From last year's 2011-2012 Council President, Professor Edwin McCann (Philosophy and English):

Welcome to the Dornsife College Faculty Council Web site. In it you will learn more specifics about the role and function of the Council, and (we in the Council hope) you will find ways to become involved with the work of the Council.

The Dornsife Faculty Council is the only elected body that represents the interests of the whole of the Dornsife faculty. We represent the faculty of Dornsife College on matters of general concern to that faculty, and in doing so we perform an important consultative and advisory function in the governance of the College. We regularly communicate with the Dean of Dornsife College and with members of her or his senior administration, and we have had significant influence on the development of policies and initiatives by senior administration, a recent notable example being the development of policy regarding non-tenure-track faculty. We have also brought forward to the Dornsife College deans problems and concerns identified by members of our faculty, and we work with the deans in addressing these issues, both as a deliberative body of the whole and through our Council caucuses (Diversity, Faculty, Graduate Programs, and Undergraduate Programs), which have been effective in working on issues falling within the sphere of responsibility of a particular Vice Dean. At the level of university-wide faculty governance, we represent the faculty of Dornsife College in the Academic Senate, and bring Dornsife College perspectives to the deliberations of that body.

This past year, we were closely involved in the search process for the next Dean of Dornsife College, and we look forward to establishing the same close working relationship with the new senior administration. Please find ways to participate in this crucial work, as we strive to enhance and strengthen the role of the faculty in the governance of Dornsife College.