OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
BYLAWS
OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Approved by the Faculty Senate November 12, 1964
Revised: May 5, 1966; June 1, December 7 and 14, 1967; March 13 and June
5, 1969; February 13, May 29 and December 3, 1970; May 6 and June 3, 1971;
March 2, 1972; May 30, 1974; March 6, 1975; October 6, 1983; April 3, 1986;
October 1, 1987; May 12 and December 1, 1988; May 4 and October 5, 1989;
March 1 and April 5, 1990; June 4, 1992, March 4, 1993; November 4, 1993;
April 7, 1994; May 4, 1995; December 7, 1995, December 5, 1996; October
9, 1997; May 6, 1999; April 6, 2000; October 6, 2002; October 8, 2009; and June 9, 2010.
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Faculty Senate of Oregon State
University.
ARTICLE II: OBJECT
Sec. 1. Within the framework of legislation providing for Land-Grant Institutions
and the Oregon State System of Higher Education, the Faculty Senate of Oregon
State University, on behalf of the Faculty of the University, shall: (a)
determine and establish the purposes of Oregon State University, formulate
and evaluate policies and activities in harmony with these purposes; (b)
assume responsibility for the creation, maintenance, and protection of a
University environment conducive to the full and free development and preservation
of scholarly learning, teaching, and research; (c) provide the means by
which the administration may be apprised of representative opinion of the
entire Faculty.
Sec. 2. To accomplish the Objects stated in Section 1. above, the Faculty
Senate shall: (a) have legislative responsibility with respect to academic
policies, educational standards, curricula, and academic regulations; (b)
study and prepare recommendations to the President of Oregon State University
concerning the welfare of the Faculty; (c) provide the means through which
any matter of general interest to the Faculty or pertaining to the institution
and its purpose may be brought to the Faculty Senate for discussion and
appropriate action.
ARTICLE III: AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Sec. 1. The Faculty Senate shall be representative of the entire Faculty
of Oregon State University and shall have both the authority and responsibility
to act for and on behalf of the Faculty in all matters encompassed within
the stated Objects of the Faculty Senate. The Faculty is defined as members
of the Unclassified Academic Staff who: (1) are Professional Faculty, or
(2) hold one of these academic ranks: Instructor, Senior Instructor, Faculty
Research Assistant, Senior Faculty Research Assistant, Research Associate,
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor (as defined in Section
580-20-005 of the OSSHE Administrative Rules). Faculty in administrative
or support units with joint appointments in academic units shall be included
in their academic unit for the purposes of apportionment.
Sec. 2. Apportionment units represented in the Senate must comply with Board
of Higher Education Administrative Rule (OAR 580-15-005), banning discrimination
on the basis of age, disability, national origin, race, marital status,
religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
Sec. 3. Members of the Faculty Senate are the uninstructed representatives
of their constituents. It shall be the responsibility of the members of
the Faculty Senate to seek for the opinions of their constituencies. Having
exercised such responsibility, the members of the Faculty Senate shall feel
free to make decisions and vote on matters according to their own reasoned
judgments.
ARTICLE IV: MEMBERS
Sec. 1. The Faculty Senate shall consist of (a) elected members (b) officers
of the Senate, and (c) ex-officio members.
Sec. 2. Elected Members. There shall be 132 elected members as determined
and apportioned according to the provisions of Article V, Sec. 1. All Faculty,
as defined in Article III, Sec. 1 and who are included in Senate apportionment,
shall be eligible for election to the Faculty Senate.
Sec. 3. Ex-Officio Members. The President of the University, the Provost
and Executive Vice President, Interinstitutional Faculty Senators, immediate
past president, and any Executive Committee member whose term in the Senate
has expired shall be Ex-Officio voting members of the Faculty Senate.
ARTICLE V: MEMBER NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Sec. 1. Apportionment. The elected members of the Faculty Senate,
exclusive of the Senate President and Senate President-Elect, shall
be apportioned
in the following manner:
Each College, the combined ROTC staff, off-campus Extension
Faculty, Student Affairs, Associated Faculty, OSU-Cascades and Library are apportionment
groups.
The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate shall determine each Fall the full-time-equivalent
(FTE) of Faculty as defined in Article III, Section 1., above, in each College
or unit and the total student credit hours (SCH) generated by each unit during
the most recent academic year. The apportionment shall be allocated 75% according
to FTE and 25% according to SCH, with the number of elected members of each apportionment
group determined by the largest whole number below its calculated apportionment,
and fractional apportionment allocated as described below. Each apportionment
group shall have at least one elected member. Additional seats necessary to
achieve
a total elected membership of 132 shall be distributed by allocating one seat
to the apportionment group with the greatest unassigned fractional apportionment
and continuing until 132 seats have been allocated.
