College Council

Administration and Staff

Meet Dean Susan Rivera and the members of our faculty, administration and staff, as well as the alumni and industry leaders who advise them.

Administration and Staff Directory

College Council

About the Council

The College Council is established in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Plan of Organization. It includes representatives of faculty (both tenured/tenure-track and professional track), staff, and students (both undergraduate and graduate).
The Council is responsible for consulting regularly with senior leadership at the college, departmental, and center levels, and for advising the Dean on strategic planning. The Council reviews departmental plans of organization to ensure compliance with college and campus level policies, as well. Most importantly, the Council facilitates communication between members of the college and the Dean. If you have any questions or would like to bring any issues before the Council, please email the Council at bsoscollegecouncil@umd.edu, or contact individual members using the addresses provided below.
The Council is also working to establish better lines of communication between the college and the University Senate. To this end, the Council will periodically provide updates on important issues being considered by the Senate, and will in turn ensure that the college's perspective is shared with those responsible for making changes to university policies and practices. 

Read the College Council's 2022-2023 Annual Report here.


Current College Council Membership

Name Seat Name Email
Stephen Brighton Faculty - ANTH sbrighto@umd.edu
Marcus Boyd PTK Faculty - Research mboydma@umd.edu
Leila DeFloriani Faculty - GEOG deflo@umd.edu
John Drabinski Faculty - AFAM jdrab@umd.edu
Sara-Laure Faraji Graduate Student (DGSAC) faraji@terpmail.umd.edu
Rebecca Hunsaker Exempt Staff Member (Vice Chair) hunsaker@umd.edu
Sujith Kumar Part-time PTK Faculty kumars13@umd.edu
Yan Li Faculty - JPSM yli6@umd.edu
Justine Madoo Faculty - CCJS jmadoo@umd.edu
Peter Murrell Faculty - ECON pmurrell@umd.edu
Nicole Nguyen Faculty - Admin/Clinical (Secretary) nknguyen@umd.edu
Amy Pate Centers apate@umd.edu
Akta Patel Exempt Staff patela@umd.edu
Elizabeth Redcay Faculty - PSYC redcay@umd.edu
Candace Turitto PTK Faculty - Instruction turitto@umd.edu
Janelle Wong Faculty - GVPT janellew@umd.edu

Overview of University Senate Actions, 2022-2023

Change

In December, the Senate approved minor revisions to the University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence intended to more clearly communicate to students that mental health was covered under the policy. References to “medically necessitated absences” were changed to “health-related absences, including mental and physical health.” The term “physician” was also replaced with “health care provider.”

Background

In August 2021, the Senate received a proposal to revise the Policy on Excused Absence to better address student mental health needs and change requirements surrounding physician-signed notes, which the proposal argues can present equity issues. The Senate’s Academic Procedures & Standards Committee was charged with considering the proposal.

More Detail

Senate Document #21-22-04

Minutes from the 12.7.22 Senate Meeting

University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence

 

Change

In March 2023, the Senate approved revisions to the interim University of Maryland Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs. The revisions preserved the substance of the interim policy, which must align with policy at the University System of Maryland (USM) level. In addition to technical and organizational changes, the revisions include:

  • The creation of a new Program Naming Committee to consider proposals to name an academic or related program. The committee confidentially considers proposals directed to it by the Provost and makes recommendations.
  • Provisions for dealing with situations where a donor does not follow through on their financial commitment, which include removing a name or identifying an alternate naming opportunity appropriate to the size of the gift received.
  • A slight loosening of the eligibility criteria for naming a facility or program after an individual. Rather than meeting all of the criteria, individuals must now meet a majority of them.
  • Allowing service to the state of Maryland (in addition to the university or the USM) to qualify an individual for a naming opportunity.
  • Adding exceptions to a provision requiring individuals to be separated from any connection to the university or USM for a period of one year before being eligible for a naming opportunity.
  • Allowing programs to be named for corporations or foundations, providing other eligibility criteria are met.
Background

In September, the Senate’s Educational Affairs Committee was charged with reviewing a revised University Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs. The university adopted this revised policy on an interim basis pending Senate review in response to a directive from the University System of Maryland. The policy covers procedures for naming new or existing facilities, major outdoor areas, or academic programs (which include colleges, departments, centers, and academic programs). It also establishes procedures for removing an existing name. The policy distinguishes between namings associated with a philanthropic gift and those that do not have a monetary component but are intended to honor a distinguished individual.

