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Role statement

The Research Policies Council advocates for discovery in the University by developing, reviewing, and recommending policies that support and enhance research and creative activities, which may be funded or unfunded, and may involve graduate or undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½s.

Council Standing Committees 

1. Agenda Committee—prepares the agenda for council meetings and proposals for Council consideration.
2. Research Screening Committee—oversees the administration of the Faculty Research and Creative Activities Support Fund; evaluates all final reports from awardees; determines future eligibility of applicants; makes recommendations to RPC for changes in FRACASF policy to promote more efficient operation of the program and/or better encourage research at Â鶹´«Ã½; and assesses the outcomes of the FRACASF by determining research contributions in the form of publications, papers and seed money for external funding.

Charges 2024-25

In addition to its specific responsibilities listed in the Research Policies Council’s role statement and the work of its standing committees including but not limited to the Research Screening Committee, the Faculty Senate Executive Board charges the RPC to consider, as a committee of the whole or through the appropriate committee or task force, the following:

1. In collaboration with the Office of Research and Innovation, conduct an annual review of the state of research ethics policies and procedures. Initiate changes or additions where appropriate.
2. Review policies that have not been reviewed in the past five years:
   • Dual Use Research Concern Policy MOA-16/12
   • Recombinant or Synthetic DNA Biosafety Policy 17-50.7
   • Recovery of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs Policy MOA-04/06
   • WMU Research Acceleration Program (WRAP) Policy 17-02.4
3. Review the guidelines, policies, procedures/processes, and eligibility of: 
   • Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award (FRACAA) MOA-08/03 
   • Support for Faculty Scholar Award (SFSA) MOA-08/06
   • Final Preparation and Publication of Papers and Exhibition of Creative Works (PPP&E) MOA-09/06
   • Faculty Research Travel Fund (FRTF) MOA-03/10 

So that all programs have the goal of facilitating equitable distribution of these awards. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Executive Board or a Memorandum of Action. 

4. Review the scope and description of the council’s role and assess the effectiveness of the council's practices. 
5. At the annual April RPC meeting, the council members must review the draft year-end report, to be submitted to the Faculty Senate office, by the council chair no later than June 30.
6. Address any continuing or outstanding issues or initiatives as directed by the Faculty Senate Executive Board, members of the council, 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. 23, 2024

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The RPC chairperson shall provide a written report of the council’s accomplishments and 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 2025-26 academic year, no later than June 30, 2025.