ACADEMIC SENATE BY-LAWS
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP IN THE SENATE
SECTION 1. OFFICERS OF THE SENATE
1.1-NUMBER1.2-DUTIES OF CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
1.3-DUTIES OF CHAIR-ELECT OF THE FACULTY
1.4-DUTIES OF THE IMMEDIATE PAST-CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIVE SENATORS
2.1-NUMBER
3.1-STATEWIDE ACADEMIC SENATORS3.5-DUTIES OF AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE
4.1-NUMBER
SECTION 5. UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS
5.2- ATTENDANCE
SECTION 6. CHAIRS , STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE
SECTION 7. STAFF REPRESENTATIVE
SECTION 1. REGULATIONS GOVERNING SENATE MEETINGS
1.1-PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES1.4-ACCESS TO THE SENATE FLOOR
SECTION 2. POWERS OF THE SENATE
SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SECTION 3. STANDING COMMITTEES
3.1-EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE3.2-FACULTY STANDARDS AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
3.3 -STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
3.4-ACADEMIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
3.6-STANDING COMMITTEE OFFICERS
3.14-DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
3.15-DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY
3.16-DUTIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 4. SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES
4.3-SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP4.4-DUTIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS SERVING ON SUBCOMMITTEES
4.5-REAPPOINTMENT, TENURE AND PROMOTION SUBCOMMITTEE
SECTION 5. SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE VI - AD HOC COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND FORMATION OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
1.1-ESTABLISHMENT OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
SECTION 3. RECOMMENDATIONS OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
ARTICLE VII - ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. DUTIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS ON ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENT OF BY LAWS
The name of this organization shall be the Academic Senate of Sonoma State University, hereinafter referred to as the Senate.
The Senate shall represent the Faculty of Sonoma State
University in carrying out its purpose as defined in Article I,
Section 2, of the Faculty Constitution.
The Senate shall be composed of the following: Officers of the Senate, Representative Senators, At-Large Senators, Student Senators, Ex Officio University Administrators and Chairs of the Senate Standing Committees.
Section 1. OFFICERS OF THE SENATE
The Chair of the Faculty shall serve as Chair of the Senate; the Chair-elect of the Faculty shall serve as Vice Chair of the Senate; and the Secretary of the Faculty shall serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the Senate.
1.2 DUTIES OF CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
The Chair of the Faculty shall have the following duties:
a) convening and chairing the Academic Senate and the Executive Committee
b) regularly consulting with the faculty
c) regularly consulting with Chairs of Senate Committees
d) regularly consulting with the Chair-elect and the Past Chair
e) regularly consulting with the administration
f) attending selected committee meetings including Academic Affairs Redesign Coordinating Committee (AARCC) President's Budget Advisory Committee(PBAC) Campus Planning Committee
g) attending Academic Senate Chair meetings
h) planning and convening the University Convocation (Fall and Spring) and the annual Faculty Retreat
I) organizing the biannual dinner for Emeritus Faculty
j) presiding at Commencement ceremonies
1.3. DUTIES OF CHAIR-ELECT OF THE FACULTY
The Chair-elect of the Faculty shall have the following duties:
a) convening and chairing the Academic Senate and the Executive Committee in the absence of the Chair
b) appointing members of Structure & Functions Committee
c) regularly convening, and chairing the Structure & Functions Committee and overseeing Senate elections. and appointment of replacement positions on the Senate and its committees
d) regularly consulting with the Senate Chair and Past Chair
e) regularly attending selected committee meetings including Academic Affairs Redesign Coordinating Committee (AARCC) Vice President's Budget Advisory Committee(VPBAC) Campus Re-engineering Committee
1.4. DUTIES OF THE IMMEDIATE PAST-CHAIR OF THE FACULTY
The Past Chair of the Faculty shall serve a one year term as a member of the Academic Senate and the Executive Committee and shall have the following duties:
a) convening and chairing the Academic Senate in the absence of the Chair and the Chair-elect
b) serving as Chair of the Commencement Committee
c) serving as Parliamentarian of the Academic Senate and the Executive Committee
d) serving as a member of the President's Budget Advisory Committee (PBAC)
1.5 DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE
The Secretary of the Senate shall have the following duties:
a) overseeing an archive of Minutes of the Senate
b) overseeing an archive of Resolutions of the Senate
c) monitoring absences of Senators from Senate meetings
The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall solicit nominations for the Chair-Elect of the Faculty/Senate and the Secretary of the Faculty/Senate. Additional nominations may be made on the floor of the Academic Senate, with concurrence of the nominee. These nominations shall be published to the faculty and additional nominations may be made by any faculty member with the concurrence of the nominee within one week after such publication. There shall be at least twice the number of nominees to a given position as there are vacancies. Election shall be by majority vote. However, if there is only one nominee at the end of the above procedure, the Academic Senate can by a majority vote waive the requirement for twice the number of nominees for each position and authorize the holding of the election with fewer nominees.
