Board of Trustees

Appendix G - Standing Committees

Duties of Standing Committees
The duties of each standing committee are set forth below.

Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
The Committee shall have the Vice President for Economic Development as its principal liaison with the University Administration.

The duties of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee include:

  • Review for the Board the overall plans, goals and objectives of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the fulfillment of the objectives of the Public Service Activities (PSA) of the University
  • Study the administrative structure of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Evaluate, as directed by the Board, all off-campus lands in coordination with other appropriate committees
  • Evaluate, as directed by the Board, proposed gifts of off-campus land to the University and disposition of University lands in coordination with other appropriate committees
  • Act for the Board in establishing necessary liaison, as well as advice or counsel, to the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources in funding for PSA
  • Ensure for the Board that a full range of planning in the Agriculture and Natural Resources area is in constant updating for both annual and long-term plans.

Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee shall ensure policy compliance regarding all Clemson University compensation matters. 

The administrative liaison shall be the Administrative Council member associated with the Office of Human Resources.

The Compensation Committee will review all policy matters regarding compensation for Clemson University employees (faculty, staff, athletics, and administration) per the below operating guidelines to ensure that policy is being followed and market competitive salaries are being recommended.   The Committee will, from time to time, review compensation studies, market data and other relevant compensation-related information developed for the University by independent third parties. The Committee will review and approve strategic hiring and compensation plans and policies for performance methodologies and changes therein.

The composition of the Compensation Committee shall be the Chair of the Board of Trustees, the past Chair, and one member appointed by the Chair.  If the past Chair is no longer an active trustee, two members will be appointed by the Chair.

The duties of the Compensation Committee include:

  • The Committee will review and approve the strategic staffing and compensation plan for the University and changes therein.
  • The Committee will review the evaluation of the President of the University and will make recommendations for the President’s compensation to the Board of Trustees.
  • Clemson University’s compensation policies and procedures will be driven by budgetary constraints, employee performance linked to objective standards and competitive market levels. 
  • Any compensation or adjustments to compensation must be recommended by the individual’s direct supervisor and approved by the person to whom the supervisor reports.  The Committee will provide final review for all of the President’s direct reports based upon policy and guidelines at an individual’s salary and performance rating. 
  • Any annual salary increase above the percentage guidelines for increases as defined and authorized by the Administrative Council requires two levels of approval.  Any annual salary increase that is equal to or exceeds ten percent for any University employee must be approved by the President. 
  • Any temporary or permanent promotional increases above 15% require approval by the President and review by the Committee.  All non-salary compensation changes must also be approved by the President.
  • New hires whose salary is equal to or exceeds $175,000, or where pay levels may trigger market level adjustments within the department or university, or where there are multi-year contracts, or that commits Clemson University to hiring additional personnel must be reviewed by the Committee.
  • All salary changes for individuals whose salary or total compensation package is equal to or exceeds $175,000 or where there are changes to a multi-year contract requires review by the Committee.
  • The Committee will review the Operating Guidelines annually, make appropriate revisions and discuss the review process with the President.

Educational Policy Committee
The Educational Policy Committee shall consider and recommend policies governing the educational activities of the University.

The Committee shall have as its principal liaison with the University Administration the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

The duties of the Educational Policy Committee include:

  • Ensure that the Trustees oversee the planning of the academic affairs of the University
  • Study the administrative structure of the academic area
  • Review for the Board of Trustees suggested revisions of the Faculty Manual
  • Act for the Board in reviewing accreditation procedures for the purpose of professional and regional accreditation
  • Study each year the effectiveness of academic budgeting
  • Review periodically policies relating to teaching and research
  • Make evaluations of academic segments of the University in accordance with the schedule of review of major University units
  • Coordinate relationships with the Commission on Higher Education
  • Give Board leadership to constantly update the mission statement of the role of Clemson University in South Carolina higher education
  • Coordinate the policy development part of an academic plan as the basic planning document of the University, with appropriate supporting plans on finance, organization, administration and physical plants
  • Review for the Board the Administration’s academic planning efforts, and seeing that all plans are coordinated, feasible and within the role and mission of the University

Executive & Audit Committee
The Executive & Audit Committee is composed of the Chair of the Board and the chairs of the standing committees. The Chair of the Board is Chair of the Executive & Audit Committee. The Executive & Audit Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair.

