1. Faculty Senate
  2. Senators and Officers
  3. Committees

2024-2025 Faculty Senate Committees

Academic Programs and Research: Joseph Landry (chair)

Academic Programs and Research: (i) to study and make recommendations concerning how
the faculty might effectively respond to matters of administrative policy/practice concerning the
establishment, maintenance, and curtailment of academic programs and their effect on faculty
status; (ii) to recommend ways in which the administration of research policy would maximally
benefit faculty efforts in expanding research.

Academic Support Services: Valerie Robnolt (chair)

Academic Support Services: (i) to establish and maintain liaisons with academic support
agencies at VCU, including libraries, media support services, computer technology services,
campus police, bookstores, physical plant, and other agencies providing support for academics
at VCU; (ii) to report on and discuss policies and procedures of these agencies.

Alumni and Community Relations: Gaynell Sherrod (chair)

Alumni and Community Relations: (i) to maintain a liaison with alumni and with the Office of
Development and Alumni Relations; (ii) to maintain a positive image and relationship with the
Richmond metropolitan community.

Credentials and Rules: Scott Street (chair)

Credentials and Rules:  (i) to oversee and enforce Faculty Senate attendance regulations; (ii) to
grant exemptions to attendance requirements for individual Senators when necessary; (iii) to
reapportion Faculty Senate seats annually as specified in the Bylaws of the Faculty and the
Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate; (iv) to reapportion Grievance Board seats annually as
specified in the VCU Faculty Mediation and Grievance Policy; (v) to review and propose
revisions to the Bylaws of the Faculty and the Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate.

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence: Sylvia Rozario (chair)

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence: (i) to communicate with the various entities and offices
associated with diversity and inclusive excellence; (ii) to discuss and explore any
questions/issues concerning diversity and inclusion in the VCU Community.

Economic Status, Budget, and Planning: Roxanne Spindle (chair)

Economic Status, Budget, and Planning: (i) to study the budget and planning policies/practices
of the university and recommend appropriate faculty involvement; (ii) to report to the Faculty
Senate the decisions of any executive-level budget advisory committee on which the members
serve; (iii) to discuss implications of economic and fringe benefit matters, including salary,
retirement, and insurance. At least one member of this committee shall represent the Faculty
Senate on an executive-level university budget committee.

Faculty Affairs: Maria Teves (chair)

Faculty Affairs: (i) to explore faculty needs in the areas of evaluation/assessment, promotion,
tenure, professional development, and other areas relating to the professional status of faculty
at VCU; (ii) to report on and recommend policies and procedures that will enhance academic
and faculty affairs.

Governance: Nora Alder (chair)

Governance Committee: (i) Evaluate and monitor the establishment of transparent and
purposeful shared decision-making structure within VCU; and (ii) Foster a dynamic faculty-staff-
leader partnership that promotes shared decision-making for University’s mission in teaching,
scholarship, service, and enhancing work-life.

State Legislative and Statewide Relations: Pat Cummins and Carmen Rodriguez (co-chairs)

State Legislative and Statewide Relations:  (i) to develop and maintain a positive image and
relationship with the members of the State Legislature, the citizens of Virginia and the VCU
Office of Government Relations; (ii) to coordinate the selection and activities of faculty who
serve as contacts with State legislators; (iii) to maintain an alliance with the Faculty Senate of
Virginia; (iv) to assist with the planning of Virginia Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate Page 5
of 7 Revised and Approved on May 1, 2018 Higher Education Advocacy Day. At least one
representative from the VCU Faculty Senate to the Faculty Senate of Virginia shall be a
member of this committee.

Student Affairs: Chris Saladino (chair)

Student Affairs: (i) to maintain a liaison with student government, student organizations, and
Student Affairs staff; (ii) to represent faculty and faculty interests to students and to invite
students to present their views and needs to the faculty.

VCU Health Systems Relations: Lyons Hardy and Parthasarathy Madurantakam (co-chairs)

VCU Health Systems Relations: (i) to maintain a liaison with the VCU Health System; (ii) to
represent faculty and faculty interests to the VCU Health System; (iii) to discuss and explore any
questions/issues between the faculty and the VCU Health System.

Website and Social Media: Ashley Brewer (chair)

Website and Social Media: (i) to maintain electronic distribution lists; (ii) to maintain the Faculty
Senate website; (iii) to generally ensure that faculty at VCU are informed of Senate
deliberations, actions, and proceedings using electronic mail, the Faculty Senate website, or
other media; (iv) to maintain Faculty Senate social media platforms.