BYLAWS OF THE FACULTY SENATE OF FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 8 BYLAWS OF THE FACULTY SENATE OF FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY ARTICLE I NAME For the purpose of systematically participating in the governance of Florida Memorial University, we, the Faculty, formally establish a representative body known as the Faculty Senate, hereinafter referred to as the Senate. ARTICLE II PURPOSE AND POWERS Section 1 Philosophy The Faculty Senate shall represent the faculty and assure faculty participation in the formulation of institutional policies and goals, and in their evaluation. Through the Senate, the Faculty formally and effectively participates in the governance of Florida Memorial University in accordance with standards set forth by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Association of University Professors. Section 2 Function The Senate shall collaborate with the administration of the University to enhance the well-being of the University and the interest of the faculty. The Senate shall provide a forum for discussion of University affairs and foster communication among the various constituencies of the academic community. In order to function effectively, the Senate requires reciprocal communication with all formal and informal groups of the University community and its affiliates. These groups shall include but are not limited to the Board of Trustees, President s Cabinet, and any other administrative unit. Faculty Senate has the obligation and right to assess University policies, academic issues, or other matters germane to the interests of the University and to make

2 Page 2 of 8 recommendations. It has the obligation and right to (1) recommend new policies; (2) recommend modifications to existing policies; and (3) recommend, when necessary, termination of present policies. Such substantive recommendations, contingent on faculty approval, shall be made to the President. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1 Composition The Faculty Senate shall consist of representatives from each constituency of the University. Each academic unit of the University constitutes a constituency from which a maximum of two Senators shall be elected during the month of April of every even-numbered year for the subsequent year. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Past Presidents shall serve as Senators at large. Any Past President who no longer wishes to serve as a Senator at large shall provide written notice of resignation to the Faculty Senate as stipulated in Article III, Section 6. Section 2 Eligibility Senators shall be elected within each academic unit from among the full-time faculty members who are not serving in an administrative capacity whose job description includes the supervision of other faculty members. Each academic unit (Aviation, Computer Sciences & Mathematics, Business, Education, Humanities, Health & Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, and Library) shall elect a maximum of two Senators. All elections shall be conducted in accordance with Robert s Rules of Order. Senators at large who have been transitioned into in an administrative position whose job description includes the supervision of other faculty members may no longer serve in the Faculty Senate until such time that they cease to serve in that administrative position. Section 3 Terms of Office Senators shall hold office for a term of two years, beginning on the fifteenth of August and ending on the fourteenth of August two years later, or until their successors are elected. There

3 Page 3 of 8 shall be no restriction on the number of terms a faculty member may serve as senator. Section 4 Duties of Senators To ensure greater accountability on the part of the individual Senator, it shall be the responsibility of each Senator to regularly attend Senate meetings or to arrange a proxy. Senators shall be expected to keep their constituents informed of Senate proceedings. In questions of voting, it is the responsibility of each Senator to act in the best interests of his/her constituents. Section 5 Recall of Senators Two or more unexcused absences from consecutive Senate meetings may result in the President initiating removal proceedings before the Senate. A quorum being present, a 51% majority vote is required to remove the Senator. Section 6 Vacancies An Officer or Senator who desires to resign shall submit a letter of resignation to the Secretary of the Faculty Senate, who will present it to the Executive Committee for action. Upon acceptance of the letter of resignation, the President of the Faculty Senate will notify the Division to elect a new senator to complete the remainder of the term. Termination of employment at Florida Memorial University will end membership in the Faculty Senate. In the event a Senate position is vacated prior to the expiration of the term, the appropriate academic unit shall hold an election within 30 days to fill the un-expired term. ARTICLE IV OFFICERS Section 1 Officers The officers of the Senate shall be a President, a Vice-President (President Elect), a Secretary, and the immediate Past President. Other officers shall be established as deemed necessary through future amendments to the Bylaws of the Faculty Senate.

4 Page 4 of 8 Section 2 - Executive Committee The President, Vice-President (President Elect), Secretary, and immediate Past President shall comprise the Executive Committee. This committee shall assist the Senate President in establishing the agenda for Faculty Senate meetings; supervise University and Faculty Senate elections; assist in coordinating the work of the Faculty Senate subcommittees; and conduct Senate business between Senate meetings. Section 3 Election The President, Vice-President (President Elect), and Secretary of the Senate shall be elected every two years by the entire faculty after nomination in the April Faculty Senate Meeting, from a roster of all current senators and those who served in the Senate in preceding years. Nominations from the floor at the April General Faculty Meeting are strictly prohibited. Elections shall be held in April of each even-numbered year for the subsequent year. Elections shall be determined by majority vote (51%), and the first officers shall have been elected at the time of ratification of these Bylaws. Section 4 Terms of Officers Officers are elected for a term of two years, beginning on the fifteenth of August and ending on the fourteenth of August two years later, or until their successors are elected. The President and Vice President (President Elect) shall serve only one term. The Secretary may serve two consecutive terms. Section 5 - Duties of Officers The PRESIDENT of the Senate sets the agenda for all Senate meetings; presides at all meetings of the Senate; conducts correspondence for the Senate; is available for consultation when requested by the President of the University, by the administrative officers and staff, and by the committees of the Faculty Senate; attends or appoints another to attend meetings of the Board of Trustees, Academic Council, Cabinet, Planning and Administrative Council, appropriate committees of the Board of Trustees, and other College bodies; and performs all other duties that are necessary and proper to ensure the effective operation of the Faculty

