The governing body of the faculty to which any matters of academic concern may be brought is the Faculty Council.

The original constitution of the council was drawn up in 1987 to provide a voice for all Harlaxton faculty in promoting the academic wellbeing of the college. In fall 1989, a revised constitution was adopted as follows:

The Faculty Council of Harlaxton College exists to make recommendations to the principal of Harlaxton College and the vice president for academic affairs at the University of Evansville on all matters relating to the academic standards, curriculum, educational facilities, library and learning resources, faculty morale and all other matters pertaining to the general welfare of the Harlaxton academic community.

The membership of the council consists of all fulltime Harlaxton based (“British”) faculty and all visiting faculty from the University of Evansville, together with one representative of the British parttime faculty, one representative of faculty visiting from American institutions other than the University of Evansville, and one elected student representative. The principal and dean of students are ex officio nonvoting members, as is the [University of Evansville] vice president for academic affairs.

The representatives of the British parttime and visiting American (nonUniversity of Evansville) faculty are elected by their respective colleagues, who will form separate subcommittees of the main council. These meet as and when appropriate during the semester, liaising with the Faculty Council through their elected representatives. The election of the latter takes place at the first meeting of the faculty in the first week of each semester (see Section 6.0). The election of the student representative takes place at the same time through the auspices of the Student Academic Committee.

The council reserves the right to hold executive sessions limited to faculty and invited participants. Members of the fulltime Harlaxton based (“British”) faculty are eligible for election to the position of chair of the council to serve for a period not exceeding three years, each 13 term of office to begin at the start of the fall semester. The election of a new chair takes place during the final session of the Faculty Council in any given semester (i.e., at the end of the semester preceding office).

Meetings are conducted according to The Conduct of Meetings, 22nd ed., Bristol, Rose and Jordan (1982), and are held at least once a month during semester time. Minutes are taken at each meeting and distributed by the chair within ten calendar days to the faculty, the Harlaxton administration and, upon approval, to the University Senate and the vice president for academic affairs and president at the University of Evansville.

The Faculty Council is an integral part of the governance system at the University of Evansville and is represented by ex officio, nonvoting members on Faculty Senate and three committees. These representatives, who each serve a oneyear term, are selected from those fulltime University of Evansville teaching faculty who have taught at Harlaxton during the three previous academic years. Elections take place at the end of each spring semester in preparation for the next academic year, and voting is restricted to fulltime Harlaxton based (“British”) faculty and current visiting faculty from the University of Evansville.

The council also maintains a working relationship with the Academic Committee of the Harlaxton College Advisory Council and with other bodies that enhance the academic standing of the college." Does all this sound a little much for a Harlaxton based faculty of three or four fulltime and a visiting faculty of eight or so? Perhaps, when all is working well. But if there should be grievances or need for a direct and clear faculty voice, this Council can be a useful and even comforting construct. Harlaxton College values its faculty and a strong faculty voice.