Constitution, Bylaws, and
The new
Constitution for the University Faculty Senate was approved by the President of
the University and adopted by Faculty Referendum of March 27, 1971, to become
effective on June 1, 1971. Since that date other major changes were made in May
1975 and April 1993.
All changes in this printing are as approved
by the Senate as of April 28, 2009.
CONTENTS
Article III - Election to the Senate
Article VII - Delegation of Authority
Article IX - Rules of Procedure
Article I - Rules of Procedure
Article II - Senate Committee Structure
a. Committee on
Committees and Rules
b. Committee
on Admissions, Records, Scheduling
c. Committee on
Computing and Information Systems
d. Committee on
Curricular Affairs
e. Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment
f. Committee on
Faculty Affairs
g. Committee on
Faculty Benefits
h. Committee on
Intercollegiate Athletics
i. Committee on
Intra-University Relations
k. Committee on
Outreach Activities
n. Committee on
Undergraduate Education
o. Committee on University
Planning
Article III - Other Functions of the Senate
Standing and Other Senate Committees
Article I
SECTION 1
The University
Faculty Senate shall have the following functions:
(a) Legislative
To serve as the sole legislative body representing the University faculty as a whole. Its actions shall be authoritative on all matters that pertain to the educational interests of the University (graduate and undergraduate resident instruction, research, and continuing education) and on all educational matters that concern the faculties of more than one college, subject, after consultation, to revision and orders of the president of the University. Among the matters within the legislative jurisdiction of the Senate are:
(1) instructional
program
(2) courses and
programs of study
(3) academic
admissions standards
(4) retention
and graduation requirements
(5) University-wide unspecified scholarships, honors programs, and honors designation
(6) academic
standards for intercollegiate athletic participation
(7) access to
library and information systems for academic purposes.
(b) Advisory and Consultative
To act as an advisory and consultative body, both through its
corporate whole and any of its constituent parts, to the President on any
matter that may affect the attainment of the educational objectives of the
University, such as:
(1) the
establishment, reorganization, or discontinuation of organizational units and
areas of instruction or research
(2) policies
concerning the planning of physical facilities when these may affect the
attainment of the educational objectives of the University
(3) policies
and administration of the Libraries of the University
(4) policies
affecting University development and utilization of resources
(5) matters
pertaining to the general welfare of the University
(6) overall
educational policy and planning, as they affect instruction, research, and
service
(7) University
calendar
(8) faculty
affairs including academic personnel
(9) regulations
affecting students
(10) general admissions policy
(11) other appropriate matters.
Consultation
with Senate committees or officers does not constitute formal action or
approval by the Senate.
(c) Forensic
To
serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas among the members of the University
Faculty Senate.
(d) Informational
To
receive and disseminate information to the Senate and the University that is
deemed important by the Senate or its committees.
(e) Recognition
To
recognize or honor those individuals, organizations, or institutions the Senate
deems worthy of special recognition by the University Faculty Senate. Such
courtesy actions normally shall originate from Senate Council or the Senate
officers.
SECTION 2
The Senate shall
interpret its legislation.
SECTION 3
In case of
question of legislative jurisdiction, the power of decision shall rest with the
President of the University in line with the requirement of the Board of
Trustees that the faculty, as appropriately organized as the University Faculty
Senate, shall have certain authorities.
SECTION 4
The Senate shall
have the authority to redelegate authority in the areas listed in Section 1,
according to such procedures as the Senate may establish.
Senate
committees are authorized to act for and in the name of the Senate as specified
in the Standing Rules. Such actions shall be reported promptly to the Senate
and will stand unless the Senate, upon receiving such a report, takes
jurisdiction of the matter for further consideration.
Senate
committees may serve as advisory bodies to administrative officials. Reports
made by committees shall not be considered to be or identified as reports of
the Senate unless they have been approved by the Senate.
SECTION 5
Guests of the
Senate and members of the University community who are not members of the
Senate shall have the right to attend Senate meetings as observers and may be granted
the privilege of the floor in accordance with rules established by the Senate.
Article
II
SECTION 1
For the purpose of defining the electorate of the Senate, the term “University faculty” shall mean all persons who hold full-time academic appointments, and who hold one of the following ranks: Lecturer, Instructor, Senior Lecturer, Senior Instructor, Research Assistant, Senior Research Assistant, Senior Scientist, Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, Professor of Practice, Assistant Librarian, Associate Librarian, Librarian, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor with the following exclusions:
(a) The President's immediate staff;
(b) The immediate staff of the Executive Vice President and Provost, including Vice Provosts and Associate and Assistant Vice Provosts;
(c) Other Vice Presidents, including Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Academic Deans and Chancellors;
(d) Those holding affiliate academic appointments.
(e) Faculty members of the Pennsylvania College of Technology are not included in the electorate of the University Faculty Senate.
The Senate shall
be elected by the University faculty from among its members, except for ex
officio, student, and appointed members as provided in Section 5. All members of the Senate shall have full
voting rights.
SECTION 3
For the purpose
of electing senators, the University faculty shall be divided into the
following groups, hereinafter referred to as academic voting units:
(a)
Each college at University Park
(b)
Penn State Abington
(c)
Penn State Altoona
(d)
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
(e)
(f)
Penn State Harrisburg
(g)
Dickinson School of Law
(h)
(i)
(j) College of Medicine
(m) Such groupings as may be designated, according to such procedures as the Senate may establish.
Each
faculty member shall be counted in one, and only one, academic voting unit.
Members of the University faculty who are not included in one of the above
units (described in a-m of this section of the Constitution) may petition for
assignment to an academic voting unit, according to procedures as the Senate
may establish.
SECTION 4
The University
faculty of each unit shall elect one senator for each twenty-five members
of the electorate (as defined in Section 1) and major fraction thereof in that
unit, except that each unit shall have a minimum of one senator. The normal
term of elected faculty senators shall be four years. One-fourth of
the total number, as nearly as practicable, of faculty senators from each
voting unit shall be elected each year. To balance membership terms in any
unit, the Elections Commission may on request permit the voting unit to elect a
senator for a term of less than four years.
SECTION
5
(a)
The
following persons shall be ex officio members of the Senate: the President of
the University; the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University; the
Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School; the Chair of the
Academic Leadership Council; the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education; the University Registrar; the Executive Director, Division
of Undergraduate Studies; and any elected member of the Faculty Advisory
Committee who is not an elected faculty senator.
(b) The
President may appoint other University personnel to membership in the Senate on
an annual basis. The total number of appointed and ex officio members (not
including any member of the Faculty Advisory Committee) shall not exceed a
number equal to ten percent of the elected faculty senators.
(c) The
full-time, degree-seeking students at the University shall be represented by student
senators elected by their units and by two ex officio student senators from
undergraduate student government organizations. Student senators shall be allocated
as follows:
(1) One
undergraduate student from each of the eleven colleges at
(2)
One
student from each of the following locations or units:
(3) Two students from the University College
(4) Two
leaders of undergraduate student government organizations, as follows:
One
representative of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments
Whenever comparable units are added to the University or created through reorganization, each new unit shall elect one student senator. The term of a student senator shall be one year.
(d) The
retired faculty of the University shall be represented by two elected retired
faculty senators.
SECTION 6
An Executive
Secretary appointed by the Provost of the University after recommendation by
the Senate officers shall carry out staff functions, manage the Senate office,
and support and facilitate the Senate in the performance of its duties. The
Executive Secretary shall be responsible to the Senate Chair. A review of the
Executive Secretary will be conducted every five years by the Senate Chair. The
Executive Secretary shall be nonvoting but shall have the privileges of the
floor.
Article III
Amendments of
the Constitution consistent with directives of the Board of Trustees may be
adopted at any meeting of the University Faculty Senate by a two-thirds vote of those senators present, provided that the amendment shall have been
presented in writing in a preceding regular meeting. Such amendments shall not
be in effect until they have been approved by the President.