1.7 REPLACEMENT
When it becomes necessary by reason of leave, vacancy or resignation to replace
the Chair of the Academic Senate, the Chair-Elect shall succeed directly to
the position of the Chair. When it becomes necessary by reason of vacancy, resignation,
or one semester leave to replace the Past Chair of the Senate, replacement shall
be made by the Executive Committee upon recommendation of a candidate from the
Structure and Functions subcommittee. When it becomes necessary by reason of
vacancy, resignation, or one semester leave to replace the Chair-Elect of the
Senate or the Secretary of the Senate for less than one academic year, replacement
shall be made by the Executive Committee upon recommendation of a candidate
from the Structure and Functions subcommittee. Such appointments shall be come
effective immediately upon approval by the Executive Committee. If the regularly
elected Chair-Elect will be unable to assume the position of Chair, a Chair
will be elected by the faculty during the regular Spring or special election.
Section 2. REPRESENTATIVE SENATORS
Representative Senators shall be elected by each of the Schools, by the Library, and by Student Affairs according to the formula: one Senator for each 20 FTEF and one additional Senator for the major fraction of 20 FTEF which may remain. The term "major fraction" shall be understood to mean more than 10 FTEF. FTEF shall be calculated each Spring by averaging the Spring and Fall totals from the previous calendar year. The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall, annu-ally, prior to the close of the Spring Semester, determine the number of Senators to be elected in this manner. Each unit represented shall have at least one representative Senator.
Representative Senators shall be nominated and elected according to election procedures of the body which they represent. Copies of such procedures shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the Senate.
Representative Senators shall serve a three-year term. The terms shall be staggered, either by agreement or by lot, under the supervision of the Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee. Approximately one-third of the Senatorial terms shall expire each year.
2.4 DUTIES OF SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE
School Representatives to the Academic Senate are expected to communicate regularly to their constituents, including the School Curriculum Committee and Department Chairs, the business and issues before the bodies on which they serve , to receive feedback from their constituents on these matters, and to convey that feedback to the Senate. Structure & Functions will provide to Senators and Committee Members a set of suggested means for such communication.
If a representative Senator must be absent from a meeting of the Senate, he or she shall, in a note to the Secretary of the Senate, designate a faculty proxy who is not a member of the Senate. If a Senator is absent from three regularly scheduled meetings of the Senate during a year without a proxy, his or her seat shall be declared vacant by the Secretary of the Senate. There shall be no standing proxies and no one shall carry more than one proxy at any meeting.
If a Representative Senator must resign from the Senate, he or she shall notify the Secretary of the Senate.
For compelling reasons and with Senate approval, a Representative Senator may take a leave for no more than one semester.
When it becomes necessary by reason of vacancy to replace a Representative Senator the Secretary of the Senate shall notify the represented body, which will replace the Senator according to its own procedures.
2.9 RECALL OF REPRESENTATIVE SENATORS
Recall proceedings against Representative Senators shall be conducted according to procedures established within their respective electorates. In case of recall, the affected unit shall provide the Secretary of the Senate with a copy of its recall procedures.
3.1 STATEWIDE ACADEMIC SENATORS
The number of Statewide Senators allocated to the University by the CSU Statewide Academic Senate shall be elected At-Large by the Faculty and shall serve as voting members of the Sonoma State University Senate.
There shall be six Senators chosen At-Large by the Faculty, including three At-Large Academic Senators and three Lecturer Senators.