The principal liaisons to the Executive & Audit Committee are the President and the Executive Secretary.

The primary purpose of the Executive & Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees of Clemson University in discharging its responsibility relative to monitoring the University’s system of internal control, accounting policies and financial reporting procedures. The Committee serves as the focal point of communication between the Board of Trustees, outside auditors, the Internal Auditor, and state and federal agency auditors.

The Committee normally meets at least four times annually.

The duties of the Executive and Audit Committee include:

  • Conduct the original review of administrative matters such as organization of the University,  appointment systems, personnel administration, fringe benefits, achievement of goals and objectives, administrative policies and similar matters not within the purview of any other committee of the Board
  • Recommend the content and format of the Agency Head Evaluation concerning the President
  • Approve the appointment or removal of the Internal Auditor including department reorganization or audit personnel changes
  • Approve requests for accounting and auditing services prior to their submission to the State Auditor
  • Review annually and approve the Internal Auditor’s charter, the annual internal auditing plan, staffing needs and budget requirements
  • Ensure that the Internal Auditor has sufficient independence to conduct audits without management interference
  • Review all significant findings and recommendations noted by the Internal Auditor or outside auditors
  • Meet periodically with appropriate members of the University Administration, the Internal Auditor and independent auditors to discuss and evaluate the scope and results of audits and the University’s accounting procedures and controls
  • Provide periodic reports to the Board of Trustees that summarize the activities of the Committee
  • Receive and review all outside audits of the University or University-related organizations
  • Review and approving the University’s liability insurance (Tort Liability and Directors and Officers Liability Insurance)
  • Review on an annual basis the NCAA compliance program of the Athletic Department and academic progress reports of student athletes
  • Review annual reports on policies related to Equitable Treatment to include the University’s Affirmative Action Programs and those related to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Finance and Facilities Committee
The Finance & Facilities Committee shall consider and recommend policies and procedures governing all aspects of the University’s budgeting, financing, expenditures, financial reporting, construction and maintenance facilities, and acquisition and disposal of capital assets, and Human Resources. The Committee maintains authority to establish policy direction of the investment of university funds. 

The Committee shall have as its principal liaison with the University Administration the Chief Financial Officer.

The duties of the Finance & Facilities Committee include:

  • Make the primary analysis of the proposed budget of the President, and recommend the action to be taken thereon by the Board
  • Consider and recommending policies and procedures governing all aspects of the University’s budgeting and financing
  • Give policy direction to the University’s investment and cash management programs
  • Ensure an effective system of expenditure control is in effect
  • Ensure there are adequate accounting controls and procedures regarding transactions associated with the University’s related organizations
  • Ensure there is adequate financial reporting to the Board, together with proper interpretations of such reports
  • Recommend policies and procedures to govern the University’s permanent improvement process

Review and recommending action on all proposals to acquire or dispose of capital assets of the University, and determining the impact of such acquisitions or disposals on the financial stability of the University

  • Review for the Board the overall plans, goals and objectives of the University, and judging their feasibility in terms of available and potential financial resources
  • Review for the Board the management of the University on-campus lands

Institutional Advancement Committee
The Institutional Advancement Committee shall consider and recommend policies to govern fund-raising activities of the University and shall maintain continuous policy review over the public affairs, public relations and alumni relations activities of the University.

The Committee shall have as its principal liaison with the University Administration the Vice President for Advancement.

