Governance

Council of Deans

Council of Deans

The Council of Deans, presided over by the University Provost, meets biweekly to discuss issues and policies that affect the administrative and academic operations of the University’s schools and colleges. Council members include the deans of the 18 schools, colleges, and academic units, as well as selected senior administrators, as determined by the University Provost.

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Faculty Council

Faculty Council

The Faculty Council is the elected representative body for faculty at Boston University. Each school and college elects at least one representative and one alternate to serve on the council. The Faculty Council is an open forum in which the policies and activities of the University are discussed. It meets once per month during the academic year.

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Graduate Council

Graduate Council

The Graduate Academic Council meets once per month to consider matters that affect the quality of the graduate experience at Boston University. Its membership is set by the University Provost and normally includes the associate and assistant deans of the schools and colleges with graduate programs, as well as representatives from key University administrative offices. The council is chaired by the Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs.

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Provost's Cabinet

Provost's Cabinet

The Cabinet is comprised of the Provost's senior administration. The group meets weekly with the Provost to discuss issues and topics that affect the University. Members can access meeting materials on the Provost's Cabinet webpage.

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Undergraduate Council

Undergraduate Council

The Undergraduate Academic Council meets once per month to consider matters that affect the quality of the undergraduate experience at Boston University. Its membership is set by the University Provost, and normally includes the associate and assistant deans of the schools and colleges with undergraduate programs. The council is chaired by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs.

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University Council

University Council

The University Council is a body of faculty and administrators that considers and recommends action on academic matters including degree requirements, the creation and discontinuation of academic programs, and the development of policies that impact either faculty or students.

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Standing Committees

Advising Network

Advising Network

The Advising Network connects academic advisors across campus to share information, ideas and best practices in support of excellent guidance for BU’s undergraduates. The group is co-chaired by the Director for Undergraduate Advising & Student Success, Katie Steele (Office of the Provost), and Associate Professor of English, Anna Henchman (CAS).

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Assessment Working Groups

Assessment Working Groups

The Assessment Working Groups are University-level standing committees that work with the Assistant Provost for Academic Assessment to develop approaches and share knowledge about program learning outcomes assessment across the University. As such, they are a crucial channel of communication between the Provost’s Office and the Schools and Colleges about expectations and professional development needs and a means of sharing and responding to the results of assessment.

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BU Arts Council

BU Arts Council

The BU Arts Council is a University-level, standing committee composed of faculty and staff that works with the Managing Director of the BU Arts Initiative to further develop and enhance the University-wide Arts Initiative following its launch in fall 2012.

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BU Hub Council

BU Hub Council

Comprising teaching and research faculty appointed by the University provost and chaired by the assistant provost for general education, the BU Hub Council conducts ongoing, holistic assessment of the BU Hub through consultation with faculty, students, and alumni who have gone through the program.

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Committee on Academic Program Review

Committee on Academic Program Review

The University Committee on Academic Program Review (CAPR) is a standing committee composed of senior faculty representing the breadth of the University’s schools and colleges that serves as a governing entity with faculty oversight of the program review process.  Members are appointed to serve by the Provost and recommendations for service will be solicited regularly from the academic deans and the executive committee of the Faculty Council.  One member will be invited by the Provost to serve as chair.

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Provost's Faculty Teaching Awards Committee

Provost's Faculty Teaching Awards Committee

The Provost's Faculty Teaching Awards Committee recommends to the president the winners of the Metcalf Cup and Prize and Metcalf Awards, and selects the United Methodist Church Scholar-Teacher of the Year and the recipients of other university-wide awards for excellence in teaching. The committee is chaired by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs.

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Provost’s Graduate Student Advisory Board

Provost’s Graduate Student Advisory Board

The Graduate Student Advisory Board advises the Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs on a range of issues affecting the graduate academic experience. Comprising representatives from across BU’s graduate schools and colleges on the Charles River and Medical Campuses, the board meets quarterly with the Associate Provost, sharing concerns of fellow students and ideas for improving graduate and professional education.

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Provost's Undergraduate Student Advisory Board

Provost's Undergraduate Student Advisory Board

The Undergraduate Student Advisory Board advises the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs on a range of issues affecting the undergraduate academic experience. Comprising representatives from across BU’s 10 undergraduate schools and colleges, the board meets monthly with the Associate Provost, sharing concerns of fellow students and ideas for improving undergraduate education. 

