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Academic Council records

 Record Group
Identifier: CalArts -011

Scope and Contents

The records in this collection were generated by the Academic Council, the Faculty Senate, and various Institute committees, subcommittees, and task forces. The collection includes agendas, minutes, memorandums, correspondence, reports, rosters, academic calendars, invoices, proposals, and other supporting documents. The collection also contains a small number of Deans Council and Administrative Council minutes and a substantial number of policy records pertaining to faculty, the curriculum, honorary degrees and awards, admissions and enrollment, student life, and other academic and institutional concerns. The collection also includes the records of the Academic Council Chairs, the Faculty Salary Committee, and documents from working (closed) sessions of the Academic Council.

Dates

  • Usage: 1975-2014

Conditions Governing Access

Access is uniquely restricted: Series 1 and 2 are restricted to CalArts faculty, staff, students, and administration. Series 3 and 4 are restricted to former and current Academic Council members.

Biographical / Historical

The Academic Council serves as the executive body of the Faculty Senate. On 5 October 1971 members of the CalArts faculty called a meeting to hear a draft of a constitution for a proposed ‘Faculty Council’ which was subsequently formed and consisted of two elected representatives from the Library and the Schools of Critical Studies, Theater, Music, Design, Art, and Film. The first meeting of the Council was held 1 June 1972. In the spring of 1974, the faculty voted to constitute bylaws of the Faculty Senate, which included forming a Coordinating Committee—the Faculty Council—whose purpose was “to coordinate the business of the Faculty Senate, looking after its interests, bringing to its attention matters that may affect it, acting in accordance with its instructions, and exercising authority delegated to it” by the Faculty Senate or the articles within the bylaws. In the fall of 1974, the CalArts Board of Trustees approved the bylaws of the Faculty Senate. Between 1975 and 1976 the Faculty Council became known as the Academic Council. Today, the Academic Council comprises seven representatives, one from each of CalArts’ six schools and the library. The Council is responsible for: (1) reviewing all existing artistic/academic policies of the Institute and making recommendations for change when deemed necessary; (2) participating on an equal basis with the Deans Council and to consent in the formation of all new academic programs; (3) participating in determining criteria for appointments and faculty evaluation systems; (4) providing appropriate appeal procedures for all faculty grievances; (5) reviewing policies within each artistic/academic unit to assure there is equality of treatment among the faculties, especially with regard to evaluation procedures, workload, and course support; (6) making recommendations on the conditions for admission and for the granting of degrees; and, (7) approving all candidates for degrees, both actual and honorary.

Sources: Faculty Handbook, “Bylaws of the Faculty Senate,” 5/2015

Institute Archives, California Institute of the Arts Collection, Faculty and Staff, B4:F7; B4:F13

Extent

11.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The records are arranged in four series. Series 1: Agendas, minutes, and related documents, 1975-2014. Series 2: Policies, reports, and related documents, 1986-2014. Series 3: Academic Council Chair papers, 2001-2014. Series 4: Working sessions documents, 2010-2012.

Series 1 is arranged chronologically. Series 2 is in its original order and the folder labels reflect the table of contents made for the documents by Academic Council Recorder Martha Baxton. Series 3 is in the original order and maintains the folder labels created by Academic Council Chair, Karen Baxter. Series 4 is in original order. This is an active record series; further accruals are anticipated.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Martha Baxton, Academic Council Recorder and Karen Baxter, former Academic Council Chair.

Related Materials

The California Institute of the Arts Collection, 1914-1989, CalArts-001 http://libguides.calarts.edu/ld.php?content_id=7751631

Title
Guide to the Academic Council Records
Status
Completed
Author
Kelly Furniss and Kathy Carbone
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the CalArts Institute Archives Repository

Contact:
California Institute of the Arts
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia CA 91355 United States
661-253-7882