Faculty Senate Constitution

Section Contents

Article I

Article II

Article III

Article IV

Article V

Article VI

Article VII

Article VIII

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Contents

Section 1

Section 2

Article VIII: Bylaws

Section 1. Governance of Committees.

Each standing committee of the Faculty Senate shall have the authority to enact an operating procedure for the internal governance of that committee, providing that:

  1. No part of the operating procedure conflicts with this constitution or any of its bylaws.
  2. The quorum for each committee is a majority of its membership, unless the senate fixes a different quorum for the committee.
  3. The Steering Committee is kept informed of current operating procedures. If, in the opinion of the Steering Committee, operating procedures for the various committees will conflict in the transaction of senate business, the speaker shall advise the chairs of the respective committees regarding the conflicting procedures. If the committees are unable to resolve the conflict, the senate shall make the final decision as to acceptable operating procedures.

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Section 2. Conduct of Senate Business

  1. A senator may bring a matter to the senate for discussion by submitting a written request to the speaker who, with the advice of the Steering Committee, will either (1) place it on the agenda for a future senate meeting, or (2) refer it to the appropriate senate committee for study prior to bringing it to the full senate.
  2. Prior to action by the senate on any main motion, motion to amend, or motion to substitute for an original motion, a written copy of the proposed action shall be given to the secretary of the senate. Exceptions to this requirement include but are not limited to approval of minutes, agenda revision, temporary suspension of rules, tabling motions, adjournment, etc.
  3. The senate may extend privileges of the floor of the senate to any member of the university community, including alumni (Article II, Section 78). Such privilege for a meeting shall be extended to a visiting university community member through either of two procedures: (1) by arrangement prior to the meeting with the speaker, or (2) through introduction of the visitor by any senator during the course of a meeting.
  4. A full agenda for a forthcoming meeting shall be presented in writing or in an electronically readable form to all senators at least three (3) days in advance of each regular meeting. In addition, the text of motions requiring senate action shall likewise be presented in writing or electronically readable form at least three (3) days in advance of meetings, to the extent possible.
  5. Proposed constitutional amendments require readings of the proposed amendment at two regularly scheduled or specially called meetings of the senate. Discussion at a Faculty Senate meeting may only take place after the full text of the amendment has been electronically distributed at least two weeks before the second reading to all members of the faculty. The senate must endorse proposed amendments by a two-thirds majority vote of the full membership of the senate before submitting the amendment to the full faculty for a vote.

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