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University Appointments, Promotion, and Tenure Committee

University Appointments, Promotion, and Tenure Committee

The University Appointments, Promotion, and Tenure Committee (UAPT) comprises 16 senior faculty members selected by the University Provost and the Chair of the Faculty Council by mutual agreement. The committee is advisory to the Provost. The UAPT reviews individual cases submitted by the deans for tenure and/or promotion, as well as initial faculty appointments at the rank of Associate or full Professor, regardless of tenure status. The UAPT reviews promotions and senior appointments for faculty on the Charles River Campus only; promotions for faculty in the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and School of Public Health are reviewed on the Medical Campus.

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Active Task Forces

Boston University AI Task Force

Boston University AI Task Force

The Boston University AI Task Force was created in September 2023 to help develop a coordinated University-wide approach and set of best practices that enable BU to harness the great potential for generative AI, guide its creative, positive use, and guard against the possibility of abuse.

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Task Force on the Future of PhD Education at Boston University

Task Force on the Future of PhD Education at Boston University

The Task Force on the Future of PhD Education at Boston University was created in spring 2022 to consider several critical questions around the efficacy of BU’s existing approaches to PhD education, to look at proposals and models across the higher education landscape that may apply to and benefit the University’s own strategies, and to ultimately develop a set of recommendations for how BU can move forward.

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Completed Task Forces

Council on Educational Technology and Learning Innovation (CETLI)

Council on Educational Technology and Learning Innovation (CETLI)

The Council on Educational Technology and Learning Innovation (CETLI) was a University-wide group charged in October 2012 with discussing key assertions about the potential role of educational technology both in our on-campus, residential programs and as a means for reaching new learning communities via synchronous and asynchronous technologies. The Council completed its work in July 2013, making several recommendations, including the establishment of a Digital Learning Initiative. To view the official charge to the Council, the Council members, and the July 2013 report, please see the CETLI website.

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Free Speech Committees

Free Speech Committees

In February 2019, at President Brown’s request, University Provost Jean Morrison formed two committees to help develop a clear and consistent institutional voice on the issue of Free Speech on campus. The Free Speech Policy Committee was charged with developing a statement that describes and affirms the University’s commitment to free speech. The Free Speech Operations Committee was asked to review and revise existing University policies and practices related to speech and expression on campus. The committees worked through fall 2019 to gather and incorporate feedback from the University community. They presented a proposed statement on free speech and accompanying policy revisions to University Council in spring 2020, which were approved. They were ratified by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees on October 27, 2020.

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Living-Learning Programs Review Committee

Living-Learning Programs Review Committee

In the spring of 2013, Associate Provost Elizabeth Loizeaux charged the Living-Learning Programs Review Committee with the task of undertaking a comprehensive review of BU's Specialty Houses and making recommendations for the future development of BU's living-learning programs over the next five to ten years. The Committee completed its work in November 2013. To view the official charge to the Committee, the Committee members, and the November 2013 report, please see the Living-Learning Review Committee website.

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One BU: Unlocking the Undergraduate Experience Task Force

One BU: Unlocking the Undergraduate Experience Task Force

In June 2008, a Task Force was convened by the University Provost to find potential answers to the question, “How can today’s liberal education provide all college students with the knowledge, skills, and historical and global perspectives they need to be effective and discriminating in everything they do—in higher education, in the workplace, in their communities and families, and as leaders, practitioners, and teachers?”  To achieve this goal, the Task Force agreed that the University and each school within the University will need to “unlock” undergraduate education at Boston University in two ways: through enhancement of the current strengths and opportunities at BU, and through the integration of curricular and co-curricular activities across schools and programs within the University. The Task Force completed its work in 2010. The Task Force's final report and recommendations can be found on its website.

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Provost's ad hoc Committee on International Student Experiences and Institutional Impact

Provost's ad hoc Committee on International Student Experiences and Institutional Impact

In February 2014, Provost Morrison launched an effort to assess whether the University was meeting the needs and supporting the success of students and faculty in response to a growing international student population. Chaired by Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs, the ad hoc committee was charged with engaging the community to help identify areas of strength and weakness and make recommendations for implementation of best practices and improvements. The Committee completed its work in June 2014. The Committee's final report and recommendations can be viewed on its website.