Article
I
SECTION 1
(a) The
officers of the Senate shall be a Chair, a Chair-Elect, an Immediate
Past-Chair, and a Secretary.
(b) The
Senate shall elect annually from among its elected faculty mem-bers a
Chair-Elect and a Secretary from among members who will be serving as elected
faculty senators in the following Senate year. The Secretary shall be eligible
for reelection, but shall serve no more than three consecutive one-year terms.
The Chair-Elect, at the end of one year of service in that office, shall
automatically succeed to the office of Chair. The Chair, at the end of one year of service in that office, shall automatically succeed to the office of
Immediate Past-Chair.
(c) If
a senator’s term as representative of an academic voting unit expires while
serving as Chair or Chair-Elect, and the senator is not reelected, that senator
shall be permitted to succeed to the offices of Chair and/or Immediate
Past-Chair. While completing terms as Chair and Immediate Past-Chair, the
officer will have all the rights and privileges of a regular member of the
Senate.
(d) When
a vacancy occurs in the office of Immediate Past-Chair, the elected members of
the Senate Council shall elect a faculty member from among Past-Chairs to
complete the unexpired term. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Chair, the
Chair-Elect will move immediately into the office, complete the unexpired term,
and continue through a full term as Chair. When a vacancy occurs in the office
of Chair-Elect, the elected Secretary of the University Faculty Senate shall,
within no more than thirty days of notification of the vacancy, convene a
meeting of the Nominating Committee for the purpose of presenting nominees to
fill the unexpired term of the Chair-Elect. The Nominating Committee, acting
under the procedures enumerated in the Standing Rules, Article I, Section 11
(c), shall present at least two nominees to fill the vacancy. These
nominees shall be announced at the next meeting of the Senate. At this time,
additional nominations may be made from the floor of the Senate. The Elections
Commission shall then conduct a special election to fill the vacancy. The
special election shall be conducted in the manner enumerated in the Standing
Rules, Article I, Section 1 (b). The name of the new Chair-Elect shall be
announced at the next Senate meeting. The new Chair-Elect shall complete the
unexpired term and succeed to the office of Chair. If a vacancy occurs in the
office of Secretary, the elected members of the Senate Council shall elect a
senator to complete the unexpired term.
SECTION 2
(a) The
Chair shall be the presiding officer of the Senate and shall appoint a faculty
member as Parliamentarian who shall not vote unless otherwise entitled.
(b) The
Chair, after consultation with the other Senate officers and the President of
the University, shall have the authority to declare the existence of a
situation of special Senate concern and convene the Senate Council. If the
Senate Council acts on behalf of the Senate, the Chair shall also convene a
special meeting of the Senate within a week following the announcement unless a
regular meeting of the Senate is scheduled within that period. At either the
special or a regular meeting of the Senate, the Chair shall report the actions
taken under authority of Article II, Section 1, below, and the Senate shall
then take appropriate action.
SECTION 3
The Chair-Elect
shall convene the officers and the chairs of the Standing Committees of the
Senate before each Senate meeting for the purpose of exchanging information on
committee activities and advising the officers. The Chair-Elect shall also
assume the duties of the Chair in the absence of
SECTION 4
The Immediate
Past-Chair shall serve on the Faculty Advisory Committee to the President and
shall also assume the duties of the Chair when the Chair and Chair-Elect are
both absent.
SECTION 5
The Secretary
shall keep the official roll, shall prepare and publish notices, agenda, and
minutes of Senate meetings, and shall perform other duties
SECTION 6
Any officer of
the Senate may be removed for neglect of duty or for misconduct in office in
accordance with procedures for removal in the Standing Rules, Article I,
Section 11 (b).
Article II
SENATE COUNCIL
SECTION 1
Duties:
(a) It
shall ensure that the Senate addresses issues of major concern to the faculty
voting units and the faculty as a whole.
(b) It
may initiate Senate legislation in the same manner as a standing committee. In
addition, it may charge a standing committee of the Senate to investigate
matters deemed appropriate by the Council.
(c) It
shall provide a mechanism for Council members’ review of all legislative,
consultative, and informational reports submitted for the Senate Agenda.
Decision on whether an item is to be placed on the Agenda for full Senate
discussion is to be based on whether a report is adequately prepared and
documented.
(d) It
shall advise, upon consultation with appropriate Senate committees, the
President and Executive Vice President and Provost of the University on the
establishment, reorganization, or discontinuation of organizational units and
areas of the University that involve two or more teaching, research, and
continuing education functions (whether or not delegation of authority exists).
Such advice should be given before official action is taken.
(e) It shall recommend
to the Senate the delegation of authority and responsibility to carry out
specific legislative, advisory and consultative functions to properly organized
faculty organizations. It shall maintain criteria and guidelines for such
delegation and review approved organizations at appropriate intervals.
(f) In coordination with
the University administration, it shall represent the Senate in seeking
information from officials and agencies external to the University especially
those who establish policies and control resources affecting University
academic programs. It shall advise the University administration on external
government legislation and other external issues that may have impact on the
University. It shall advise the Senate on the preparation of statements on such
matters. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the University on public and
alumni relations, public information, general publications and private
fundraising. The Chair shall be the spokesperson for the Council in these
matters.
The External Matters Subcommittee is a standing subcommittee of Senate Council that will be charged to deal with issues external to the University. The subcommittee will consist of at least five Council members together with appropriate additional elected faculty senators and resource personnel and will be chaired by the Immediate Past-Chair of the Senate. A majority of the subcommittee will be councilors with at least two members from locations other than University Park. The members of the External Matters Subcommittee will serve terms of two years, and may complete the second year of the term even in cases where they are no longer a member of Senate Council.
(g) It shall serve as an
advisory body to the Senate officers and the Senate as a whole.
(h) In the event that
the Chair of the Senate declares existence of a situation of special Senate
concern, the Senate Council shall be empowered to act for the Senate in all
matters until this authority is terminated by actions of the Senate.
SECTION 2
The Senate
Council shall include:
(a) The Senate officers,
with the Chair presiding.
(b) One faculty
senator elected from and by the elected faculty senators of each academic unit
entitled to four or more elected faculty senators. One faculty senator
elected by and among the elected faculty senators of other voting units at
(c) In the event of a
vacancy among the elected members of the Council, the electing body shall elect
a replacement.
(d) The elected members
of the Faculty Advisory Committee shall participate, without vote, in Senate
Council deliberations.
(e) The President and
the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University may attend Senate
Council meetings at their own discretion.
SECTION 3
The Senate
Council shall be convened by the Chair of the Senate at least as often per
annum as the Senate.
Article III
SECTION 1
Election to the
Senate by members of the University faculty in each voting unit shall be as
follows:
(a) Nominations shall be
made by members of the University faculty. The procedures shall provide that
every member of the electorate shall have the opportunity to place names in nomination.
(b) While it is recommended that there be at least twice as many nominations as there are senators to be elected, there must be no fewer than one-and-one-half times the number of senators to be elected.
(c) Election shall be by
secret ballot.
SECTION 2
The Elections
Commission shall review annually and adjust, if necessary, the number of
senators to be elected from each voting unit, based on the distribution of the
University faculty as of the preceding November 1.
SECTION 3
Student senators
shall be nominated and elected according to such procedures as the Elections
Commission of the Senate may establish.
If a student senator is unable to attend a meeting of the University Faculty Senate, an alternate may substitute for the senator at the plenary meeting of the Faculty Senate. The alternate may also substitute for the senator at the senator's committee meeting being held on the same day. The Senate office must be provided with the name of the alternate senator prior to the first full meeting of the Senate year. The alternate senator must notify the Senate office prior to attending the meeting in order to receive the same voting privileges as the senator for whom he/she is substituting for the day.
