In the context of any working environment, individuals may encounter tensions and difficulties. Faculty members in a university campus environment are certainly not exempt from such situations. These situations may involve problems among faculty members, between a faculty member and a student or staff member, or between a faculty member and the administration. Each Spring, the faculty of this campus are invited to participate in the election of the Faculty Advisory Committee. Members of the faculty who do not hold an administrative appointment are eligible to serve on the committee.
Nomination requires the signature of three colleagues.
Three of the nine committee members are elected annually for three-year terms of service. The committee's work is ongoing and the FAC usually meets twice a month during the calendar year, depending on the consultation and case load. Committee members frequently encounter questions from individual faculty members concerning serious issues that affect their teaching and research environment. In addition to four cases carried over from the previous year, FAC considered two new cases during 1998-99 and assisted a number of faculty in a less formal, consultative manner. A breakdown of cases and consultations follows.