty Development Committee, the distribution of faculty development funds.

2.4.2.2 Associate Deans

2.4.2.2.1 Appointment, Term and Compensation

The Academic Vice President will survey the faculty to ascertain individuals with an expressed interest in serving as Associate Deans. Faculty members will also be asked to suggest names of individuals they consider appropriate candidates for these offices.

The Dean, President, and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee will review the responses to the faculty survey and select appropriate candidates from among the full or associate professors. This group will present no more than three nominations to the faculty. In situations where the Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee is a candidate for the opening, the third member of the selection committee will be chosen by the remaining members of the Faculty Affairs Committee.

The Associate Deans will be elected by a majority vote of the faculty, every third year prior to December 1 of the final year of the term.

Term of Office: Three years – An Associate Dean may only serve for two successive terms.

Method of Compensation: The Associate Deans will be given six-hours release time each semester to complete administrative duties. (Ten-month contract, half time, in addition to teaching responsibilities.)

2.4.2.3 Department chairs

2.4.2.3.1 Appointment and compensation

a) The members of the department elect the department chair from a list of two or three individuals nominated by the academic dean in consultation with the associate dean.

b) Term of Office:

The department chair serves a three-year term and may be elected for successive terms. (A May, 2002 motion eliminated term limits.)

c) Method of Compensation:

The department chair is compensated through release time and/or payment according to the established formula (Appendix C). The formula seeks to provide equity among departments with variables, such as the number of graduated majors, number of graduating minors, and number of student credit hours taught within the department.

2.4.2.3.2 Responsibilities in curricular matters

The department chair:

a) Approves course offerings and staffing within the department

b) Supervises all programs within the department, including internships, Mayterm courses, independent studies, honors projects, and tutorials

c) Cooperates with the Academic Records Office in creating the master schedule

d) Supervises preparation of catalog departmental material

e) Coordinates each department major/minor review

f) Provides leadership in educational research and curriculum development

g) Approves new library acquisitions

h) Monitors off-campus programs

2.4.2.3.3 Responsibilities in Personnel matters

The department chair:

a) Encourages spiritual, personal, and professional growth and development of departmental faculty

b) Reviews periodically with the academic dean's office the performance of the individual faculty members and makes recommendations regarding such matters as rank and tenure

c) Cooperates with the academic dean's office in the recruitment of new faculty members and chairs the Search Committee

d) Orients new departmental faculty members

e) Acts as a liaison between students and faculty of the department when necessary

2.4.2.3.4 Responsibilities in Administrative matters

The department chair:

a) Develops and recommends the departmental budget to the appropriate administrator

b) Administers the departmental budget

c) Serves on appropriate committees and advises the deans on general academic and departmental matters

d) Coordinates departmental recruitment of new students in cooperation with the admissions office

e) Coordinates the advisement of departmental majors

(December 1993)

2.4.2.4 Integrative studies department chair

2.4.2.4.1 Appointment and compensation

a) The members of the department elect the department chair from a list of two or three individuals nominated by the academic dean in consultation with the associate dean.

b) Term of Office:

The department chair serves a three-year term and may be elected for one successive term. A maximum

of seven years may be served due to the replacement of an unfulfilled term.

c) Method of Compensation:

Compensation for the department chair is determined annually by the academic dean.

2.4.2.4.2 Responsibilities

The department chair will:

a) Chair all meetings of the Integrative Studies Collegium.

b) Be a resource member of the Academic Policies Council and the Curriculum Review Committee.

c) Have curricular oversight for all integrative studies requirements.

d) Supervise all courses which carry a INTS (integrative studies) nomenclature. (All courses which fulfill integrative studies requirements and are interdisciplinary in nature will carry the INTS nomenclature.)

e) Supervise preparation of catalog material in integrative studies.

f) Approve new library acquisitions for integrative studies.

g) Assist the academic dean's office with faculty forums and dialogues on topics pertaining to integrative studies.

h) Cooperate with the academic dean in the recruitment of new faculty members with expertise in integrative studies.

i) Act as a liaison between students and faculty in matters pertaining to integrative studies.

j) Develop and recommend the departmental budget for the Integrative Studies Department.

2.4.3 Finance

The vice president for finance is, under the president, the chief financial officer of the college and is responsible for administering all financial and business affairs of the college, which include:

· preparing and controlling budgets

· investing, disbursing, accounting, and auditing all corporate funds

· care of the physical plant and college properties

· oversight of construction and renovation

· executing routine fiscal documents of the college

· recruiting non‑academic employees

· administering employee benefits programs

· chairing the Financial Affairs Council.

The principal divisions of the office of the vice president for finance and treasurer of the college are:

Assistant Treasurer

Food Service

Buildings and Grounds

Human Resources

Campus Store

Business Office

Controller

Custodial

Technology Services

2.4.4 Student life

The Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students is, under the president, the chief student life officer of the college. The Dean of Students is primarily responsible for administering and coordinating student life through co‑curricular activities, student services, and student discipline. Also, the dean serves as chief liaison officer between the student body and the administration, and chairs the Student Life Council.

The principal divisions for the office of student life are:

Christian life/chapel

Counseling

Athletics; intramural and intercollegiate

Career Services

New student orientation

Health Services

Residence Life

Student Programs

International Students

Multicultural Affairs

Conferences

Mailroom

Safety and Security

2.4.5 Advancement

The Vice President for Advancement is, under the president, responsible for representing the college to its external constituencies, as well as conducting all fund raising activities. The vice president serves as the chief executive of the office of advancement and is directly responsible for the direction and management of campaign efforts.