SECTION 4
The names of
newly elected and newly appointed senators to serve during
SECTION 5
An elected
senator who is engaged in any type of professional activity making it
impossible to carry out Senate responsibilities for a period exceeding three consecutive months, excluding June, July and August, may resign if he or
she wishes, but otherwise shall be replaced by an alternate to fill the period
of time that the senator will be absent from the Senate.
SECTION 6
In case an
elected faculty senator is unable to complete the elected term, the University
faculty of the senator’s voting unit shall identify a replacement in the
following manner: In addition to identifying an elected senator for each vacant
seat, regular Senate elections shall identify at least the highest ranking
alternate, that is, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes of
those not elected. If more than one alternate is identified, the alternates’
names should be submitted in order of rank, based on the number of votes. The
names of the winner(s) and all of the alternate(s) shall be reported directly
to the Senate office. First choice for replacement is to be the highest ranking
alternate, as identified in the most recent regular Senate election; if the
highest ranking alternate is not available, then the choice will move to all
remaining alternates, in order of their rank by vote. If no alternates are
available from the most recent regular Senate election, then the University
faculty of the voting unit shall hold a special election to identify a new
elected senator, who will complete the unfinished term. This same procedure
shall be
followed in the
replacement of committee members elected at-large by the Senate.
SECTION 7
Senate voting
units have the authority to replace a unit senator who has three or more absences
from plenary meetings of the University Faculty Senate in any given academic
year. A voting unit should adhere to the
procedures outlined in the Bylaws, Article III, Section 6 for identifying a
replacement senator.
SECTION 8
All elections of
the Senate shall be supervised by an Elections Commission consisting of the
Secretary of the Senate and four other elected faculty senators selected by
the Committee on Committees and Rules.
SECTION 9
In cases in which a voting unit or geographic location has only one faculty senator, if that senator is unable to attend a meeting of the University Faculty Senate, an alternate may substitute for the senator at the plenary meeting of the Faculty Senate. The alternate may also substitute for the senator at the senator's committee meeting being held on the same day. The substitute must be identified on the Senate office's list as an alternate for the voting unit or geographic location and must notify the Senate office in order to receive the same voting privileges as the senator for whom he/she is substituting for the day.
Article IV
SECTION 1
The Senate shall
determine its committee structure and composition with
only the
following stipulations:
(a) Any University
personnel or any student of the University may be appointed to a committee.
(b) Chairs of Standing
Committees must be elected faculty senators.
(c) A majority of the
membership of a Senate standing or special committee must be elected faculty
senators.
SECTION 2
Persons who are
appointed to committees and standing subcommittees who are also members of the
University Faculty Senate have full voting privileges on the committee or
subcommittee on which they serve whether elected faculty, ex-officio, student,
or appointed senators.
SECTION 3
All members of
Standing Committees who are not members of the Senate shall have nonvoting
privileges of the floor when the subject of discussion pertains specifically to
the work of their respective committees.
SECTION 4
Direct
consultation between Senate committees and other instrumentalities of the
Senate and members of the administration, faculty, and student body of the
University is encouraged subject to Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution.
SECTION 5
Any legislative
or non-legislative report approved by a committee at the last meeting of one
Senate year shall be presented to Senate Council and if approved for the Agenda
will be presented to the Senate at the beginning of the next Senate year
without review by the new committee.
Article V
SECTION 1
Regular meetings
of the Senate shall be held at least three times per semester during the
academic year at times and dates decided upon by Senate Council, except as
provided in Section 4 of this Article.
SECTION 2
Upon the request
of the President of the University, the Chair shall convene the Senate.
SECTION 3
The Chair shall
convene the Senate in response to a written petition of at
(a) statement of purpose
of petition and
(b) 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.
SECTION 4
Any regular
meeting of the Senate may be cancelled (as long as the provisions of Section 1
are met) or scheduled for a new date in either of the following ways: (a) by a
majority vote of the members present at any Senate meeting (at which a quorum
is present) or (b) by a two-thirds vote of the total voting membership of
the Senate Council. In case of emergency the Senate Chair, after consulting
with the other Senate officers, may postpone any Senate meeting for no longer
than three weeks unless the Senate Council subsequently acts as specified
earlier in this section.
Article VI
SECTION 1
A quorum for the
transaction of business shall consist of fifty (50) senators.
Article VII
SECTION 1
Authority for
functions of the Senate as defined in Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution
may be delegated in whole or in part to appropriately organized faculty bodies
upon recommendation of the Senate Council and approval by the Senate in
accordance with Article X, Section 1, of the Bylaws. Such delegation shall be
limited to those functions appropriate to the faculty body concerned, and such
delegations shall be specified in succeeding sections of this Article and shall
be established in accordance with Article X, Section 1, of the Bylaws as
interpreted by Senate Council. Legislative actions and minutes of all bodies to
which authority has been delegated under Article VII shall be forwarded to the
Chair of the Senate. Where appropriate, actions will be
SECTION 2
The faculty of
the
(a) The review process
shall include a report of actions of the Graduate Council to the Senate through
the Senate Council. On special motion of the Senate Council, any of those
actions may be placed on the agenda of the Senate for appropriate action.
(b) The Senate Council
will provide for liaison with the Graduate Council.
(c) The Dean of the
SECTION 3
The faculty of
the
SECTION 4
The faculty of
The Dickinson School of Law is delegated responsibility for the approval and
content of courses taken by law students in the law curriculum (900-level
courses). This delegation of responsibility is subject to review by the
University Faculty Senate. The review process shall include the submission of
all 900-level courses to the Curriculum Coordinator for inclusion on the Senate
Curriculum Report (Blue Sheet) and will be subject to the same
hold and
approval procedures as those listed in The Guide to Curricular Procedures.
Article VIII
SECTION 1
The Senate may
conduct referenda of the University faculty to obtain information concerning
any subject under its purview.
Article IX
SECTION 1
The Senate shall
establish its rules of procedure.
Article X
SECTION 1
Amendments of the
Bylaws may be adopted at any meeting of the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) vote
of those senators present, provided that the amendments shall have been
presented in writing at a preceding regular meeting.
Article I
RULES OF PROCEDURE
SECTION 1
(a) The rules of
procedure in the meetings of the University Faculty Senate, except as may be
otherwise specified in the Senate Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules,
shall be those of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 2000. All motions, except
as may be otherwise specified in these documents, shall be determined by a
majority of the votes cast. Roll-call votes may be initiated only by the
decision of the Chair or by a two-thirds majority of senators present and
voting. The role of the Parliamentarian is advisory only.
(b) Election of officers
of the Senate shall be by secret preferential ballot, the preferred candidate
being designated by “1,” the next by “2,” and so on. In counting votes the Hare
System of the single transferable ballot shall be used. In the event of a tie,
the results of the election shall be determined by drawing lots among the tied
candidates. (See The Senate Record, March 5, 1974, Vol. 7, No. 8.)
(c) Each academic voting
unit eligible under the provisions of Article II, Section 2, of the Bylaws
shall elect its Senate Council member(s) from among its elected faculty
senators.
SECTION 2
The order of
business at each regular meeting of the Senate shall be as follows:
(a) minutes
of the preceding meeting
(b) communications
to the Senate
(c) report
of the Senate Council
(d) announcements
by the Chair
(e) comments
by the President of the University
(f) forensic
business
(g) unfinished
legislative business
(h) legislative
reports
(i) advisory/consultative
reports
(j) informational
reports
(k) new
legislative business
(l) comments
and recommendations for the good of the University.
The order of
business may be changed by the Senate Council prior to any meeting. Any or all
items in this Section may be suspended at any regular meeting of the Senate by
a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, and at any special meeting by
decision of the Chair.
SECTION 3
The Chair of the
Senate may convene special meetings of the Senate, in addition to those
specified in Article V or Article I, Section 2 of the Bylaws, at such times and
for such purposes as the Chair deems necessary for the effective discharge of
the business of the Senate.
SECTION 4
The order of
business for any special meeting of the Senate shall be determined by the Chair
of the Senate.
