Committees
- Vassar College Governance
- A
- B
- C
- Campus Investor Responsibility Committee
- Committee on Campus Master Planning *
- Classroom Committee
- College Committee on Admission and Financial Aid *
- College Committee on Climate Action and Sustainability *
- Committee on College Life *
- College Regulations Panel
- Committee on Committees *
- Community Works Committee
- Committee on Curricular Policies *
- F
- G
- H
- I
- L
- N
- P
- R
- S
Vassar College Governance
* Asterisks indicate committees with more information in The Governance (pdf, 1 Mb). The dates in parentheses indicate the end of a committee member’s term.
A
Academic Panel *
The academic panel reviews cases of academic dishonesty and assigns penalties. The three faculty members also serve as a court of appeals for students who, because of their unsatisfactory academic standing, are required to withdraw from the College by the committee on student records. The senior member of this court serves as chair and reports recommendations on appeals to the dean of studies and the president for final decision.
The academic panel consists of the dean of studies (chair); three faculty members elected for two years, one and two retiring in alternate years; and three students.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Thomas Porcello | Chair (Dean of Studies) |
| Anna Gommerstadt (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Hudson Gould (2024) | Faculty at Large |
| Lisa Lowrance (2025) | Faculty at Large |
Committee on Academic Technologies *
The committee on academic technologies develops and recommends policy related to academic and educational technologies, gathers information from faculty and students about instructional technology needs and initiatives and serves as advocates for those needs, and solicits ideas from and informs faculty and students of new initiatives related to instructional technology.
The committee on academic technologies consists of four elected members of the faculty, one from each division including the multi-disciplinary programs; a member of academic computing services; a professional librarian appointed by the director of the libraries; and a member of the student body. Faculty members serve three-year terms and may not be elected to more than 2 consecutive terms. The committee selects a chair annually from the faculty members on the committee.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Kathleen Hart (2026) | Division 1 |
| Zachary Cofran (2025) | Division 2 |
| Allan Clifton (2025) | Division 3 |
| Nicole Scalessa | Librarian |
| Fubing Su (2025) | Multidisciplinary |
| Steven Taylor | Representative (Academic Computing Services) |
| Jordan Norman (2024) | Student |
Accessibility Committee
Accessibility Committee. The committee is charged with developing and supporting the College’s accessibility goals and formulating plans that allow the College to achieve those goals. It presents changes related to education policy to the faculty for approval and is advisory to the president on administrative policies. The committee will review and assess progress towards the College’s accessibility goals annually and will report to the President, Trustees, and the Vassar community at-large on progress achieved and future action items.
The committee consists of the Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, Associate Vice President of Human Resources or designee, Dean of Studies, Director of Accessibility and Educational Opportunity or designee, Dean of Strategic Planning (Chair), the VP for Finance & Administration, the VP for Information Technology and Human Resources, the Dean or Associate Dean of Faculty, four faculty members elected at large, four students including the VSA Chair of Health and Wellness, and two staff members.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Marianne Begemann | Chair (Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources) |
| Jean Tagliamonte | Administrator |
| Lisa Brawley | Administrator (Associate Dean of the Faculty) |
| MaryJo Cavanaugh | Administrator (Director for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity) |
| Belinda Guthrie | Administrator (Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action) |
| John Collier | Committee Member |
| David Esteban | Faculty at Large |
| Matthew Schultz | Faculty at Large |
| Carlos Alamo | Senior Officer (Dean of the College) |
| Sofia Balich (2024) | Student |
| Traci Francis (2024) | Student |
| Noura Lamb (2024) | Student |
Appeal Committee *
The appeal committee considers grievances by individual faculty members in matters of promotion, tenure and reappointment and hears certain other appeals as described in the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment and the Policy on Consensual Relationships Between Faculty and Students. Only the following categories of grievances may be considered: 1. Faculty members on term appointment allege that abridgment of academic freedom, as defined in Principles Underlying Relations of Trustees, Faculty, and Students significantly contributed to a decision to terminate their appointment at its expiration; 2. Faculty members allege that a decision on their promotion, tenure or reappointment was affected significantly by failure to observe fully the process and principles prescribed by the Governance and the Faculty Handbook; 3. When the remedy or sanction following a determination of a violation of the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment could involve an adjustment to the normal procedures for a faculty review, the Appeal Committee determines what changes, if any, are necessary. The procedure for determining changes is described in the Faculty Handbook in the Policy against Discrimination and Harassment. (Amended by the faculty, May 2015) 4. A faculty member who has been a respondent in a harassment or discrimination grievance hearing appeals the determination and/or the sanction of the grievance panel, as described in the policy against discrimination and harassment. 5. A faculty member appeals a determination or disciplinary action under the Policy on Consensual Relationships Between Faculty and Students. The Faculty Handbook describes the procedures and determinations of the appeal committee for each of these cases.