Official current University personnel statistics will be the basis
for determining the FTE for each Faculty member and for determining
whether a Faculty member
holds academic rank in more than one apportionment group. Official
university student credit hour reports for the most recent academic
year will be the
basis for determining the total SCH of each apportionment group.
To simplify the calculation of the apportionment, factors relating FTE to the
number of Senators in each apportionment unit will be determined by examining the
2005-2008 academic years. These factors will be used for estimating the number
of Senators per apportionment group in future years. These factors will
be revised at the completion of any University reorganization process,
or upon creation or abolishment of apportionment groups, and every five years thereafter.
Apportionment Groups are defined as: Each College, the combined ROTC
staff, off-campus Extension faculty, Student
Affairs, Associated Faculty, OSU-Cascades and Library. Associated
Faculty are defined as those faculty whose affiliation is not with
one of the other apportionment groups. Creation of additional apportionment
groups requires a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular
Faculty Senate meeting and would become effective at the next subsequent
annual apportionment.
If an apportionment group is eliminated due to merger or abolishment
of a campus unit, the terms of office of the group's Senators would
cease at
the end of the current apportionment year.
If the FTE or SCH in an apportionment group declines to the extent
that the total number of Senators to be allotted to that group in
the next apportionment
year will be less than the number of Senators scheduled to continue
their terms of office into the new apportionment year, the reduction
in number
of Senators shall be dealt with through an election by members of
the apportionment group. The terms of the elected Senators shall
be in compliance with Sec. 5.
In the determination of representation of each apportionment group,
all Faculty members who hold academic rank or FTE in one such group
shall be
included in that group, whether engaged in instructional, research,
or extension work, with the apportionment determined accordingly.
On-campus Extension
Faculty shall be included with the college or other apportionment
unit that is their academic home.
Each Fall, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate will request
that Faculty with academic appointments in more than one apportionment
group
declare that group with which they wish to be associated for the
purposes of apportionment and voting. These Faculty will have, with
respect to these
Bylaws, the same privileges as other members of the groups they select.
Those Faculty members who do not respond to the annual request of
the Executive
Committee will be included in the apportionment group they most recently
selected. Those Faculty who have never selected an apportionment
group will
be assigned to that apportionment group that has the greatest portion
of their FTE.
In circumstances that either prohibit or greatly inhibit the ability of
the Executive Committee to adequately determine an accurate
apportionment, the Executive Committee may request from the
Senate that the apportionment formula used in the immediately
previous academic year be used for calculating representation for the
current academic year. The request shall be brought to the Senate
after written notification to the membership of the proposed action,
and shall require a two-thirds vote by written ballot of the members
present at a regular Faculty Senate meeting. After the current year
under the special apportionment formula, the process for
determining representation shall revert back to the regular process
as stated above.
Sec. 2. Voting. All Faculty, as defined in Article III, Sec. l.,
and who are included in Senate apportionment in their apportionment unit, shall be eligible
to vote in the nomination
and election of Senators.
Sec. 3. Nominations Procedure: There shall be at least two nominees for each
membership position to be filled. Nominations shall be by secret ballot. Nominations
shall be conducted in a manner to be designated by the Executive Committee.
The Faculty Senate Office shall coordinate the nominations.
Those conducting nominations shall: (a) provide faculty with an opportunity
to decline to have their name on the ballot; (b) make public the list
of Faculty members eligible for election and willing to serve; (c)
request that each eligible Faculty member cast one vote per vacant
position; and (d) count/verify the ballots/results and publish the
names of the nominees.
Voting is to be conducted with a written or electronic ballot in a manner that is accessible
to all who are eligible to vote, and is secure and confidential. In instances of electronic
voting, the Executive Committee must approve the method.
Sec. 4. Election Procedure. Election shall take place during the
Fall term immediately following the nominations ballot.
Election shall be by secret ballot and shall be conducted in a manner to be designated by the Executive Committee.
The Faculty Senate Office shall coordinate the nominations.
Those conducting elections shall: (a) request that each eligible Faculty member
cast one vote for the position to be filled; (b) count/verify the ballots/results, and (c) the
Faculty Senate Office shall notify the persons who have been elected, and immediately forward
the names of the individuals so elected to the heads of the apportionment units who will be
responsible for informing the faculty within their respective apportionment
units of the election results. Tie votes shall be resolved in a manner to be
designated by the Executive Committee.
Sec. 5. Term of Office. Normally, representatives shall be elected
for terms of three calendar years, with approximately one-third
retiring each year.
