Academic Planning and Budget Committee
The APBC meets every other week throughout the academic year to provide advice on academic policies and procedures, interdisciplinary and cross-school efforts, strategic planning issues, research support and regulations, budgetary issues, and such matters as faculty and minority gender equity, early retirement, and personnel benefits. It also advises the Provost on school and center external review recommendations and proposed new academic degrees and new research institutes.
The membership of the Committee consists of the Provost, who serves as Chair; nine faculty members, five selected by the Faculty Senate and four by the Provost; two administrative members named by the Provost; and two undergraduate and two graduate/professional students, nominated by the appropriate undergraduate and graduate processes. Members of the Provost’s staff may also attend for informational purposes.
Council of Deans
The Council of Deans serves as a forum for communication and discussion among the Provost and the deans on a broad array of issues, including strategic planning, budget parameters, academic policies and procedures, interdisciplinary and cross-school efforts, faculty recruitment and retention, faculty gender and minority equity, campus planning, safety and security, and fundraising.
The Council meets every other week. Its members include the Provost, the Associate Provost for Education, the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, the Vice Provost for Research, and the twelve deans.
Council of Undergraduate Deans
The Council of Undergraduate Deans consists of the Associate Provost for Education, who chairs the Council; the four undergraduate deans; the Vice Provost for University Life; the Dean of Admissions; the Faculty Director of College Houses and Academic Services; the Director of Institutional Research and Analysis; and the Chair of SCUE (the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education). Others are invited to meetings as appropriate. The Council discusses issues of mutual concern to the four schools and establishes unified policies. In the past, it has been concerned with such issues as undergraduate recruitment and retention, grading, financial aid, the development of the university’s College House system and the structure of New Student Orientation.
Council of Graduate Deans
The Council of Graduate Deans is an advisory body to the Provost and the Associate Provost for Education. The Council consists of the Graduate Deans of the nine schools that offer Ph.D. and research masters degrees. The Graduate Deans provide advice on administrative matters affecting the larger University graduate student community, such as recruitment and retention.
Graduate Council of the Faculties
The Graduate Council of the Faculties is an advisory body to the Provost and the Associate Provost for Education. The Council’s members are elected by the School faculties according to their by-laws with the following representation: seven members from the School of Arts and Sciences and one member from each of the other eight schools (Annenberg School for Communication, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Fine Arts, School of Nursing, School of Social Work, the Wharton School, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Biomedical Graduate Studies). In addition, three Ph.D. candidates serve on the council, selected by the Associate Provost on the recommendation of the Graduate Student Associations Council.
The Graduate Council assists in the evaluation of graduate programs by participating in or conducing periodic reviews; advises on policy matters related to the well-being of graduate education; advises concerning University-wide admissions and degree requirements for the Ph.D., A.M., and M.S. degrees; and certifies for the Trustees the candidates for the award of those degrees.
Provost’s Staff Conference
The Provost’s Staff Conference is an advisory body to the Provost that meets to consider proposals for academic appointments and promotions. These start at the departmental level and, if approved, are then sent for review by the school’s faculty personnel committee and dean. Cases approved at this level are then considered by the Provost’s Staff Conference. Each case is documented with a curriculum vitae, bibliography, evidence of teaching, and letters of evaluation, including those of external reviewers. Approved appointments and promotions are forwarded to the President for consideration and then to the Trustees for approval.
Currently, the Provost’s Staff Conference is composed of the Provost, as chair; the Associate Provost for Education, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, and Vice Provost for Research; the deans of the School of Arts and Sciences, Wharton School, School of Engineering & Applied Science, and School of Medicine; and five additional positions, which rotate.