The appeal committee consists of three tenured members of the faculty and two assistant professors. The term of service is two years. Two tenured members and one assistant professor retire in one year; one of each category of members retires in alternate years. No department chair or program director serves on the committee and no department is represented by more than one member. No member of FASC may be elected to serve on the appeal committee in the year immediately following their retirement from FASC. Each year the committee elects one of its tenured members as chair. If a member faces a conflict of interest in a particular issue before the appeal committee, the chair requests the committee on committees to appoint a temporary substitute.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Ming-Wen Wissmann (2024) | Chair (Tenured) |
| Osman Nemli (2025) | Assistant Professor |
| Kirsten Wesselhoeft (2024) | Assistant Professor |
| Kelli Duncan (2024) | Tenured |
| Vinay Swamy (2024) | Tenured |
Committee on Assessment *
The committee on assessment examines and evaluates the practices in place to achieve the college’s educational goals as stated in its mission statement and elsewhere. Over a ten-year period it addresses all of the “Standards for Accreditation” published by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The committee on assessment consists of three elected members of the faculty: a chair, who is tenured, and two members elected at-large. The term of service of the chair is three years; the term of service of the at-large members is two years. The dean or associate dean of the faculty and the director of institutional research serve on the committee, ex officio.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Lynn Christenson (2024) | Chair (Tenured) |
| Lisa Brawley | Administrator (Associate Dean of the Faculty) |
| Biniam Tesfamariam | Administrator (Director of Institutional Research) |
| Elizabeth Lastra (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Matthew Schultz (2024) | Faculty at Large |
B
Committee on Benefits
The committee on benefits advises the president and the trustees on policies concerning benefits the college provides to faculty and administrators. The committee consults with the faculty compensation committee on any possible changes to benefits that affect the overall compensation of the faculty, as well as with the relevant officers of the administration.
The committee on benefits consists of the vice president for technology and human resources (chair), three members of the administration appointed by the president, the budget member of FPCC, an assistant professor elected for a two year term, a senior member of the faculty who has served on the committee on planning and priorities within the past five years who is chosen by the committee on committees for a three year term, an emeritus member of the faculty chosen by the chair, and a member of the human resources staff (ex officio).
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Carlos Garcia | Chair (Senior Officer) |
| Marianne Begemann | Administrator |
| Kara Montgomery | Administrator |
| Bryan Swarthout | Administrator |
| Sonja Krekun | Administrator (Human Resources) |
| Catherine Tan (2025) | Assistant Professor |
| John Feroe | Emeritus |
| Jenny Magnes (2026) | FPCC Budget member |
| Kevin Holloway (2026) | Senior Faculty Member (Prior member of Committee on Priorities and Planning) |
C
Campus Investor Responsibility Committee
The campus investor responsibility committee recommends to the trustee investor responsibility committee votes on social action proxies being considered by shareholders of public companies represented in the college portfolio. It also studies broader investor responsibility issues and makes recommendations to the trustee committee.
The committee consists of the Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources, two alumnae/i, two students, two members elected from the faculty for two year terms, and two administrators. As one of its nine members, the Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources chairs the committee, coordinates the selection of committee members who are chosen or appointed by the relevant constituency, and serves as a non-voting member except in the case of a tie. Each constituency may also be represented by an alternate.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Marianne Begemann | Chair (Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources) |
| Gary Hohenberger | Administrator |
| Bryan Swarthout | Administrator |
| Rebecca Edwards (2024) | Faculty at Large |
| Lee Kennedy-Shaffer (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Noura Lamb (2024) | Student |
| Anisa Salahou (2024) | Student |
Committee on Campus Master Planning *
The committee formulates and revises the master plan for the development of the campus; provides a forum for the review and discussion of current issues and longer-range plans related to the maintenance and improvement of buildings and grounds; and advises the president, and through the president, the executive committee and the committee on buildings and grounds of the board of trustees, on matters of policy.