SECTION 5
A tentative
agenda (one without appendices) for each regular meeting of the Senate shall be
published in The Senate Record one week following the preceding meeting. The
agenda and appendices shall be distributed no fewer
SECTION 6
The Chair of the
Senate shall appoint Special Committees to consider subjects not already
assigned to Standing Committees of the Senate. These Special Committees shall
be terminated no later than the end of the Senate year unless reappointed by
the new Chair of the Senate. They shall file reports of actions taken with the
Senate office for inclusion in The Senate Record.
SECTION 7
(a) To introduce new
legislative or advisory and consultative business, a senator may address a
communication to the Chair of the Senate indicating the item of business that
the senator wishes to be considered, or to any member of an appropriate
Standing Committee or member of Council. The senator may also request, on the
Senate floor, referral to committee by the Chair. The above procedures
represent the normal means for introducing new legislation in that they provide
for detailed study by the appropriate Standing Committee or Committees, but a
senator may introduce, by a direct motion from the floor, new legislation that
the senator considers to be of exceptional urgency. When such a motion has been
made and seconded, it shall be laid on the table until the next regular meeting
of the Senate unless the Chair calls a special meeting to consider this item
before the next regular meeting.
(b) Forensic business
provides an opportunity for any senator to discuss any matter of concern to the
University. To introduce forensic business a senator must present in writing a
title and brief summary of the matter to be discussed at least seven days
before the meeting at which the matter is to be considered. The senator’s name
will be placed on the agenda together with the title and summary.
(c) Any member of the
University community, not a member of the Senate may request the privilege of
the floor on any item of business already before the Senate. Such a request
must be made to the Chair, through the Executive Secretary of the Senate, at
least four calendar days before the meeting at which the individual wishes
to speak.
(d) Any matter of
forensic business under debate shall become legislative or advisory and
consultative business when it is made the subject of a motion on which a vote
of the Senate is required. When such a motion has been made and seconded, the
matter in question shall be laid on the table until the next regular meeting of
the Senate unless the Chair calls a special meeting of the Senate to consider
this item before the next regular meeting.
(e) Matters of forensic
business shall not be the subject of any motion until the Chair declares the
forensic discussion period to be at an end. Any senator wishing to make any
matter of forensic business a matter of legislative business may do so under
the provision of Section 7 (a).
(f) Only members of the
Senate may introduce new legislative, advisory and consultative, or forensic
business.
(g) At the discretion of
the Chair of the Senate, any member of the Board of Trustees, University
faculty, administration, student body, staff, or guest of the University not a
member of the Senate may be granted the privilege of the floor to make comments
and recommendations for the good of the University. Requests shall be made to
the Chair, in writing at least five calendar days before the meeting. The
time period may be waived by the Chair.
(h) The Chair shall have
the authority to place a time limit on the remarks of any nonmember of the
Senate.
(i) The rules of this
Section may be suspended only by a three-fourths vote of the senators
present.
SECTION 8
New rules for
Policies and Procedures for Students, new Standing Rules of the Senate, and
amendments to these rules may be acted upon only after they have been presented
in writing to all senators six days before a regular meeting of the Senate,
except that this section may be suspended by unanimous consent of the senators
present.
SECTION 9
Under the
direction of the Executive Secretary of the Senate, the Senate shall publish an
official record (The Senate Record) of its proceedings within fourteen days after each meeting, and this record shall contain:
(a) agenda of the
meeting;
(b) verbatim minutes of
the meeting except for informational and mandated reports. An executive summary
of informational and mandated reports will be included in The Senate Record
unless a verbatim transcription is requested by the Chair or the Executive
Secretary;
(c) Senate meetings are digitally recorded (audio and video) and the recordings are available in the Senate office;
(d) documents
distributed at the door of the meeting;
(e) tentative agenda for
the next meeting;
(f) such other items as
the Chair shall direct.
Copies of The
Senate Record shall be deposited in the University Archives of the University
Library.
SECTION 10
Senators shall
be assigned regular seats in the Senate chamber by the Secretary of the Senate.
A new seating arrangement shall be made each year
immediately
after the names of newly elected senators shall have been
reported to the
Chair. If a senator is replaced by another for any reason during the senatorial
year, the new senator shall occupy the seat until the next annual seating
arrangement is made.
SECTION 11
(a) The elective year of
the Senate and Senate Council shall begin with the installation of the new
officers at the last regularly scheduled meeting, before which meeting the
Senate shall elect a Chair, if necessary, a Chair-Elect, and a Secretary. The
terms of Senate officers, Council members, and members shall be from this time
until the corresponding time at the last regularly scheduled meeting the
following Senate year. Names of newly elected senators shall be reported to the
Senate office no later than four weeks prior to the next-to-last regularly
scheduled meeting of the Senate year.
(b) At any meeting of
Senate Council, a petition may be presented to the Chair requesting that any Senate officer be
removed from office for neglect of duty or misconduct in office. The petition
must be signed by at least two elected Senate Council members. Senate Council
after appropriate investigation and discussion shall vote whether the Senate
shall be polled to consider the removal of the officer. A majority vote of the
total number of elected councilors shall be required. If the Council vote is to
poll the Senate, a ballot or e-mail notification of the election Web site will be sent to all senators allowing at least ten
working days for voting. A two-thirds majority vote shall be required for
removal of the officer. In the case of the removal of the Senate Chair, the
Chair-Elect shall succeed immediately to the Chair. If the Chair-Elect is
removed, a new election will be held using regular procedures. If the Secretary
is removed, the Senate Council shall elect a replacement.
(c) The Nominating
Committee of the Senate shall develop the slate of nominees for the offices of
Chair-Elect and Secretary, as well as for a member of the Faculty Advisory
Committee to the President. It shall also be responsible for developing the
slate of nominees for the Committee on Committees and Rules. The Nominating
Committee shall consist of the elected members of Senate Council and the
Immediate Past Chair of the Senate, who shall chair the committee. The Chair of
the Senate shall activate the Nominating Committee at least four weeks
prior to the second regularly scheduled meeting of the spring semester. The
committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary, who shall charge the
committee. The committee shall present at least two nominees for the
offices of Chair-Elect and Secretary. In addition, in the event that the
Chair-Elect received a vote of no-confidence or that the Secretary is serving
as interim Chair-Elect, the committee shall report a slate of at least two nominees for the office of Chair. The committee shall also report a slate of at
least two nominees for a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the
President (three-year term). Nominations shall reflect the variety of
disciplines, functions, and geographic locations of University units. A report
of all the nominations for Senate offices and the Faculty Advisory Committee to
the President shall be submitted to the Chair of the Senate at least fourteen
calendar days before the next-to-last regularly scheduled meeting of the
Senate year, and the slate shall be published in the agenda for the
next-to-last meeting. These nominations shall be announced to the Senate at the
next-to-last meeting by the Chair of the Nominating Committee. At this time
additional nominations may be made from the floor of the Senate. Nominations
for the Committee on Committees and Rules shall be presented to the Senate
Council at their next-to-last regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate year.
Senate Council shall then elect the members of the Committee on Committees and
Rules in accordance with Article II, section 6 of the Standing Rules of the
Senate.
(d) Elections will be conducted by mail or electronically by secret preferential ballot. Ballots or e-mail notification of the election Web site will be sent to all current senators at least 21 days before the date of the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate.
(e) Votes shall be
counted or verified by three tellers, appointed by the Chair of the Senate
from among the members of the Senate who are not members of the Nominating
Committee [see (c)]. The tellers will report the results of the election to
the Chair of the Senate by 12:00 noon of the sixth day prior to the last
regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate year. The Chair of the Senate will
immediately inform the chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules of these
results.
(f) The Chair of the
Senate for the previous elected year shall preside at the last regularly
scheduled meeting of the Senate year until a successor shall have been duly
installed.