The operating units of the office of advancement are:

1. Development – fundraising activities for the college

§ Major & Planned Gifts – foundation and corporate giving; deferred giving

§ The Senior Director of Development reports to the Vice President of Advancement. The Senior Director supervises the Director and Assistant Director of the Annual Fund, three Major Gifts Officers, the planned giving program and the Director of Prospect Research and Donor Relations. The Senior Director also coordinates foundation and corporate major gift fundraising.

§ The goal of major & planned gift fundraising is to raise the level of the Houghton College endowment fund. Major gifts are defined as gifts of cash or other assets of at least $25,000. Donors may pledge major gifts and take up to five years to pay down their pledge. Planned gifts are defined as gifts that provide income to the donor for a period of years or bequests. In both instances Houghton College is the beneficiary of these gift arrangements.

§ Annual Fund – fall, calendar year-end, and fiscal year-end mailings; fall and spring phonathons, founders’ solicitations

§ The Director, under the Senior Director of Development, is responsible for providing opportunities for alumni, friends, parents and business organizations to become financial partners with the college. This is done by stressing attention to detail and providing a high level of personalization and consistent application of sound fundraising principles.

§ Facilitating the direct financial involvement and support of alumni, friends, parents and business organizations in the ongoing budgetary needs of the college through the solicitation of undesignated gifts.

§ Serving as an important information resource between constituents and the college through fundraising materials and interactions.

§ Stewarding those who remain Houghton’s top supporters – through the Founders’ Fellowship programs.

§ Enhancing the alumni reunion experience through effective Reunion Giving programs.

§ Educating a new generation of philanthropic leaders – by building (from the freshmen year) a tradition of giving among students through their involvement in the Senior Challenge program.

§ Involving parents in support of Houghton’s mission through the Parent’s Annual Fund.

§ Fostering a partnership between the college and the business community through the gift-in-kind and matching gift programs.

2. Advancement Services – reporting; database maintenance; gift processing; word processing; office administration

§ The Director, under the Vice President for Advancement, is responsible for enabling the various departments of the Advancement Office to meet their individual goals – and ultimately meet the objectives of the Advancement Office – through an organized program of database management and support that provides accurate and detailed accounting and report services, meeting information needs, staying apprised of systems maintenance/readiness, and providing software training and support for Advancement personnel.

3. Public Relations

§ The Media Relations Specialist is responsible for the development and management of the college advertising program, media initiatives, and sports information program.

§ The Special Events Coordinator serves the college through the management and production support of selected college-sponsored events.

§ Design Services provides professional consultation, creative problem solving, and quality materials and services to produce publications that effectively educate, inform and cultivate targeted audiences.

§ Website development is responsible for coordinating the development of the Houghton College World Wide Web site.

4. Alumni Relations

§ The Director is, under the Vice President for Advancement, responsible for coordination and leadership of alumni activities including chapter structure and activities, alumni reunion planning and supervision, homecoming activities that involve alumni, alumni affinity programs.

§ The Director is responsible for maintaining, managing, and creating a variety of alumni programs and services. These activities are directed to alumni across geographical, age, and occupational spectrums, with an eye toward building relationships with and among alumni. These relationships will result in student referrals, prayer support and financial contributions.

2.4.6 Enrollment Management

The Vice President for Enrollment Management chairs the Enrollment Management Council and is, under the president, responsible for student recruitment, admission and retention, and financial aid.

The vice president is responsible for:

· recruiting students to Houghton College

· monitoring admission and retention trends and developing strategies

· overseeing financial aid policies and procedures and student employment.

2.5 Faculty governance and organization

The faculty has biweekly faculty meetings, as scheduled by the academic dean, where pertinent campus issues are discussed and appropriate faculty recommendations considered. The academic dean chairs these meetings; the associate academic dean presides at the dean's discretion and in the dean's absence.

Most issues are presented to the faculty by faculty committees, although individual faculty members may bring issues to the floor.

It is expected that all policy changes and all substantive matters for consideration by the faculty will be published in the Faculty Herald and distributed to the faculty prior to consideration at a faculty meeting. (See the Constitution and Bylaws for the actual organization and procedures of the faculty and committees.)

2.6 College councils and committees

2.6.1 Councils

Much of the governance activity of the college is conducted by five councils specified in the college constitution.

These councils are:

The Academic Policies Council, chaired by the dean of the college.

The Student Life Council, chaired by the vice president for student life.

The Advancement Council, chaired by the vice president for advancement.

The Enrollment Management Council, chaired by the vice president for enrollment management.

The Financial Affairs Council, chaired by the vice president for finance.

A detailed discussion of the duties and membership of these may be found in the constitution (Appendix A).

2.6.2 Faculty committees

In addition to the five councils, a number of committees have been established under the Bylaws to the Constitution (Appendix A). Currently these committees are:

Admissions and Retention Committee

Campus Activities Committee

Committee on Committees

Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

Committee on Opportunity, Equity, and Diversity

Committee on Spiritual Life

Computer Committee

Curriculum Review Committee

Faculty Affairs Committee

Faculty Development Committee

Integrative Studies Collegium

Judiciary Committee

P.A.C.E. Academic Committee

Rank and Tenure Committee

Sexual Assault Advisory Committee

Teaching/Learning/Technology Roundtable

2.6.3 Administrative committees

On occasion, special work groups or ad hoc committees may be appointed to accomplish a specific purpose over a limited time period. However, it is the philosophy of the college that, whenever possible, business should be conducted within the existing committee structure and that extra committees be used only when clearly called for.

2.7 Other Campuses and programs

2.7.1 Houghton