A. The committee on campus master planning includes the vice president for finance and administration (chair), the dean of planning and student and academic affairs, three faculty members elected to three year terms, one from each division, with one retiring each year, and three students. In addition, the committee includes, ex officio, the assistant vice president for facilities operations, a facilities project manager, the director of accessibility and educational opportunity, an associate dean of the faculty, the chief information officer, the associate dean of the college for living and wellness, the director of sustainability, and the faculty sustainability coordinator. (Amended November 5, 1997, February 18, 2009, May 12, 2021)
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Marianne Begemann | Chair |
| Brian Daly | Administrator (Associate Dean of the Faculty) |
| Tobias Armborst (2026) | Division 1 |
| Candice Lowe Swift (2025) | Division 2 |
| Jeffrey Walker (2024) | Division 3 |
| Charlie From (2024) | Student |
| Karolina Naidon (2024) | Student |
Classroom Committee
The Classroom Committee plans for renovations and improvement of teaching spaces and offices on campus.
It is a working group chaired by the director of academic facilities development with representatives from Buildings and Grounds Services, the Registrar’s Office, Computing and Information Services, the Dean of the Faculty office, and Purchasing.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Marianne Begemann | Chair |
| Bryan Swarthout | Committee Member |
| Bryan Corrigan | Representative (Buildings and Grounds) |
| John Collier | Representative (Computing and Information Services) |
| Nancy Myers | Representative (Computing and Information Services) |
| Steven Taylor | Representative (Computing and Information Services) |
| Brian Daly | Representative (Dean of the Faculty Office) |
| Rosaleen Cardillo | Representative (Purchasing) |
| Angela Anderson | Representative (Registrar's Office) |
College Committee on Admission and Financial Aid *
The committee on admissions and financial aid considers all topics relevant to the college’s practice, standards, and policies of admission and financial aid broadly construed. The committee (1) acts as a forum for the discussion of issues and policies related to admission and financial aid, (2) acts as a conduit for the flow of information among the faculty, the student body, and the administration concerning these issues, (3) presents for approval to the faculty changes in standards and policies regarding admission and financial aid which are relevant to educational policy. Any policy changes approved by the faculty must be submitted to the trustees for final approval.
The committee on admissions and financial aid consists of five members of the faculty, four members of the administration, and five students. Faculty members include the faculty co-chair, a tenured member of the faculty elected at large for a three-year term; three divisional representatives, one from each division, elected for two-year terms, one or two retiring each year; and the faculty athletics representative. In conformity with the rules of the National Collegiate Athletics Association, members of the department of athletics and physical education may not serve on this committee. Administrators on the committee include the dean of admission and financial aid (co-chair), director of financial aid, associate dean of the college for campus life and diversity, and dean of first-year students. The five students include at least one freshman. The vice president for communications serves ex officio.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Silke von der Emde (2026) | Co-Chair (Tenured) |
| Sonya Smith | Co-Chair of CAFA |
| Wendy Maragh Taylor | Administrator |
| David Toomer | Administrator |
| Lioba Gerhardi | Administrator (Dean of First Year Students) |
| Jacqueline Perez | Administrator (Director of Student Financial Services) |
| Justin Patch (2025) | Division 1 |
| Qi Ge (2024) | Division 2 |
| Krystle McLaughlin (2024) | Division 3 |
| Yu Zhou (2026) | Faculty at Large |
| Kelli Duncan (2025) | Faculty Athletics Rep |
| Victoria Grantham | Senior Officer (Vice President for Communications) |
| Emily Doucet (2024) | Student |
| Traci Francis (2024) | Student |
| Charlie From (2024) | Student |
| Mae Long (2024) | Student |
College Committee on Climate Action and Sustainability *
The committee acts as a forum for the discussion of administrative and educational policies that foster a sustainable interaction between human beings and the natural environment. It presents for approval to the faculty policies that are related to educational policy and is advisory to the president on administrative policies. Any policy changes approved by the faculty is submitted to the trustees for final approval.
The college committee on sustainability consists of the college sustainability coordinator (chair); two members elected from the faculty; one student; one representative from the alumnae/i; and one representative from each of the following offices: buildings and grounds, computing and information services, purchasing, development, and dining services.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Marianne Begemann | Chair (Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources) |
| Laura Haynes (2025) | Faculty |
| Kirsten Menking (2024) | Faculty at Large |
| Jeffrey Seidman | Faculty Sustainability Coordinator |
| Elizabeth Bradley | President |
| Bryan Swarthout | Senior Officer (Vice President of Finance and Administration) |
| Karolina Naidon (2024) | Student |
| Demetri Sedita (2024) | Student |
Committee on College Life *
The committee on college life reviews academic and residential policies as they affect students and recommends to the president revisions of college regulations. The committee is empowered to set regulations for the college community to ensure compliance with existing local, state and federal laws. The committee serves as the liaison, through the dean of the college and the president, between students and the trustees.
