BY-LAWS OF
THE ACADEMIC SENATE OF
I.
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
The By-laws of the Academic Senate are subordinate
to the provisions of the Constitution adopted in June 1963, and to any subsequent
amendments of the Constitution.
II.
ACADEMIC
SENATE
A.
Officers
1.
The officers
of the Academic Senate shall the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary.
2.
The Chair
of the Academic Senate shall:
a.
Call and
preside at meetings of the Faculty, the Academic Senate, and the Executive
Committee;
b.
Have general
supervision of the business of the Academic Senate;
c.
Prepare
the agenda for meetings of the Faculty and Academic Senate with the advice
and approval of the Executive Committee;
d.
Give timely
notice of meetings of the Academic Senate to members;
e.
Be spokesperson
for the Academic Senate in representing Senate decisions;
f.
Exercise
general supervision over the office of the Academic Senate and its staff.
3.
The Vice-Chair
of the Academic Senate shall:
a.
Act for
the Chair in the Chair's absence or at his/her request;
b.
Become Chair
in the event the office of the Chair becomes vacant.
4.
The Secretary
of the Academic Senate shall:
a.
Exercise
general supervision over the taking and keeping of minutes of the Academic
Senate;
b.
Exercise
general supervision over the taking and keeping of minutes of meetings of
the Faculty and be responsible for records
of decisions made by the Faculty.
B.
Meetings
of the Academic Senate
1.
There shall
be at least one regular meeting of the Academic Senate during each month
of each semester. This provision does not apply to months in which a semester
begins after the middle of the month or ends before the middle of the month. The Chair shall call the September meeting as soon as
possible following the start of classes in the fall. Regular meetings shall
be scheduled during the two to four hours or the two to five hours on Tuesday.
The Chair or the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate is empowered
to choose between these two alternatives. The deliberations of the Academic
Senate of the Academic Senate shall cease at
2.
Special
meetings of the Academic Senate shall be held if requested by any of the
following:
a.
Chair of
the Senate;
b.
Executive
Committee;
c.
Any seven
members of the Academic Senate.
The agenda for such meetings shall be stipulated
in the request and shall be distributed, in either paper or electronic form, in advanceof
the meeting to all Academic Senate members. Items may be added to the end
of the agenda by a majority vote, but cannot be taken out of order except
by a two-thirds vote of those present.
3.
The regular
meeting place of the Academic Senate shall be decided by the Executive Committee.
The time and place of special meetings of the Academic
Senate shall be decided by the Executive Committee. Special meetings shall
be held within one week after valid request for such a meeting has been made.
C.
Academic
Senate Procedural Rules
1.
Rules: The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert's
Rules of Order shall govern the Academic Senate except where otherwise specified
in the Senate's By-laws.
2.
Open meetings: All meetings of the Academic Senate shall be open except
when the Senate, by majority vote, shall declare itself to be in executive
session, in which event only members of the Academic Senate will be permitted
to attend.
3.
Quorum: A majority of the authorized membership must be present
to constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present at
all times in order for the Academic Senate to conduct business.
4.
Adoption
of the agenda: The agenda for regularly scheduled
meetings of the Senate shall be placed before the Senate, in either paper
or electronic form, for its approval at or prior to the inception of each
meeting. Items may be added to or re-ordered on the agenda by majority vote
of the Senate. After seconding of a motion to re-order
or to add an item to the agenda, the maker and supporters of the motion shall
be given an aggregate of three minutes to argue on behalf of the proposed
change. Opponents of the motion shall then be given
an aggregate of three minutes to reply, after which the Chair shall call
for the vote. It is understood that the customary
manner for an individual senator to add items to the agenda when the time
permits is to approach the Executive Committee in person or in writing.
5.
First reading: Voting on substantive motions (i.e., those involving university policy, those in which the senate
takes a position on an issue, and the like) takes place in two stages: first reading and second reading. In
first reading, the motion is introduced and seconded. Discussion
is in order in first reading, but not amendments. The
first reading of a motion is concluded if 1) there
is no one remaining the speakers' list who wishes to speak on it, or 2) a
motion to close debate is passed (requires a two-thirds vote), or 3) a motion is approved to move the motion to second reading
(requires a three-fourths majority).
