How to Bring a Concern to the University Faculty Senate
The University Faculty Senate is a body that represents all faculty at all locations. As a deliberative body governed by its Constitution and Standing Rules, it can take action on behalf of faculty formally through its Standing Committees or informally by acting as intermediary with administration. In addition, the Faculty Advisory Committee can address concerns in its discussions with the President and other administrators.
Faculty across the university are invited to share their concerns with the Senators representing their unit. Given the number of ways outlined above that the Senate can address faculty concerns, unit Senators have several options for bringing issues to the attention of Senate officers or other constituents or units.
Specifically, Senators may choose among the following options for action:
Ask advice from one of the following:
- The Senate Chair, Chair-Elect, or Secretary
- The head of the Senator’s caucus
- The chair or vice chair of the Senator’s standing committee.
Names of these persons are available from our Contact page.
Talking to a Senate officer is often a productive starting point because officers can provide advice on the most effective channel for the Senate to address specific concerns. Several options are open: legislative action, consultation with the administration, compilation of an informational report by a standing committee, forensic discussion on the Senate floor, or discussion by a standing committee. Officers can also help determine whether the concern is university-wide or local, and can provide advice for next steps in either case.
Consulting the head of the unit’s caucus or the chair or vice chair of a standing committee can also help provide direction for further action. Caucus leaders might suggest contacting a Senate officer or discussing the issue in caucus or in committee. After discussion, caucuses and standing committees may recommend that the Senate leadership take some action to address the issue.
Raise the concern during the last segment of the plenary meeting
The General Discussion in the Order of Business provides an opportunity for any senator to discuss any matter of concern to the University. To introduce items for general discussion an individual senator or a senator representing a group, such as a standing committee, must present in writing to the Chair of the Senate with a title and summary of the matter to be discussed by the end of Friday before the plenary meeting. Due to time considerations, placement on the agenda will be at the Chair’s discretion. The senator’s name will be placed on the agenda by the Chair of the Senate together with the title and summary. Items for discussion may also come from the floor if time allows at the discretion of the Chair.
Standing Rules, Article I, Section 8(a)
Call for a special meeting of the Senate to address an issue
Where matters of special concern require immediate attention, and the usual procedures of the Senate will impede or unduly delay consideration, a Senator can call for a special meeting of the Senate to address the issue:
“The Chair shall convene the Senate in response to a written petition of at least fifty members of the University faculty to consider proposals of the petitioners stated in writing, providing the petition contains:
- statement of purpose of petition and
- names of five faculty members designated to meet with the Senate Council.
The five designated faculty members will review the issue substantively with the Senate Council before the special meeting of the Senate” (Bylaws, Article V – Meetings, Section 3).