An exception is allowed when the Executive Committee prescribes a
term of one or two calendar years in order to retain the approximation
of one-third
of the Faculty Senate retiring each year. A Faculty member shall
be ineligible for appointment or election to a term of any length
during the year following
completion of two full consecutive terms.
Sec. 6. Publication. As soon as practicable after the elections have
been completed, the staff of the Faculty Senate Office shall post
on the Faculty Senate website and forward for publication
in a university newsletter, the names of newly-elected
members and the groups they represent.
Sec. 7. Vacancies. The position of a Senator shall become vacant
by: (1) Resignation, on the effective date specified in a letter
of resignation
to the Senate President; (2) Leave of Absence, on the effective date
of a leave from the campus in excess of one academic term, exclusive
of Summer
Term; (3) Termination or Retirement, on the effective date; (4) Recall
or rescind, when a valid petition to recall must bear a number of
signatures
of the apportioned group greater than one-half the number of ballots
cast in the last election held by the apportioned group; or (5) (moved from Article X, Sec. 2, paragraph 4)
In the event of a Senator's absence, without providing a substitute, for three meetings during the session (October-June)
the Faculty Senate President will contact the individual
and indicate that if they miss a fourth meeting, the position will be vacated.
Any vacated position will be filled by the nominee with the next highest number of votes at the most recent election.
A vacancy shall be filled from the time it occurs until the next
election by the unelected nominee who received the highest number
of votes in the
most recent election. The unexpired portion of any vacant term that
extends beyond the next election shall be filled at that election.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
Sec. l. The officers of the Faculty Senate shall consist of the following:
(a) Senate President, who has served as Senate President-Elect during
the
preceding term and (b) Senate President-Elect, an elected member
of the Faculty who is now or has been a Senator. If the President-Elect
is serving
as an elected Senator, that seat shall be declared vacant and filled
by the apportionment group in accordance with Article V, Section
7.
Sec. 2. Duties. The duties of the various officers shall be specified
in these Bylaws and in the parliamentary authority adopted by the
Faculty Senate.
The primary duties of the officers shall be as follows:
Senate President: Shall be the elected representative of the University
Faculty in matters pertaining to the Faculty and Faculty Senate.
Shall be
the senior officer and spokesperson for adopted policy of the Faculty
Senate and Faculty. Shall preside at meetings of the Faculty Senate
and its Executive
Committee. Shall represent the Senate and Faculty in discussions
with the Oregon State University administration. Shall represent
the Senate and Faculty
in discussions with the Chancellor, the State Board of Higher Education,
the State Legislature, the media, and other organized groups outside
the
University. Shall determine agenda for meetings of the Executive
Committee, and shall consult with the Executive Committee in establishing
agenda for
meetings of the Faculty Senate. Shall administer the office of the
Faculty Senate and oversee retention of the records of the Senate.
Senate President-Elect: Shall represent the Senate and Faculty in
the absence of the Senate President or by request of that officer.
Shall preside at
meetings of the Faculty Senate and the Executive Committee in the
absence of the Senate President upon request. Shall, with the Senate
President and
the Executive Committee, establish agenda for meetings of the Faculty
Senate. Shall serve as Chair of each "Faculty
Forum" session, unless this duty is otherwise delegated. Shall be sufficiently
involved in the workings of the Senate to prepare adequately
for future duties as President.
Sec. 2b. Officers. Responsibilities for the Senate Officers and Staff
in the Faculty Senate Office shall be under the direction of the
President
of the Faculty Senate. They shall have responsibility for such activities
as the following:
1. Recording and submitting for distribution the Minutes of the Senate's
meetings.
2. Working with the committees and councils of the Senate.
3. Maintaining records related to the Senate's meetings, the Executive
Committee's meetings, Faculty Forums, and retention of the official
files of the activities
of Senate committees and councils.
Sec. 3. Election Procedures for Senate President-Elect. The
Bylaws and Nominations Committee shall nominate at least two candidates
from the Faculty for the office of Senate President-Elect.
Each nominee shall be or shall have served as a Senator. The Committee
shall report to the regular November meeting of the Faculty Senate.
Additional
nominations may be made from the floor, but the individual nominated
must have previously agreed to serve if elected, and the nominations
shall be closed. The Faculty Senate Office shall publish the names
of the nominees on the Faculty Senate website and in
a university newsletter, no later than the third week of
November.
Election shall occur in a manner designated by the Executive Committee during the
Fall term; election results shall be reported at the regular December meeting.
The nominee receiving the highest number
of votes shall be elected. Tie votes shall be resolved by
a run-off
election in a manner to be designated by the Executive Committee.