The Committee on College Life consists of the Dean of the College (chair), three administrators chosen by the Dean of the College, two members of the faculty elected for staggered two year terms, one house fellow, four students elected to represent each of the four classes, a member of the executive board of the VSA, and a student member chosen at large.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Carlos Alamo | Chair (Dean of the College) |
| Belinda Guthrie | Administrator |
| Richard Horowitz | Administrator |
| Luis Inoa | Administrator |
| Kaitlin Leach | Administrator |
| Dennis Macheska | Administrator |
| Wendy Maragh Taylor | Administrator |
| Michelle Walsh | Administrator |
| Lioba Gerhardi (2024) | Faculty at Large |
| Jennifer Herrera (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Leslie Partida (2024) | Student (Junior) |
| Stef Bayoumi (2024) | Student (Senior) |
| Mila Seifert (2024) | Student (Sophomore) |
| Connor Dalgaard (2024) | Student (VSA Executive Board) |
College Regulations Panel
Committee on Committees *
After the results of elections to committees have been announced, the committee on committees chooses faculty members for vacancies on other committees including the following standing committees: climate action and sustainability committee, campus responsibility committee, college regulations committee, academic panel, committee on college life, and committee on housing. When elections fail to fill positions on elective college committees, the committee on committees fills those positions until the next election can lead to an elected representative on the committee. It selects faculty representatives on ad hoc committees when so authorized by the faculty. It also appoints the college marshal for a five-year term.
The committee on committees consists of four members of the faculty, two of them tenured, elected for two years with two retiring each year. The committee elects a tenured member to be chair and a second member to be the elections officer who conducts the balloting for standing elective committees.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Vinay Swamy (2025) | Chair (Tenured) |
| Richard Born (2024) | Elections Officer |
| Lisa Lowrance (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Osman Nemli (2024) | Faculty at Large |
Community Works Committee
Community Works is Vassar’s annual giving campaign for local non-profit organizations. Funded by donations from employees, trustees, and students, Community Works has provided over $1 million in grants to over 50 different groups since its inception in 2001. Recipients are selected each year by an employee committee based upon nominations from members of the college community.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| John Bradley | Committee Member |
| Mary Ann Cunningham | Committee Member |
| Doreen Hammell-Backer | Committee Member |
| Matthew Righter | Committee Member |
| Nicole Scalessa | Committee Member |
| Laura Streett | Committee Member |
| Tracy Wright-Mauer | Committee Member |
Committee on Curricular Policies *
The committee on curricular policies (CCP) considers all policies and practices of the college related to the curriculum. CCP recommends changes in general curricular policy to the faculty. CCP considers proposed changes in department and program course offerings before presenting them to the faculty for approval.
Membership: The committee on curricular policies consists of: the dean of the faculty (chair); four members of the faculty, one from and representing each division and one multidisciplinary program director (currently serving, or having served within the past six years), elected for two years with staggered terms so that two retire each year; two students from the student curriculum committee with majors in a department and a multidisciplinary program, one of whom is ordinarily the Academic Executive of the Vassar Student Association (VSA); and, as non-voting members, the dean of studies and the registrar. No two divisional or multidisciplinary elected faculty members come from the same department or program. If faculty members resign from membership on the committee during their term, the Committee on Committees appoints a replacement representing the same division or, if the resigning member was the multidisciplinary program director member, another multidisciplinary program director representative. Faculty and student representatives to the committee consult on curricular initiatives with the constituencies they represent.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| William Hoynes | Chair (Dean of the Faculty) |
| Thomas Porcello | Administrator (Dean of Studies) |
| Angela Anderson | Administrator (Registrar) |
| Elliott Schreiber (2024) | Division 1 |
| Nancy Bisaha (2024) | Division 2 |
| Leroy Cooper (2025) | Division 3 |
| Michael Walsh (2025) | Multidisciplinary |
| Kathleen Giblin | Representative (Registrar's Office) |
| Andrew Amirsakis (2024) | Student |
| Jordan Norman (2024) | Student |
F
Faculty Appointments and Salary Committee *
The faculty appointment and salary committee (FASC) advises the president and the dean of the faculty in accordance with the provisions of the Governance, (See The Educational Organization of the College: with listing of appropriate sections). FASC participates in appointments, reappointments, promotions, granting tenure, and reviewing dismissals. Only the three full professors act in cases of promotion from associate to full professor, and in granting tenure to persons hired at the rank of full professor. FASC reviews cases of extension of initial professor contracts and reappointments of two-year instructors when there is a negative recommendation from either the department or the dean. FASC conducts its reviews independently, and then submits a recommendation to the dean of the faculty. Both FASC and the dean make a joint recommendation to the president. After all relevant substantive evidence, including external evaluations, has been considered, the president, the dean of the faculty, and FASC may meet with departments or programs if they require additional information or if their preliminary discussions indicate the likelihood of a decision contrary to the department’s or program’s recommendation. The Faculty Handbook describes the procedures for all appointments and reviews. Faculty members are free to consult informally with any member of FASC. FASC, however, is precluded from responding to faculty members under review once their materials have been submitted for review, except under circumstances specified by the Faculty Handbook. Working with FPCC, FASC annually assesses the performance of the president and their administration in a report to the personnel committee of the board of trustees.
