Transfer Student Column

8 | LIFE @ CMU CENTRAL MICHIGAN LIFE y ORIENTATION 2020 WHO ARE THEY?

Let us introduce you to some of the most important people on campus

Central Michigan University has a multiple governing bodies which are tasked with making decisions regarding residence life, enrollment, tuition, and day-to-day campus operations.

As an incoming freshman, it’s important to know who these groups are, what they do, how they are chosen and how they affect your campus experience.

Story by Katie Hixson Staff Reporter

WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY DO?

CMU President Bob Davies is responsible for creating a university atmosphere and culture of openness to new ideas and an innovative spirit.

Davies is in charge of navigating significant changes in the university environment such as demographics, funding, perception, technology and knowledge advances, etc.

Davies works on student recruiting strategies that will have an impact in turning around a 10-year decline in student enrollment. His areas of focus include expanding the geographic market for traditional-aged students, increasing transfer students, initiating an international recruiting strategy, enhancing graduate programs and appealing to adult learners.

Davies has taken steps to build trust and create “Town-GownTribe” relationships with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

He has also founded a Title IX Advisory Committee to further a culture of support, education and awareness regarding sexual assault and aggression on university campuses.

Davies conducts routine campus-wide CMU climate surveys to students and implements strategies and recommendations to address any issues brought up by students.

WHAT DOES A PROVOST DO?

Mary Schutten is Central Michigan University’s provost. She works alongside President Davies and with CMU’s academic leaders and faculty to provide new learning opportunities for students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Schutten also routinely seeks new opportunities for engagement with CMU’s community partners.

As provost, Schutten works extensively with all colleges and oversees many units in the academic division that play key roles in student and faculty success, including Academic Administration, Information Technology, Libraries, and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

WHAT DO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DO AND HOW ARE THEY CHOSEN?

The board of trustees governs the business and affairs of the university.

One of its most important duties is to appoint and evaluate the university president, Bob Davies. Davies serves as a member of the board, but cannot vote on any matters. The trustees also uphold the university’s core values (integrity, respect, compassion, inclusiveness, social responsibility, excellence and innovation), approve long-range campus plans, assess educational programs, ensure financial liability, maintain the university-student relationship and protect the assets of the university.

In addition, the board is responsible for academic matters and has authority over areas such as admissions, faculty promotions, sabbatical leaves and tenure positions, establishing student fees, naming facilities and many others.

CMU’s Board of Trustees consists of eight members appointed by Michigan’s governor with the consent of the State Senate and with authority granted through the state constitution.

MARY SCHUTTEN

Board members do not receive compensation, although their necessary travel and other expenses related to CMU business are reimbursed by the university.

WHAT IS A DEAN?

There is a dean for each residential college: Liberal arts and social sciences, business, health professions, education and human services, medicine and arts and media. The deans are responsible for helping all students within their college, whether it be a question about an honors program, and internship, their curriculum or just advice about their major.

WHAT ARE FIXED-TERM, TENURE TRACK AND TENURED PROFESSORS?

Fixed-term faculty are hired for a limited period of time to perform a variety of duties including research, supervising student teachers, athletic coaching, counseling, librarianship, classroom instruction or any other forms of teaching. There are part-time and full-time fixed-term faculty, where full-time are appointed for a year and part-time cannot.

Tenure-track faculty are fixed-term faculty who are currently being evaluated and considered for a tenure position at the university. These faculty must show excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative activity and university service.

Faculty seeking tenure must teach at the university for a whole year before applying. Applications are only accepted in the fall semester. After applying, the faculty are given a two year appointment for tenure consideration, at the end of which a decision will be made. Tenured faculty are discussed by the provost, the president, the college dean and ultimately selected by the Board of Trustees. Once selected, the university commits a portion of its resources for a number of years to the skills and capacity of this one tenured individual. Tenured faculty have complete academic freedom and job security.