All persons eligible to vote in Faculty Senate elections shall be
eligible to vote for a Senate President-Elect. A method
for absentee
voting shall be designated by the Executive Committee.
Sec. 4. Term of Office, Released Time, and Vacancies. The Senate
President and President-Elect shall be installed at the first regular
Faculty Senate
meeting of the Calendar year. Each shall hold office for a period
of one year or until a successor has been duly installed.
Faculty Senate Officers shall be granted released time from customary
University duties in these amounts:
Senate President: 12-month appointment: .50 FTE for 12 months
9-month appointment: .50 FTE for 9 months plus .50 FTE for 2 Summer
months
(summer salary to be calculated on the basis of monthly salary for
the 9-month appointment)
This total of .50 FTE released time may, however, be divided differently
between the President and the President-Elect, or among the President,
the
President-Elect and another faculty person, agreed to by the Executive
Committee, upon recommendation of the President and the President-Elect.
A Senate President who has served in that office for eight months
or more shall for two years be ineligible for re-election to the
office of Senate
President-Elect.
A Senate President-Elect, at the end of his/her term of office, shall
succeed to the office of Senate President. A Senate President-Elect
who is unable
to serve as Senate President shall for two years be ineligible for
re-election to the office of Senate President-Elect or to the
Executive Committee.
The position of an officer of the Senate shall become vacant by:
(1) Resignation, on the effective date specified in a letter of
resignation; (2) Leave of
Absence, on the effective date of a leave from the university in
excess of one month; (3) Termination or Retirement, on the effective
date; or (4)
Recall or rescind. The election of a President or President-Elect
may be rescinded following rules specified by Roberts Rules of Order
Newly Revised
(Article VI, Section 37). A rescind motion requires from the Senate
(a) a two-thirds vote, or (b) a majority vote if notice of intent
to make the
motion has been given at the previous meeting and the motion is published
as an action item on the agenda of the Senate meeting at which it
will be
introduced. Voting on motions to recall the President or President-Elect
shall occur in a manner to be designated by the Executive
Committee.
A vacancy in the office of Senate President shall be filled by the
Senate President-Elect for the remainder of the term of office.
A Senate President-Elect
who succeeds to Senate President to fill a vacancy and serves in
that office for eight months or more shall have completed the term
and retire from the
Senate Presidency.
A vacancy in the office of Senate President-Elect shall be filled
for the remainder of the term of office by a special election following
the procedures
as provided in Sec. 3 of this Article, but not restricted by November
dates for nomination and election. During the interim from when
the vacancy occurs
to when a new President-Elect is installed, the Immediate Past President
shall perform the functions of the office of President-Elect. If
that person
is not available, the next most immediate and available Past President
shall serve.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sec. l. Membership: The Executive Committee shall consist of the Senate
President, the Senate President-Elect, the Immediate Past Senate President, the senior IFS Senator, and the Provost and Executive Vice President,
or that person's designee, as Ex-Officio members; and
six others elected from the membership of the Faculty Senate. The elected
Executive Committee members shall retain their Faculty Senate seats for
the remainder of their Senate terms.
Sec. 2. Duties. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of
the affairs of the Faculty Senate between regular meetings, fix the hour
and place of meetings, and perform such other duties as are specified in
these Bylaws or as may be assigned to it by the Faculty Senate. Shall appoint
the members, including any student members who may be authorized by the
Standing Rules, determine the tenure, and designate the Chair of all Faculty
Senate committees and councils. The Executive Committee is subject to the
orders of the Faculty Senate and none of its acts shall conflict with any
action taken by the Faculty Senate.
Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at least once
each month, from October through May inclusive, and shall be held a minimum
of one week in advance of regular Faculty Senate meetings. Special meetings
may be called by the Senate President or at the request of three members
of the Executive Committee. During the summer period, June 16 through September
15, the Executive Committee shall have complete authority to act for the
Faculty Senate in matters of urgent necessity, as determined by the Executive
Committee.
Sec. 3. Election Procedure for Elected Members of the Executive Committee.
The Bylaws and Nominations Committee shall nominate from the Senate membership
at least two or more candidates for election to positions on the Executive
Committee than there are elective positions open. The Bylaws
and Nominations Committee shall report the names of nominees to the regular November
meeting of the Faculty Senate. Additional nominations may be made from the
floor and the nominations shall be closed. The Faculty Senate Office shall
cause to be published the names of nominees for the Executive Committee
in the faculty/staff Newsletter (OSU This Week), no later than the third
week in November.
The election shall take place following approval of the apportionment table
and shall be conducted electronically or in a manner designated by the Executive Committee.