6.
Second reading: Voting on substantive motions shall take place only after
a second reading of the motion at a meeting subsequent to the meeting at
which it was first introduced, except that the Academic Senate, by three-fourths
vote of the senators present, may waive this requirement.
During second reading, amendments may be presented for action by the
senate.
7.
Majority
defined: A majority of those voting, but no fewer
than fifteen members, is necessary to constitute
an official action of the Academic Senate. An abstention
shall not be counted as a vote cast. If the vote at
a second reading should constitute a majority of those voting but fewer than
the required fifteen, the motion under consideration shall be placed on the
agenda for the next Academic Senate meeting for one and only one further
consideration.
8.
Minimum number of speakers on a motion:
Debate on any motion on the floor may not be closed until three speakers
have been heard in favor and three opposed, not counting the maker of the
motion and the seconder and the makers of subsidiary
motions, unless fewer members chose to speak.
9.
Adoption
of motions by general consent: A substantive motion
may be adopted by "General Consent" if the motion has been placed on the
agenda as a "consent item" by unanimous agreement of the initiating committee
and the Executive Committee. In forwarding such a motion, the initiating
committee indicates that it anticipates that debate is unlikely to occur. The Chair shall indicate that such a motion is brought
as a "consent item" and ask if there is any request for debate. If, in its first reading, there is no request for debate,
the Chair may declare debate closed; if, in its second reading, there is
no debate on the same motion, the Chair may declare the motion adopted by
"General Consent." An objection to either declaration
by any member shall require that the motion follow the usual rules of procedure
for its adoption.
10.
Prohibition
of proxies: Senate members may not be represented
or vote by proxy.
11.
Absences: In the event a member of the Academic Senate is absent
for two successive meetings without written notification to the Executive
Committee, that member shall be deemed to have resigned and the seat shall
be filled as specified in the University Faculty Elections and Referenda
Procedures. Should illness or emergency prevent a
member from providing written notification, the Executive Committee is empowered
to waive the requirement for written notification, as long as such a waiver
does not deprive the faculty or any of its units of adequate representation
on the Academic Senate.
D.
Executive
Committee
1.
Membership
and Elections
a.
The Executive
Committee shall consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, two members
at large, the chairs of the standing committees, the immediate past chair,
and the members of the Academic Senate CSU.
b.
The officers
and two additional members of the Academic Senate shall be elected annually
by the incoming Academic Senate at either a regular or a special meeting
in May. The officers and two members at large shall
serve for a period of one year or until their successors have been elected.
In the event that the Chair succeeds himself/herself, no person shall fill
the seat of the immediate past chair.
c.
The chairs
of each standing policy committee shall be elected by the members of each
committee, who shall serve for a period of one year or until the next Senate
election of officer.
d.
The term
of office for members of the Executive Committee shall begin on June 1, or immediately if an election takes place after
June 1.
2.
The Executive
Committee shall be responsible for preparing the agenda, for advising the
Chair regarding the conduct of Senate business, and for such additional duties
as the Academic Senate may assign
3.
The Executive
Committee shall have the authority to act for the Academic Senate, except
that in addressing the Chancellor, the Trustees, or other appropriate bodies
on matters of policy it shall distinguish whether it is expressing the position
of the Academic Senate or the position of the Executive Committee alone.
This authority should be exercised only when a situation arises requiring resolution before the next regular
meeting of the Academic Senate is feasible. In any case, the Committee shall
report such action to the Academic Senate at the first meeting of the Senate
following the action.
4.
Open meetings: All meetings of the Executive Committee shall be open
except when the committee, by majority vote, shall declare itself to be in
executive session, in which event only members of the Executive Committee
will be permitted to attend.
E.
Internal
Committees
1.
Committee
on Committees
a.
Charge:
i.
Review all
committee reports submitted to the Senate and prepare a report to the Academic
Senate that summarizes the work of the committees and identifies policy issues
and other issues of concern that emerge from the reports.
ii.