Membership: The faculty appointment and salary committee consists of three tenured professors, elected for three years, and two tenured associate professors elected for two years, one member at each rank retiring each year. The chair is the professor with the longest service on the committee. No department may be represented by more than one committee member. Continuity of service on this committee is essential, so individuals accepting nomination to the committee should plan to serve a full term.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Jennifer Kennell (2024) | Associate Professor |
| Christopher Raymond (2025) | Associate Professor |
| Zachary Donhauser (2025) | Full Professor |
| Leslie Dunn (2024) | Full Professor |
| Katherine Hite (2026) | Full Professor |
Faculty Athletics Representative
The Faculty Athletic Representative, currently a member of the faculty appointed by the Dean of the Faculty, is now an elected faculty position due to recently passed faculty legislation. The term of office is 3 years. The NCAA handbook states that the local duties of faculty athletics representatives vary from institution, but in every case the faculty athletics representative is or should be involved in the assurance of the academic integrity of the athletics program and in the maintenance of the welfare of the student-athlete. The Representative is a member of the newly created Faculty Athletic Advisory Committee, which also includes a member of FASC and a member of FPCC.
The Representative must hold the rank of Professor and cannot be a member of the Department of Athletics and Physical Education.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Kelli Duncan (2025) | Full Professor |
Faculty Compensation Committee *
The faculty compensation committee advises the president on the aggregate amount that is annually allotted to faculty compensation and, in cooperation with the faculty policy and conference committee and the committee on benefits, on the nature and magnitude of faculty insurance, pension and other benefits. The committee has the right to report to and confer with the appropriate trustee committee in the event that the faculty compensation committee’s recommendation differs from that of the president.
The faculty compensation committee recommends general guidelines to the president, dean of the faculty, and faculty appointment and salary committee for the distribution of salary among ranks. The committee reports to the faculty after the conclusion of the allocation of faculty compensation.
The faculty compensation committee consists of the three professors of the faculty appointment and salary committee and the chair and budget member of the faculty policy and conference committee. The chair of FASC serves as the chair of the faculty compensation committee.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Zachary Donhauser (2025) | FASC Professor |
| Leslie Dunn (2024) | FASC Professor |
| Natalie Frank (2025) | FPCC Chair |
Committee on Faculty Housing
The committee on housing supports the residential nature of the campus through the administration of housing policy related to Vassar’s rental and leasehold properties. The committee on housing is responsible for considering general questions of housing policy and for the application of established policy to particular cases. The committee also serves as the body to which administrative rulings concerning housing may be appealed. The enforcement of all provisions and regulations described in the Faculty Handbook is the responsibility of the dean of strategic planning and academic resources in consultation with the committee on housing.