Each Senator shall be entitled to vote for
as many candidates as there are elective positions open. Those candidates
receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Tie votes shall
be resolved by written ballot in a run-off election at the regular December
meeting of the Senate.
Sec. 4. Term of Office and Vacancies. Senators elected to open positions
on the Executive Committee shall be installed at the first regular Faculty
Senate meeting of each Calendar year and shall serve a term of two years
or until a successor has been duly installed. Three new members shall be
elected each year, with three continuing. An elected member who, at the
completion of his/her term, will have served on the Executive Committee
for more than eighteen (18) months, shall be ineligible for re-election
for two years.
The position of an Executive Committee member shall become vacant by: (1)
Resignation, on the effective date specified in a letter of resignation
to the Senate President; (2) Leave of Absence, on the effective date of
a leave from the campus in excess of one academic term, exclusive of Summer
Term; (3) Termination or Retirement, on the effective date; or (4) Recall or
Rescind, according to procedures identified in Article VI, Sec. 4; or (5)
non-participation due to non-attendance of meetings. A member missing
three meetings during the term , unless deemed an excused absence by vote
of the Executive Committee.
Vacancies in the elected member position(s) shall be filled for the period
to complete the term at the discretion of the Executive Committee by the
candidate who, in descending order, received the next highest number of
votes in the most recent election.
ARTICLE VIII: INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE
Sec. 1. The Interinstitutional Faculty Senate (IFS) serves as a voice
of the faculties of the Oregon University System (OUS) institutions
in matters of system-wide concern, considers state-wide policies
and makes recommendations thereon, and endeavors to strengthen the
participation
of faculties in the governance of the various OUS institutions. IFS
is composed of faculty representatives from each of the OUS campuses.
OSU is represented by three (3) Senators. The elected IFS Senators
shall retain their Faculty Senate seats for the remainder of
their Senate terms.
Sec. 2. Duties. IFS Senators are the representatives of the OSU Faculty
in matters that cross institutional lines. IFS Senators shall be
responsible
for seeking opinions of the OSU Faculty and the OSU Faculty Senate
as a body. The senior IFS Senator shall serve as an Ex-Officio, voting member of the Executive Committee.
Sec. 3. Election Procedures for IFS Senators. The Bylaws and Nominations
Committee shall nominate at least two candidates from the Faculty
for each
IFS Senator vacancy. All Faculty, as defined in Article III, Sec.
l and who are included in Senate apportionment, shall be eligible
for election
to IFS.
The Committee shall report to the regular November meeting of the
Faculty Senate. Additional nominations for IFS Senator may be made
from the floor, but the individual nominated must have previously
agreed to serve if
elected,
and the nominations shall be closed. The Faculty Senate Office shall
publish the names of the nominees on the Faculty Senate website and in
a university newsletter no later than the third week of November.
Election shall occur in a manner designated by the Executive Committee during the Fall
term; election results shall be reported at the regular December meeting.
The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall be
elected. Tie votes shall be resolved
in a run-off
election in a manner to be designated by the Executive Committee.
All persons eligible to vote in Faculty Senate elections shall be
eligible to vote for the IFS Senator.
Sec. 4. Term of Office. IFS Senators serve three-year terms beginning
in the January following their election. The terms for the three
IFS Senators
from OSU shall be staggered.
Sec. 5. Vacancies. The position of IFS Senator shall become vacant
by: (1) Resignation, on the effective date specified in a letter
of resignation
to the Senate President; (2) Leave of Absence, on the effective date
of a leave from the campus in excess of one academic term, exclusive
of Summer
term; (3) Termination or Retirement on the effective date; or (4) Recall
or Rescind, according to procedures identified in Article VI, Sec.
4; or (5) Non-participation due to non-attendance of meetings, at the
discretion of the Executive Committee.
Vacancies in elected positions shall be filled for the period to
complete the term at the discretion of the Executive Committee by the
candidate who, in descending order, received the next highest number of votes
in the most recent election.
ARTICLE IX: COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
Sec. l. Origin. The Senate shall, from time to time, by a majority vote,
and upon the recommendation or with the approval of the Committee on Committees,
create new standing committees and councils, discharge, consolidate, or
divide others. It shall establish Ad Hoc Committees as the need arises and
as directed by the provisions of the motions that it adopts.
