Faculty Advisory Council
to the administration
BYU Faculty Advisory Council
The Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) aspires to be a group of dedicated faculty members committed to advancing Brigham Young University's (BYU) mission. The aim of the FAC is to serve as a conduit for collaboration and cooperative efforts between faculty and the university administration to improve and enrich the academic experience for faculty, staff, and students alike while remaining steadfast in our allegiance to BYU's mission.
The mission of BYU is to “assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.” The individuals within the mission include the university's students, faculty, and staff. To obtain eternal life, we must enthusiastically follow Jesus Christ. Thus, to achieve the mission of BYU, the BYU experience must provide an environment that develops committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Much of the spiritual guidance, academic instruction, opportunities for character growth, and examples of a life committed to building the Kingdom of God will be provided to students from the hands, minds, and hearts of faculty. Faculty are integral in achieving the mission of BYU, which includes bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. We thank faculty for their contributions to this great work.
The FAC possesses collective experience and expertise across the academic colleges and aims to bring together a group of consecrated faculty to counsel with BYU administration in an advisory role to help BYU achieve its mission.
Given the expectations of a Faculty Appointment, the FAC does not have the authority to speak on church doctrine and does not engage in such commentary. However, the FAC is well positioned to offer ideas to improve the application of principles—including gospel principles—throughout the BYU community to attain the university’s aspirational aims. As such, the FAC offers meaningful insights and suggestions for improving various aspects of BYU. We firmly believe that, with our diverse perspectives and aligning our efforts with the university's overarching mission, we can contribute significantly to BYU’s ongoing pursuit of excellence.
FAC Leadership
The 2025-2026 co-chairs of the FAC. All faculty are invited to reach out to Dr. Lewis-Western or Dr. Leavitt to offer observation of items that could benefit from FAC consideration, deliberation and collaboration with university administrators.
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| Dr. Melissa F. Lewis-Western Steve Albrecht Professorship School of Accountancy Marriot School of Business Melissa.western@byu.edu Link to Faculty Profile | Dr. Chelom Leavitt Associate Professor School of Family Life chelom_leavitt@byu.edu Link to Faculty Profile |
The 2024-2025 FAC Annual Report is linked here, and the 2024-2025 committees included the following:
- Academics
- Belonging
- Benefits
- Faculty Morale
- Interacting with Students.
Overall
- Worked with the AVP’s office to revise the FAC Bylaws to focus more on how the FAC supports the aims and mission of BYU and the importance of cooperative efforts between faculty and the university administration to improve and enrich the academic experience for faculty, staff, and students alike.
- Worked with the AVP’s office to change the process of collaboration between the FAC and the AVP’s office. The revised approach facilitates greater and more frequent communication between FAC committees and the university administrator who aligns most closely with the committee.
Compensation & Benefits
- Proposed that retired faculty retain access to their email. The AVP’s office is supporting this idea. Retired faculty are expected to have access to their BYU email for a period of time after they retire. The work on this project is ongoing.
Physical Facilities and Sustainability
- Proposed further investment in electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking. The AVP’s office is supporting this idea. The university has added three covered bike parking locations: WSC, MCKB, and WVB. There is potential to add another site by the RB if funding can be identified (thank you BYU)!
- The EV changing stations were always full, but a lot of that was people parking there for the day. The stations were switched to Tesla paid stations, which has freed up chargers for use. The demand has not exceeded the number of stations we have (which is probably in part due to the increased range of EVs). So, students and faculty driving electric cars should now be able to park and charge them on campus!
- Proposed working with the city of Provo to improve roadway infrastructure on 800 North. BYU is working with the city of Provo on this and progress is being made. Work on this project is ongoing.