Committees

The Administrative Review Committee is a disciplinary board constituted as needed to hear appeals from the rulings of the Judicial Committee, appeals from the rulings of administratively resolved cases, any offense referred directly to it by the Dean of Students or the Assistant Director, and any offense referred to it by the Dean of Students in cases requiring immediate action. The Committee normally consists of three senior members of the administration appointed by the President.

Sexual Harassment Advisors, appointed by the President, are normally composed of at least two students, two faculty members, and two staff members. Advisors are available to all members of the community seeking confidential advice and assistance regarding sexual harassment and the College’s policy and procedures (Sexual Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy (PDF)).

Any member of the College community who believes that he/she has been sexually harassed may seek the assistance of a Sexual Harassment Advisor. Advisors are ready to listen and discuss a concern, provide suggestions about possible courses of action, and assist/accompany anyone seeking help with pursuing a sexual harassment complaint. 

Sexual Harassment Advisors

Students

• Rainer Hunt
• Kenny Oglin
• Christina Cooper

Staff

• Denise Goodwin
• Oceana Wilson

Faculty

• Becky Godwin
• Andy Spence

If you have any questions about the process or policy, contact Eva Chatterjee-Sutton, Dean of Students (x4330, ecs@bennington.edu) or Heather Faley, Director of Human Resources (x4423, hfaley@bennington.edu).

The Sexual Harassment Hearing Committee, appointed by the President, consists of two faculty members, one staff member, and one student and is chaired by the Director of Human Resources. The committee has the authority to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, and, as needed, to conduct hearings and to make summary recommendations.

• Michael Giannitti, faculty
• Janet Foley, faculty
• Cathy Gee Graney, staff
• Ann Pibal, faculty
• student, tbd

The Safety Committee, made up of faculty and staff and chaired by the Director of Campus Safety, is responsible for reviewing matters pertaining to safety on campus. The Committee reviews practices and procedures associated with ongoing College operations, ensures that adequate and appropriate safety training occurs, and seeks to identify hazards on campus in need of correction. Campus community members may bring safety concerns to the attention of the Chair of the Safety Committee.

• Ken Collamore, Chair
• Janet Foley
• Richard Smith
• Eva Chatterjee-Sutton
• Duncan Dobbelmann
• Heather Faley
• David Rees
• Ben Szalewicz

This Committee is charged by the President to set policies governing the enhancement of the College campus, the protection of the environment, the preservation of the built campus, parking, and accessibility of the campus. The LBUC is responsible for any projects involving the buildings or the landscape of the College, and its decisions are consistent with the campus master plan. Proposals for alterations to any exterior or interior spaces or the installation of sculpture or art (outside of VAPA) belonging to the College must be made on forms available from the Office of the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and Planning. Temporary art exhibitions must be approved by the appropriate offices. The Committee is chaired by the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and Planning.

• Eva Chatterjee-Sutton
• Ken Collamore
• Erin McKenny
• Forest Purnell
• Donald Sherefkin
• Rich Smith
• John Umphlett
• Kerry Woods

The Sustainability Committee is made up of staff, faculty, and students from all areas of the College. The Committee's mission is to advance a shared sense of responsibility towards the social, economic, and environmental well being of the College and beyond in order to educate Bennington students and lead by example. The Committee's goals are to advance the ethic of sustainability in College operations, academics, and campus life and to build bridges between the College, the local community, and the world at large. A list of members can be found here.

The Curriculum Planning Committee, composed of the Dean of the College, Associate Dean, and faculty representatives from each of the disciplines, is responsible for short- and long-term curriculum planning as well as for reviewing and approving the curriculum. The Committee presents the curriculum for final approval to the Academic Policies Committee and the Dean's Office.

• Isabel Roche, Co-chair
• Duncan Dobbelmann, Co-chair
• Terry Creach, Dance
• Annabel Davis-Goff, Literature
• Valerie Imbruce, Environmental Studies
• Kirk Jackson, Drama
• Amie Jo McClellan, Science and Mathematics
• Carol Meyer, Languages and Education
• Ann Pibal, Visual Arts
• Miroslava Prazak, Social Science
• Bruce Williamson, Music

The Committee works in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Academic Services and the Dean of Students to review and make recommendations regarding the academic advising process. The Committee schedules regular meetings to assist faculty and students with advising issues, and has particular responsibilities for probationary students.

• Duncan Dobbelmann, Co-Chair
• Susan Sgorbati, Co-Chair
• Eva Chatterjee-Sutton
• Jon Isherwood
• Dina Janis
• Laurie Kobik
• Sean Lanigan
• Amie McClellan
• Julia Moffitt
• Dana Reitz
• Paul Voice

This Committee hears cases concerning infractions of community standards. The Judicial Committee will be made up of seven students (three hear any given case); three staff members (one hears any given case); and three faculty members (one hears any given case). The Assistant Director of Student Life chairs the committee. Cases before the committee are brought by the Dean of Students.

Faculty and staff members are appointed each academic year in consultation with the Dean of the College. Student members (in good standing, academically and disciplinary) are selected via an application and interview process by Student Life staff and student leaders. Selected students are re-appointed annually until graduation or resignation.

• Nick Brooke, faculty
• Mary Lum, faculty
• Cindy Luce, staff
• Joe Tucker, staff
• Joshua Banyard, student
• Rachel Chenette, student
• Eric Marlin, student
• Meaghan Morgan-Puglisi, student
• Gale Stafford, student

The Committee ensures that research conducted by Bennington College faculty members, students, and staff adequately protects the welfare of human subjects who participate in it. Committee approval is required for all research on human subjects conducted by College faculty members, students, and staff. Three appointed faculty members. Guidelines and other information.