The committee on housing consists of three members of the faculty, elected by the faculty for a term of three years, one member rotating off each year, two of whom are tenured and one untenured.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Dianne Pater (2026) | Non-tenured |
| J. Mark Cleaveland (2024) | Tenured |
| Susan Zlotnick (2025) | Tenured |
Faculty Policy and Conference Committee *
The faculty policy and conference committee represents the faculty in relations with the trustees concerning substantial changes in educational policy and in terms and provisions of employment of the faculty an in matters of faculty housing policy. FPCC confers with the trustees and administration on behalf of the faculty in establishing priorities for the allocation of the college’s resources. It evaluates the incorporation of these priorities in the operating and capital budgets as prepared by the administration and approved by the trustees. FPCC considers revisions to the Faculty Handbook and to the following sections of the Governance: Relations of Trustees and Faculty, The Educational Organization of the College, and By-laws of the Faculty. FPCC discusses matters of concern referred to the committee by faculty or administration; it may also initiate studies of its own. It may seek advice from, or refer specific matters to, other faculty committees. FPCC serves as the faculty’s committee on conference with the trustees with the exception of conferences reserved to the faculty appointment and salary committee and the faculty compensation committee. Working with the faculty appointment and salary committee, FPCC annually assesses the performance of the president and their administration in a written report to the personnel committee of the board of trustees and discusses the report in a meeting with that committee. FPCC serves as the faculty’s committee on conference with the students.
The faculty policy and conference committee consists of three elected faculty members, one from each professorial rank (the professor is the chair); one elected budget member from the tenured ranks; the second-year full professor on the faculty appointment and salary committee; and a member from the committee on curricular policies, selected annually by the faculty members of that committee. The full and associate professors as well as the budget member serve 3-year terms and the assistant professor serves a two-year term. Upon promotion of an assistant or associate professor member, the promoted member serves on the committee until a replacement is elected.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Natalie Frank (2025) | Chair (Professor) |
| Alberto Gelmi (2024) | Assistant Professor |
| Dara Greenwood (2024) | Associate Professor |
| Jenny Magnes (2026) | Budget Member |
| Nancy Bisaha (2024) | CCP Delegate |
| Zachary Donhauser (2024) | FASC Full Professor (Second Year) |
Committee on Fellowships *
The committee on fellowships awards the income of college fellowships, except those for which a special procedure has been prescribed. The committee on fellowships reviews and makes decisions on applications for nationally competitive awards requiring institutional nomination or endorsement.
The committee on fellowships consists of the dean of studies (chair) and seven members of the faculty elected for two years, at least two from each division, three members retiring each year. No department is represented by more than one faculty member. Ad hoc committees review applications for particular fellowships in order to reduce the workload of the fellowship committee.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Thomas Porcello | Chair (Dean of Studies) |
| Anne Brancky (2024) | Division 1 |
| Amanda Culp (2025) | Division 1 |
| Erica Stein (2025) | Division 1 |
| Osman Nemli (2024) | Division 2 |
| Michael Walsh (2025) | Division 2 |
| Juan Merlo (2025) | Division 3 |
| Dianne Pater (2025) | Division 3 |
| Allison Puglisi (2025) | Faculty at Large |
G
Good Neighbors Partnerships
Provides grants to Vassar College students, student groups, staff and faculty who work in partnership with local community organizations/individuals from Arlington and Poughkeepsie to support innovative ideas in the areas of: food systems, the environment, urban gardening, education, mental and physical health, housing, community organizing initiatives, and the arts. Past grants have supported the renovation of youth playgrounds, establishment of gardens at community centers, establishment of tutoring programs, establishment of organizations to support families in foreclosure, local basketball programs for area youth, trips for youth to experience the arts, and murals at local schools.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Samuel Speers | Chair |
| John Bradley | Committee Member |
| Elizabeth Cannon | Committee Member |
| Jaime Del Razo | Committee Member |
| Anne Sampugnaro | Committee Member |
| Kathleen Susman | Committee Member |
H
Committee on House Fellows
The committee shall serve as the faculty's consultant to the board of house presidents of the VSA.
The committee of house fellows shall consist of all the house fellows, one of whom it shall elect as chair.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Lori Newman | Co-Chair |
| Kimberly Williams Brown | Co-Chair |
| Leroy Cooper | House Fellow |
| Jaime Del Razo | House Fellow |
| David Esteban | House Fellow |
| Kenisha Kelly | House Fellow |
| Molly McGlennen | House Fellow |
| Taneisha Means | House Fellow |
| Hiram Perez | House Fellow |
| Rebecca Pollet | House Fellow |
| Claire Sagan | House Fellow |
I
Committee on Inclusion and Equity
The Committee on Inclusion and Equity (CIE) is a presidential advisory committee. The committee works with the President each year to identify college practices and issues that would benefit from a clearer articulation of the institution’s stance pertaining to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The committee researches high-priority campus concerns. It develops pertinent guidelines that are reviewed by the President and the shared governance structures of the College, before being proposed for adoption as official statements or policy.
