Changes made to COM governance policies

Kelly Caverzagie, MD, associate dean for educational strategy and learning environment for the UNMC College of Medicine

The UNMC College of Medicine has announced changes to its governance and bylaws, said Kelly Caverzagie, MD, associate dean for educational strategy and learning environment for the college.

The changes, Dr. Caverzagie said, include updates to keep the college compliant with accreditation standards and to provide greater opportunity for general faculty to have a voice in day-to-day college governance.

Dr. Caverzagie pointed to three areas of emphasis in the changes:

·      The Faculty Council, which serves as the primary
governance body of the college, will increase the number of clinical faculty
that serve on the council as voting members.

·      A 10th standing committee, the
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, has been created. “We had a DEI task
force, but that now has been elevated to the level of a formal standing
committee,” Dr. Caverzagie said.

·      The charge for each standing committee has been
formalized and refreshed to better reflect “both the current operations and
what we intend for the future of the college, as well.”

Dr. Caverzagie praised members of the general faculty who serve as elected representatives on seven of the standing committees and the Faculty Council. 

See the newly elected Faculty Council members.

“These groups are doing important and often thankless work,” he said. “At the same time, they are serving their fellow faculty members and the entire college by providing important guidance as we chart the future of the UNMC College of Medicine.”

Nominations for future vacancies of the Faculty Council and standing committees will take place in the spring 2024.