The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall solicit nominations for Statewide, At-Large Academic Senators, and Lecturer Senators. Additional nominations may be made on the floor of the Academic Senate, with the concurrence of the nominee. These nominations shall be published to the faculty and additional nominations may be made by any faculty member with the concurrence of the nominee within one week after such publication. There shall be at least twice the number of nominees to a given position as there are vacancies. Election shall be by majority vote. However, if there is only one nominee at the end of the above procedure, the Academic Senate can by a majority vote waive the requirement for twice the number of nominees for each position and authorize the holding of the election with only one nominee.
Statewide and At-Large Academic Senators shall serve staggered three-year terms. The terms for each category shall be staggered either by agreement or by lot, under the supervision of the Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee. One At-Large Senatorial term shall expire each year.
3.5 DUTIES OF AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE
At-large Representatives are expected to discuss with School Representatives issues that cut across the Schools, suggesting and implementing means for cooperative consideration of these issues among relevant constituencies of the University Faculty.
3.6 DUTIES OF STATEWIDE SENATORS
The Statewide Academic Senators are expected to attend Statewide Academic Senate meetings and meetings of the committees to which they are assigned. They are expected to make written reports regularly to the SSU Academic Senate on the issues before the Statewide Academic Senate Plenary Sessions and on any other important issues that come to their attention, to receive feedback from the SSU Academic Senate and other SSU constituents, and to convey this feedback to the Statewide Academic Senate.
Statewide Academic Senators shall not be penalized for being absent from Sonoma State University Senate meetings nor may they designate a proxy to represent them if they are absent for whatever reason. If an At-Large Senator must be absent from a meeting of the Senate, he or she shall, in a note to the Secretary of the Senate, designate a faculty proxy who is not a member of the Senate. If an At-Large Senator is absent from three regu-larly scheduled meetings of the Senate during a year without a proxy, his or her seat shall be declared vacant by the Secretary of the Senate. There shall be no standing proxies and no one shall carry more than one proxy at any meeting.
If a Statewide Senator or At-Large Academic Senator must resign from the Senate, he or she shall notify the Secretary of the Senate.
For compelling reasons and with Senate approval, a Statewide Senator or At-Large Academic Senator may take a leave for no more than one semester.
When it becomes necessary by reason of vacancy, resignation or one semester
leave to replace a Statewide Senator or At-Large Academic Senator, the Secretary
of the Senate shall so inform the Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee.
Replacement of less than one academic year shall be made by the Structure and
Functions Subcommittee. Such appointment shall become effective when the Structure
and Functions Subcommittee notifies the Secretary of the Senate. Replacements
of one academic year or more shall be made according to Section 3.3 above.
When it becomes necessary to replace a Lecturer Senator by reason of vacancy,
resignation, or ineligibility to serve on the Academic Senate, the Secretary
of the Senate shall so inform the Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee.
Replacements for less than two consecutive semesters shall be made by the Structure
and Functions Subcommittee. Such appointment shall become effective when the
Structure and Functions Subcommittee notifies the Secretary of the Senate. Replacements
for two consecutive semesters shall be made for the remainder of the three-year
term according to Section 3.3 above. The Structure and Functions Subcommittee
shall appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the newly elected Lecturer
Senator takes office.
3.11 RECALL OF STATEWIDE OR AT-LARGE ACADEMIC SENATORS
Recall proceedings against any of the Statewide or At-Large Senators may be instituted by submission of a petition to the Executive Committee of the Senate signed by 25 members of the Faculty of the University. Upon receipt of such a petition, the Executive Committee shall direct the Structure and Functions Subcommittee to conduct a recall election. If a majority of the faculty voting to recall the Statewide or At-Large Academic Senator, he or she shall be recalled. The vacancy thus created must be filled under the election procedures set forth in Section 3.3 above, within 45 calendar days of the removal.
The President of the Associated Students, non-voting and two Student Senators, non-voting, to be elected by the Board of Directors, SSU Associated Students.
If the President of the Associated Students or a Student Senator must be absent from a meeting of the Senate he or she shall, in a note to the Secretary of the Senate, designate a student proxy who is not a member of the Senate. There shall be no standing proxies.
If a Student Senator must resign from the Senate, he or she shall notify the Secretary of the Senate.
When it becomes necessary by reason of vacancy to replace a Student Senator, the Secretary of the Senate shall notify the Board of Directors of the SSU Associated Students which shall replace the Senator according to its own procedures.