Deliver
its report to the Academic Senate at the earliest practical date in the fall
semester, preferably the first or second meeting of the academic year.
iii.
Approval
of committee reports will be assumed on a "no protest" basis, although Senate
action may be taken if the Committee on Committees so recommends.
b.
Membership:
Seven senators recommended by the Secretary and confirmed by the Executive
Committee.
c.
The Secretary
shall be chair of the Committee on Committees.
2.
Elections
Committee.
a.
Charge:
It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to review periodically election
procedures of the University, Senate, and Colleges to recommend any appropriate
revisions. In any instances of disputed all-University or Senate elections,
the Elections Committee shall serve as final arbitrator. Additional functions
of this Committee are described, where applicable in the following paragraphs.
b.
Membership: three members chosen by the Executive Committee.
3.
A summer
committee of the Academic Senate, composed of no fewer than six members of
the Academic Senate, shall be available on an emergency basis during the
months of June, July, and August for consultation, calling of special Academic
Senate meetings, and handling of such duties as may be delegated to it by
the Senate.
4.
The Academic
Senate may form, supervise, and disband any other committees within its membership.
The Academic Senate may delegate its duties, but not its responsibilities,
to its own subcommittees or to other bodies it may authorize.
III.
Senate Standing
Committees
A.
Procedures
and Rules for Standing Committees
1.
Their status
as standing committees under the Academic Senate By-Laws entrusts to them
the task of evaluating and developing all-university programs, policies,
and procedures, and submitting recommendations which will aid the Senate
in discharging its responsibilities. Members of committees represent the entire
University rather than reflect the special interests of subdivisions of the
University. The widest appropriate distribution of information to colleges,
schools/departments, or to the general faculty by committees considering measures
of concern to those colleges, schools/departments, or general faculty is
herein recommended.
2.
Standing
committees continue to have the privilege, if not the obligation, of inviting
guests and of notifying interested parties when matters of mutual concern
are under consideration.
3.
The following
recommendations may apply to all committees although they do not appear in
the individual descriptions or charges.
a.
Unless otherwise
indicated, committees are free to establish their own rules and procedures
and are invited to recommend to the Senate changes in structure or function.
Meetings should normally be open rather than closed (see special circumstances).
Committee chairs and members may invite resource personnel to meetings.
b.
Committees
may utilize the services of faculty for resource purposes, may create their
own sub-committees or request the assistance of the Executive Committee for
such purposes. All decisions and voting privileges, however, will be exercised
only by duly appointed committee members.
c.
On (or shortly
before) June 1 of each year, each standing committee will forward to the
Secretary of the Senate a brief written report of work accomplished, or in
progress, since the filing of the previous year's report. No year-end report
will be considered a majority report unless it has been signed by a majority
of the committee's or council's voting members; this shall not preclude the
right of minority reports. These reports will be reviewed by the Committee
on Committees.
4.
Shortly
after the seating of the new Senate, the Executive Committee will appoint
senators to standing policies committees. At a time specified by the Chair
of the Academic Senate, all new committees will convene for orientation and
organization. At the first meeting of the Senate in the fall, the Executive
Committee will recommend its standing committee appointments to the Academic
Senate for approval.
5.
A majority
of a committee shall constitute a quorum except as otherwise stated.
6.
Materials
dealing with personnel cases or with matters deemed by a designated committee
to be of a privileged nature shall be accessible only to current members
of the designated committee.
7.
Committees
shall meet regularly (not less than once a month during the academic year)
and upon the call of the chair of the committee or at the request of the Chair
of the Academic Senate. If a committee member is absent from two consecutive
regularly scheduled meetings of a committee without prior notification of
the chair, the chair may request that the Executive committee of the Senate
declare the seat vacant. A replacement will then be made in accordance with
the established procedures governing that committee.
8.
Each committee
may choose to add up to two faculty members as regular voting members if
it concludes this will add special competencies to its membership, assist
in the solicitation of the widest possible range of views, or otherwise increase
its productivity. These members are in addition to those members selected
by the Executive Committee.
9.
