Part III. UNC System and UNC Code

As a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, East Carolina University is subject to the policies in the University of North Carolina Policy Manual, which contains the Code of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina (the UNC Code) as section 100.1. The UNC Code is the document that establishes the University of North Carolina, the Board of Governors and its committees, and the Boards of Trustees of each constituent institution. The UNC Policy Manual supersedes the East Carolina University Faculty Manual should there be a conflict between the documents.

Chapter VI of the UNC Code, “Academic Freedom and Tenure,” contains many faculty-related policies, such as Academic Freedom and Responsibility of Faculty; Academic Tenure; Non-Disciplinary Separation; Disciplinary Discharge, Suspension, or Demotion; Non-reappointment, Denial of Tenure, and Denial of Promotion; Separation due to Retirement; Faculty Grievance Process; Students' Rights and Responsibilities; Jurisdiction of The Board of Governors; Rights of Special Faculty Members; and Review of Personnel Actions Affecting Specified Employees Exempt from the North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

University of North Carolina Policy Manual

Code of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina

(Faculty Senate Resolution #12-09)

Faculty Senate Resolution #22-58, January 2023, with publication delayed until July 2023

The University of North Carolina Faculty Assembly was formed in 1972 when all of the State’s public senior institutions were brought into the University of North Carolina. The Charter of the University of North Carolina Faculty Assembly (PDF) gives the objectives for the body:

1. The Faculty Assembly of the University of North Carolina shall gather and exchange information on behalf of the faculties of the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina.
2. The Assembly shall, through appropriate channels, advise the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, the General Assembly, and other governmental agencies and officers on matters of university-wide importance.
3. The Assembly shall advise and communicate with the President of the University of North Carolina with regard to the interests of the faculties and other matters of university-wide importance.

Each of the seventeen campuses of the University of North Carolina elects delegates to the Faculty Assembly according to guidelines on delegation size and composition given in the Charter. The Bylaws of the Faculty Assembly of the University of North Carolina (PDF) establish the procedures by which the Faculty Assembly operates and conducts its business.

A. Composition and Terms of Delegates and Alternates

The procedure by which East Carolina University elects its Faculty Assembly Delegates and Alternate Delegates is contained in Article XII of the Bylaws of the Constitution of the Faculty of East Carolina University. All full-time faculty are eligible to serve as ECU Faculty Assembly Delegates and Alternate Delegates. Terms are three years, with all regular terms of service beginning on and ending on July 1 of each year. A faculty member may not serve as a Delegate for more than six years, and may serve as a delegate again after sitting out one three-year term. Time spent while serving as an Alternate Delegate is not counted in the limitation.

B. Attendance of Faculty Assembly Meetings

Faculty Assembly Delegates are expected to attend Faculty Assembly meetings. A Delegate who cannot attend a Faculty Assembly meeting should arrange for an Alternate Delegate to attend in their place. The Delegate should also notify the Chair of the UNC Faculty Assembly of the Alternate’s participation.

Generally, travel expenses for Delegates to participate in Faculty Assembly meetings are reimbursed by the UNC System Office. Delegates are encouraged to minimize travel costs where possible. Delegates must follow defined rules in the Faculty Senate website for travel to insure proper and timely reimbursement.

Alternate Delegates vote in meetings only when they are asked to do so in place of a Delegate. When attending a meeting for a Delegate, Alternate Delegates should notify the Chair of the Assembly and the Secretary of the Assembly.

C. Faculty Assembly Report to the East Carolina University Faculty Senate

Elected delegates to the UNC Faculty Assembly serve ex-officio on the ECU Faculty Senate with a vote in all Senate matters except the election of officers and committee members, as specified in the Faculty Constitution and By-Laws located in the ECU Faculty Manual. The Faculty Assembly delegation is responsible for compiling a written report of each Assembly meeting and presenting the report to the Senate. Usually, the elected delegates rotate reporting duties among all present. Minutes of the Assembly meeting may or may not be available prior to scheduled Faculty Senate meeting. As such, delegates should take notes and be prepared to provide a written report in addition to a verbal report to the Faculty Senate.

UNC Faculty Assembly Web Page

The Charter of the Faculty Assembly of the University of North Carolina (pdf)

The Bylaws of the Faculty Assembly of the University of North Carolina (pdf)

ECU Faculty Manual Part II, Section II – Article XII The Faculty Assembly

ECU Faculty Manual Part II, Section II- Faculty Constitution of East Carolina University

Faculty Senate Resolution #12-08
Faculty Senate Resolution #25-73