More Detail

Senate Document #22-23-03

Minutes from the 3.8.23 Senate Meeting

University of Maryland Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs

 

Change

In April 2023, the Senate approved revisions to the Policy on Workload and Responsibilities for Full-Time Tenured, Tenure-Track, Permanent Status, and Permanent Status Track Faculty (these are awaiting final approval by the President). The revisions largely preserve the interim policy and its substance, which emphasized flexibility for units in developing their own workload policies within the broader provisions established in university and USM policy. In addition to technical changes, the revisions include:

  • Adding language ensuring that faculty with full or partial extension appointments are explicitly addressed in unit workload policies.
  • Emphasizing flexibility by adding language recommending that units consider whether course equivalents can be accumulated over a three-year period.
  • The Senate also recommended that the Office of Faculty Affairs revise and expand its guidance in light of the changes made in the interim policy.
Background

In June 2019, the USM revised its policy governing full-time faculty workload and responsibilities. In March 2022, the President approved on an interim basis a revised Policy on Full-Time Faculty Workload and Responsibilities, pending Senate review. In October 2022, the Senate’s Faculty Affairs Committee was charged with reviewing the interim policy and proposing revisions as necessary.

More Detail

Senate Document #22-23-12

Overview of Upcoming University Senate Work, 2022-2023

Click on each topic below for more information on the change and links to additional content.

Download a PDF version of the overview here.

Activity

In September, the Senate’s Educational Affairs Committee was charged with reviewing a revised University Policy and Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs.

Background

The university adopted this revised policy in response to a directive from the University System of Maryland. The policy covers procedures for naming new or existing facilities, major outdoor areas, or academic programs (which include colleges, departments, centers, and academic programs). It also establishes procedures for removing an existing name. The policy distinguishes between namings associated with a philanthropic gift and those that do not have a monetary component but are intended to honor a distinguished individual.

More Detail

Interim Policy & Procedures on the Naming of Facilities and Programs

Activity

In October 2021, the Director of the Office of Student Conduct submitted a proposal calling for changes to the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Academic Integrity. The Senate’s Student Conduct Committee was charged with reviewing the proposal and recommending any necessary changes to the codes.

Background

The proposed updates to the codes include updating terminology and revising language to make provisions less legalistic, more accessible, and less ambiguous. They would also streamline hearing board procedures to facilitate more timely resolutions, and update the possible sanctions for violations of each code, including when the grade of “XF” is given.

More Detail

Senate Document #21-22-22

Proposal from the Director of the Office of Student Conduct

Code of Student Conduct

Code of Academic Integrity

Activity

In September 2021, the Senate received a proposal from the leaders of the Student Government Association, Graduate Student Government, and Residence Hall Association calling for specific changes to the process for setting student fees. The Senate referred the proposal to the university’s Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for consideration during the FY23 fee-setting process.

Background

The process for setting student fees has been a source of tension between student organizations and the administration. Since at least 2012, students have called for greater transparency throughout the process, and for more meaningful opportunities to participate in the process. While a “Policy on the Review and Approval of Student Fees” was agreed to by the President in 2008, it is not included in the formal list of university policies, and has not been consistently followed. In 2021, a new Maryland law went into effect that established new provisions for how presidents of USM institutions communicate information about student fees. The Senate Executive Committee referred the proposal to the university’s CFO, and requested that they report on how the changes in state law were implemented during the 2021-2022 fee-setting process.

More Detail

Senate Document #21-22-13

Activity

In September 2021, the Associate Dean for General Education submitted a proposal that would remove the requirement that every course include a final exam.

Background

Current university policy requires that undergraduate courses include a final exam (though exceptions can be made with approval by the unit head). The proposed change would remove this requirement, and introduce language intended to ensure that students are not given excessive amounts of work during the week before finals in courses that choose not to give an exam.

More Detail

Senate Document #21-22-11

Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure

Activity

In August 2021, the Senate received a proposal to revise the Policy on Excused Absence to better address student mental health needs and change requirements surrounding physician-signed notes, which the proposal argues can present equity issues. The Senate’s Academic Procedures & Standards Committee was charged with considering the proposal.

 

Background

The current Policy on Excused Absence allows students to provide self-signed documentation for a single absence (once per course) that does not coincide with a major assignment or due date. All other “medically necessitated absences” require documentation from a physician or the University Health Center.

More Detail

Senate Document #21-22-04

Policy on Excused Absence

Activity

In October 2022, the President implemented a University of Maryland Policy on Consulting on an interim basis pending Senate review. The Senate Executive Committee charged the University Research Council with reviewing the interim policy and recommending revisions as appropriate.