If disagreements,
not otherwise reconcilable, occur between University-level administration
and other administrative levels or between the several schools concerning
the implementation of policies or application of guidelines, or concerning
whether proposed actions exceed allocation or violate established policies
and guidelines, such disagreements and problems shall be considered by the
Executive Committee and may be referred to a standing committee.
10.
When the
Standing Committee unanimously approves an item, the item shall be forwarded
to the Academic Senate as a "consent" item.
B.
Academic
Policies Committee
1.
Charge: The Academic Policies Committee (APC) shall study and
evaluate existing educational policies and plans and may initiate recommendations
for changes in them. No modifications in such plans or policies shall be
implemented without the approval of this Committee. Among
the specific functions of the Academic Policies Committee are the following:
a.
The review
of and suggested modifications in the academic master plan based on the continuing
analysis of the educational objectives of the University and the needs of
its students;
b.
The determination
of the general scope and relative size or priority of programs;
c.
The establishment
of criteria for adoption or modification of degree programs;
d.
The review
of grading practices and standards;
e.
The review
of admissions policies;
f.
The review
of each year's academic calendar; and
g.
The development
of criteria governing experiential learning, both prior (e.g., CEEL, credit
by examination, advanced placement) and sponsored (e.g., internships, supervised
field experiences), and of procedures for implementing such criteria.
2.
Membership:
a.
A minimum
of seven members of the Academic Senate
b.
Two students,
one graduate and one undergraduate, appointed by the Associated Students
c.
The Vice
President for Academic Affairs
C.
Academic
Program Review Committee
1.
Charge: The Academic Program Review Committee (APRC) shall perform
three major functions:
a.
Consultation:
One or more members of APRC shall meet annually with schools/departments
which are preparing self-studies to explain the purpose of the review process
and to answer questions. APRC also shall monitor the academic program review
process to ensure that information and assistance are available as needed.
b.
Review:
APRC shall receive copies of each program self-study, external review and
dean's and program's responses to the external review from the Office of
Academic Affairs. APRC shall consider all of the components of the review
and hear statements from the Vice President for Academic Affairs' staff about
its accuracy and thoroughness. APRC shall meet with program faculty to insure
that it has reasonably complete data. Using those data, APRC shall summarize
and evaluate the program recommendations made in the self-study , external review and dean's and program's responses
to the external review.
c.
Recommendation:
APRC shall send a summary report of the committee's review to the Vice President
for Academic Affairs, the program faculty, the college dean and the Academic
Senate. APRC shall send any policy recommendations and an annual report to
the Academic Senate. APRC shall make periodic status reports to the Academic
Senate. APRC also may transmit reports and recommendations to other units
as appropriate.
2.
Membership:
a.
A minimum
of seven members of the Academic Senate, plus one member selected by the
faculty of each school under review
b.
the Vice
President for Academic Affairs or designee
3.
The chair
of APRC shall be selected from among the senators on the committee according
to the usual Academic Senate procedures The chair
of APRC shall serve on the Senate's Executive Committee.
D.
Curriculum
Review and Approval Committee
1.
Charge: The primary responsibility of the Curriculum Review and
Approval Committee (CRAC) is to ensure that University programs follow those
criteria and procedures developed by the Academic Policies Committee. In
particular, it shall:
a.
Review proposals
for new or revised majors, minors and concentrations.
b.
Review all
course and program recommendations made by and, as appropriate, develop charges
to the General Education Council, the Graduate Council, and the All-University
Literacy Committee.
c.
Ensure appropriate
consultation among academic deans and Colleges of the University in order
to minimize course duplication and proliferation.
d.
No changes
falling within its area of responsibility shall be implemented without the
approval of this Committee.
2.
Membership:
a.
A minimum
of seven members of the Academic Senate
b.
One undergraduate
student and one graduate student appointed by the Associated Students
c.
The Associate
Vice President for Academic Programs/Planning
E.
Educational
Policies Council
1.
Charge and
Membership
a.