5 Page 5 of 8 Senate. The VICE-PRESIDENT serves as President in the absence of the President and assumes the office of the President at the end of the two-year term, monitors the Senate s adherence to the parliamentary rules, and serves as Senate Parliamentarian. The SECRETARY is responsible for transcription and distribution of the minutes of the meetings of the Faculty Senate and maintaining a list of current Faculty Senators and Chairs of standing and Ad Hoc Committees. ARTICLE V MEETINGS AND QUORUM Section 1 - Meetings Regular meetings shall be held monthly during the academic year. An annual schedule listing the date, time, and place of regular meetings shall be posted in August of each year. A formal agenda shall be posted to the Senators a minimum of two days in advance of the meeting. The President is empowered to call special and emergency meetings of the Senate. Written notice of meetings must be delivered to all Senators two business days prior to regular or special meetings. Section 2 - Quorum Two-thirds of the Faculty Senate membership shall constitute a quorum. All voting requires a quorum. Two-thirds of the Senators (elected and at large) will constitute the voting body for conducting all business, in accordance with Article III, Section 1. Any action taken by the Faculty Senate without a quorum shall be deemed invalid. The passage of a proposal requires a majority of those voting. ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES

6 Page 6 of 8 Section 1 - Establishment The permanent committees of the Faculty Senate are Academic Affairs, Faculty Welfare, Tenure and Promotion, Faculty Dismissal, and Past President Council. The Faculty Senate shall establish any other committees it deems necessary. Section 2 Duties of Standing Committees A. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE The Academic Affairs Committee considers matters dealing with any aspect of the academic programs of the University. B. FACULTY WELFARE The Faculty Welfare Committee considers personnel issues related to benefits and working conditions, as well as organizing social events for the faculty. Such issues include but are not limited to: Issues related to pay scale, faculty load, and overloads; Physical working conditions, including OSHA compliance; Personnel benefits, including health and welfare benefits; Bonuses and incentives; Faculty development activities in coordination with other Faculty Senate committees or University entities; Representation on the organization of University social events and health and wellness activities that include faculty; Social events expressly for faculty. C. TENURE AND PROMOTION The Tenure and Promotion Committees considers issues related to the conditions of employment of faculty, as well as tenure and promotion policies and procedures. D. FACULTY DISMISSAL The Faculty Dismissal Committees considers issues related to the conditions of employment of faculty, as well as dismissal policies and procedures. E. PAST PRESIDENT COUNCIL Faculty who have served as President of the Faculty Senate constitute the Past President's Council, which is presided over by the immediate past president. The Council will meet no less than twice during the academic year to review the

7 Page 7 of 8 functioning of the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Senate Office, and the Faculty Senate's interaction with the FMU faculty and administration. 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. Section 3 - Membership Senators shall serve on at least one Faculty Senate committee. All chairs of permanent committees shall be tenured faculty members. Section 4 - Minutes Committees shall keep minutes of all their meetings and forward copies of the minutes to the President and Secretary of the Faculty Senate. The Secretary will archive minutes in the University Library. Section 5 - Structure and Policy Any and all changes to committee structure and/or policy must be approved by the Faculty Senate. Changes are effective when ratified by a simple majority of the Senate. ARTICLE VII ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS The University shall provide the Senate with secretarial services, maintenance of permanent files, office space and other operational needs. The Faculty Senate President shall receive a one-course reduction from his/her teaching assignment. Service as an officer or senator of the Faculty Senate will count as a committee assignment. Faculty serving on standing Faculty Senate committees will also be credited with a committee assignment. ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY RULES

8 Page 8 of 8 Robert's Rules of Order shall be the guide for conducting Faculty Senate deliberations not otherwise specified in the Bylaws or provided for by special rules adopted by the Senate. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS Proposed amendments to these Bylaws may be initiated by any member of the faculty. The proposed amendment must be circulated to all members of the faculty at least thirty days prior to the scheduled Faculty Senate vote. Voting shall be by written ballot and requires a two-thirds majority. Upon recommendation of the Faculty Senate, the amendment must be ratified through a written ballot by two thirds of the entire faculty membership. The amendment becomes effective upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the University. ARTICLE X RATIFICATION These Bylaws must be ratified by majority (51%) vote of the entire faculty membership. It becomes effective upon approval of the Board of Trustees of the University.