Ad Hoc Committee on the Role of the
Faculty Senate
2005 - 2006 Members
Edwin Arnold
Paul Gates
Monica Lambert
Jeff McBride
Patrick Rardin
Allan Scherlen
Ad Hoc Committee on the Role of the Faculty Senate Annual Report for 2005 - 2006
Proposals from the Ad Hoc Committee on the Role of the Faculty Senate
FS05-06/04-24/08
Proposal 1: The Faculty Senate shall consist of one member from each of the departments/units that make up the university. For purposes of election, each department/unit shall nominate 2 candidates, selected by faculty vote as prescribed in the Faculty Handbook. These names will be placed on a ballot, listed under the appropriate department/unit. The university faculty at large shall then vote for 1 candidate from each pair nominated. The candidate with a simple majority shall be elected for a 3-year term. Elections shall therefore take place every three years. Newly elected senators shall be seated during the last meeting of each third academic year.
Rationale: The motion provides for more complete representation, greater involvement of faculty in university governance, and an identifiable place of residence for each senator. Although department/unit faculty will make the initial nominations, the elected senators will be chosen by the university faculty. Thus, each department/unit will be represented by a voice on the Senate, but each senator will also represent the faculty as a whole.
FS05-06/04-24/09
Proposal 2: The transition to the larger Faculty Senate shall proceed as follows: In Spring Semester of 2007, positions being vacated shall be filled by 2-year “at large” positions; in the Spring Semester of 2008, positions being vacated shall be filled by 1-year “at large” positions; and in the Spring Semester of 2009, all positions shall be filled according to the procedure of the new Faculty Senate.
Rationale: This method of transition will respect the tenure of senators recently elected to 3-year terms.
FS05-06/04-24/10
Proposal 3: Faculty senators shall not serve consecutive 3-year terms. At the end of every 3-year cycle, a completely new slate of senators shall take office.
Rationale: The motion prevents career membership on the Senate and encourages a wider representation. A new Senate every 3 years also brings new ideas and approaches to the business of representing the faculty.
FS05-06/04-24/11
Proposal 4: At the last meeting of each academic year, the Senate shall elect the executive officers for the following year, chosen from a minimum of two names for each position nominated from the floor. Candidates must give permission before their names are placed in nomination. Officers may be re-elected each year for the duration of their tenure on the Senate.
Rationale: The motion provides for the possibility for new leadership on a yearly basis but also recognizes that the Senate might wish to work under the same officers for more than one year.
FS05-06/04-24/12
Proposal 5: The Chancellor of the University shall meet with the Faculty Senate at its first and last sessions of the academic year. At the first meeting, the Chancellor shall review administrative plans and goals for the upcoming year. At the last meeting, the Chancellor shall review administrative accomplishments and on-going initiatives.
Rationale: The Chancellor should share with the Senate her/his plans at the beginning of the year so that the Senate will be more aware of and engaged in the business of the university. The last meeting should provide an opportunity for the Senate and Administration to discuss and evaluate the direction of the university.
FS05-06/04-24/13
Proposal 6: The Faculty Senate Executive Committee, consisting of the elected officers and the committee chairs, shall meet with the Provost at least once during each semester to discuss mutual concerns.
Rationale: Although it is important for the Provost and the Chair of the Senate to work together, it is also important that the Provost regularly hear a variety of voices from the Faculty Senate.
FS05-06/04-24-14
Proposal 7: The Agenda Committee shall be defined as the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and shall meet at least once prior to each regularly scheduled Senate meeting to formulate and approve (by a vote of the members in attendance) the agenda for each upcoming Senate meeting.
Rationale: The agenda should be set by group consensus rather than by the Chair alone.
FS05-06/04-24/15
Proposal 8: The Faculty Senate shall disband the Welfare of Students Committee.
Rationale: The Welfare of Students Committee can be seen as both paternalistic and redundant. The Student Government Association provides students with a strong voice on campus. Any concerns that involve both faculty and students can be brought to the appropriate Senate committees on an official basis.
FS05-06/04-24/16
Proposal 9: The secretary position allotted to the Faculty Senate shall be made a full-time position.
Rationale: The Faculty Senate Office should be open and available to faculty at all times during the regular work week. A full-time position also recognizes that faculty governance is important and respected by the university.
