System of Academic Governance

The governance system at Adrian is designed to ensure that issues related to effective operation of the College are based on consideration of all concerned points of view. Both strategic plans and immediate decisions and actions are weighed on the basis of academic soundness and fiscal responsibility, in accordance with the College’s mission and purposes. In addition to the administration and Student Government, the six basic components of the system are the faculty, the schools, the academic departments and a number of standings, advisory and ad hoc committees. Faculty meetings include both students and some administrators closely involved with academic programs. Four standing committees and several related committees report to the faculty: Academic Planning, Academic Policy, College &Faculty Environment, and Curriculum,. Faculty decisions on the curriculum and academic programs are presented as recommendations to the President.

The 18 academic departments are organized according to traditional academic disciplines and are responsible for curriculum development, planning, academic standards and student relations within their areas of concern and expertise.

Schools are interdisciplinary groups of the faculty organized according to four broad fields of interest: The School of Business and Technology, The School of Allied Health, Education, and Sport Sciences, The School of Arts, Humanities, and Society, and The School of Science The schools coordinate the efforts of academic departments and faculty members with similar interests and concerns. Various informal opportunities exist for faculty and student involvement in decision making. These include meetings of the President with interested constituents and a continuing discussion of campus issues.

The Articles of Association provide that the Board of Trustees shall consist of not more than 35 members, including three to six who are nominated by the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences of The United Methodist Church. Three to six trustees are elected by the Adrian College Alumni Association, and the remaining 18-23 are elected by the board itself. Two faculty and two student representatives serve as non-voting associate trustees.