4954583 University of the District of Columbia - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Restructuring of the Standing Committees

UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

 

The Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia, pursuant to the authority set forth under the District of Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act Amendments (Act), effective January 2, 1976 (D.C. Law 1-36; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-1202.01(a); 38-1202.06(3),(13) (2012 Repl. & 2014 Supp.), hereby gives notice of its intent to amend Chapter 1 (Board of Trustees) of  Subtitle B (University of the District of Columbia) of Title 8 (Higher Education) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register. 

 

The purpose of the proposed rule is to reconfigure the Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees. 

 

The Board of Trustees will take final action to adopt these amendments to the University Rules in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.

 

Section 110, COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, of Chapter 1, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, of Subtitle B, UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, of Title 8, HIGHER EDUCATION, is amended as follows:

 

Subsection 110.1 is amended to read:

 

110                  COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

110.1               The Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees shall be the following: Executive Committee; Audit, Budget and Finance Committee; Operations Committee; Student and Academic Affairs Committee; Community College Committee; and Committee of the Whole. The membership and jurisdiction of each committee shall be as follows:

 

(a)        The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Officers of the Board. The Executive Committee shall have all of the power of the Board between meetings, but the Board may limit such power by Resolution. Interim actions taken by the Executive Committee must be submitted for ratification by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. If a majority fails to confirm the validity of an Executive Committee action, that action shall be deemed void ab initio. Appropriate notice of Executive Committee actions must be given to all members of the Board and to the public within five (5) business days.

 

(b)        The Academic and Student Affairs Committee shall consist of a chairperson and at least two (2) other members.  It shall ensure that the academic programs of the University are consistent with the institution’s mission and strategies; that the faculty and students have adequate resources; that the academic budget reflects the institution’s academic priorities; that the faculty personnel policies and procedures complement academic priorities; that the students’ interest in the Board’s policy-making activities are adequately represented; that the institution’s academic programs are appropriate for its students; that technology is effectively used to enhance the academic programs of the University; that the institution assesses the effectiveness of its academic programs; and shall monitor philanthropic giving, fundraising and alumni affairs.

 

(c)        The Audit, Budget and Finance Committee shall consist of the Treasurer as Chairperson, and at least two (2) other members.  It shall ensure that the financial operations of the University are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and financial accounting standards;  oversee annual and long-range operating budgets; ensure that accurate and complete financial records are maintained; review capital budgets for adherence to prescribed policy and guidance; present exceptions to the full Board for approval; recommend investment policies to the Board; manage asset classes; review investment expenses; oversee accounting and financial reporting; confer with the Office of the Inspector General of the District of Columbia (OIG) regarding significant investigations into financial matters; ensure that timely and accurate information is presented to the Board; provide oversight and guidance to the University’s Internal Auditor in the performance of his or her duties; ensure that an annual audit is conducted; provide oversight responsibility for management’s system of internal financial controls and the controls over external reporting, the internal and external audit processes, the regulatory compliance functions, institutional ethics and conflicts of interest, and the risk management process; present the financial statement to the full Board and communicate with and educate the Board on all aspects of the University’s financial status.

 

(d)       The Operations Committee shall consist of a chairperson, and at least two (2) other members. The Operations Committee serves as the Board’s principal forum for the consideration of matters relating to the University’s business and administrative operations.  It shall review and approve University policies; monitor personnel practices to ensure that the University is promoting fair and respectful practices and compliance with all applicable employment, labor, and workplace laws; determine the adequacy, condition, and use of existing facilities; review renewal or replacement decisions and oversee financing of capital projects;  establish a budget for all capital projects which shall include a list of all capital projects planned for the fiscal year; review contracts as necessary or as required by law; review and discuss issues and proposals involving government relations; receive periodic updates on the University’s legal issues; and review University-wide policies and practices concerning communications and media, and public relations.

 

 (e)       The Community College Committee shall consist of a chairperson and at least two (2) other members. The Community College Committee shall have jurisdiction over matters which specifically or exclusively affect the Community College.     

 

(f)        The Committee of the Whole shall consist of all members of the Board and shall have jurisdiction concurrent with that of any committee.  The Committee of the Whole may also have jurisdiction over matters not subject to the jurisdiction of any established standing committee.

 

All persons desiring to comment on the subject matter of the proposed rulemaking should file comments in writing not later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register.  Comments should be filed with the Office of General Counsel, Building 39, Room 301-Q, University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Comments may also be submitted by email to [e-mail].  Individuals wishing to comment by email must include the phrase “Comment to Proposed Rulemaking: Committee Structure” in the subject line.  Copies of the proposed rules may be obtained from the Office of General Counsel at the address set forth above.