Sec. 2. Responsibility. All University committees and councils dealing with
academic policy matters, and all standing committees and councils authorized
by the Faculty Senate for carrying out its Objects shall be responsible
to the Faculty Senate. These shall include such standing committees and
councils as:
a. Standing Committees:
Academic Regulations
Academic Requirements
Academic Standing
Administrative Appointments
Advancement of Teaching
Baccalaureate Core
Budgets & Fiscal Planning
Bylaws and Nominations
Committee on Committees
Computing Resources
Distance Education
b. Councils:
Academic Advising
Graduate
Curriculum
Diversity
Research
University Honors College
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Faculty Economic Welfare & Retirement
Faculty Grievance
Faculty Mediation
Faculty Recognition and Awards
Faculty Status
Graduate Admissions
Library
Promotion & Tenure
Student Recognition & Awards
Undergraduate Admissions
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Sec. 3. General Provisions. Unless otherwise provided for in the Standing
Rules of the Faculty Senate, (a) the tenure of Faculty members of the standing
committees and councils shall be for terms of three Calendar years, starting
on July 1, with approximately one-third retiring each year; and (b) Faculty
members ordinarily shall not be appointed to two successive terms on a committee
or council, nor to more than one committee or council in a tenure period.
The Executive Committee also shall require reports of these committees and
councils in such form (including non-participation by individual appointees)
and at such times as it deems necessary and proper
for furthering the Objects of the Faculty Senate. The members of a particular
committee or council shall have the right to participate in Senate debate
whenever the Senate considers that Committee's or Council's report.
Sec. 4. Special Provisions. The Committee on Committees shall propose Standing
Rules, subject to the approval of the Faculty Senate, for each of the Senate's
standing committees and councils, and cause those Rules thus approved to
be published annually in the Faculty Senate Handbook, and in each issue
of the Faculty Handbook. Such Rules shall prescribe the duties of each committee
and council as well as any deviations from the general membership provisions
set forth in Section 3. of this Article (IX). These Standing Rules shall
be reviewed by the Committee on Committees and proposed changes shall be
submitted to the Faculty Senate for its consideration.
Sec. 5. Past Presidents' Council. Faculty who have served as President of
the Faculty Senate shall constitute a Past Presidents' Council. This Council
shall be presided over by the immediate past president. If that person is
not available, the next most immediate and available past president shall
preside.
This council shall be assembled no less than once during the academic year,
preferably in the Spring Term, to review the functioning of the Faculty
Senate, the Faculty Senate Office, and the Faculty Senate's interaction
with the OSU central administration. This Council shall report to the Faculty
Senate the results of its annual review.
In addition, the Council shall be a consultative group from which the Faculty
Senate President, the Executive Committee, or the Faculty Senate may seek
advice, as requested.
ARTICLE X: MEETINGS
Sec. 1. The Oregon State Public Meetings Law and Public Records Law (Oregon
Laws 1973, CHS 172, 794; ORS CH 192) apply to meetings of the Faculty Senate.
Sec. 2. The Faculty Senate shall hold at least one regular meeting per month
from October through June, generally on the second Thursday afternoon. The
Senate President, with approval of the Executive Committee, shall call special
meetings whenever deemed necessary or when petitioned by five or more Senators.
A session shall consist of all meetings held between September 16 and the
following September 15, and questions which are lying on the table or which
have been subjected to a Motion to Reconsider shall die with the end of
the Session, but questions may be postponed to the next Session.
Notice and Agenda of all regular meetings of the Faculty Senate shall be
submitted for publication in the Staff Newsletter and The Daily Barometer for public dissemination
prior to the time of such meetings. Notice of special meetings shall
indicate the nature of business to be considered, shall constitute the Agenda,
and shall be circulated by whatever means available to each Senator and submitted to the
staff newsletter and The Daily Barometer for publication at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting.
It shall be the responsibility of all members to attend all meetings of
the Faculty Senate. When circumstances require the absence of a Senator
from one or more meetings, it shall be the Senator's responsibility to provide
a substitute to attend who is eligible for election to the Faculty Senate
(from the Senator's constituency but is not a current Senator or ex-officio
member). The substitute shall have the powers, privileges, duties, and responsibilities
of the absent Senator and shall be eligible to vote upon all motions coming
before the Faculty Senate. In the event of a Senator's absence, without
providing a substitute, for three meetings during one year see Article V, Section 7.
Sec. 3. Any meeting of the Faculty Senate may be converted into either an
Executive meeting, excluding all but elected and ex-officio members of the
Senate, the Parliamentarian, Faculty Senate Office staff, and others who
may be designated at the time, or a Faculty meeting, which shall be the
same as an Executive meeting, except that anyone entitled to vote in the
election of members of the Senate shall also be entitled to attend. In addition,
the Senate President shall have the authority to call either type. Such
meetings may be called for purposes of discussion, but not for the purposes
of taking any final action or making a final decision. The Senate President
must announce the statutory authority* before going into either type of
meeting.
