The Professional Relations and Welfare Committee considers all matters involving University policy concerned with professional relations, professional ethics, academic freedom, conditions of employment, and the general welfare of the faculty. The Committee is concerned with policy; particular grievances are considered by the Grievance Committee. The Professional Relations and Welfare Committee makes recommendations to the Faculty Senate or to the appropriate administrative officer.
Members of the Committee are nominated through the Faculty Senate by the faculty of the colleges and schools they represent and are elected annually for staggered three-year terms by the General Faculty with terms of office to begin on July 1. Each college or school has at least one representative on the Committee; the Colleges of Business, Education and Social Sciences have an additional representative; the College of Arts and Sciences has four additional representatives. The Faculty Senate Steering Committee appoints the chairman.