The Academic
Policies Committee (APC) and Curriculum Review and Approval Committee (CRAC)
shall meet jointly as the Educational Policies Council (EPC) on an as-needed
basis to discuss: 1) policies and procedures being established by APC; 2)
implementation and review procedures being followed by CRAC; and 3) actions
of the Academic Senate, the President or the Office of the Vice President
for Academic Affairs/Provost. The chairs of APC and CRAC shall consult regularly
about issues facing both committees. The chair of APC shall convene and serve
as chair of EPC.
b.
Examples
of issues that might come before EPC include but are not limited to requests
by programs for exceptions to GE policy and proposals for program discontinuance.
The process for review of proposed discontinuance of undergraduate and graduate
degrees, concentrations, minors, and certificates is fully outlined in AS
Policy #S93-177 Academic Program Discontinuance.
c.
Many committees
have business that may eventually come before APC, CRAC or EPC (for example,
General Education Council, Graduate Council, Interdisciplinary Council, Liberal
Studies Council, Library Advisory Committee). Given the nature of the issues
dealt with by the General Education Council and the Graduate Council, it
remains important that EPC send formal liaisons to these two committees.
Other Committee chairs considering issues that are likely to be brought to
EPC, APC, or CRAC shall forward copies of meeting agendas and minutes to
the appropriate chair(s) on a regular basis and/or shall consult with the
chair(s) whenever relevant issues arise. Chairs may request a liaison to
attend the meetings, when needed, or ask to meet with the entire committee.
F.
Faculty
Affairs Committee
1.
Charge:
a.
The Faculty
Affairs Committee (FAC) shall study and evaluate existing policies and may
initiate recommendations for change in, or for more successful implementation
of, such policies. FAC may also initiate policy. Specific concerns include
but are not limited to: hiring, retention, tenure and promotion; faculty
evaluation; faculty professional development; professional ethics; consultative
practices and policies concerning administrative appointments and selection
of school/department chairs; affirmative action; and academic freedom.
b.
Modifications
in such policies shall be implemented after consultation with FAC, except
for those mandated by a collective bargaining contract.
c.
In the area
of faculty affairs, FAC shall serve as the principal recommending body to
the Academic Senate.
2.
Membership:
a.
A minimum
of seven members of the Academic Senate, including at least one lecturer
b.
The Dean
of Faculty Affairs
G.
Student
Affairs Committee
1.
Charge: The responsibility of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC)
is to define and recommend to the appropriate body institutional policy as
it affects students, including but not limited to the following areas: student
life services; advising and counseling; testing and student learning; Student
Union; financial aid; foreign students and other special groups; health services;
housing; student government; student conduct and student justice. SAC shall
also concern itself with instructionally related University activities such
as intercollegiate athletics, publications and Creative Arts productions.
a.
SAC has
a primary responsibility to bring before the Academic Senate, the Associated
Students, or the Administration, wherever appropriate, policy matters in
the area of student life. It will be responsible for defining, recommending
and periodically reviewing policy in the realm of student life in order to
provide additional direction to those charged with administering institutional
policy.
b.
SAC will
receive recommendations and opinions from other established bodies and committees
on possible institutional policy regarding student affairs.
2.
In carrying
out the above policies, the Committee will be guided by the following principles
as reaffirmed by the Academic Senate (May 9, 1967):
At
The University, by its very nature, is a publicly
supported institution designed to assist the student in developing as an
adult and as a citizen, but which by law and good judgment cannot involve
itself in partisan or other activities which might hinder its effectiveness
as an institution of higher education serving people of all faiths, creeds,
and political beliefs.
The University cannot assume legal or financial responsibility
for any person, whether faculty, student, or staff, who is not acting as
its agent. In no student activity are students acting as agents of the University
unless expressly stipulated by the University authority.
3.
All policies
set out and activities carried on in the area of student affairs will be
accomplished in a spirit of contributing to the larger intellectual aims
of the University community.
4.
All institutional
policies governing student affairs now in existence will be honored by the
Committee unless specific Committee action is taken to the contrary.
5.
Membership:
a.
A minimum
of seven members of the Academic Senate
b.
Associate
Vice President for Student Affairs
c.
