Charter of the Utah Teaching and Learning Group (UTLG)

Draft Revised: Mar 15, 2018

I. Role of the Utah Teaching and Learning Group

The Utah Teaching and Learning Group (UTLG) is a collaboration of leaders from the USHE institutions’ various centers for teaching and learning (CTLs) and other related organizations with different titles focused on improving the teaching and learning at USHE institutions. It’s purposes and roles include the following: 

  • Share ideas, learning, and resources for faculty development initiatives and efforts to improve teaching and learning on USHE campuses.
  • Act as an advisory committee to the USHE General Education Task Force and CAOs.
  • Help coordinate efforts involving faculty collaboration related to improving learning across institutions.
  • Collaborate to achieve economies of scale for shared software applications, content, and other resources.
  • Report on UTLG efforts and findings to each respective institution’s Chief Academic Officers.
  • Share best practices in CTL organizational structures and advancement.
  • Collaborate on conferences or meetings to improve teaching and learning at USHE institutions.  
  • Collaborate with other offices, committees, etc., such as assessment, academic technology, student success, curriculum, etc.

II. Membership of UTLG

On or before September 1st of each biennium, the UTLG Chair will send a memorandum to each institution’s chief academic officer, requesting that he or she appoint UTLG members for two-year terms. Of those appointed, one member should be identified as the voting representative.

The UTLG shall consist of:

  • A voting representative from each institution, ideally of director level or higher, having broad responsibility for faculty-development and teaching-and-learning-improvement initiatives within his or her respective institution.
  • A voting representative from the USHE General Education Task Force.
  • Non-voting persons from the various institutions whose roles and expertise are deemed relevant to activities of the working group, as appointed by the institution’s CTL leadership.
  • A non-voting advisory representative from the Utah Education and Telehealth Network.

Representatives shall make efforts to participate in meetings, either on-site or via alternative methods. Representatives may designate a proxy to ensure the achievement of a quorum and to ensure voting representation for the institution represented.

III. Terms of UTLG Members

A member’s term of service is at the discretion of the respective appointing CAO. The UTLG Chair shall request a renewal from each of the respective CAO every two years.

Terms of service for representatives from the General Education Taskforce and UETN is at the discretion of the their respective leadership. The UTLG Chair will request membership renewal every two years from these organizations. 

IV. UTLG Chair

The UTLG shall elect a Chairperson for two years. The Chair’s term shall run from September 1 through August 30.

  1. Chair Election:

Before August 30 of the second year the chair has served, the Group will receive notice from the current Chair concerning Group membership for the following term. At the final meeting of the year, a Chair will be elected by vote of the continuing Group members.

  1. Responsibilities of officers:

The Chairperson shall

  • Set agendas and lead all meetings of the Group
  • Ensure that the Group functions smoothly and meets obligations, as outlined in the 
bylaws
  • Report UTLG actions and recommendations to the USHE CAOs and General Education Taskforce.
  • Represent the Group where appropriate
  • Establish a schedule of regular meetings and call special meetings with at least seven 
business days’ notice to Group members

VI. Responsibilities of UTLG

The responsibilities of the Group are to review and provide recommendations to the USHE CAOs and General Education Taskforce on issues pertaining to faculty development and the improvement of teaching and learning. In so doing, the Group helps create, validate, and prioritize agendas intended to lead to timely and appropriate collaborative action. Deliverables may include:

  • Project proposals and proposed solutions to operational issues that may be brought to the Council by any voting or non-voting member, or by the USHE leadership
  • Appropriate criteria for selecting and evaluating the feasibility and value of initiatives
  • Appropriate benchmarks and ongoing metrics to measure the effectiveness of collaborative purchases and initiatives.
  • Creation and oversight of sub-committees and workgroups to further the work of the UTLG.
  • The addition, removal, or modification of UTLG bylaws, as deemed necessary by the group.

VII. Committees & Task Forces

A. Working Committees:

  • Service in a working committee can be fulfilled by voting, non-voting, and ex-officio members of the Group, or other persons deemed appropriate by the Group
  • Only voting members of the Group can serve as chairs of standing committees.
  • There are no limits on consecutive terms for working committees.
  • There will be a minimum of three members for each standing committee
  • The maximum number of members is determined for each standing committee
  • UTLG members, by majority vote, may create or disband standing committees concerned with activities consistent with the purpose of the UTLG.

B. Task Forces

  • The UTLG or a working committee may, from time to time, form task forces focused on specific needs.
  • Task force participation can include anyone deemed necessary by the Group or committee commissioning the task force
  • Task forces will have clearly defined scopes, tasks, timelines and deliverables. A task force is dissolved upon acceptance of the deliverables by the commissioning body.

VIII. Council Meetings

  • The UTLG shall meet face-to-face at least twice annually. Remote participation is acceptable when available.
  • A quorum for Group action shall consist 5 actual voting members and/or designated proxy members. A quorum is necessary to hold regular and/or called meetings. 
  • Group agendas should generally consist of the following types of items: Reports, Discussion, Action.
  • Group action requires a majority of those attending any meeting at which a quorum is present.
  • Group action results will be summarized and reported to the USHE General Education Taskforce and institutional CAOs by the Group Chair

IX. Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3rd vote of the voting members of UTLG at any regular or called meeting at which a quorum is present. UTLG members must be given notice of proposed amendments at least two weeks before the meeting at which they are considered.

Membership

  • Bridgerland Technical College
    • Mason Lefler
  • Dixie State University
    • Bruce Harris
  • Salt Lake Community College
    • David Rodriguez
    • Kristin Morley
  • Snow College
    • Justin Thorpe 
  • Southern Utah University
    • Matthew Weeg
  • University of Utah
    • Patrick Tripeny
  • Utah State University
    • Travis Thurston
    • John Louviere
    • Neal Legler
  • Utah System of Higher Education
    • Ann Darling
    • Greg Benson
  • Utah Valley University
    • Aicha Rochdi
    • Trevor Morris
    • Ursula Sorenson
  • Weber State University
    • Colleen Packer