(g) At the last
regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate year, announcement shall be made of
the results of elections of Senate officers, of the member of the Faculty
Advisory Committee to the President, of the Committee on Committees and Rules,
and the Senate Council, and their installation shall be placed on the agenda
between Items “j” (informational reports) and “k” (new legislative business).
See Section 2 above.
SECTION 12
(a) Prior to the
next-to-last regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate year, the Senate Council
shall select the members of the Committee on Committees and Rules. The
Committee on Committees and Rules shall consist of ten members serving
two-year terms, five members to be selected each year. Appointments shall
reflect the variety of disciplines, functions, and geographic locations of
University units. If a committee member is no longer an elected senator at the
end of the first year of the term on the committee, a vacancy shall occur in
that position and a selection shall be made to fill the unexpired term.
(b) The newly selected
Committee on Committees and Rules shall be convened following the next-to-last
regularly scheduled Senate meeting at the call of the retiring Chair of that
committee to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair, whose names shall be reported to
the Senate at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate year.
(c) The Senate Committee
on Committees and Rules shall complete selection of the roster of all
committees, including Chairs and Vice Chairs, for the coming Senate year within
three weeks of the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate year. The
membership of each committee will be reported in writing to the Standing
Committee Chairs within four weeks of the last regularly scheduled meeting
of the Senate year. This roster will be listed in The Senate Record for the
last regular meeting of the Senate year.
(d) The terms of the
Senate Committee on Committees and Rules shall be from the conclusion of the
next-to-last regularly scheduled Senate meeting of one year until the
conclusion of the next-to-last regularly scheduled Senate meeting of the next
year.
(e) When a member of a
Senate committee resigns before the expiration of the appointment, the Chair of
that committee shall notify the Chair of
the Committee on Committees and Rules of this circumstance, and the latter
group shall name a replacement.
SECTION 13
At least six
regular meetings of the Senate shall be scheduled on Tuesdays during the
academic year at times and dates decided upon by Senate Council, except as
provided for in Section 4 of this Article. A schedule of regular
Article II
SECTION 1
The Chair of the
Senate as an ex officio member of all Standing Committees may authorize the
Chair-Elect, the Secretary, the Immediate Past-Chair, or any elected member of
the Senate Council to be a representative at meetings of any committee.
SECTION 2
All Standing
Committees may add to their membership (consistent with the distribution
requirement imposed by the Constitution, and with the approval of the Committee
on Committees and Rules) nonvoting resource personnel on the basis of their position, interest,
expertise, or membership in a particular sector of the University community.
Committees may add resource personnel on either a continuing or an ad hoc basis
depending on the issues before the committee.
All Standing
Committees are encouraged to invite individuals to render testimony or advice
on particular questions as circumstances indicate. They are also encouraged to
appoint ad hoc subcommittees as needed. The Chair of
Most standing
committee duties include liaison with other University bodies. Liaison implies
information sharing. Membership on other bodies is pre-scribed by the
appointing authority. The Chair of the Senate has full authority
SECTION 3
Elected members
of the Committee on Committees and Rules of
the Senate may not serve as members of [other] Standing Committees of the
Senate except in such ex officio capacities as
SECTION 4
Except for the
Committee on Committees and Rules all committee positions held by elected
faculty senators are normally tenable for two years ending on May 31 and
beginning on June 1. Administrative and Student senator positions are tenable
for one year, unless otherwise specified. In any given year the Committee
on Committees and Rules may assign senators one year terms of membership on
a committee in order to balance membership. As far as practicable at least half
of any committee’s elected faculty membership should extend for two years. No
senator may serve longer than six consecutive years on a given committee
nor more than three consecutive years as its chair. Committee chairs are
selected annually by the Committee on Committees and Rules.
SECTION 5
All Senate
committees will be available for consultation with the Office of
SECTION 6
Senate Committees:
(a) Committee
on Committees and Rules
1. Membership:
(i) Ten
(10) elected faculty senators
(ii) The
Chair-Elect of the Senate (non-voting)
(iii) The
Immediate Past Chair of the Senate (non-voting)
(iv) The
Secretary of the Senate (non-voting)
2. Election: By the Senate Council for a term of two years. Elected
members of the Committee may serve no more than four consecutive years nor
more than three consecutive years as its chair. Elected members of Senate
Council may not serve on the Committee on Committees and Rules.
3. Duties: The Committee on Committees and Rules shall review and make
recommendations on the Senate’s committee structure. It shall appoint the
members of all Standing Committees. It shall be responsible for proposing
changes in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the University
Faculty Senate for action by the Senate. This committee
shall serve as a Nominating Committee to the administrative officers of the
University in the selection of University faculty to serve on University-wide
committees. In addition, this committee has the investigative function in
determining the constitutionality of acts of the Senate, failures to implement
Senate legislation, problems resulting from conflicting legislation, and errors
in the implementation of legislation. The Committee on Committees and Rules
shall have the authority to interpret the Senate Constitution, Bylaws, and
Standing Rules subject to review by the Senate.
Each
year the Committee on Committees and Rules shall ask returning and new senators
to rank their preferences for committee assignments. The Committee on
Committees and Rules will then select the senatorial members of each Standing
Committee, taking into consideration the preferences of senators. Where a
representative of an administrative office is to be an ex officio member of a
committee, this member will be selected by the Committee on Committees and
Rules in consultation with the appropriate administrative officer. Appointments
to all committees should reflect the variety of disciplines, functions, and
geographic locations of University units. Annually, the Committee on Committees
and Rules shall elect its own Chair and Vice Chair. In consultation with the Senate Chair, the Committee shall designate the leadership
of all other Standing Committees of the Senate.
While the Senate officers are the
primary faculty representatives to the Committee on Institutional Cooperation
(CIC), the Committee on Committees and Rules shall be informed and consulted on
faculty governance issues that arise in the CIC. Such items will be
periodically reported to the Senate.
(b) Committee on Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and
Student Aid
1. Membership:
(i) At least ten elected faculty
senators
(ii) One undergraduate student senator
(iii) Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions*
(iv) The University Registrar*
(v) The Assistant Vice Provost for Student
Aid*
2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and Student Aid shall initiate legislation relating to academic admissions and readmissions standards for the Senate Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Students. It shall make recommendations on policies concerning the effect that Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and Student Aid procedures have on the attainment of the University’s overall educational objectives. It shall be the University Faculty Senate advisory body to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Administration and the Registrar, and it shall maintain liaison with other University officials in these areas. It shall be the University Faculty Senate advisory body to the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Aid for responsibilities related to student aid. It shall be concerned with policies involving student awards, scholarships, and student aid. It shall have the authority to act on individual problems of reinstatement and certification of credit referred to it by the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Administration or the Registrar.
4. Mandated reports: None
(c) Committee
on Computing and Information Systems
1. Membership:
(i) At least eight elected faculty senators
(ii) One student senator
(iii) A representative of the Office of the
President*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Computing and Information Systems shall advise the Senate and the University Administration on all matters involving academic computing and information systems including security, telecommunication, and administrative issues. It shall carry on studies and advisory activities either on request or under its own initiative. It shall ensure an active faculty role in formulating policies affecting academic computing and information systems. One member of the Committee shall serve on the Faculty Advisory Committee on Academic Computing. It shall also maintain liaisons with other Senate committees, where appropriate, as well as with students and faculty University-wide through the Senate.
4. Mandated reports: None
(d) Committee
on Curricular Affairs
1. Membership:
(i) At
least 17 elected faculty senators including one faculty senator
from each college at University Park and one faculty senator from each
of Abington, Altoona, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, and the
University College.