4.5 RECALL OF STUDENT SENATORS
Recall proceedings against Student Senators shall be conducted according to procedures established by the Board of Directors of the SSU Associated Students if they wish to have the possibility of such a recall election. In case of a recall, the SSU Associated Students shall provide the Secretary of the Senate with notice of such recall.
Section 5. UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS
5.1 The President, the Vice President of Administration and Finance/Chief Financial Officer and the Academic Vice President of the University/Provost shall each serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Senate.
If a university administrator must be absent from a meeting of the Senate, he or she shall inform the Secretary of the Senate.
Section 6. CHAIRS , STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE
6.1 The Chair of each standing committee shall serve a one year term as a voting member of the Academic Senate and the Executive Committee. Any proxy for a Chair of a Standing Committee shall be selected from the members of the Committee.
Section 7. STAFF REPRESENTATIVE
7.1 A representative of the University staff shall be elected for a three-year
term as a non voting member of the Academic Senate. This representative shall
be elected from and by a vote of all members of the university community who
are members of any of the four staff bargaining units (CSEA, the Police, the
Trades and Physicians). The Academic Senate Office shall conduct this vote.
Section 1. REGULATIONS GOVERNING SENATE MEETINGS
The procedures of the Senate shall be in conformance with practices set forth in Robert's Rules of Order (current edition).
The Executive Committee of the Senate shall meet one week in advance of each regularly scheduled Senate meeting to prepare an agenda which shall be distributed to the campus community. The agenda with attachments shall be sent to all Senators. One copy with attachments shall be filed in the University Library Archives.
The Secretary shall promptly prepare and distribute to all Senators minutes of all meetings. Additional persons may be placed on the distribution list upon request. One copy of each set of minutes shall be filed in the Academic Senate Office and one shall be filed in the University Library Archives.
1.4 ACCESS TO THE SENATE FLOOR
During Senate meetings, any individual who is present may speak after being recognized by the Chair of the Senate.
1.5 FREQUENCY OF REGULAR MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the Senate shall be held at least once a month each semester. Additional meetings may be called under the conditions outlined in the Constitution of the Faculty, Article IV, Section 1.
A simple majority of those members of the Senate eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum.
Decisions shall be made by a majority of those present and voting, providing a quorum is present. Voting shall be by voice vote, except that on request of any member, voting shall be by standing vote. When the Senate elects an individual as its representative At-Large on the Senate Executive Committee the vote shall be by secret ballot.
The Executive committee may place any item adopted by unanimous vote of both the initiating committee and the Executive Committee on the Consent Calendar of the agenda. The Consent Calendar will contain (or refer to an attachment of) the full and complete item being submitted for approval. The Chair will request unanimous approval of the Calendar. If there is no objection, the proposal is approved by consent of the Senate in one reading. There is no debate or discussion allowed on consent Calendar items but questions for clarification are allowed. If any member of the Academic Senate objects to an item being on the Consent Calendar, the item will be removed and placed at the end of the regular agenda as an action item.
All action items shall receive two readings. Before any item may be received for a first reading, it must be distributed to the Senators two days before the Senate meetings. These rules may be waived by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.Since a first reading is meant to introduce a topic to the Senate, an action item may not be amended, tabled, referred, or postponed at its first reading. Discussion at the first reading shall be limited to no more than 15 minutes.
All meetings of the Senate shall be open at all times to the Public with the exception of executive sessions.
Senate meetings may be declared in executive session by a majority vote of the members present.
1.12 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE
Recommendations of the Academic Senate are governed by Article III, Section 4.3, of the Faculty Constitution.
Section 2. POWERS OF THE SENATE
The powers of the Senate are outlined in the
Constitution of the Faculty, Article III, Section 4 and 5, and
Article V, Section 1.
In accordance with Article V of the Constitution (Committees) the work of the Academic Senate shall be carried out by the Executive Committee and four Standing Committees: Educational Policies Committee; Faculty Standards and Affairs; and Student Affairs and Academic Planning.
Section 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2.1 The membership and principal duties of the Executive Committee are found in the Constitution of the Faculty, Article III, Section 2, and Article IV, Section 1, and 3.
2.2 The Executive Committee shall delegate to the Standing Committees such tasks as it deems appropriate to each committee's charge as described in Article V, Section 3, herein.