(*Attorney General's Public Meetings and Records Manual, 1973, Attorney
General's Opinion #6996, Section I., D.)
The regular meetings of the Faculty Senate, excluding Executive and Faculty
Meetings, shall be open to anyone who desires to attend. The President of
the Associated Students of Oregon State University, or a properly designated
representative, shall have the right of a member of the Senate to participate
in debate. Members of Faculty Senate committees and councils, administrative
personnel of the University, and other resource persons invited to a meeting
by the Executive Committee shall be given permission to address the Senate
unless an objection is raised and sustained by a majority vote. The Senate
President may ban the use of equipment which disturbs the conduct of the
meeting.
Public notice of any such meetings, and, in the case of special meetings,
at least twenty-four (24) hours notice shall be given as specified in the
Oregon State Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.640).
ARTICLE XI: MOTIONS AND VOTING
Sec. l. Motions. Main motions, introducing new business to the Faculty Senate,
shall be limited to: (a) those specifically stated in the mailing (Sec.
2 Article XV) for the meeting; (b) those providing for the disposition
of a report included in the mailing, or (c) those distributed to the members,
in written form, at a previous meeting.
Other main motions shall be in order, but upon the request of a member and
passed by a 25% vote of the members present, any other votes pertaining
to the motion shall be postponed. Such a request for postponement shall
not be in order when another has the floor, must be made at the meeting
in which the Motion is introduced, shall have a rank of precedence immediately
above the motion to lay on the table, shall not be debatable, shall not
be renewable, shall not be subject to reconsideration, shall die if not acted
upon at the meeting during which it is made, and may be amended only with
regard to items (a) or (b) below. Discussion of the main motion upon which
voting has been postponed may continue, and when not brought to a close
by the adjournment of the meeting, may be closed by a call for the Orders
of the Day. Such a postponed motion shall automatically become an agenda
item for the next regular meeting, unless it (a) is made the Order of the
Day for an adjourned meeting to be held at least twenty-four (24) hours
later, or (b) is made the question for a mail vote, with an interval of
three (3) days allowed for the return of ballots.
Sec. 2. Quorum. For purposes of transacting business, those members of the
Faculty Senate present shall constitute a quorum.
Sec. 3. Approval. Actions taken by the Faculty Senate are subject to approval
by the President of the University, as provided in the OSBHE Administrative
Rule 12.120.
Sec. 4. Appeal. University Presidential disapproval or modification of Faculty
Senate actions may be appealed to the Chancellor, as provided under the
OSBHE Administrative Rule 12.120. An appeal may be initiated by a majority
vote at a regularly scheduled or special meeting of the Faculty Senate.
ARTICLE XII: PLEBISCITE REFERRAL
Sec. 1. Referral. The Faculty Senate may refer an issue to a vote of the
entire Faculty. A referral shall be initiated by a majority vote at a regularly
scheduled or special meeting of the Faculty Senate.
Sec. 2. Balloting. All persons eligible to vote in the Faculty Senate elections
shall be eligible to vote on Plebiscite Referrals. Ballots shall be secret.
The Executive Committee shall be responsible for distribution, collection and counting
of ballots in a manner to be determined (electronic, paper, etc.).
Completed ballots shall be returned to a ballot-counting
committee appointed by the Executive Committee, unless the election is conducted electronically.
Sec. 3. Reporting. The ballot-counting committee shall report the results
of the balloting to the Executive Committee, which shall report the results
to the Senate at its next meeting.
ARTICLE XIII: MEETING AGENDA
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall determine the Faculty Senate meeting
agenda and shall do so in a minimum of one week in advance of regular Faculty
Senate meetings. As liaison, the Provost and Executive Vice President apprises,
for agenda consideration, the Senate Executive Committee of all items from
meetings of the OUS Academic Council and the Provost's Council relating
to the Objects of the Faculty Senate. Members of the Faculty, individually
or collectively, or through campus committees or coordinating councils,
are encouraged to submit items for consideration for the Faculty Senate
meeting Agenda to their elected representative or directly to the Executive
Committee. In addition, suggestions for the Faculty Senate Agenda may be
raised from the floor during meetings of the Faculty Senate.
ARTICLE XIV: FACULTY FORUM
Sec. l. The Faculty Senate shall organize a meeting to be known as the "Faculty
Forum."
Sec. 2. Purpose. The purpose of the Faculty Forum shall be to encourage
among Faculty members of Oregon State University free discussion of matters
of their interest.
Sec. 3. Convening the Forum. The President-Elect of the Faculty Senate shall
convene a meeting of the Faculty Forum at the request of one or more of
the following: (1) the Faculty Senate, (2) the Executive Committee of the
Faculty Senate, (3) a petition signed by at least 15 Faculty members as
defined in Article III, Sec. 1.