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Strategic Planning Task Force

Strategic Planning Task Force

Launched by the University Provost Jean Morrison in fall 2018, the Strategic Planning Task Force was charged with working collaboratively with faculty, students, and staff across BU to develop a vision and set of actionable priorities for the University over the next decade. On April 16, 2020, Provost Jean Morrison presented a draft strategic plan to the Boston University Board of Trustees. The Board endorsed this plan, which culminated almost two years of work by the Strategic Planning Task Force and community-wide discussion. That report becomes the basis for the University’s Strategic Plan for 2030.

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Task Force on Faculty Diversity & Inclusion

Task Force on Faculty Diversity & Inclusion

The Task Force on Faculty Diversity & Inclusion was part of a multifaceted effort to consider new approaches to faculty recruitment and retention and the fostering of a more inclusive community. The Task Force was charged with facilitating a set of University-wide discussions about how Boston University can become the diverse, inclusive community of faculty we envision, and developing recommendations that will help us achieve this goal. The Task Force completed its work in May 2016, making several recommendations, including the establishment of a University-wide Associate Provost for Diversity & Inclusion. The Task Force's final report can be viewed on its website.

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Task Force on Evaluating Teaching

Task Force on Evaluating Teaching

Launched in May 2017, the Task Force on Evaluating Teaching was part of a commitment to examine the University's approach to student course evaluations and consider the place of student course evaluations in the overall evaluation of both undergraduate and graduate teaching. The Task Force was charged with investigating the efficacy of current approaches, revising or re-drafting existing University-wide course evaluation forms, and submitting recommendations regarding online course evaluations, increasing levels of participation, and whether to make the results of student course evaluations available to students. The Task Force completed its work in October 2018. The Task Force's final report can be viewed on its website.

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Task Force on General Education

Task Force on General Education

In November 2014, University Provost Jean Morrison appointed a Task Force on General Education, comprising distinguished faculty from across BU. The Task Force was charged with developing a coherent set of core knowledge, skills and habits of mind that will equip BU graduates to thrive in their personal, professional and civic lives. The Task Force completed its work in March 2016, laying the groundwork for a University-wide implementation of the program for all incoming freshmen by fall 2018, now known as the BU Hub. The Task Force’s final report can be found on the BU Hub website.

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Task Force on LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff

Task Force on LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff

The Task Force on LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff was part of a commitment to ensure that all faculty and staff enjoy a supportive work environment consistent with the University’s stated principles of employees’ feeling valued and respected. The Task Force was charged in October 2018 with facilitating a set of University-wide discussions about how Boston University can become a more LGBTQIA+ inclusive community for faculty and staff and with developing recommendations to help us meet this objective. The Task Force completed its work in spring 2019 and submitted its recommendations to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Operations. The final report can be found on its website.

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Task Force on Non-Faculty Academic Research Positions

Task Force on Non-Faculty Academic Research Positions

Non-faculty research employees contribute directly to BU's research productivity and are an important part of the University's research enterprise. This is a varied and complex group. Launched in March 2016, the Task Force on Non-Faculty Academic Research Positions worked to develop a comprehensive look forward for non-faculty research staff at BU, including recommendations that create consistency across the University and better provide support and advancement opportunities for these employees. The Task Force completed its work in May 2016 and developed a report and set of recommendations for review by the President and Provost. The full Task Force report can be found on its website.

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Task Force on PhD Competencies

Task Force on PhD Competencies

Launched in May 2019, the Task Force on PhD Competencies was charged with identifying a set of core competencies that will help the BU respond to the shifting nature of the PhD job market and allow the University to define the skills it expect its students to develop. The central goal of the task force was to outline a set of the general, non-discipline specific competencies that Boston University would like all of its PhD recipients to have. The task force completed its work in April 2020. The final report is posted on its website.

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Task Force to Envision Data Science at Boston University

Task Force to Envision Data Science at Boston University

The Task Force to Envision Data Science at Boston University was launched in July 2018 to help develop a vision that further advance’s BU’s capabilities as a research and education leader in this rapidly evolving field. The Task Force was asked to draft recommendations that: leverage and build on BU’s existing strengths and recent investments in data science; promote appropriate differentiation and prevent needless duplication or competition among programs; and optimize faculty collaboration and the seamless integration of data science programs across disciplines, schools, and colleges. The Task Force completed its work in April 2019.  Its final report and recommendations can be found on its website.

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