2.3 The Executive Committee shall receive agenda, reports and recommendations from the Standing Committees. The Executive Committee shall review the recommendations and, when it deems necessary, provide advice to the committees before the recommendations are referred to the Academic Senate.
2.4 The Executive Committee shall receive the opinions of faculty members on matters affecting the welfare of the University.
2.5 The Executive Committee shall report on its activities at each meeting of the Academic Senate.
2.6 Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held before each regularly scheduled Senate meeting, or upon the call of the Chair of the Senate, the President of the University, or of any three members of the Executive Committee.
2.7 A simple majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.
2.8 Before the end of each semester, the Executive Committee shall designate its quorum for the ensuing intersession.
2.9 All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be by a majority vote of those voting provided that a quorum is present.
2.10 The Executive Committee shall not accept proxies at its meetings.
Section 3. STANDING COMMITTEES
3. 0 All policy resolutions of Senate Committees will be brought before the Academic Senate for action after review by the Executive Committee.
3.1 EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE
The Educational Policies Committee shall have primary responsibility over the curriculum and academic standards of the University. Functions shall include but not be limited to: (1) review and recommendation concerning all program initiation, modification and termination; long range goals of the University, establishment of priorities for resources allocations and evaluation of current programs; (2) review and act upon all student petitions pertaining to academic standards, and (3) review and recommendation of policies regarding University academic standards including grading policy, discipline, student academic dishonesty, student diversity and educational opportunity.
The Educational Policies Committee shall establish such subcommittees as necessary to carry out its charge. Standing Subcommittees of this Standing Committee shall include:
(1) a University Standards Subcommittee;
(2) a General Education Subcommittee;
(3) a Graduate Studies Subcommittee;
3.1.1 Membership. Committee members will have a term of office of three years, staggered by lot after first election.
The Educational Policies Committee will be composed of two members elected from the School of Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, and one member from the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education, and one member from the Library and Student Affairs.
One student, non-voting, selected in acccordance with procedures established by the Associated Students, shall be a member of the Educational Policies Committee.
A non-voting, representative from the administration shall be appointed by the President of the University or his/her designee upon request of the Committee.
3.2 FACULTY STANDARDS AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee shall have primary responsibility for the development and implementation of policy concerning the practices and procedures used in such Faculty personnel matters as appointment, retention, tenure, promotion, sabbatical and other leaves, grievance disputes and disciplinary actions; and the protection of academic freedom in the broadest sense.
The Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee shall have one permanent subcommittee, the Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee, and such other subcommittees as necessary to carry out its charge. Standing Subcommittees of this Standing Committee shall include:
(1) an Academic Freedom/Non-discrimination Subcommittee;
(2) a Faculty Status Grievance Subcommittee;
(3) a Professional Development Subcommittee; and
(4) a Sponsored Programs Subcommittee.
3.2.1 Membership. Committee members will have a term of office of three years, staggered by lot after first election.
The Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee will be composed one member elected by each School, the Library and Student Affairs.
One student, non-voting, selected in acccordance with procedures established by the Associated Students, shall be a member of the Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee.
A non-voting, representative from the administration shall be appointed by the President of the University or his/her designee upon request of the Committee.
The Student Affairs Committee shall have primary responsibility for the development and review of policy regarding student affairs at the university, including recruitment, academic advising, student rights and responsibilities, scholarships, relations with alumni, and the quality of student life. In addition, with the goal of increasing academic and social opportunities for students at Sonoma State University, the Student Affairs Committee shall propose policies and programs that promote faculty-student interaction. The Student Affairs Committee shall establish such subcommittees as necessary to carry out its charge. Standing Subcommittees of this Standing Committee shall include:
(1) an Academic Advising Subcommittee;
(2) a University Scholarship Subcommittee;
In addition, this Standing Committee shall recommend one of its members to serve as liaison on each of the following bodies:
(1) The Athletic Council
(2) The Campus Climate Committee, and
(3) one or more bodies addressing issues of current concern to the Student Affairs Committee (e.g., Sonoma State University Alumni Association Board, Alcohol and Drug Advisory Council, etc.)
3.3.1 Membership. Committee members will have a term of office of three years, staggered by lot after first election.
The Student Affairs Committee will be composed one member elected by each School, the Library and Student Affairs.