The President-Elect of the Faculty Senate shall serve as Chair of the session
or shall designate a Chair. The Chair of the session shall, if desirable,
appoint a Secretary and/or Parliamentarian for the session.
Sec. 4. Call. A Call of the Forum, announcing the agenda, shall be issued
by the President-Elect of the Faculty Senate at least twenty-four (24) hours
before convening a session. This Call shall be circulated to the Faculty
by whatever means are available.
Sec. 5. Membership and Quorum. All Faculty members, regardless of rank,
may participate as members of the Faculty Forum. Those members in attendance
shall constitute a Quorum.
Sec. 6. Responsibilities. The Faculty Forum shall be considered to be representative
of those members who attended its meetings and is in no way authorized to
speak for the Faculty as a whole or the University.
ARTICLE XV: COMMUNICATIONS
Sec. 1. Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda. The Agenda, in descriptive form with
prominent display, shall be published in the Staff Newsletter issued prior
to the meeting to which the Agenda pertains.
Sec. 2. Mailings. Copies of all reports to the Senate and other information
authorized by the Executive Committee and related to agenda items shall
be distributed electronically by the Faculty Senate Office to each Senator
at least three (3) days in advance of a regular meeting and twenty-four
(24) hours ahead of a special meeting.
Sec. 3. Minutes. Minutes of all Senate meetings shall be taken and published
in sufficient detail to permit adequate understanding of Faculty Senate
actions, even on the part of the Faculty who are not members of the Faculty
Senate and who, therefore, may not have been in attendance.
Minutes of all Faculty Senate meetings and of its Executive Committee shall
be open to inspection by the Faculty, and individual Senate meeting Minutes
shall be published and made available to all Faculty members (as defined
in Article III, Sec. 1) following each Faculty Senate Meeting.
Sec. 4. Means of Communication. In addition to various informal means, elected
members of the Faculty Senate shall use systematic means for communication
with their constituents. Undoubtedly, these means will vary but, where applicable,
the following ones, or combinations of them, are recommended: (a) Faculty
Senate members may have a place on the agenda of regularly called college
meetings; (b) Faculty Senate members may have a place on the agenda of regularly
called departmental meetings; (c) Faculty Senate members may organize called
meetings of their constituents at suitable times and in suitable forms for
the purpose of discussing Faculty Senate business; (d) Faculty Senate members
shall have the use of facilities, or means with which to obtain facilities,
by which they can get into contact with their constituents. These facilities
might include: assistance in preparation and mailing of notices, telephoning
constituents, analyzing and preparing reports based on mail polls, and so
on.
Sec. 5. New Member Information. At the first Faculty Senate meeting when
newly-elected members are present (if no special New Senator Orientation
sessions has been held), time shall be given to inform such members concerning
their specific duties and responsibilities. Such explanation shall be accompanied
by a copy of these Bylaws and may be supplemented by additional written
material pertinent to this subject.
ARTICLE XVI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Sec. 1. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
govern the Faculty Senate in all cases to which they are applicable and
in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
Sec. 2. Parliamentarian.
(a) Selection. The Executive Committee shall name a professionally trained
Parliamentarian from the Faculty, subject to the approval of the Faculty
Senate.
(b) Duties and Privileges. The Parliamentarian shall assist the presiding
officer on interpretation of procedures. The Executive Committee may call
upon the Parliamentarian for guidance in procedures to be followed in the
development of the agenda for Faculty Senate meetings.
(c) Term. The Parliamentarian shall be chosen at the first meeting of the
Calendar year and shall serve for a term of one year. The Parliamentarian
may serve successive terms.
ARTICLE XVII: AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
Sec. 1. Unless otherwise provided for in this Article, amendment of these
Bylaws shall require a two-thirds vote by written ballot of the members
present at any regular Faculty Senate meeting. Amendments must be proposed
by the Executive Committee, by a committee authorized by the Faculty Senate,
or by any Senator from the floor of the Senate. In the latter case, however,
the proposed amendment shall automatically be referred to the Bylaws and Nominations Committee
for study and recommendation.
Proposed amendments shall be sent in writing to the President of the Faculty
Senate at least one month prior to the Faculty Senate meeting at which action
on the proposed amendment is to be taken.
Voting on proposed amendments shall be by written ballot.
Sec. 2. The listing of committees and councils in Article IX of these
Bylaws is for information and convenience. Faculty Senate committees and
councils may be added or dropped by a majority vote at any regular meeting
of the Faculty Senate.
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