MIT Undergraduate Association

Standing Faculty Committees
The following are standing committees of the Faculty. For more information on the purpose and membership of these committees, consult Rules and Regulations of the Faculty http://web.mit.edu/faculty/rules/ and http://web.mit.edu/committees/faculty/.

Committee on Academic Performance (CAP)

CAP is concerned with the academic performance of undergraduates and may make recommendations to the faculty on such matters as minimum scholastic standards, examinations, and grading. The committee acts with power on petitions from individual undergraduate students relating to exceptions to established academic standards and reviews the records of undergraduate students at the
conclusion of each regular examination period. The committee presents to the Faculty its recommendations on candidates to be awarded bachelor's degrees. The activities of the

Committee on Curricula

The CoC is concerned with the implementation of the General Institute Requirements and Course Curricula for undergraduates. These tasks include:

• considering proposals for changes in the Institute requirements and making suitable recommendations to the Faculty
• acting with power on proposals for Science Distribution and Laboratory subjects
• acting with power on requests from individual students for exceptions to the General Institute Requirements
• acting with power on proposals for changes in undergraduate subjects of instruction
• acting with power on proposals for new curricula, changes in existing curricula, and discontinuation of existing curricula
• reviewing reports by departments on individual students' programs that include major departures from an approved curriculum and summaries of all minor departures

Committee on Discipline (COD)

Considers cases of alleged misconduct by students as shall be brought to its attention by the Dean for Undergraduate Education, the Dean for Student Life, or by any member of the MIT community. An accused student shall be given an opportunity to appear in person at a COD meeting. If the findings of the committee include a recommendation that a student be required to withdraw from the Institute, the recommendation with the findings shall be reported to the President for approval or disapproval; otherwise, the COD shall act with power.

Faculty Policy Committee (FPC)

Essentially the Cabinet of the Chair of the Faculty, the FPC maintains a broad overview of the Institute's academic programs, deals with a wide range of policy issues of concern to the Faculty, and coordinates the work of the faculty committees. All policy changes to be brought up for a vote at a meeting of the faculty must first be presented to the FPC.

Committee on the Library System (CLS)

Formulates policy for the administration of the Libraries, with the advice of the Director of Libraries, consistent with the objectives of the Institute. It serves as a liaison between the Libraries and their users. The committee shall review budget allocations as prepared annually by the Director of Libraries.
Committee on Student Life (CSL)

CSL is concerned with the quality of the learning and living environment at MIT, with specific attention to issues of community. The duties and responsibilities of the CSL shall include:

• exercising general attention for the range, availability, and effectiveness of Institute-wide support services to students, and with the formal and informal relationship among the students, the Institute, and the Faculty
• considering proposals that would change or modify policies pertinent to student life and making recommendations to the Faculty and the Dean for Student Life
• encouraging innovation in programs regarding student life, particularly involving faculty, including the coordination and review of initiatives
• interacting with other Faculty Committees and student governing organizations and with the Schools, departments, etc., on important issues concerning student life and community and communicating with the MIT community about such issues
• serving as the standing Faculty advisory body to the Dean for Student Life.

Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid (CUAFA)

CUAFA is responsible for formulating and reviewing policies on admission of all undergraduate students, including college transfers, except in cases of students applying for readmission, and on financial aid to students, including undergraduate scholarships, loans, and student employment. The committee shall also exercise prior review of MIT publications and formal releases directed toward the prospective undergraduate student.

Committee on the Undergraduate Program (CUP)

CUP oversees undergraduate education, including the freshman year, undergraduate advising, the General Institute Requirements, and interdepartmental programs, giving attention to both short- and long-term trends and directions. This committee is responsible for encouraging experimental innovation in undergraduate educational policy. The committee exercises authority to approve and supervise limited educational experiments.

Subcommittee on the Communication Requirement (SOCR)

SOCR is a permanent subcommittee of the Committee on the Undergraduate Program. Its primary responsibility is to oversee and establish policy for MIT's Communication Requirement.

