Campus and Facilities (formerly Buildings and Grounds)

Two student senate reps are needed for the Campus and Facilities Committee responsible for reviewing the physical plant maintenance and operations policies, monitoring energy costs and conservation programs, reviewing proposals for new or remodeled facilities and reviewing the annual operating budgets required to maintain the physical plant. 

Chair: David McAlpin, Trustee

Staff Lead: Maureen Harrigan, Interim Vice President for Finance and Operations

Point person(s) for student reps: Thomas Arbuckle and Jody West

Frequency of meetings: Monthly

Development

Two student senate reps are needed for the Development Committee charged with overseeing and participating in the development, media and public relations of the Seminary, recommending related policies to the Board of Trustees, approving plans for annual and capital campaigns and special fundraising events, and overseeing the monitoring of compliance with the terms of bequests, annuities and designated gifts. 

Chair: Rhonda Joy McLean, Trustee

Staff Lead: Rita Walters, Vice President for Development

Point person for student reps: Shana Kaplanov  

Frequency of meetings: Approximately five meetings per calendar year

Educational Policy

Two of the three student senate reps sitting on the Academic Affairs Committee (one PhD and one either MA or M.Div.) must also serve on the Educational Policy Committee which has general supervision over the educational policies of the Seminary. 

Chair: Nancy Jennings, Trustee

Staff Lead: Pam Cooper-White, Academic Dean

Point person for student reps: Chris McFadden 

Frequency of meetings: Three times per academic year with ad hoc meetings added, if needed.

Investment

Two student senate reps are needed for the Investment Committee responsible for choosing investment managers, recommending investment policy and reviewing the entire portfolio and performance of investment managers as contemplated by the New York Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act of 2010, Article 5-A of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. 

Chair: David Klassen, Trustee

Staff Lead: Maureen Harrigan, Interim Vice President for Finance and Operations

Point person(s) for student reps: Thomas Arbuckle and Jody West

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly

Strategic Planning Committee

Two student senate reps are needed for the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee which has been designed to ensure that the strategic initiatives, goals, and objectives are in alignment with the vision and mission and everyday operations of the seminary. This committee is currently on hiatus – a decision made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chair: Jason Wright, Trustee

Staff Lead: Jody West, Vice President for Administration

Point person(s) for student reps: Thomas Arbuckle and Jody West

Frequency of meetings: Quarterly

Union Medal

One student senate rep needed for the Union Medal Committee responsible for recommending to the Board of Trustees all candidates for the Union Medal award. The Union Medal Committee may hold meetings at such times and on such notice as it may deem advisable. 

Chair: Rhonda Joy McLean, Trustee

Staff Lead: Rita Walters, Vice President for Development

Point person(s) for student reps: Shana Kaplanov 

Frequency of meetings: Once or twice a year

Academic Affairs

Three student senate reps (one from each program: MA, M.Div. & PhD) are needed for the Academic Affairs Committee responsible for the articulation of the academic mission of the seminary, addressing academic issues, enhancing the quality of the academic program and considering new academic programs, policies and procedures, as deem necessary.  Two of the three student senate reps from this Committee (one PhD and one either MA or M.Div.) must also serve on the Educational Policy Committee. 

Assessment

Two positions. The committee is responsible for assuring the continuing implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process of assessment of student learning for Union’s degree programs.  The committee collaborates with the Office of the Academic Dean in the articulation of clear learning goals and measurable outcomes; in the design and implementation of assessment processes; in the review, analysis, and reporting of assessment data; and in the making of recommendations for the improvement of assessment, teaching, and learning strategies, and for curricular revision…The committee normally meets twice a semester, or more frequently, as needed. This committee is chaired by the Associate Dean and includes the Academic Dean, Dean for Integrative and Field Based Education, two or three other faculty members, and one to two student representatives.

Columbia Senate – UTS Student Observer

One student senate rep is needed as a student observer of the Columbia Senate, a University-wide legislature, representing faculty, students, and other constituencies. The Columbia Senate makes policy on a range of issues that affect the entire University, including educational programs and priorities, the budget, academic freedom and tenure, the conduct of research, the libraries, information technology, Columbia’s external relations, student sexual misconduct, rules governing political demonstrations, and the welfare of faculty, students, and research officers. The UTS Student Observer has no voting power on the Columbia Senate. For more information about the Columbia Senate see this link. This is a 2-year position.

Student Library Advisory Committee

One student rep is needed to be a part of this Fall semesters Columbia University Libraries launch of a Student Library Advisory Committee, to provide input on library-related issues on campus. The idea is to have a two-way forum for information exchange between students and the Libraries administration and a clear conduit for the transmission of student needs and concerns. Meetings will be scheduled twice per semester during the Fall and Spring academic terms. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed.