President’s Commission on the Status of AHANA Faculty, Staff and Students

Purpose of

The general purpose of the President’s Commission on the Status of AHANA Faculty, Staff, and Students is to enhance the experience of AHANA populations within Suffolk University, by advising the President (via the Assistant to the President) on issues pertaining to the specific concerns of AHANA faculty, staff, and students.

While individual members are free to engage in public advocacy on any issue, the Commission, as a Commission, best serves its purposes through regular, confidential dialog with the Assistant to the President.

Councils and Membership

The Commission shall consist of 16 members, divided into three Councils: The Council of Faculty, the Council of Staff, and the Council of students. Each Council shall be diverse and shall represent a broad range of people of color from across the University.

The Council of Faculty shall consist of 4 persons, as follows:

• 3 faculty members, who, as much as practical, represent the College of Arts & Sciences, Sawyer Business School, and Suffolk University Law School
• The Director of the Black Studies Committee

The Council of Staff shall consist of 4 persons, as follows:

• 2 managerial/professional employees, who, as much as practical, represent different Divisions within the University
• 2 Office/Service employees, who, as much as practical, represent different divisions within the University

The Council of Students shall consist of 8 persons, as follows:

• 5 undergraduate students, who, as much as practical, represent different colleges and different classes
• 3 graduate students, who, as much as practical, represent different colleges and include students at the masters doctoral, and juris doctorate levels
• A Representative of the Office of Diversity Services, selected by the Assistant to the President, shall advise the Council.

Appointment of Members and Chairs

Terms: Members of the Commission shall be appointed for three year, staggered terms, but student members shall be appointed for one year terms. Members may be reappointed for one additional term. Ordinarily appointments will be made in April of each year. Terms shall begin on August 15 but members may serve until their successors are confirmed.

Chairs: Each Council shall select one of its members to chair the respective Council. The Chair of the Council of Faculty shall chair the Commission as a whole. The Council of Faculty and the Council of Staff may also elect a chair-elect who will succeed the chair in the following year.

Appointment: The President shall appoint Members of the Council of Faculty with the advise and consent of the Administrative Council. The President shall appoint members of the Council of Staff after consultation with the Administrative Council.

The President shall appoint members of the Council of Students after consultation with the Administrative Council and after consultation with the Dean of Student Affairs.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Commission, and each of the Councils, are as follows:

• To advise the President (via the Assistant to the President) on University matters and policies relating to Suffolk University’s AHANA populations and on such other matters as may be appropriate
• To advise such other members of the campus administration as the President deems appropriate
• To suggest to the President (via the Assistant to the President) issues relating to Suffolk University’s AHANA populations that should be part of the campus administrative agenda
• To communicate to Suffolk University’s AHANA populations the perspectives of people of color on University policies and decisions
• To assist the Assistant to the President in addressing issues related to Suffolk University’s AHANA populations