Presidential Committees
The following are committees appointed by the President. For current membership information, go to http://web.mit.edu/committees/president.

Committee on Race and Diversity

The committee's responsibilities include assessing the community environment and suggesting strategies; developing and sponsoring community initiatives to advance race relations and awarding grant funds to support these; sponsoring or cosponsoring community-wide events and forums including, but not limited to, the MLK Breakfast; and advising the administration on matters that arise.

Commencement Committee

The Commencement Committee is composed of members of the faculty, administration, and student body and has charge of the arrangement and conduct of commencement exercises.

Council on Family and Work

MIT's Council on Family and Work serves in an advisory and deliberative capacity concerning family and work-related issues as they impact MIT's faculty, staff, and students. It is the Council's responsibility to: 1) identify family and work-related issues, 2) establish a process to evaluate and respond to these issues, and 3) make periodic recommendations to MIT's senior officers about courses of action relevant to these specific issues.

Everett Moore Baker Memorial Foundation

The Baker Foundation Board is charged with implementing the ideals and objectives of Everett Moore Baker that included the provision of a dynamic extracurricular program and a congenial physical and intellectual environment at MIT. They identify needs at MIT and undertake projects that will contribute to the fulfilling of these objectives.

Medical Consumers' Advisory Council

MCAC serves as a communications link between the MIT Medical and its users. Its objectives are to keep the MIT community informed of the services available through the Medical Department and to discuss issues, concerns, and suggestions for the modification or addition of services to meet the changing needs of the community. The council reports annually to the Medical Management Board, which is the governing board of the Medical Department within the MIT structure.

Committee on Student Information Policy (CSIP)

CSIP interprets the Student Information Policy, establishes processes that are needed to facilitate its implementation, and resolves attendant disputes. To carry out these functions, the committee will, from time to time, review and update the policy and present its recommendations to the appropriate senior officers. Additional responsibilities include reviewing compliance and insuring that the community is aware of the most current information policy. Finally, the committee may be called upon to hear student complaints and answer questions relating to the policy.

Committee on the Use of Humans as Experimental Subjects (COUHES)

COUHES is responsible for reviewing every research project utilizing humans as research subjects, and for devising effective procedures to ensure the adequate review of all protocols. Its principal role is to determine whether subjects used in any research project are protected against undue risk and to ensure that their rights, privileges, and privacy are protected.

Women's Advisory Board

The Women's Advisory Board is representative of many women at MIT. Its members are elected from various constituencies and from various areas of the Institute. The committee works with and advises the Special Assistant to the President on areas of concern to the constituent groups and serves as a communications link with her office. Members of the committee are appointed for one-year terms, and the Chair rotates.

Corporation Committees

Corporation Joint Advisory Committee on Institute-Wide Affairs (CJAC)

The purpose of CJAC is to associate with the Corporation a representative group at MIT to which the Corporation can turn for consideration and advice on special Institute-wide matters requiring Corporation attention. It provides an additional means for bringing student and faculty representatives into regular commun- ication with the Corporation on matters of long-range importance to the MIT Community. CJAC also serves to acquaint the MIT community more fully with the role and responsibilities of the Corporation. Corporation members and faculty are elected for three-year terms. Students are elected for one-year terms. The terms of service for ex-officio members are concurrent with the terms of service in their respective offices.

UA Nominations Committee

This UA Committee is looking for passionate and dedicated undergraduate members for the next academic year. Time commitment is minimal except in the late spring during our yearly Nominations Cycle. Our responsibilities include: maintaining strong connections with the faculty and administration regarding progress in the Faculty and Presidential committees; hosting a biannual banquet to celebrate the achievements of both advocates and faculty chairs; ensuring student advocates uphold their responsibilities; interviewing the future student advocates for Faculty and Presidential Committees.