(ii) Two undergraduate student senators
(iii) A member of the Administrative Council on
Undergraduate Education (selected by ACUE)*
(iv) The Dean of University Libraries or
representative*
(v) The Chair of the Graduate Council
Committee on Programs and Courses*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Curricular Affairs shall review, evaluate,
and approve or reject all course and curriculum proposals including proposals
to limit program enrollment submitted by the various departments, colleges,
and other appropriate units of the University that have not received delegation
or responsibility in this area from the Senate. With regard
to program enrollment limitations, restrictions proposed for academic reasons
are subject to approval or rejection while restrictions proposed for resource
restraints are subject only to consultative review. The Committee shall study
the existing courses and curricula of the University with reference to the
needs of students and opportunities for service to the Commonwealth and make
recommendations for changes where appropriate. It shall develop criteria for
evaluating courses and curricula and recommend procedures for handling courses
and curriculum proposals. It shall have oversight of the the following subcommittees: Bachelors of Arts, General
Education, Retention and Transfer, United States and International Cultures, and Writing.
It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment, reorganization, or discontinuation of organizational units pursuant to Council duties specified in Article II, Section 1 (d) of the Bylaws. It shall maintain such liaison with University administration and faculty as
may be necessary for the implementation of these procedures.
4. Standing
Subcommittees:
(i) General Education Subcommittee
It
shall consist of nine members to monitor the General Education Program and
make recommendations for assuring the delivery of effective general education
as mandated in the General Education legislation. The Subcommittee shall review all General Education course proposals (except as provided in ii and iii below) and forward recommendations to the Committee. It shall also develop, revise, and edit official University publications that provide information about General Education. (See Appendix “H,” 1-23-90.)
(ii) United States and International Cultures Subcommittee
It shall consist of ten members and shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the United States cultures and International
Cultures requirement in the undergraduate curriculum. It shall periodically review and revise, as necessary, guidelines for courses intended to fulfill
this requirement. It shall also review proposals for courses under this requirement and forward recommendations to the Committee. (See
Appendix II, 12-4-90 and III, 4-27-04.)
(iii) Writing Subcommittee
It
shall consist of ten members and shall be responsible for overseeing and reviewing, as necessary, the implementation of Writing Across the Curriculum in the undergraduate
curriculum. It shall periodically review and revise, as necessary, guidelines for writing-intensive courses. It shall also review all writing-intensive course proposals and forward recommendations to the Committee. (See Appendix “E” 3-20-90.)
(iv) Bachelor of Arts Requirements Subcommittee
It shall consist of eleven members including a faculty member from each college that offers the BA degree (
(v) Retention and Transfer Subcommittee
It shall consist of five members to review, make recommendations and monitor all holds on student admissions to programs and special or more restrictive academic requirements for entrance into a college, major or minor, and/or for retention in a program, consistent with general academic guidelines established by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education. (See Appendix “E,” 10-26-93.)
(e) Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment
1. Membership:
(i) At least seven elected faculty senators with at least two senators from locations other than University Park
(ii) One undergraduate student senator
(iii) One graduate student senator
(iv) One representative from each of the following Commissions (selected by each Commission):
(a) Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity
(b) Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity
(c) Commission for Women
(v) Vice Provost for Educational Equity*
2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment, in conjunction with other Senate Committees and other bodies outside of the University Faculty Senate (e.g., Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity), will recommend policy and advise the University on activities to improve the campus environment and educational equity across the entire University at all of its campuses. The Committee will initiate joint explorations and investigations with other Senate standing committees to ensure diversity and equity issues are integrated throughout Senate deliberations.
It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Vice Provost for Educational Equity. The purview of the Committee shall include but not be limited to recruitment efforts, admissions policy, housing practices, curriculum review and development, graduation demographics, student life issues and outreach as they relate to matters of equity and diversity. The Committee will not only participate in the current strategic planning activities for the University but will also develop and maintain an action plan for the University Faculty Senate specifically addressing the challenges as outlined in the University’s diversity strategic plans.
(f) Committee
on Faculty Affairs
1. Membership:
(i) At least 23 elected faculty senators including
(a) at least one faculty senator from each college at University Park and one faculty senator from each of the following: Abington; Altoona; Berks; Law; Erie; Great Valley; Harrisburg; University Libraries; Medicine; and University College; and
(b) at least three faculty senators who hold a fixed-term appointment.
(iii) One retired
faculty senator
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Faculty Affairs shall advise the Senate on matters of policy concerning faculty affairs; on matters
regarding the cultural, social, and material welfare of the faculty; and on
matters affecting the educational environment in which the faculty works. Among
the policy matters of concern to the Committee on Faculty Affairs are the
following:
(a) faculty appointments
(b) policies on promotions in rank
(c) tenure
(d) policies on leaves including sabbatical leaves
(e) academic freedom
(f) rights and responsibilities including due process
(g) matters of faculty privacy
(h) affirmative action and equal opportunity
(i) faculty development
(j) faculty/student assessment outcomes issues.
In the area of
its concern, the Committee on Faculty Affairs shall make recommendations for
the modification of existing policies and shall assist the University
administration in the formulation of new policies. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment, reorganization, or discontinuation of organizational units pursuant to Council duties specified in Article II, Section 1 (d) of the Bylaws. It shall maintain liaison
with the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee.
4. Standing
Subcommittees:
Each standing subcommittee shall consist of at least five members, all designated by
the Committee, with a majority of the members also holding membership on the Committee. One fixed-term faculty member will be appointed to each subcommittee. Additional duties may be assigned.
(i) Subcommittee on Promotion, Tenure,
Appointments and Leaves
It shall monitor all proposed changes in policy and provide appropriate recommendations to the Committee. It shall monitor and suggest policies in all
areas of faculty
evaluation.
(ii) Subcommittee on Faculty Development
It shall promote the personal development of all faculty members by
making recommendations concerning policies and practices related to scholarly
progress, enhancement of teaching, new pedagogical initiatives, and mechanisms
for supporting change or regeneration of professional interest. It shall have
special responsibility to ensure that expectations and resources are
consistent. It shall coordinate its recommendations with other subcommittees
and groups, as appropriate.
(iii) Subcommittee on Faculty Rights and Privacy
Issues
It shall monitor and suggest policies to the Committee on
matters of faculty rights and responsibilities and faculty privacy including
copyright issues and disciplinary matters.
(g) Committee on Faculty Benefits
1. Membership:
(i) At least seven elected faculty senators
(ii) The Associate Vice President for Human Resources*
(iii) One retired faculty senator
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Faculty Benefits shall investigate and be the faculty’s voice on the adequacy and other attributes of the University’s provisions for salaries, retirement privileges and benefits, sabbatical leaves, hospitalization and medical insurance, life insurance, other insurance, investment and savings plans, travel reimbursement, educational benefits, recreational benefits, and other perquisites, benefits and conditions of faculty employment. It shall maintain liaison with the Joint Committee on Insurance and Benefits and the Joint Faculty/Administrative Committee to Monitor Travel Policies.
(h) Committee
on Intercollegiate Athletics
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least six elected faculty senators, with at least one senator from a
location other than
(ii) One undergraduate student senator
(iii)
The
Faculty Athletics Representative to the National Collegiate Athletic
Association, and the Faculty Athletics Representatives from each location other
than
(iv) The Faculty Athletics Representative
reporting for all
(v)
The
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at
(vi) The Senior Women’s Administrator for
Intercollegiate Athletics at
(vii) Three members of the University
Faculty Senate selected by the President of the University.
2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules unless otherwise specified
3. Duties: The Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible to the
Senate for all intercollegiate athletic programs at the
University as they relate to the University’s academic and educational
objectives. Intercollegiate athletics shall include all teams and individuals
representing the University with significant off-University activity.
The committee shall
(1) consider policies on eligibility of students for intercollegiate athletics,
(2) certify the academic eligibility of students for athletic grants-in-aid,
(3) approve intercollegiate athletic schedules as they affect academic
standards, and (4) help promote a sound academic climate for the
intercollegiate athletic programs at all University locations.