Five students,
one each representing freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduates -
Student committee members shall be elected by the Associated Students Legislature
IV.
FACULTY
MEETINGS
A.
Two hundred
members of the Faculty must be present to constitute a quorum. A quorum must
be present in order for the Faculty to conduct business. Faculty members
may not be represented or vote by proxy.
B.
A quorum
of the Faculty may consider any subject at a general faculty meeting but
may not take binding action except insofar as a proposal by a majority vote
of those present and voting is referred to the Faculty for a written referendum
vote.
C.
The presiding
officer shall make the final determination as to the results of a vote. Motions
for reconsideration may be make. Vote by secret ballot on any motion may be required by
any faculty member, seconded by nine additional faculty members.
D.
The Academic
Senate, after consultation with the President of the University or his/her
duly appointed representative, shall prepare and publicize the agenda for
each faculty meeting.
V.
ELECTIONS
A.
All-University
elections include, among other possibilities, those that select faculty representatives
for at-large membership on the Academic Senate, the Statewide Academic Senate,
administrative consultation committees, and the Academic Freedom Committee.
The University Promotions Committee elections will be discussed in a separate
section, although many of the provisions which follow also apply.
1.
Announcement
of Elections: Announcements of elections shall be
made in Faculty Action and by direct communication with the College Deans.
2.
Electorate
a.
In most
instances of all-University elections the electorate is determined by the
provisions of the Faculty Constitution.
b.
In any instance
where the Constitution would not determine the electorate, the Academic Senate
shall have this responsibility.
3.
Nominations
a.
Nominations
may be made by any member of the electorate so long as the person being nominated
agrees in writing to stand as a candidate.
b.
In some
instances the Academic Senate or the Executive Committee of the Senate might
wish to serve as an initial nominating committee, especially for such ad
hoc all-University committees which might be deemed necessary. There shall
be a minimum of ten working days' notice between the announcement of an all-University
election and the deadline for the receipt of nominations. This deadline shall
not be extended as long as there have been nominated twice as many candidates
as there are offices, but must be extended for only five working days (and
publicized) should the number of nominations fall short of this requirement.
4.
Distribution
of Ballots: The distribution of ballots is the responsibility
of the Office of the Academic Senate. The up-to-date listing of the electorate
shall provide the basis for this distribution. The distribution should be
by department, with responsibility resting at the departmental level for
the final distribution to faculty members.
5.
Return of
Ballots
a.
All ballots
must be returned with the accompanying signature of the voter on the external
envelope. No ballots shall be counted which do not arrive in the Office of
the Academic Senate by the deadline listed on the ballot. The deadline shall
not be less than five working days (
b.
For purposes
of processing, envelopes containing ballots may be opened on a flow basis
and the ballots numbered sequentially to ensure that they are counted just
once, and delivered immediately to the
c.
No tabulation
of ballots shall occur until after the announced deadline for ballots to
be received has passed and all data have been entered.
6.
Listing
of Names on Ballots: Names will be listed on ballots
by a random drawing of lots. The identifying description of the candidate
will coincide with the listing of the individual in the University Bulletin
or other official records; e.g., Associate Professor of Sociology or Professor
of Accounting; Department Chair, Accounting.
7.
Approval
Voting System
a.
In an all-University
election, the system known as approval voting will be used. Regardless of
how many candidates there are or how many places are to be filled, under
approval voting the voter may vote for any number of candidates, but may
not cast more than one vote for a candidate.
b.
Winning candidates are those with the highest number of
votes.
c.
In the event
of ties that preclude determination of winner or winners, a run-off election
will be held among those so tied.
8.
Void Ballots: Ballots will be considered void if they are not accompanied
by the voter's signature, if they arrive past the deadline, or if they violate
any other specific requirements in the election. There shall be no requirement
that a voter must vote for the required number of candidates.
9.
Replacements
a.
Should a
vacancy develop during the academic year in any position selected by an all-University
election, the individual the highest number of votes among those not elected
in the most recent election for that office will serve as a short-term replacement
for the remainder of the year; i.e., should an elected member leave the University
or resign from office in the middle of the year, this system would provide
a substitute for the remainder of the year.
b.
