College Governance

Pitzer’s governmental structure makes it virtually unique among American colleges. The College has never had the traditional student government which restricts student participation to limited areas. Instead, students are represented on all the standing committees of the College including those which deal with the most vital and sensitive issues of the College community. This system offers interested students an active educational experience, though it demands time, energy and a real commitment on the part of those who participate.

Standing committees are responsible primarily for the formulation, review and implementation of policy relating to the educational program and student life. In most instances, policy decisions of the standing committees are made in the form of recommendations to College Council, which is the primary legislative body of the school, made up of the faculty, staff representatives and 16 student representatives, eight of whom are elected by the student body and eight chosen from the student members of the standing committees.

College Council

The College Council is the main policymaking body at Pitzer. Generally, all policy recommendations that are made by the various committees are forwarded to College Council for discussion and eventual vote. If passed, these recommendations go to the President and as appropriate to the Board of Trustees for final approval. The College Council has the power to recommend requirements for academic degrees and honors, as well as make recommendations to the President regarding the establishment of new academic divisions and the creation of standing and ad hoc committees. The President or the Dean of Faculty presides as the Chair at Council meetings. Council meetings occur several times each semester and may be convened at the call of the President, the Dean of Faculty, the Chairperson of the Faculty Executive Committee, or the Student Senate Chair. All faculty and student voting members are expected to attend such meetings.

Standing Committees

Faculty Executive Committee
The primary executive committee of the College, responsible for faculty appointments, promotion and tenure, facilities planning and the smooth and effective functioning of College affairs. Academic Planning Committee: Responsible primarily for the long-term planning of the educational program of the College and, as part of that task, for proposing new faculty positions and the formulation of new programs and majors.

Academic Standards Committee
Responsible for assuring that students adhere to the academic standards of the College, for considering student requests for waivers of academic requirements and for approving the completion of degree requirements. Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee: Responsible for making recommendations and advise the President in matters of faculty appointment, contract renewal, promotion, tenure, dismissal, sabbatical and all other leaves.

Budgetary Implementation Committee
Responsible for constructing the annual budget of the College and recommending to College Council policy regarding enrollment, financial aid, annual increments in staff and faculty salaries, fringe benefits and expectations relating to inflation and investment income.

Campus Life Committee
This Committee is responsible for working with relevant student, faculty, alumni and trustee groups to develop and implement annually, a comprehensive plan for enhancing the intellectual, cultural, artistic and social life of the campus. In addition, it oversees programs and support structures that foster the development of a closer intellectual community on campus.

Curriculum Committee
Responsible primarily for coordinating and reviewing the annual curriculum of the College, for recommending on an annual basis the addition of courses, for approving special majors and independent studies and for approving new program and major requirements.

Diversity Committee
Responsible for assisting the College in meeting its commitment to affirmative action in student, faculty and staff recruitment and for assisting the College in creating an environment which is maximally supportive to students from underrepresented groups and which embraces and values diversity.

Judicial Committee
Responsible for interpreting and enforcing the student code of conduct.

Research and Awards
Allocation of funds for faculty and student research is handled through the Dean of Faculty’s office.

Student Appointments Committee
Responsible for selecting students to serve as the non-elected representatives on the other standing committees. Students who would like to participate in College governance are urged to apply to the Student Appointments Committee through the Dean of Students’ Office in the spring semester for appointments for the following year. In addition, vacancies on standing committees usually arise throughout the year, so students should inquire at any time if they are interested in participating. Participation in College governance is one of the most exciting educational opportunities the College offers. Through participation, students play a central role in shaping the College.

Student Senate
Responsible for discussing and making policy recommendations to College Council pertaining to student life and community issues. Members of the Student Senate are elected by the student body and serve as the student voting representatives to College Council and as the elected student representatives to the College’s Standing Committees. Students can also make direct recommendations concerning student life issues to the President by means of a proposition signed by 30 percent of the Pitzer community and then approved by both a Proposition Board and the community as a whole.

Study Abroad Committee
Responsible for formulating policy relating to the College’s Study Abroad program, for overseeing the program and for approving students for participation.