The duties of the Institutional Advancement Committee include:

  • Represent the Board regarding the primary concern with fund-raising potential of the University
  • Ensure that a full range of fund-raising programs are developed, including gifts from alumni, friends, parents, corporations, foundations, associations and trusts; ensuring that these gifts are secured in all forms including annual, capital and planned
  • Coordinate with the Finance & Facilities Committee in the acquisition of new physical facilities financed by private support
  • Ensure that there is a well-developed plan each year for the fund-raising goals of the University, and seeing that this plan is used and is effective
  • Aid in the coordination of decentralized fund-raising efforts throughout the University
  • Guide and supporting the efforts of the University to secure outside funds for physical plant additions
  • Serve as the primary link to the Board regarding the major capital campaigns of Clemson University
  • Maintain continual policy review over the image enhancement and public relations activities of the University, including the institution’s publications, its graphic presentations, its electronic communications and its agricultural communications
  • Guide the University’s news- and media-related philosophies and policies
  • Recommend to the Board changes and updates related to Institutional Advancement as needed
  • Review the University’s alumni relations programs which serve, involve and inform the alumni of the affairs of Clemson University
  • Serve as the link to the Board for the Clemson Alumni Association and the Clemson University Foundation
  • Set the calendar for the Board in relation to the University’s public affairs, alumni relations and fund-raising efforts each year
  • Assure that there are specific development plans each year to guide these efforts and evaluate results secured
  • Act for the Board of Trustees as liaison between it and all alumni and non-alumni entities engaged in furthering the University’s outside support
  • Evaluate proposed gifts to the University and disposition of University assets
  • Review periodic reports on the programs and services of the Conference Center and Inn
  • Ensure for the Board that a full range of planning in the Institutional Advancement area is constant with regard to annual and long-term plans

Research and Economic Development Committee
The Research and Economic Development Committee shall consider and recommend policies to support the research mission of Clemson University. These policies adopted shall foster the growth of research both in quality and quantity.

The liaison for the Research and Economic Development Committee shall be the University’s Vice President for Research and the Vice President for Economic Development.

Members of the Research and Economic Development Committee shall be appointed by the Chair of the Board.

The duties of the Research and Economic Development Committee include:

  • Review the amount and sources of external funding and the mechanisms to attract additional external funds
  • Review University policy regarding performance criteria, workload, compensation and incentives, recognition of superior performance, and professional development of existing employees
  • Review University policy regarding the recruitment of high caliber faculty, graduate students and support staff
  • Examine administrative infrastructure supporting research. Periodically review University guidelines on space resources, allocations and needs as related to research and productivity.
    • Work with University leaders to select metrics of research productivity that are relevant to the

University, the market, the academic community and the citizens of South Carolina

  • Review the institution’s performance against past performance as well as against industry standards
    • Review performance against selected metrics
    • Receive and review all significant findings and recommendations noted in semi-annual ARC and triennial certification reports and all other external research-related audits of the University
    • Monitor institutional observance of federally required research compliance rules related to human subjects, animal welfare, recombinant DNA technology and management of toxic wastes
      • Encourage external recognition of high quality programs through accreditation
    • Examine long-range planning of graduate education, including growth plans for existing and new program areas especially at the doctoral level, financial support of graduate education and aspects of graduate student life related to fostering a vibrant graduate/postdoctoral community
    • Review University intellectual property policies, including licensing and distribution of royalties
    • Examine inter-college and inter-departmental practices to minimize all types of conflicts of interest related to research while encouraging innovation and commercialization of research outputs
    • Review the University’s efforts to explain the role and value of University research internally, within the state and nationwide
    • Review University policies relating to research activities between the three research universities, so as to promote collaboration and remove barriers to cooperative research
    • Receive reports regarding collaborative activities and accomplishments between the three research universities, to include reports of activities within the South Carolina Research Alliance.

Student Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee shall consider and recommend policies related to student development programs and services for students and related constituent groups.

The Committee shall have as its principal liaison with the University Administration the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The duties of the Student Affairs Committee include:

  • Ensure that the Board is informed on policies governing the entire range of Student Affairs
  • Review periodically policies affecting students including student health and welfare, student housing, student development, counseling and psychological services, campus cultural and recreational programs, municipal court system, as well as policies pertaining to public safety which include fire protection, law and safety, and parking and traffic control
  • Review for approval by the Board fees and rates recommended by the Administration for major student services including student health and housing
  • Evaluate and reviewing for approval by the Board major capital improvement projects for Student Affairs facilities
  • Review capital fund-raising campaigns for Student Affairs programs and facilities
  • Review for approval by the Board recommendations of the Administration for naming student services buildings

February 2012

 

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