Should an
elected member go on leave for not more than one year, his/her substitute
would be determined by this process.
c.
Should a
representative be absent from his/her seat for more than a year or should
a representative resign from a seat when there is more than one year remaining
in his/her term, the balance of the term shall be filled at the next regularly
scheduled annual election.
d.
At any election
at which both full and partial terms are at stake, individuals will be assigned
to the full and partial terms as determined by their rank order in the election.
e.
Any problem
not met by these replacement procedures will be settled by the Elections
Committee.
10.
Statements
by Candidates
a.
Candidates
for all-University elections should be encouraged to file statements reflecting
their views that are pertinent to the particular election.
b.
These statements
shall be distributed with the ballots.
11.
Counting
of Ballots: It is the responsibility of the Elections
Committee to make decisions on the legitimacy of individual ballots and to
certify the results of the elections.
B.
University
Promotions Committee Elections: Except where indicated
below, the procedures for other all-University elections shall be followed
in the election of faculty members to the University Promotions Committee.
1.
Nominations
a.
Candidates
for the University Promotions Committee must be tenured full professors.
(Persons not eligible for membership on the Committee include University
Deans, administrative officers of Colleges, department chairs, and members
of the Academic Senate. No person shall serve simultaneously on the department
promotions committee and on the University-wide Promotions Committee.) Persons
due to be on leave the following year are not eligible.
b.
Nominees
shall be elected by each College and the Library. The person being nominated
must agree in writing to stand as a candidate. Only those Colleges (or the
Library) who would not have members continuing on the University Promotions
Committee may submit nominees for the annual election to the Committee.
2.
Statements
by Candidates: No statements will be required by the
candidate but they will be expected to assist the Senate office staff in
the preparation of a biographical summary that will appear in the ballot.
3.
Timing: The University Promotions Committee elections will be
conducted in the spring semester and should be completed by June 1. The announcement
for nominations should be issued no later than February 16. Nominations will
be accepted during the remainder of February.
C.
College
and Equivalent Unit Elections
1.
The elections
referred to in this section include only those in which unit (College/Library)
representatives are selected for the Academic Senate, all-University standing
committees, and other ad hoc committees at the University level requiring
unit representation.
2.
It is not
the intent of the Academic Senate to prescribe election procedures for the
units. The principle of a large degree of decentralization and autonomy seems
appropriate. However, to ensure a minimum amount of uniformity and regularity,
the following procedures shall apply:
a.
All units
shall select an Elections Committee which will have the responsibility for
conducting elections and such other duties as might be delegated to it.
b.
All units
shall develop and file in the Academic Senate Office a statement of election
procedures.
c.
Beyond these
two requirements, units are free to operate as they desire. In elections
where eligibility for candidacy and voting are specified in the Faculty Constitution,
these limitations will naturally apply. Many of the procedures listed in
this document as requirements for all-University elections should serve as
guidelines, with some modification, for unit elections. This would include
the procedure requiring majority vote or approval voting, the replacement
provision, and the nominations process.
D.
Senate Internal
Elections: Elections in which only the Academic Senate
membership votes include the Senate's election of its own Executive Committee,
working committees for Senate business, and some ad hoc all-University committees.
It shall be the responsibility of the Academic Senate to determine which
ad hoc all-University committees are to be chosen by the Senate and which
are to be determined by the total faculty.
1.
Executive
Committee Elections
a.
The spring
organizational meeting of the Senate shall be held as soon after completion
of election of new members as practicable, but in no case later than the
end of instruction in the spring semester. At that meeting, the identified
members of the Senate for the next academic year shall elect their officers. A Senate member on leave for the fall semester shall be
deemed eligible to vote for Senate officers. In the instance of a Senate
member on leave for the entire academic year, the replacement shall be deemed
eligible to vote. The new Senate will assume its official
duties on June 1.
b.
Offices
shall be filled one at a time in order of chair, vice chair, secretary, first
at-large member, second at-large member.
c.
Nominations
shall be made by individual members of the Senate by secret ballot.
d.