The Committee shall
meet with responsible administrators and others concerning the intercollegiate
athletic programs at
The committee serves
also as an advisory committee to the President of the University on the
operation of the intercollegiate programs at
(i) Committee
on Intra-University Relations
1. Membership:
(i) At least 17 elected faculty senators including
(a) one faculty senator each from Abington; Altoona; Berks; Law; Erie; Harrisburg; and Medicine; one faculty senator from the University Libraries, four faculty senators from the University College, and five faculty senators from different colleges at University Park; and
(b) at least two faculty senators who hold a fixed-term appointment.
(ii) Two student senators (including one
from a campus other than
(ii)
A
member of the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education (selected by
ACUE)*
(iv) A representative of the Graduate Council
Committee on Programs and Courses*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Intra-University Relations shall make recommendations to the Senate on policies and procedures of an inter-campus nature or concerning the relation of one or more campuses to other units of the University. In consultation with the appropriate college(s) it shall review, evaluate, and make recommendations on issues pertaining to the University which cut across disciplinary and geographic lines. In this context it shall review, evaluate, and make recommendations on issues concerning all faculty irrespective of the character of their appointment.
4. Standing Subcommittees.
The membership of the standing subcommittee shall consist of at least five members, all designated by the parent committee, with a majority of the members also holding membership on the parent committee. Additional duties may be assigned.
(i) Subcommittee on Fixed-Term Faculty
It shall be responsible for considering all matters related to and issues of concern for fixed-term faculty. It shall be responsible for submitting an annual report to Intra-University Relations, copied to Faculty Affairs, on the status of fixed-term faculty across the University. The chair, or one of two co-chairs, shall hold appointment as fixed-term faculty.
5. Mandated reports: None
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least six elected faculty senators
(ii) One undergraduate student senator
(ii)
One
graduate student
(iv) The Dean of University Libraries*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Libraries shall review and propose library policies at all locations including but not limited to collections, information retrieval, and information access systems aiding teaching, research, and learning. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Dean of University Libraries. It shall maintain liaison with the Committee on Computing and Information Systems. One member of the committee shall serve on the Penn State Press Editorial Committee.
4. Mandated reports: None
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least seven elected faculty senators
(ii)
One
student senator
(iii)
The
Vice President for Outreach*
(iv) Director of Cooperative Extension*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Outreach will recommend policy and advise the University on outreach activities. Outreach is understood as the exchange of information between the University and its many external audiences. The Committee shall be responsible for identifying University outreach, establishing evaluation methodologies to ensure quality, and creating recognition measures to reward outstanding performance. Its responsibilities focus on the University’s outreach and public scholarship mission as realized through community engagement, research, credit and noncredit instruction, service through continuing and distance education, cooperative extension, public broadcasting, and other programs beyond the sphere of resident education. Liaison will be maintained with the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education, the University Council on Engagement, and other bodies as appropriate.
4. Mandated reports: None
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least ten elected faculty senators
(ii) One graduate student senator
(ii)
One
undergraduate student senator
(iv) The Senior Vice President for Research and Dean
of the
(v) Six members of the Graduate Council Committee on Graduate Research including the Committee Chair
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Research is charged with promoting graduate and undergraduate research and scholarly activities and advising the Senate
on research policies including research facilities and overhead and fringe
benefit computation. It shall, within the advisory and consultative functions
of the Senate, be consultative and advisory on all items involving research
policies and services. It shall ensure an active faculty role in formulation of
all research computing and information systems policies as they affect faculty
and students in conjunction with the Committee on Computing and Information
Systems. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment,
reorganization, or discontinuation of organized research units and institutes.
It will maintain formal liaison with the University Research Council. One member of the committee shall serve on the Penn State Press Editorial Committee. It shall be the Senate
advisory body to the Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least seven elected faculty senators
(ii) Two graduate students, at least one
a senator
(iii)
One
undergraduate student senator from a location other than
(iv) The President of the University Park Undergraduate Association
(v)
The
Vice President of the University Park Undergraduate Association
(vi) The Vice President for Student Affairs*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Student Life shall be concerned with policies
involving those aspects of student life on the University campuses that are of
concern to students, both graduate and undergraduate, and that are not
specifically covered in other committees. The purview of the Committee shall include but not be limited to student housing, health, conduct,
organizations, extracurricular activities, and career development and placement. The committee shall be a
principal agency to the Senate for
representation of student opinion on academic matters in the
Senate, and to this end it shall be a point of entry for student proposals. It
shall maintain liaison with the elected officers of the students as
appropriately organized and with the appropriate University offices. It shall
be the Senate advisory body to the Vice President for Student
Affairs. It shall maintain awareness of current trends and long-range studies
in student life. It shall maintain liaison with all student organization
committees and boards as appropriate.
(n) Committee
on Undergraduate Education
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least twelve elected faculty senators
(ii) Two undergraduate students senators
(iii)
The Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, University Park Undergraduate Association
(iv) The Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate
Education*
(v)
The
Executive Director, Division of Undergraduate Studies*
(vi) The Dean of the
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on Undergraduate Education shall make
recommendations on policies relating to all undergraduate instruction offered
for credit by all delivery systems including Resident Instruction, Continuing
and Distance Education, and Independent Learning. It shall serve as an advisory
body to the University Faculty Senate on matters that may affect the attainment
of the University’s undergraduate instruction and research objectives by all
methods of delivery including all University services aiding teaching and
learning including but not limited to the Division of Undergraduate Studies,
the Schreyer Honors College, the Academic Assistance Program, the Instructional
Development Program, and other student advising programs. It shall be the
Senate’s review body for the academic standards in all areas of undergraduate
instruction including all proficiency and placement tests offered by the
University. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the
establishment, reorganization, or discontinuation of organizational units and
areas in undergraduate education. The committee shall maintain liaison with the
Computing and Information Systems Committee. Liaison will also be maintained
with the Faculty Advisory Committee for the
4. Standing
Subcommittee:
The membership
of the subcommittee shall include at least five members and shall be
designated by the Undergraduate Education Committee with a majority of the
members of the subcommittee also holding membership on the parent committee.
(i)
Subcommittee
on Academic Standards
The
subcommittee, chaired by the Vice-Chair of the parent committee, and including
appropriate resource personnel, shall
have responsibility for the Academic Policies and Procedures for
Undergraduate Students (except for Academic Admissions Policy) and shall make
recommendations to the parent committee for transmittal to the Senate for
changes in the Policies. Unless otherwise specified in the Policies, the
subcommittee together with the Executive Secretary of the Senate shall serve as
the final review board for petitions for exceptions to the Policies. It shall
make recommendations to the administration on the procedures necessary for
policy implementation.
(o) Committee
on University Planning
1. Membership:
(i)
At
least twelve elected faculty senators
(ii) One undergraduate student senator
(ii)
One
graduate student senator
(iv) Executive Vice President/Provost of the University
or representative
(vi)
Senior
Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer*
(vi) Vice President for Development and Alumni
Relations*
2. Selection:
By the Committee on Committees and Rules
3. Duties: The Committee on University Planning solely and in
consultation with other committees, shall report on and/or propose action on
matters of university planning that affect the academic, development, physical
and aesthetic resources, issues, and policies of the University. In accordance
with the Constitutional advisory and consultative roles of the Senate, specific
areas of responsibilities include but are not limited to: the allocation of
resources among units and functions as they relate to educational policy;
academic planning, development planning, and campus and physical planning, as
specified in the duties of the two subcommittees defined herein. The Committee
shall be the primary Senate body advisory to the Office of the President,
including the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer, Vice
President for Development and Alumni Relations, and the Executive Vice
President/Provost, for all planning functions; and shall review those functions
of the University that contribute to the planning processes. In addition, this
Committee shall assist in creating an understanding of the University’s
planning functions and shall aid in the coordination of those plans among all
units within the University. The Committee and subcommittees shall have access
to all information necessary to perform their charge.
4. Standing Subcommittees:
The membership
of each standing subcommittee shall include at least seven members, and shall
be designated by the parent committee with a majority of the members also
holding membership on the parent committee. Additional liaison and resource
personnel will be appointed as appropriate to each subcommittee. The
subcommittees will report to the parent committee on a timely basis.