Two students, non-voting, selected in acccordance with procedures established by the Associated Students, shall be a member of the Student Affairs Committee.
A non-voting, representative from the administration shall be appointed by the President of the University or his/her designee upon request of the Committee.
3.4 ACADEMIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
Guided by the Senate approved Long Range Academic Plan and supporting documents, the Academic Planning Committee articluates academic priorities, examines their alignment with core functions and key resources of the university, evaluates the attainment on an on-going basis, and recommends changed where appropriate. The Academic Planning Committee shall establish such subcommittees as necessary to carry out its charge.
The Academic Planning Committee may assign members as liaisons to the following bodies: President's Budget Advisory Council (PBAC), Academic Affairs Budget Advisory Committee (AABAC), University Planning Steering Committee (UPSC), the Campus Re-engineering Committee (CRC), and others as appropriate.
3.4.1 Membership. The Academic Planning Committee will be composed will consist of one faculty representative from each of the five academic Schools and Library, and one Student Services Professiona, and three at-large faculty members.
Non-voting members of the Academic Planning Committee will consist of one faculty liaison appointed from and by the Educational Policies Committee, on representative from Academic Affairs, one representative from the School of Extended Education, and the Director of Assessment and Analytical Studies.
One students, non-voting, selected in acccordance with procedures established by the Associated Students, shall be a member of the Academic Planning Committee.
In addition to formal Committee liaisons required above, Senate Committees may negotiate and establish appropriate liaison relationships as needed. Faculty and staff who sit on Senate Committees/Subcommittees as liaisons from another Senate Committee/Subcommittee shall serve in a non-voting capacity.
3.6 STANDING COMMITTEE OFFICERS
3.6.0 Each Standing Committee shall elect its own Chair for a term to be determined by the Committee. Only Faculty members may serve in this capacity.
3.6.1 The Chair of each Standing Committee automatically serves as a voting member of the Executive Committee as provided in Article III, Section 2, of the Constitution.
Robert's Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern the conduct of business in the Standing Committees unless modified rules and procedures have been agreed on by a majority of the voting members of the committee. The following general principles apply.
Each Standing committee shall establish and publish a permanent meeting time, which shall be announced to the Academic Senate and to all faculty at the beginning of each academic year. Meetings of Standing Committees shall be open to the Public at all times except for personnel matters.
If a member of a Committee must be absent from a regularly sched-uled meeting, he or she shall designate a faculty proxy in writing to the Chair of the Committee, except in those cases where a proxy is forbidden by these regulations. A member of a Committee shall not be permitted to carry the proxy of another member and no one shall carry more than one proxy at any meeting. If a member is absent for three regu-larly scheduled meetings during a year, without a proxy, his or her seat shall be declared vacant by the Chair of the Committee, who shall notify the Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee. There shall be no standing proxies.
If a member of a Committee must resign, he or she shall notify the Chair of that Committee and the Chair of Structure and Functions.
For compelling reasons and with Committee approval a member may take a leave for not more than one semester.
When vacancies occur, the Chair of Structure and Functions will notify the appropriate appointing authority so that a replacement may be elected or named. In the case of the RTP Subcommittee, Structure and Functions will conduct university-wide elections for a replacement of one year or longer. In the case of a one semester replacement, Structure and Functions will recommend to the Executive Committee two names from which the Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement. In the event a current member temporarily withdraws from participation due to a conflict of interest, the Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee may appoint a replacement from among former members of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee shall notify the faculty when such a substitution occurs.
Standing Committees shall elect a Chair and a Secretary from among the Faculty members of the Committee. A Chair may be dismissed for failure to perform the duties of the office satisfactorily, by either the Committee or in the case of a non-functioning Committee by the Executive Committee.
3.14 DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Chair shall serve a one year term with no restriction on reelection for additional terms. The Chair (or his or her) designee shall:
a) chair each meeting of the Committee;
b) prepare the agenda for each meeting and send a copy of it to the Chair of
the Faculty and the Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee;
c) review the Committee's charge with its members;
d) serve as an ex officio voting member to the Executive Committee, report
on and transmit Committee action items to the Executive Committee;
e) attend Senate meetings regularly as a liaison; and
ƒ) prepare an annual report on the activities of the Committees to be submitted to the Senate at the end of each academic year.
