Council Structure, Expectations, and Members

Council membership is open to Grand Valley students, staff, and faculty committed to and engaged with issues and matters related or important to Native Americans. The council consists of Native American community members with university representation from the following areas: Division of Inclusion and Equity (convener), Office of the Provost, Enrollment Development Division, Division of Student Services, Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Native American Student Association. Members are invited to participate by the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity. Terms are three years and are renewable for up to two consecutive terms. Meetings are held at least 9 times per year. Council Minutes.

Structure and Membership

  1. Members are invited by the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity.
  2. At least two-thirds of members should self-identify as Native American. Ex-officio administrative members are non-voting and, therefore, not included in this count.
  3. At least one-third of members should be community representatives. Ex-officio administrative members are non-voting and, therefore, not included in this count.
  4. Members should include:
    1. At least one representative from the Native American Students Association
    2. Representatives from faculty, staff, students, and community members appointed by the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity with nominations by the current council
  5. Ex-Officio (non-voting) members include:
    1. Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs or designee (ex-officio)
    2. Vice President for Enrollment Development or designee (ex-officio)
    3. Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students or designee (ex-officio)
    4. Representative from the Office of Multicultural Affairs (ex-officio)
  6. Members serve a 3-year renewable term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
  7. The Vice President for Inclusion and Equity or designee convenes the council. The Vice President for Inclusion and Equity is a voting member and included in the full membership counts.
  8. In consultation with all member of the council, meeting agendas are developed by the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, or designee(s). Any member of the council may propose items for discussion or information.
  9. Council meets at least 9 times annually.
  10. Format of meetings will be discussion and advise; individual members may provide item recommendations as needed.
  11. Sub-committees may be created as needed.

Member Expectations and Responsibilities

  1. Advise the Division of Inclusion and Equity and the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, or designee(s), related to support for Native American students, staff, and faculty.
  2. Advise the Division of Inclusion and Equity and the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, or designee(s), related to Native American-focused programming and education (training, curriculum, etc.)
  3. Foster an environment of trust and engagement between the University, through the Division of Inclusion and Equity and the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, or designee(s), and the Native American communities, both on- and off-campus.
  4. Facilitate open communication between Native American communities and the University through the Division of Inclusion and Equity and the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, or designee(s).
  5. Support messaging and communication of Grand Valley State University efforts to advance Native American inclusion and equity to the broader community.
  6. Serve as a conduit between the local, state, and national Native American communities.

 

Native American Advisory Council Charge and Structure, Revised (adopted January 16, 2018)

Council Members

First Name
Ed

Last Name
Aboufadel

Title
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at GVSU

About

Edward F. Aboufadel began his appointment as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs in January 2016.  His portfolio of responsibilities include two primary areas  faculty affairs (e.g., personnel, governance, policy) and academic facilities.  In his work in the Office of the Provost, he emphasizes the importance of responsiveness, clear and effective communication, creative problem solving, innovation, continual improvement, encouragement of faculty engagement, and rigor.

Dr. Aboufadel earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Rutgers University and his B.S. from Michigan State University.  He has been at Grand Valley State University since 1995, receiving tenure and promotion in 1998 and promotion to full professor in 2005.  Dr. Aboufadel is an applied mathematician whose scholarship revolves around the solution of realistic problems via mathematics. He is the recipient of GVSUs Outstanding Teacher Award and the Niemeyer Award.  Prior to 2016, Dr. Aboufadel served as the Chair of the Faculty Council of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for two years, the Unit Head for the Mathematics Department for six years, and the Interim Unit Head for the Biomedical Sciences Department for one year.

Nationally, Dr. Aboufadel served for eight years as the Secretary of the Mathematics section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and presently he is the Chair of a select AAAS committee concerned with their Fellows program.  He is also an active member of the Mathematical Association of America, currently chairing the MAAs Committee on Faculty & Departments.

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Page last modified March 10, 2020
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