Council of Chief Academic Officers

Organization/Membership

The Council of Chief Academic Officers consists of representatives of the academic units of SOCHE member institutions and, therefore, should be recognized as the organizational unit with the primary responsibility for the initiation, review, and approval of SOCHE programs subject to the direction and approval of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.

An Executive Committee, consisting of the following, provides leadership for the Council:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Members-at-large (2-3)
• Past Chairperson
• Executive Director of SOCHE

The officers of the Executive Committee have the responsibilities generally assigned to their offices. The chairperson plans and presides over the meetings of the Executive Committee as well as the meetings of the Council. The vice chairperson acts in the absence of and on behalf of the chairperson. The Council also has 2 to 3 members-at-large.

Executive Committee members are elected by the Council members at their spring meeting. They serve for one year in each position, with movement from Vice Chairperson to Chairperson to Past Chairperson in a sequential manner. An effort is made to provide diversity in the Executive Committee by selecting members representative of various types of institutions (e.g., public, private, two-year, etc.) Vacant positions are filled by recommendation of the rest of the members of the Executive Committee and voted on by the membership at its next meeting. The Council meets at least three times each year. The Council determines its own agenda, in communication with the SOCHE Executive Board, and expects a reasonable level of staff support from the SOCHE office. The Council reports to the SOCHE Executive Board.

Purpose

The major purposes of the SOCHE Council of Chief Academic Officers are:

• To foster communication and enhance networking among the SOCHE Chief Academic Officers and their constituent groups.
• To provide opportunities for professional growth and development among members and constituent groups.
• To provide a forum for discussing regional issues of concern to member institutions.
• To provide leadership for collaborative partnerships which will benefit the region.
• To serve as a communication link with other SOCHE Councils/Committees.

Activities

The Council of Chief Academic Officers assists in the development, review, and approval of existing and new programs and activities, including:

• Student Cross Registration
• Collaborative Grant Proposals
• Articulation Agreements
• Conferences, Seminars and Workshops

The Council of Chief Academic Officers assists in communication with other standing committees, including:

• Student Affairs Officers
• Library Directors
• Admissions Officers
• Public Relations Officers
• Registrars
• Diversity Initiatives Team
• Articulation Officers
• Human Resources
• First Year Experience Coordinators

Executive Committee

The officers of the Executive Committee have the responsibilities generally assigned to their offices. The chairperson plans and presides over the meetings of the Executive Committee as well as the meetings of the Council. The vice chairperson acts in the absence of and on behalf of the chairperson. The Council also has 2 to 3 members-at-large.

Executive Committee members are elected by the Council members at their spring meeting. Service is for one year in each position, with movement from Vice Chairperson to Chairperson to Past Chairperson in a sequential manner. An effort is made to provide diversity in the Executive Committee by selecting members representative of various types of institutions (e.g., public, private, two-year, etc.) Vacant positions are filled by recommendation of the rest of the members of the Executive Committee and voted on by the membership at its next meeting.

Chairperson: Sherry Stout, Southern State Community College

Covenant