3.15 DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY
The Secretary shall serve for one year with no restriction on reelection for additional terms. The Secretary (or his or her designee) shall:
a) prepare the minutes of each Committee meeting and distribute them to the members of the Committee and the Chair of the Executive Committee;
b) transmit a copy of the minutes to the Senate Office and the University Library Archives.
The Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
3.16 DUTIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
School Representatives to the Standing Committees of the Academic Senate are expected to regularly communicate to their constituents, including the School Curriculum Committee and Department Chairs, the business and issues before the bodies on which they serve, to receive feedback from their constituents on these matters, and to convey that feedback to their Committees. Structure & Functions will provide to Senators and Committee Members a set of suggested means for such communication.
3.17 DUTIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBERS
a) to provide information and insight regarding recommendations on policy;
b) to assist in the implementation of policy once it has been recommended by the Senate and approved by the President.
Administrative members may solicit advice from committees regarding the implementation of policy in their areas of functional concern.
A simple majority of the voting members of a Committee shall constitute a quorum. A quorum of any Committee shall determine the agenda of the Committee.
Section 4. SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES
4.1 Each Standing Committee shall establish subcommittees as necessary to carry out its charge, except in the case of Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee discussed in 4.3.2 below.
4.2.0 Each subcommittee operating under a Standing Committee shall elect its own Chair.
4.3.0 Except for the RTP Subcommittee, members of each Subcommittee shall be appointed or elected as determined by the Structure and Functions Subcommittee in consultation with the Standing Committee.
4.3.1 The Chair of each Standing Committee shall designate faculty members of the Standing Committee who shall each serve as a voting member on one of its Subcommittees. Such members shall serve one-year terms and will be eligible for reappointment.
4.4 DUTIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS SERVING ON SUBCOMMITTEES
Subcommittee Representatives to the Standing Committees of the Academic Senate are expected to communicate regularly to their constituents, including the School Curriculum Committee and Department Chairs, the business and issues before the bodies on which they serve, to receive feedback from their constituents on these matters, and to convey that feedback to their Committees. Structure & Functions will provide to Senators and Committee Members a set of suggested means for such communication. This does not apply to subcommittees dealing with confidential personnel matters.
4.5 Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee
The Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee shall be composed of five members elected At-Large from among the tenured instructional members of the faculty who hold the rank of Professor or the equivalent Librarian. Members may not hold an administrative appointment. The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall conduct elections for the Subcommittee. Election shall be by majority vote. The terms of office will be three years and the terms will be staggered.
4.5.0 The Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee will elect its own Chair, who will become a voting member of the Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee.
4.6 SUBCOMMITTEE RULES AND PROCEDURES
Robert's Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern the conduct of business in the subcommittees unless modified rules and procedures have been established in consul-tation with the Standing Committee.
If a faculty member of a Subcommittee must be absent from a meeting, he or she may designate a faculty proxy in writing to the Chair of the Subcommittee, except that one member shall not be permitted to carry the proxy of another member and no one shall carry more than one proxy at any meeting. Proxies are not permitted on the Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Subcommittee.
Section 5. SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
5.1 The Executive Committee of the Academic Senate shall establish a Structure and Functions Subcommittee to supervise faculty elections, review organizational changes in faculty governance structures, and establish and oversee the Grade Appeal Panel.
5.2 The Chair-Elect of the Academic Senate shall serve as Chair of the Structure and Functions Subcommittee.
5.3 The Chair of the Faculty shall serve as a voting, ex officio member of the Structure and functions Subcommittee.
5.4 The Executive Committee, on recommendation of the Chair-Elect of the Senate, shall appoint seven faculty members, one representing each school (except the School of Extended Education), and one representating the University Library, and one representing the Student Services Professionals to serve three year terms on a staggered basis.
5.5 Robert's Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern the conduct of business in the Structure and Functions Subcommittee unless modified rules and procedures have been agreed upon in accordance with guidelines established by the Executive Committee.
5.6 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall have responsibility for determining annually who is eligible to vote under the Constitutional definition of faculty (see Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution).