The Committee on Inclusion and Equity includes students, administrators, and faculty, some of whom are appointed by the President, and some of whom are elected. The appointed members include two faculty co-chairs and administrators from various campus offices. The elected members include two student representatives, one untenured faculty member, and two faculty members of any rank. The term of service for student representatives is one year and the term of service for elected faculty is two years.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Jeffrey Schneider | Chair |
| Carlos Alamo | Administrator |
| Wesley Dixon | Administrator |
| Carlos Garcia | Administrator |
| Belinda Guthrie | Administrator |
| Wendy Maragh Taylor | Administrator |
| Daria Robbins | Administrator |
| Biniam Tesfamariam | Administrator |
| Jennifer Herrera (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Payton Small (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Louis Romer (2024) | Non-tenured |
| Traci Francis (2024) | Student |
| Mae Long (2024) | Student |
| Darianna Marquez (2024) | Student |
Institute for the Liberal Arts Committee
The committee consists of the Faculty Director of the Institute for the Liberal Arts (Chair); the Program Director for the Institute for the Liberal Arts; the Associate Dean of the College for Campus Activities; the Faculty Director of Research Development; two faculty, elected from different divisions to two year terms and not to include the division represented by the Faculty Director of Research Development; one non-tenured member of the faculty elected to a two-year term; one administrator appointed by the Dean of Faculty, and two students.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| William Hoynes | Chair (Faculty Director) |
| Thomas Pacio | Administrator |
| Dennis Macheska | Administrator (Associate Dean for Campus Activities) |
| Christopher Raymond (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Susan Hiner | Faculty Director of Research Development |
| Katie Gemmill (2024) | Non-tenured |
| Wesley Dixon | Program Director |
| Stef Bayoumi (2024) | Student |
| Mila Seifert (2024) | Student |
L
Committee on Leaves and Privileges
All requests for academic leaves of absence, special privilege with respect to curricular requirements, acceleration etc. should be directed to the faculty Committee on Leaves and Privileges through the office of the dean of studies. All requests for privilege must be reviewed by the adviser. Requests for academic leaves and for acceleration must be accompanied by proposed academic programs reviewed and evaluated by the adviser.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Thomas Porcello | Chair |
| Michael Aronna | Associate Professor |
| Christine Howlett | Associate Professor |
| Christopher Smart | Associate Professor |
| Pinar Batur | Full Professor |
Library Committee *
The library committee collaborates with the Director of the Library on library policies, initiatives and new directions that affect the library’s central role in the educational mission of the College. Its agenda reflects the curricular interests of the faculty and the interests of the community as a whole as they relate to the resources and services of the library. As educational technology issues arise, the library committee consults with the committee on academic technologies. The library committee reports annually to the faculty on its activities and brings all issues that may significantly affect the library’s role as an educational unit of the College to the faculty for discussion.
The library committee consists of the Director of the Library (co-chair); a faculty cochair, who is tenured and elected at large for a three-year term; the dean or associate dean of the faculty; the dean or associate dean of strategic planning and academic resources; one librarian; four faculty members, no more than two from any division, elected for two years, two retiring each year, and two students. No department is represented by more than one faculty member.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Andrew Ashton | Co-Chair |
| Yvonne Elet (2026) | Co-Chair (Tenured) |
| Brian Daly (2025) | Administrator (Associate Dean of the Faculty) |
| Peipei Qiu (2024) | Division 1 |
| Osman Nemli (2025) | Division 2 |
| Jonathan Gordon (2025) | Division 3 |
| Ashanti Shih (2025) | Faculty at Large |
| Marianne Begemann | Senior Officer (Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources) |
| Jordan Norman (2024) | Student |
N
New Student Orientation Committee
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Lioba Gerhardi | Administrator (Dean of First Year Students) |
| Candice Lowe Swift | Committee Member |
| Wendy Maragh Taylor | Committee Member |
P
Pre-Health Advisory Committee
The Pre-Medical Advisory Committee is comprised of faculty members from the sciences. Additionally we have a Public Health liaison. Members of the committee work with students exploring health professions. Support is available to all Vassar students and graduates. The committee works together to draft, review and finalize all composite letters of recommendation.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Zachary Donhauser | Committee Member |
| David Esteban | Committee Member |
| Jennifer Herrera | Committee Member |
| Jennifer Kennell | Committee Member |
| David Rishell | Committee Member |
| Joseph Tanski | Committee Member |
| Justin Touchon | Committee Member |
| Sue Trumbetta | Committee Member |
| Ming-Wen Wissmann | Committee Member |
Committee on Priorities and Planning *
The committee on priorities and planning is advisory to the president on issues relating to annual budget planning and the long-term allocation of resources at the college. Members of the committee are mindful of the overall mission of the college in their consideration of student charges, financial aid policies, compensation, endowment use, non-compensation operating expenditures, maintenance of the facilities, as well as other expenditures and sources of revenue.