Senate members
shall have the opportunity of withdrawing their names from nominations after
the nominations have been announced.
e.
Voting shall
be by written ballots unless there is only one nominee.
f.
To be elected,
a Senate member must receive a majority of the votes cast. (A written abstention
shall not be considered vote cast.) In a run-off election, the candidates
shall be those listed in rank order of votes received whose combined total
of votes first exceeds a majority (i.e., if the top two have such a majority,
they will be the candidates; if it takes the top three for such a majority,
they are the candidates, etc.)
g.
For the
purpose of this election, the chair shall appoint two retiring Senate members
as an Elections Committee to handle the voting procedures.
2.
Elections:
Senate Working Committees and All-University ad hoc Committees chosen by
the Senate: In view of the diversity of such elections,
procedures that would encompass all such elections would be complex and burdensome.
Thus, the procedures suggested below are intended only as guidelines for
most elections. The Executive Committee shall either decide on the procedures
for specific elections or delegate this final decision to the Senate.
a.
The Executive
Committee shall serve as a nominating committee for such committees. Senate
members may make floor nominations and shall be notified of the elections
in sufficient time to secure nominees who have agreed to run. Where appropriate,
the Senate shall attempt to expand the number of faculty involved in academic
governance.
b.
In instances
where there are numerous nominees for a particular position, the majority
vote requirement is advisable.
c.
The term
of service on committees shall be two years unless specified otherwise for
an individual committee.
E.
Referenda
1.
When referenda
have been decreed by the Faculty or the Senate, the Executive Committee shall
have the responsibility of deciding whether or not position statements on
the referenda issues should be promulgated with the ballot. Should such statements
be required, the Elections Committee or the Executive Committee will be responsible
for spelling out the issues in the referenda.
2.
Procedures
for all-university elections (Part A) shall be followed, where applicable
(i.e., provisions (2) announcement of elections (referenda); (3) electorate;
(5) distribution of ballots; (6) return of ballots; (9) void ballots; (12)
counting of ballots.)
3.
The names
and addresses of the chairs of the sponsoring groups should be included on
all campaign literature.
F.
TERMS: The term of service for any person elected or appointed
to a committee by the faculty, the Senate, or the executive Committee shall
be a specified duration for that committee.
VI.
MISCELLANEOUS
A.
The Executive
Committee is authorized to collect voluntary dues at the rate of $5.00 per
month from the Faculty and to form a non-profit unincorporated association
for the collection of same.
B.
The Executive
Committee is authorized to appoint one member of the Faculty as parliamentarian
of the Senate. The Parliamentarian shall attend Senate meetings to advise
the Chair on procedural matters.
C.
The Senate
Executive Committee or its designees shall serve as alternates to the Statewide
Senate delegation. In case an elected Statewide Senator is forced to miss
a meeting of the Statewide Senate, that person, at the earliest possible
time, shall notify the senior or next senior member of the San Francisco
delegation who shall proceed down the list of designated alternates until
an alternate able to attend the meeting is found.
D.
In the event
a member of the Academic Senate is absent for two successive meetings without
written notification to the Executive Committee, that member shall be deemed
to have resigned and these at shall be filled as specified in the University
Faculty Elections and Referenda Procedures. Should illness or emergency prevent
a member from providing written notification, the Executive Committee is
empowered to waive the requirement for written notification, as long as such
a waiver does not deprive the faculty or any of its units of adequate representation
on the Academic Senate.
E.
Elected
members of the Senate may succeed themselves for one full term. No member
of the Academic Senate shall serve more than six successive years in that
capacity. The time spent by a Senator in replacing another Senator on leave
or absent for any reason shall not be included in the above stated limitations
of service. Leave of absence from the Academic Senate shall be limited to
two consecutive semesters.
F.
The Executive
Committee shall determine the electorate of the student affairs professional
academically-related area after consultation with representatives of the
group.
VII.
AMENDMENTS: These By-laws of the Academic Senate may be added to or
amended by a two-thirds vote of the Academic
Senate.
***APPROVED BY THE ACADEMIC SENATE
ON