• Ronald Cohen, Chair
• Carol Meyer
• Elizabeth Sherman

The Scholarship Committee reviews applications for internal student conference grants and for external prestigious national fellowships. There is no connection between this committee and the College's financial aid office.

• Duncan Dobbelmann, Chair
• Marguerite Feitlowitz
• Carol Meyer

Committee members from Music, Dance, and Drama meet regularly with the Production Manager to review matters pertaining to the production calendar, performance spaces, publicity, and special events.

• Michael Giannitti, Chair
• Thomas Bogdan
• Nick Brooke
• Kirk Jackson
• Scott Lehrer
• Sue Rees
• Dana Reitz
• Bruce Williamson

The Academic Policies Committee (APC), composed of an elected faculty chair, six other elected faculty members, the President, and the Dean of the College, reviews academic programs, curriculum, academic budgeting, and the hiring of new faculty members. The APC is authorized to recommend new academic initiatives and work with the Dean's Office concerning budgetary matters.

• Robert Ransick, chair
• Elizabeth Coleman, ex officio
• Laura Krause, ex officio
• Isabel Roche, ex officio
• Doug Bauer (fall term only)
• Becky Godwin (spring term only)
• Sarah Harris
• Mary Lum
• Andrew McIntyre (alternate)
• Carol Pal 
• Allen Shawn
• Tim Schroeder

The Faculty Committee on Grievances (FCG) hears (1) alleged violations of the College’s Academic Freedom Policy (outside of the review process), (2) grievances regarding alleged discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, disability, age, affectional preference, marital status, and (3) complaints against faculty by faculty or by those referred by the Dean of the College. Three elected members, two alternates. Associate Dean participates.

• Duncan Dobbelmann
• Annabel Davis-Goff
• Thorsten Dennerline (alternate)
• Jonathan Kline 
• Bruce Williamson
• Mark Wunderlich (alternate)

The Faculty Review Appeals Committee (FRAC) hears alleged violations of faculty performance review procedures, including violations of the College’s Academic Freedom Policy during the review process. Three elected faculty members, two alternates.

• Karen Gover (alternate)
• Sherry Kramer
• Andrew McIntyre
• Elizabeth Sherman 
• Ikuko Yoshida (alternate)
  

The Faculty Performance Review Committee (FPRC) reviews and makes recommendations regarding faculty reappointments. Five elected faculty members, one alternate. and the Dean of the College.

• Barry Bartlett (alternate)
• John Bullock
• Ronald Cohen
• Sue Rees
• Isabel Roche
• Andy Spence
• Kerry Woods

The Food Committee works in collaboration with Dining Services, providing recommendations for creative menu planning and special events.

This Committee works with Health Services, Psychological Services, and Student Life staff to discuss issues concerning health and psychological services on campus. The Committee also assists with community outreach education programming and offers tips and information for health and well-being. Students who have concerns about College health care should communicate with the Director of Health Services.

This Committee assists the Office of Student Life with the housing assignment process and serves as an appeals board in cases of dispute. The Residential Committee works with the Facilities Management staff to address concerns in the Houses, makes recommendations on furniture purchases, and participates in the billing appeals process led by the Dean of Students.

This Committee works in collaboration with the Computer Center, Dean of Students, and the Crossett Library providing student feedback and recommendations regarding new and existing computer technology, telecommunications, and library resources.

Students on the Program Activity Council (PAC) plan and coordinate student events, such as dance parties, guest performers, and bands. Any student on campus may submit a proposal to the board for an event and suggest ways in which PAC's annual budget should be spent.

Composed of elected house delegates, Student Council is the central forum for student discussion of nonacademic issues (academic issues are covered by the Student Educational Policies Committee), helping to facilitate communication between students, faculty, and administration. Student Council also helps coordinate funding for student organizations. At the beginning of each year, Student Council creates a tentative budget to divide the Student Activities Fund among the various campus organizations. The student body at large votes on this budget before funds are distributed.

The Student Educational Policies Committee (SEPC) is a group of students—two for each discipline—who represent the student body in issues affecting academic life at Bennington. These SEPC representatives, who are elected by the student body, serve as a liaison among students, faculty, and administration. The SEPC also considers larger questions of academic policy and articulates their concerns and interests to the campus community.

The mission of the Student Endowment for the Arts (SEA) is to financially support and educate the artists of Bennington College while strengthening the role of the arts within the entire community. It aims to stimulate grant writing, proposing and allocating funds in a realistic scenario. SEA offers exposure and experience in the process for both applicants and members of the board. As an all-student board, it strives to maintain an accessible relationship with the student body, undergraduate and graduate students alike. Proposals are reviewed anonymously and are judged on the strength and clarity by which they are presented, their supporting materials, and their artistic excellence.

Every year, the College allocates funds to support the Student Activities Fund, which is overseen by the Budget and Events Committee in collaboration with Office of Student Life. Students can request monies for supplies, speaker honoraria, or general event support, either through a registered student organization, or as an independent event. Students apply for money through the Office of Student Life and the Budget and Events Committee reviews proposals and makes allocation decisions bi-weekly.

Spring 2012

• Jackson Darham
• Fizza Hasan
• Jiaying Liu
• Chris Platika
• Gale Stafford
• Sarah Walcott, assistant director of Student Life, Group Advisor