5.7 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall have primary responsibility for nomination, election, terms, replacement, and recall of Senators (see Article III, Sections 2 and 3, p. 2-5), members of Standing Committees (see Article V, Section 3, p. 12-13) , and members of the Reappointment, Tenure and Promotion Subcommittee of the Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee, and the Academic Freedom and Nondiscrimination Subcommittee of the Faculty Standards and Affairs Committee.
5.8 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall solicit nominations for the Chair-elect and Secretary of the Academic Senate, and the At-large and Statewide Academic Senators (Articles 1, Section 1.6' Article 3;, Section 3.3). The Chair of Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall supervise the staggering of terms of At-large and Statewide Senators by agreement or by lot (Article III, Section 2.3; p. 5).
5.9 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall name replacements of At-large or Statewide Senators for less than one academic year, and members of the Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion Subcommittee who vacate their offices for one semester or less (Article III; Section 3.10;, p. 6 Article V; Section 3.11, p. 13)
5.10 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall have responsibility for determining the appropriate number of Representative Senators from each School on the Senate as specified in the Constitution (Article III, Section 2.1) and notify the school election committees of this number.. The Chair of Structure and Functions shall supervise staggering of terms of Representative Senators by agreement or by lot (Article III; Section 3.4, p. 3).
5.11 Each school representative on structure and functions shall have responsibility for finding nominees to replace his/her school's representatives in the senate and its committees when vacancies of one semester or less occur.
5.12 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall have responsibility for determining the mode of selection of members of subcommittees of Standing Committees excepting those whose mode of selection has been determined by the Senate.(see Article IV, Section 4.3.0).
5.13 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall review Senate Committee and Subcommittee charges to determine that they accord with the provisions of the Constitution and the ByLaws.
5.14 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall review organizational changes in the governance structure to determine that they accord with the provisions of the Constitution and the Bylaws.
5.15 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall select a Grade Appeal Panel and select one of its members to serve as the Chair of the Grade Appeal Panel.
5.16 The Structure and Functions Subcommittee shall serve as the review body
for allegations of improper procedure on the part of the Grade Appeal Hearing
Jury.
Section 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND FORMATION OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
1.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
Ad hoc Committees shall be established by resolution of the Academic Senate. The resolution shall specify the number of members, the charge to the committee and the expected date of completion of the study or report.
1.2 FORMATION OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
Members of Ad hoc Committees shall be appointed by the Chair of the Academic Senate and shall be ratified by the Executive Committee.
The Chair of the Academic Senate, or his or her designee, shall serve as temporary Chair of all Ad hoc Committees. The duties of the temporary Chair shall consist of calling the first meeting of the committee, at which time a permanent Chair shall be elected. A Secretary shall be elected to take minutes of meetings.
Section 3. RECOMMENDATIONS OF AD HOC COMMITTEES
Recommendations of Ad hoc Committees made under authority of
Article V of the Constitution shall be presented to the Senate for
action. Personnel recommendations shall be exempted from this
rule.
Section 1. DUTIES OF FACULTY MEMBERS ON ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES
1.1 Faculty who serve on Administrative Committees will make
annual reports to the Academic Senate.
The By Laws of the Academic Senate may be amended by a simple majority of all members present at any meeting of the Senate. All members shall be sent copies of proposed amendments one week prior to their consideration. Proposed amendments shall first be submitted to the Structure and Functions Subcommittee for consideration of their relationship to the rest of the By Laws.
Passed by the Senate: April 27, 1989
Amended by the Senate: September 1989
Amended by the Senate: May 24, 1990
Amended by the Senate: May 23, 1991
Amended by the Senate: October 17, 1991
Amended by the Senate: November 14, 1991
Amended by the Senate: December 5, 1991
Amended by the Senate: October 29, 1992
Amended by the Senate: November 12, 1992
Amended by the Senate: November 2, 1995
Amended by the Senate: May 8, 1997
Amended by the Senate: February 26, 1998
Amended by the Senate: March 23, 2000
Amended by the Senate: April 27, 2000
Amended by the Senate: September 13, 2001
Amended by the Senate: February 21, 2002
Amended by the Senate: October 31, 2002
Amended by the Senate: November 14, 2002
Amended by the Senate: September 18, 2003
Amended by the Senate: November 13, 2003
Amended by the Senate: December 4, 2003
Amended by the Senate: December 18, 2003
Amended by the Senate: March 18, 2004
Amended by the Senate: May 24, 2007