 

Background

After reviewing federal regulations, state ethics laws, and other USM policies, the Division of Research and Office of General Counsel identified a pressing need for a policy addressing consulting by university employees. A stakeholder group then drafted the interim policy, which: establishes a general definition of “consulting,” clarifies exclusions to this definition, defines limits on consulting, establishes a balance between those activities and a University employee’s regular institutional responsibilities, and details new administrative requirements and paperwork required from those who engage in consulting.

More Detail

Senate Document #22-23-13

Proposal from the Director of Research Transparency & Outreach

Interim University of Maryland Policy on Consulting

Overview of University Senate Actions, 2021-2022

Click on each topic below for more information on the change and links to additional content.

Download a PDF version of the overview here.

Change

In April, the Senate approved a revised version of an interim Policy on Criminal Background Checks. The policy requires background checks for most new faculty and staff hires who have been extended an offer of employment (conditioned on passing the background check). Current UMD employees who are changing positions, or who have been employed at UMD within the past 18 months, will not undergo a check, nor will hourly student workers or graduate assistants. Checks are conducted by a third-party vendor, and results are reviewed by University Human Resources, who communicates to the hiring official whether or not the hire can proceed. Finalists have the opportunity to dispute the accuracy or completeness of the background check and provide additional information for the university to consider. Decisions on whether or not a particular conviction would prevent employment must take into account the specific duties and responsibilities of the position in question.

Background

In September 2021, the president implemented the Policy on Criminal Background Checks on an interim basis pending Senate review. The Senate’s Faculty and Staff Affairs Committees were charged with reviewing the policy and recommending revisions or other administrative actions.

More Detail

Senate Document #21-22-21

Minutes from the 4.26.22 Senate Meeting

Change

In September 2021, the Senate approved a change in the minimum grade equivalent associated with a “Pass” notation from a D- to a C-.

Background

Students have the option of selecting the pass/fail grading option in certain elective courses within their program. The selection must be made by the end of the schedule adjustment period. Students using this option complete all assignments and their work in the course is assigned a letter grade using normal grading procedures. Any grade of C- or better (previously D- or better) is converted into a “P” (pass); grades of D+, D, D-, and F remain as given.

More Detail

Senate Document #20-31-28

Minutes from the 9.8.21 Senate Meeting

Change

In April, the Senate approved the adoption of a new Policy for Equitable Access to Scholarly Articles Authored by University Faculty. The policy is intended to “remove price and permission barriers related to discoverability, access, and cost for anyone seeking access to UMD’s peer-reviewed scholarly articles.” It does so by automatically granting the university a nonexclusive license to scholarly articles published by faculty members.

Background

In April 2020, the University Library Council formed the Publishing, Access, and Contract Terms (UMD PACT) working group, which was tasked with developing a framework for expanding access to scholarship produced by UMD faculty.

More Detail

UMD PACT website

Senate Document #21-22-31

Minutes from the 4.6.22 Senate Meeting

Change

In December 2021, the Senate approved the adoption of a new Privacy Policy. The policy establishes principles regarding the collection and use of personally identifiable information, principles that address respect, equity, transparency, and responsibility, and that limit data collection and usage to information that “is relevant to accomplish clearly defined outcomes that support the University’s mission” (IV.A.5). The policy also establishes and defines an “Expectation of Privacy,” and indicates how policy violations will be addressed.

Background

In fall 2020, the Senate received a proposal calling for the creation of a university-level privacy policy, and noting that the lack of a formal policy could complicate the institution’s ability to meet regulatory compliance obligations and potentially threaten its ability to conduct sponsored research. The IT Council was charged with consulting with a range of stakeholders and subject-matter experts and proposing a policy.

More Detail

Senate Document #20-21-15

Minutes from the 12.9.21 Senate Meeting

Change

In March, the Senate approved a series of principles and recommendations associated with the Gen-Ed diversity requirement. These recommendations will guide the work of a Diversity Education Task Force, which will develop a final set of overarching changes for Senate approval in the coming year(s). General changes will include:

  • The Understanding Plural Societies category would be relabeled Understanding Structures of Racism and Inequality and would include one required learning outcome focused on systemic racism.
  • The Cultural Competence category would be relabeled Navigating Diverse Social Environments, and instructors would have a larger set of required skills-oriented learning outcomes from which to select at least one.

The full list of recommendations can be found in Appendix 3 of Senate Document #20-21-10 (linked below).

 

Background

Following the murder of Lt. Collins and in light of pervasive concerns about the racial climate on campus, the president and provost convened two taskforces. One of these – the Diversity Education Task Force (DETF) – was tasked with considering how these concerns could be addressed through the Gen-Ed program.

More Detail

Senate Document #20-21-10

Minutes from the 3.1.22

Senate Meeting