Membership is at the discretion of the President, but may generally be composed of the following members: the president, the dean of the faculty, dean of strategic planning and academic resources, dean of the college, and dean of admissions and financial aid; the vice president for finance and administration; the chair and second year full professor of the faculty appointment and salary committee; the chair and the budget member of the faculty policy and conference committee; and two students appointed by the VSA, normally including the VSA president. Faculty representation from additional standing committees depends on the focus of the work of P&P in a given year. Examples include but are not limited to the faculty co-chair of the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid, the chair of the Assessment Committee, and a faculty member of the Campus Master Planning Committee.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bradley | Chair (President) |
| Robert Brigham (2024) | Co-Chair of CAFA |
| Wesley Dixon | Administrator |
| Sonya Smith | Administrator (Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services) |
| Zachary Donhauser (2024) | FASC Full Professor (Second Year) |
| Jenny Magnes (2026) | FPCC Budget member |
| Natalie Frank (2025) | FPCC Chair |
| Leeann Wells | Librarian |
| Marianne Begemann | Senior Officer (Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources) |
| Carlos Alamo | Senior Officer (Dean of the College) |
| William Hoynes | Senior Officer (Dean of the Faculty) |
| Tim Kane | Senior Officer (Vice President for Alumnae/i Affairs and Development) |
| Victoria Grantham | Senior Officer (Vice President for Communications) |
| Bryan Swarthout | Senior Officer (Vice President of Finance and Administration) |
| Emily Doucet (2024) | Student |
| Olivia Gross (2024) | Student |
R
Committee on Research *
The committee on research considers policies related to faculty research. It advises the president, the dean of the faculty, and the faculty on applications for designated college research funds.
The committee on research consists of five faculty members. The chair is a tenured member of the faculty elected for three years. Three other tenured members of the faculty are elected for two years, one from each of the divisions. The fifth member of the committee is elected at large for two years from the non-tenured (tenure-track, lecturers, or visiting) teaching faculty with academic suffrage. Two of the four members on two-year terms retire each year.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Eve Dunbar (2025) | Chair (Tenured) |
| Lisa Collins (2025) | Division 1 |
| Sumita Choudhury (2024) | Division 2 |
| Leah Bendavid (2025) | Division 3 |
| Tahirih Motazedian (2024) | Non-tenured |
Review Committee *
In the case of a recommendation to dismiss afaculty member for cause, the faculty member may request that a review committee be constituted. The review committee reviews the case and makes an independent recommendation to the president, the dean of the faculty, and the faculty appointment and salary committee as provided in The Educational Organization of the College. The appeal committee may also request a review committee be constituted if non-tenured faculty members allege that an abridgment of academic freedom significantly contributed to a decision to terminate their appointment at its expiration, as provided in The Educational Organization of the College. In such cases, the burden of proof rest with the faculty members for establishing the grounds upon which the allegations are based.
A separate review committee is constituted for each case. The committee on committees appoints the membership of the review committee, which consists of three tenured professors. The committee elects a chair from its membership.
S
Committee on Student Records
The committee on student records considers student academic records and makes final decisions on awarding of degrees with departmental honors. It recommends to the faculty the standards for continuance in the college and considers and acts upon the academic records of students whose standing is less than satisfactory.
The committee on student records shall consist of: the dean of studies (chair), the dean of first year students (a voting member only when freshman are under consideration), four members of the faculty appointed by the chair for two years, two retiring each year, and as non-voting member, the registrar. No department may be represented by more than one member.
| Members: | Membership Type: |
|---|---|
| Thomas Porcello | Chair (Dean of Studies) |
| Angela Anderson | Administrator (Registrar) |
| Peter Antelyes | Faculty at Large |
| Kariane Calta | Faculty at Large |
| Hiromi Dollase | Faculty at Large |
| Michaela Pohl | Faculty at Large |