WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee

Role statement

In addition to annual charges it may receive from the Faculty Senate Executive Board, the WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee oversees the implementation, assessment, and revision of the WMU Essential Studies curriculum.

Subcommittee

WMU Essential Studies Course Approval and Review Subcommittee—reviews and approves courses for WMU Essential Studies credit received from college curriculum committees and deans and forwards its recommendations to the administration; reviews all previously approved WMU Essential Studies courses as least once within a seven-year cycle as determined by the committee.

Charges for 2022-23

In addition to its specific responsibilities listed in the WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee's role statement and the work of subcommittees including but not limited to the WMU Essential Studies Course Review and Approval Committee, the Faculty Senate Executive Board charges the committee to consider, as a committee of the whole or through the appropriate subcommittee or task force, the following:

  1. Develop and deliver charges for the WMU Essential Studies Course Review and Approval Committee for the 2022-23 academic year.
  2. Review the 2021-22 continuous improvement data from the WMU Essential Studies Course Review and Approval Committee. Note significant findings for year four program review. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to recommended process changes to the Executive Board.
  3. Coordinate with the WMU Essential Studies Course Review and Approval Committee for the on-going course review and approval process. Include a summary of the results and best practices within the committee year-end report.
  4. Review, in consultation with the WMU Essential Studies Director, the WMU Essential Studies course portfolio in relation to WMU Essential Studies objectives, student enrollment, student interests, WMU Essential Studies learning objectives, and other criteria to find opportunities for additional courses, including courses with the diversity and inclusion, and the planetary sustainability student learning outcomes.
  5. Produce and Assessment Handbook that includes processes on initiating, submitting, and reviewing individual WMU Essential Studies courses. Publish the digital handbook with active links on the Faculty Senate website.
  6. Review the scope and description of the committee's role statement and assess the effectiveness of the committee's practices.
  7. At the annual April WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee meeting, the committee members must review the draft year-end report to include annual objectives and outcomes, to be submitted to the Faculty Senate office, by the committee chair no later than June 30.
  8. Address any continuing or outstanding issues or initiatives as directed by the Faculty Senate Executive Board, members of the committee, faculty, and/or academic administrators. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Executive Board or a Memorandum of Action.

Approved by the Faculty Senate Executive Board on Aug. 26, 2022

NOTE: The WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee is expected to keep the Senate Executive Board apprised of progress, especially in connection with any memorandum of action (MOA) it may develop and to give advance notice of any action the committee seeks to place on the Senate agenda, including the final text of any proposed MOA, report or resolution. The Executive Board should also be notified of substantive procedural issue addressed by the committee.

The WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee chairperson shall provide a written summary of the committee's progress for the year; list the above charges noting each item's progress and current status; any other activities undertaken; and draft charges for the 2023-24 academic year, no later than June 30, 2023.

Click here for a printable version of the WMU Essential Studies Executive Advisory Committee's 2022-23 Charges

Committee Officers

Brian Tripp, Chair

Elissa Allen, Vice Chair

Lindsay Jeffers, Secretary

Ex Officio Member

Lisa DeChano-Cook
Faculty Senate Executive Board

Appointed Faculty Members

Elissa Allen (2023)
Health and Human Services

Lisa DeChano-Cook (2025)
Arts and Sciences

Decker Hains (2025)
Business

Elizabeth Isidro (2024)
Education and Human Development

Lindsay Jeffers (2023)
Arts and Sciences

Lois Lemon (2024)
Engineering and Applied Sciences

Brian Tripp (2024)
Arts and Sciences

Kathryn Wagner (2023)
Fine Arts

Appointed Administrative Members

Vacant (2023)
WMUx

Jessica Parker (2024)
Merze Tate (Advising)

Advisory Members

Jonathan Bush
WMU Essential Studies Faculty Director

Carrie Cumming
Registrar

Nicolas Witschi
Interim Curriculum Manager/WMU Essential Studies Director