University of Washington Policy Directory

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*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Board of Regents Governance


By-Laws


Article III



Committees of the Board



1.  Executive Committee

At its regular meeting held in September of each year, the Board by majority vote shall elect an Executive Committee of not less than six members, of which the President of the Board shall be an ex officio member and chairperson. Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business of the Executive Committee. During the absence or incapacity of the President, the Executive Committee shall elect from among its membership a chairperson pro tem. The Executive Committee may call special meetings of the Board, and shall represent and may transact business for the entire Board during the interim between regular meetings of the Board, but, except in emergencies, will generally refer all matters to the entire Board for subsequent action.

2.  Standing Committees

The standing committees hereinafter set forth are established to facilitate the business of the Board and the University. The incoming President of the Board, during the meeting at which the election is held or prior to the next regular meeting of the Board following such election, shall designate the chairperson and other members of each standing committee. The President of the Board shall not be appointed to any committee, but may act as an alternate, including voting, in the event of the absence of any committee member at any regular or special meeting scheduled pursuant to Article II of the By-laws. Each such committee shall consist of at least four members. The student regent may serve on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee but shall excuse himself or herself from participation or voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel. All matters considered by the standing committees requiring action shall be referred to the Board for action unless express authority is delegated to a committee. Subsequent to the transaction by a committee of any business under delegated authority, the committee shall render a report thereof to the Board.

  A. Academic and Student Affairs Committee

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee shall consider matters pertaining to the teaching, research, and public service programs of the University and to its faculty, staff, and students. Matters to be brought before the Committee may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

    1) Faculty and Staff Affairs—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on matters relating to the faculty and the professional and classified staff, including their status, responsibilities, discipline, remuneration, benefits, health, and welfare.

    2) Educational Policy—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on matters relating to educational policy, including admissions requirements, instruction, curriculum, degrees, research, educational technology, distance learning, public services activities, and the establishment and disestablishment of educational and research organizational units.

    3) Student Welfare—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on matters relating to the general welfare of students, including housing and food services, health services and health insurance, safety, extracurricular activities, sports programs, and policies governing student discipline and student organizations.

    Any of the above enumerated examples of matters to be brought before the Academic and Student Affairs Committee may be directed to any other standing or special committee or the Committee of the Whole of the Board for consideration.

  B. Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee

The Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee shall consider matters pertaining to the financial, capital, and other assets management of the University, including the management of investments and investment properties. Matters to be brought before the Committee may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:

    1) Budget and Appropriations—The Committee shall review all proposed requests for appropriation of state funds for the University for subsequent approval by the Board before presentation to the legislature or other state authority.

The Committee shall review proposed annual or biennial operating and capital budgets for subsequent approval by the Board. No expenditure of University funds, except as the Board may specifically order, shall be made otherwise than pursuant to the budgets recommended by the Committee and approved by the Board: provided, that the President of the University or the President's authorized representative is:

      a) Empowered to approve transfers within a college or school budget, transfers between college, school, or other operating unit budgets, so long as the previously approved total is not thereby exceeded, and

      b) Empowered to make allocations to any college, school, department, or other budget unit from the President's Reserve or from general University funds except for capital additions.

    2) Audits—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning audit policies and guidelines and shall review audit plans and reports.

    3) Investments—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning investment policies and guidelines, shall monitor the performance of the Treasurer and other officers charged with their implementation, and shall make periodic reports to the Board.

    4) Gifts, Grants, Bequests, Contracts, and Agreements— The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on acceptance and approval and allocation of gifts, grants, bequests, trusts, contracts, and agreements received by the University.

    5) Development Program—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the policies governing the fund-raising efforts of the University.

    6) Tuition and Fees—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on fees and charges pertaining to revenue-producing operations such as housing, parking, and intercollegiate athletics.

    7) Intellectual Properties—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the University's intellectual properties, particularly with respect to technology transfer activities. The Committee will regularly review management of these assets and propose policies that, consistent with the University's mission, will maximize income to the University over the long term.

    8) Borrowings—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the long term financing of capital projects and any other borrowings which may be required by the University.

    9) Collective Bargaining—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on matters relating to collective bargaining for those employees authorized by state law to bargain collectively, including general policy and collective bargaining agreements.

    10) Planning, Development, and Maintenance of Facilities—The Committee shall consider matters relating to all physical assets of the University including the Metropolitan Tract and University trust lands. The Committee will regularly review management of these assets and propose policies that, consistent with the University's mission, will maximize income to the University over the long term. The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on matters related to the planning, development, maintenance, and upkeep of all campuses and stations of the University and the facilities and buildings thereon, including environmental assessments, selection of architects and engineers, plans and specifications, the taking of bids, and the award and execution of all contracts relating thereto. The Committee will also review the strategies for intergovernmental and neighbor relations and recommend to the Board policies and agreements related to land usage.

    11) Real Property—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the ownership, management and leasing of the University's real property, including safeguarding the interests of the University in the operation and development of the Metropolitan Tract. The Committee will review Tract operations, assure compliance with major Tract leases, and make recommendations to the Board on all major modernization and new development. The Committee will also consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the stewardship and management of University trust lands, including the sale of such lands or any timber, forage, minerals, or other valuable materials on those or other University lands.

    12) Security and Safety—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the safety of the campus, including security, protection from fire and other hazards, and the safety of lives and property.

    13) Information Technology—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the general strategies of the University to take advantage of current information technology.

    14) Other Matters—The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Board on other matters relating to the finances of the University, such as property and liability insurance, bank accounts and surety bonds, or to the servicing of the University, such as parking, transportation, major acquisitions of equipment, goods and services, and the rental or leasing of facilities.

    Any of the above enumerated examples of matters to be brought before the Finance, Audit and Facilities Committee may be directed to any other standing or special committee or the Committee of the Whole of the Board for consideration.

3.  Special Committees

Special committees may be established and appointed by the President of the Board with the concurrence of the Executive Committee or the Board, and with such powers and duties as the Executive Committee or the Board may determine. All matters considered by special committees requiring action shall be referred to the Board for action unless express authority is delegated to a committee.

4.  Notice of Meetings of Committees

Meetings of committees of the Board shall be held at such times and places as may be fixed by each committee or its chairperson. The Secretary of the Board shall give each member of the committee notice of committee meetings in sufficient time and manner to allow attendance at the meetings. Notice of meetings of any committee of the Board at which an action is taken on behalf of the Board pursuant to delegated authority shall be given, when required, in accordance with the applicable law of the state of Washington governing such meetings.

5.  Communications to and Appearance Before Committees

Any person who wishes to communicate to a committee or appear before a committee shall do so in accordance with Article II, Subsection 11 of the By-laws of the Board.

6.  Quorums

A majority of the members of a committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.

BR, October 18, 1985; December 13, 1985; March 15, 1991; October 27, 1995; October 17, 1997; July 17, 1998; January 21, 2000; February 21, 2003; October 14, 2004; March 17, 2005; February 18, 2010.