How the Senate Works

The Senate Charge

The responsibilities of the Academic Senate are stated in Article III, Section 1, of the Constitution of the Faculty of SFSU: "The Academic Senate, subject to established policies and regulations of the Legislature and the Trustees and the concurrence of the President of the University, shall formulate policies and procedures regarding:

1. appointment and review of academic administrators
2. faculty appointment, retention, tenure, promotion, leave, and dismissal
3. curriculum and instruction
4. library and research
5. student affairs, admissions, retention, awarding of grades and graduation
6. business and fiscal matters
7. campus development
8. academic and professional standards
9. mission and goals
10. other matters about the welfare and excellence of the University."

The Formation of Policies and Resolutions

Much of the work of the Senate in formulating policy is done via committee. Matters for consideration come to the attention of the Executive Committee (Ex-Com) from a variety of sources: individual faculty and senators; other university committees; local and CSU administration, the Statewide Academic Senate; the Legislature; other universities; and the general public. After discussion of the matter, Ex-Com will typically either refer the matter to one of the standing committees for further deliberation and action, or draft a policy or resolution in response to the matter. Draft policies and resolutions, with committee recommendations for action, are then brought to the entire Senate for discussion and action. An action item may appear on the Academic Senate's agenda twice, in first reading and in second reading, although it is often the case that an item in first reading will be moved to second reading at the same Senate meeting. This is especially true for consent items, which come to the Senate floor with a unanimous recommendation from the sponsoring committee.

Senate Deliberations

Any Senator or visitor wishing to speak to an item may do so by clearly signaling to the Vice Chair to be put on the speaker's list. A Senator may also introduce an action item from the floor, which requires a motion to amend the agenda and a two-thirds majority vote to do so. (Visitors cannot vote or make motions themselves; however, they may approach a member of the Executive Committee to request an item be placed on the agenda.) Typically, discussion of an item will proceed until either 1) the speaker's list is exhausted; b) an amendment has been proposed and accepted, in which case discussion proceeds on the amended motion; or c) there is an accepted motion to close debate (requires a two thirds majority). After discussion is terminated, a vote is taken on the action item on the floor. Items may also be referred back to committee without a formal vote.

What Happens Next

After Senate approval, policy changes (but not resolutions) are forwarded to the President for approval. The President may either 1) approve the policy with no changes; 2) approve the policy with changes, in which case the changes are recorded as independently developed administrative policy; or 3) return the policy to the Senate without approval. In the latter case, Ex-Com may revise the policy after consultation with the President, and forward the policy to the Senate for approval.

*Excerpted and adapted from "How a Bill Becomes a Law", New Senator Orientation, Sept. 1990.