University Committees: Speakers and Lectures Committee

Speakers and Lectures

Appointment Letter


July 1, 2025

MEMORANDUM
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TO:  2025-26 Speakers and Lectures Committee

FROM:  Kevin Howell, Chancellor

SUBJECT:  Appointment to University Standing Committee on Speakers and Lectures

You have been recommended by the Committee on Committees to serve as a member of the University Standing Committee on Speakers and Lectures.  Your willingness to accept this responsibility is very much appreciated.

The objectives of this committee are:

  1. Support and Empower Campus Units – Facilitate a grant process that funds campus groups and units to support their efforts in hosting high-quality speakers, consistent with the university’s mission and the Harrelson Fund’s vision.
  2. Encourage Collaboration and Strategic Planning – Promote collaborative proposals across colleges, departments, and student organizations to maximize speaker engagement and minimize scheduling conflicts or event overlap.
  3. Honor Harrelson Fund Intentions – Uphold the legacy and expectations of the Harrelson Fund by ensuring funded programs reflect the Fund’s commitment to bringing speakers of significance in scholarship and public life.
  4. Ensure Transparency and Recognition – All co-sponsoring groups and funding sources must be appropriately acknowledged in promotional materials and public communications.
  5. Manage Proposal Review Process – Design and implement a transparent, equitable process for reviewing funding applications, including criteria development, outreach, and selection procedures.
  6. Advise the Provost – Provide an annual report and recommendations to the Provost regarding the impact of the funded initiatives and opportunities to enhance speaker engagement across campus.
  7. Engage Stakeholders—Regularly consult with representatives from the Faculty Senate, student government, and relevant administrative offices to ensure the speaker and lecture landscape remains accessible, innovative, and aligned with institutional goals.

Please visit the url https://committees.provost.ncsu.edu/speakers-and-lectures to download the committee membership roster.

The committee is reminded of the importance of complying with General Faculty Bylaws, Article VII, Section 4, which requires that “All University standing and ad hoc committees shall forward reports simultaneously to the Faculty Senate and the appropriate administrator. Any action of the Faculty Senate in response to the report will be forwarded to the administrator.” The reports are to be accessible from the committee’s University Standing Committee website no later than May 30, 2025. This provision enables the Faculty Senate to review and comment on the recommendations of your committee in a timely fashion. It has generally been understood to include any formal committee minutes where these are regularly posted on the committee’s website and formal recommendations that are submitted for administrative review and approval.

Your service as an active committee member is appreciated. Each committee member is normally appointed to a three-year term, which is subject to periodic and annual review. By choosing to serve on the committee you are expected to actively participate and attend all scheduled meetings. Should you not be able to participate on a regular basis, please notify the committee chair as soon as possible.

The committee must comply with NC State’s Open Meetings Regulation 04.00.03. Committee chairs are to use the committee’s web page provided at https://committees.provost.ncsu.edu/university-standing-committees/. Please contact Sunanda Dillon for assistance in using the website and other administrative needs to support the committee’s work.

You do not have to take any action to accept this appointment. The committee chair will be in touch with you soon regarding plans for the coming year.

Again, thank you for your willingness to serve on this committee.