SRAC Charter

Purpose & Role of the Committee

The Scientific Research Advisory Committee (SRAC) provides strategic direction and oversight for research-related initiatives at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S). The committee advises the Dean, Vice Deans for Research, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, and others as designated by senior leadership on school priorities, including research infrastructure and collaboration, tenure-track faculty recruitment and development, and biomedical research education and training. SRAC operates with delegated authority from the Dean and executive leadership to gather data, analyze situations, present actionable recommendations, and implement proposed solutions under the committee’s charge.

Committee Membership

SRAC shall be composed of 10 - 14 tenured faculty members from both basic science and clinical departments within VP&S. The committee shall also include ex-officio representatives from key research offices, including the VP&S Office for Research. The committee will be led by a Chair drawn from the tenured faculty membership and appointed by the Dean of VP&S. Additional members may be appointed at the discretion of the Dean. The chair of the committee will be invited to join the VP&S Research Cabinet.

A call for applications will be circulated in February with an email to all tenured faculty. Individuals may be nominated by their chair, colleague, or self-nominated. Recommended individuals will be invited to submit a nomination, including a statement of interest and their biosketch, by the first Monday in March. Nominees will be presented to the Vice Deans for Research and the Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs for review and the Dean for selection and approval. Faculty will be informed in early June of their appointment.

Service Terms

Committee members are appointed from tenured faculty for an expected term of three (3) years and may be reappointed for one additional three-year term, for a maximum of six (6) years of service. The Committee Chair is a one-year, annually renewable appointment concurrent with the committee member’s three-year term. All committee members’ service terms align with the academic year (July 1–June 30).

The Dean will review the Committee’s composition annually and reserves the right to appoint and remove individual committee members at the Dean’s discretion.

Meetings

  • SRAC will meet monthly to advance its work, review emerging opportunities, and monitor progress on strategic priorities. Additional meetings may be convened by the Chair as needed. Subcommittees and ad-hoc committees will meet as necessary to fulfill their charge in a timely and efficient manner.

Service Expectations for Committee Members

Members are expected to attend the majority of scheduled committee meetings in a given year and to make sustained, active contributions to committee, subcommittee, and ad-hoc committee work, consistent with the advisory responsibilities of the committee.

Confidentiality and Communication

  • Discussions within meetings are considered confidential to support information sharing and open and candid dialogue needed to support the advisory role of the committee. Committee members shall not disclose content shared and specific opinions or detailed positions expressed by individuals during meetings.
  • Members shall not report independently on any committee activity or outcome without approval of the Chair. Official reports or actions will be shared under the direction of the Chair and disseminated through approved, institutional channels.

Subcommittees

The Committee may establish standing subcommittees to support ongoing operational needs or key strategic priorities. Standing subcommittees will operate within their defined charge and report regularly to the full committee.

The Committee may also establish ad-hoc committees to address emerging or time-limited issues requiring focused attention. Ad-hoc committees will have a clearly defined charge and duration, report their findings to the full committee, and be dissolved upon completion of their work.

Oversight & Reporting

  • SRAC reports directly to the Dean. Regular updates and recommendations will be provided to the Dean, Vice Deans, and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate. The Chair of the Committee will submit an annual report, upon the approval by a majority vote of committee members, to the Dean and Vice Deans summarizing its activities, achievements, and recommendations at the end of the University’s fiscal year.
  • The Dean will review the Committee’s activities and membership annually to ensure alignment with the vision, strategy, and values of VP&S.

Charter Review & Amendments

This Committee charter shall be reviewed every three years or when requested by the Dean to ensure alignment with the strategic goals of VP&S and Columbia University. Amendments may be proposed by any committee member and require approval by a majority vote of the committee with final approval by the Dean.

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