The Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC)
In May 1969, a Special Committee on the Structure of the
University, chaired by Professor Stanley Kelley, Jr.,
proposed the establishment of a Council of the Princeton
University Community as "a permanent conference of the
representatives of all major groups of the University" where
"they could each raise problems that concern them and... be
exposed to each other's views." The Council first met on
October 27, 1969. Typically, it meets once a month, October
through May (but not December), with special meetings as
needed. Copies of the CPUC Charter are available in the
office of the Council Secretary, 1 Nassau Hall.
Powers
The Council is primarily a deliberative and consultative
body, with authority to:
1. Consider and investigate any question of University
policy, any aspect of the governing of the University, and
any general issue related to the welfare of the University;
and to make recommendations regarding any such matters to
the appropriate decision-making bodies of the University or
to the appropriate officers of the University.
2. Make rules regarding the conduct of resident members
of the University community, which rules shall be binding on
them; but the Council may delegate authority to make rules,
and, with respect to matters mainly of concern to a
particular group within the University community, the
authority to make rules shall normally be delegated to a
body representing that group or shall be exercised in a
manner otherwise acceptable to the members of that
group.
3. Oversee the making and the applying of rules regarding
the conduct of resident members of the University community,
whether such rules shall have been made by other bodies, by
the Council itself, or by officers of the University, for
the purpose of ensuring that such rules protect the rights
of individuals and the legitimate interests of the
University, and that they are clear in meaning, fair,
enforceable, and in conformity with the law. The Council
normally would not consider matters primarily academic in
nature.
Membership
Following a series of Charter amendments in the fall of
1975, membership of the CPUC was set at 50, as follows:
1. Administration. (6) The President, the Provost,
and four appointed each year by the President from among the
Financial Vice President, the Secretary of the University,
the Dean of the Faculty, the Dean of the Graduate School,
the Dean of the College, and the Vice President for Campus
Life.
2. Faculty. (15) At least two from each division
and four nontenured.
3. Undergraduates. (12) Including the President
and Vice President of the Undergraduate Student Government
and 10 undergraduates elected at large from the student body
in April.
4. Graduate Students. (7) At least one from each
division.
5. Alumni. (4) Chosen by the Alumni Council.
6. Staff. (6) One each from the Professional
Library Staff, the Administrative Staff Council, the
Professional Research Staff, the Professional Technical
Staff, and the Office Staff, and one staff member from none
of the preceding groups.
Committees
Much of the work of the Council is conducted through its
standing committees or through such special committees as
have been established from time to time. The standing
committees of the CPUC are:
1. The Executive Committee. The President of the
University is the presiding officer of the Council and of
the Executive Committee. The committee has fourteen members,
including, in addition to the President, six faculty members
(at least one from each division and one nontenured), three
undergraduates (including the Chair of the Undergraduate
Student Government), two graduate students, and two members
selected by the Council from among the staff and alumni
representatives. The Executive Committee sets the Council's
agenda, recommends the appointment of members of Council
committees, may consider any matter within the jurisdiction
of the Council, and serves as an informal advisory body to
the President.
2. The Committee on Rights and Rules. The
Committee on Rights and Rules shall, on behalf of the
Council, consider and investigate the adequacy of all rules
regarding the conduct of resident members of the University
community, and the adequacy of the procedures for making and
applying such rules.
3. The Committee on Governance. The Committee on
Governance shall, on behalf of the Council, consider and
investigate questions relating to the governing of the
University. It also shall consult with the Executive
Committee of the Board of Trustees regarding the filling of
vacancies among the Charter and Term Trustees, and shall
meet with the Committee on Honorary Degrees of the Board of
Trustees to consult with it concerning the awarding of
honorary degrees.
4. The Committee on Priorities. The Committee on
Priorities, which is advisory to the President, reviews the
budget of the University, considers issues that arise in the
course of the preparation of the budget, and reviews plans
for the development of the University. The Provost chairs
the committee, which also includes the Dean of the Faculty,
the Financial Vice President, the Treasurer, six faculty
members (at least one from each division and one
nontenured), four undergraduates and two graduate students
(chosen with due consideration to the variety of interests
represented in the student body), and one member from one of
the other groups represented on the Council.
5. The Committee on Resources. The Committee on
Resources shall, on behalf of the Council, consider
questions of general policy concerning the procurement and
management of the University's financial resources. This
committee concerns itself primarily with the University's
responsibilities as a stockholder, and typically considers a
number of proxy questions each year.
6. The Judicial Committee. The Judicial Committee
shall hear and decide, in the first instance or on referral
by another judicial body of the University, cases that
involve alleged violations of those established rules and
regulations of conduct which apply, in at least
substantially the same form, to all resident members of the
University community, and whose violation constitutes a
serious infringement of the recognized rights of members of
the University community, a serious offense against the
University's mission, a threat to the ability of the
University to carry on its essential operations, or a
substantial impairment of the common and legitimate
interests of the University community. The Judicial
Committee also may decide to hear appeals from persons found
guilty of violating established rules and regulations, when
it has been alleged by such persons that the proceedings
against them have not been fair and reasonable.
Appointment to the Judicial Committee is contingent on
the appointee's recognition of the committee's judicial role
and a commitment on his or her part to apply established
rules and regulations impartially to the facts of individual
cases. Individuals with responsibilities for enforcing rules
of conduct or for keeping order on campus, as well as
holders of and candidates for certain offices, are excluded
from membership. The committee consists of three faculty
members, two undergraduates, one graduate student, one
member from one of the other groups represented on the
Council, and a chair, appointed by the president, who votes
only in case of a tie. In its report proposing the
establishment of the CPUC, the Kelley Committee expressed
its hope that the Judicial Committee would ensure that
members of the University community, if they stand accused
of the same offense and if it is a serious one, will have
their cases decided in accordance with the same
interpretation of the rules involved. The procedures of the
Judicial Committee are detailed below.
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