Subcommittee members may be asked to represent the Committee’s interests, as
appropriate, to other committees and agencies. In general, all reports from or
presentations by other committees, administrative offices, or other special
expertise groups and agencies outside of the Committee will be made directly to
the full Committee rather than to a subcommittee.
(i)
Subcommittee
on Academic and Resource Planning
It shall consult
with and advise the Office of the President on matters of academic and resource
planning, as they affect the educational policy of the University, including
review on a continuing basis and from a University-wide perspective. More
specifically, it shall review and advise on all matters dealing with academic
planning that cross functional and/or college/unit lines, including: issues
that relate equally to undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, such
as the setting of standards of curricular content, grading, and the diploma
system; the strategic planning and budget process; the costing of academic
policy proposals and of other pending legislation when requested by the Senate
Chair; the setting of the University calendar; and policies regarding the size
and composition of the student body. One faculty member on the University
Council on Enrollment Policies and Planning and one faculty member on the
President’s Planning and Budget Advisory Committee shall also serve as members
of this Subcommittee. In addition, the Subcommittee shall maintain active
communication/liaison with other Senate and University-wide advisory groups
dealing with broad, interrelated curricular issues and with all other issues
within the purview of this Subcommittee.
(ii)
Subcommittee
on Physical and Campus Planning
It
shall participate in the development of policy and policy enforcement
strategies involving the physical and aesthetic resources of the University
campuses; review on a continuing basis and from a University-wide perspective
the physical resources of the University; participate in the development of
priorities for proposed physical projects and for space allocation decisions as
they affect the educational policy of the University; and consult with and
advise the Office of the President regarding all these matters. It shall
monitor approved and in-progress construction at all locations of the
University and report to the Senate at least semiannually. A Subcommittee
member shall have formal membership on the Facilities Planning Advisory Board,
and on the Physical Facilities Advisory Committee. In addition, one faculty
member on the Advisory Committee on Naming University Facilities and one
faculty member on the University Committee on Parking shall also serve as
members of this Subcommittee; and the Subcommittee will include, on a
continuing basis, a representative from the Office of the Physical Plant. The
Subcommittee shall maintain active communications/liaison with any other Senate
or University-wide planning advisory group that deals with issues of campus
planning, land development, classroom planning and resources,
transportation/circulation systems, physical construction/demolition projects,
and with all other issues within the purview of this Subcommittee.
Article III
SECTION 1
The Senate
participates in the selection of members for extrasenatorial standing
committees, commissions, and boards of the University. For the purposes of
Sections 2 and 5 of this Article, a faculty member is defined as University
faculty by Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution but who does not have
administrative signatory authority on promotion and tenure documents.
SECTION 2
Standing Joint
Committee on Tenure
(a) Membership: Five members — two members representing the administration appointed for a one-year term by the President of the University, three tenured University faculty elected by the elected faculty members of the University Faculty Senate. The chair will be chosen by the committee from the elected tenured faculty members and will serve a one-year term as chair.
(1) The term of office of the
elected members shall be three years. The terms of elected members will
commence on July 1 and will be staggered to provide for continuity.
(2) The Senate Committee on
Committees and Rules shall serve as the nominating committee.
(3) Nominations shall be presented
by elected faculty senators during the next-to-last regular meeting of the
Senate each academic year. The quorum for this purpose shall consist of fifty
elected faculty senators.
(4) Election of the three
faculty members and the three faculty alternates shall be by plurality
election by secret written mail ballot.
(5) In case an elected faculty
member resigns, the alternate elected in the same year as the member resigning
will complete the term. The candidate in the most recent election receiving the
highest number of votes of those not elected will fill the unexpired term of
the alternate provided there are two or more eligible candidates. Otherwise a
special election will be held.
(6) No member of this committee may
serve concurrently on the University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee
and/or the Senate Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities.
(b) Duties: See The
SECTION 3
Joint Committee
on Insurance and Benefits
(a) Membership:
(1) Five faculty members
appointed by the Chair of the Senate. Four of the faculty members serve
rotating three-year (renewable) terms; the fifth faculty member, selected from
the Faculty Benefits Committee, serves a one-year (renewable) term. At least
one faculty member must be from
(2) Five members appointed by
the President. One member shall be selected from the Office of Human
Resources Staff Focus Committee.
(3) The Chair of the Committee is
appointed jointly by the President and the Chair of the Senate from among the
faculty members on the Committee.
(b) Duties: The Joint Committee
on Insurance and Benefits shall review and make recommendations to the Senate
through the Faculty Benefits Committee on policies relating to the University’s
insurance programs including life, medical, dental, and vision, as well as
other areas normally defined as fringe benefits, including, but not limited to
retirement and tuition remission. It shall be an advisory body to the Office of
Human Resources and other appropriate administrative units in the formulation
of all policies affecting insurance and benefits.
SECTION 4
University
Promotion and Tenure Review Committee
(a) Membership:
(1)
The committee shall consist of eleven members.
(2)
Seven of these faculty members shall be selected by plurality
election by the University Faculty Senate from a slate of nominees prepared by
the Committee on Committees and Rules with provisions for nominations from the
Senate floor. At least two faculty members shall be from
campuses other than
(3) The remaining four members of
the committee shall be appointed by the President of the University.
(4) The President shall appoint the
chair of the committee from among the seven elected and four appointed
committee members.
(5) All tenured Professors,
Librarians, and other faculty of equivalent rank holding full-time standing
appointments are eligible for election by the Senate or appointment by the
President with the following exclusions:
(a) the President’s immediate staff;
(b) the Executive Vice President and
Provost of the University’s immediate staff;
(c) those holding affiliate academic
appointments;
(d) Administrators as defined in
Policy AD-14.
(6) All members of the committee
shall serve for two-year terms commencing on July 1, staggered to provide
continuity to the committee’s deliberations. No persons may serve more than two
successive terms and after serving two successive terms may not be appointed or
elected to the committee for the following two-year (one-term) period.
(7) In case an elected faculty
members resigns, the candidate in the most recent election receiving the
highest number of votes of those not elected will complete the term provided
there are two or more eligible candidates. Otherwise a special election will be
held.
(8) No member of this committee may
serve concurrently on the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure and/or the Senate
Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities.
(b) Duties: See The
SECTION 5
Senate Committee
on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
(a) Membership: Nine members elected by the
Senate – six tenured faculty members and three members of the Academic
Leadership Council who have signatory authority (through the college level) for promotion and tenure. Two of the faculty members shall be from academic
voting units other than those at
(1) The term of office for members
and alternates will be three years commencing on July 1. The terms will be
staggered to provide for continuity.
(2) The Committee on Committees and
Rules will present a list of nominees to fill vacancies and expiring terms on
the committee at the next to last meeting of the Senate each academic year.
Additional nominations may be made from the floor at that time.
(3) Election of committee members
and alternates will be by secret mail ballot.
(4) In case an elected faculty
member resigns, an alternate elected in the same year as the member resigning
will complete the term. The candidate in the most recent election receiving the
highest number of votes of those not elected will fill the unexpired term of
the alternate provided there are two or more eligible candidates. Otherwise a
special election will be held.
(5) No member of this committee may
serve concurrently on the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure and/or the
University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee.
(b) Duties and Procedures: See SR: 5-8-73 III, pp. 7-15.
SECTION 6
Faculty Advisory
Committee to the President
(a) The Faculty Advisory Committee to the President, hereinafter referred to as the Faculty Advisory Committee, shall be an instrumentality of the Senate without legislative authority. It shall represent the Senate and thus the faculty at large as an advisory and consultative body to the President of the University. It shall provide advice and consultation to the President on matters of general concern to the faculty pertaining to the welfare and effectiveness of the University. (See Article I of the Constitution.) Topics for discussion may include any matter initiated either by the President or the committee. The committee shall report regularly to the Senate. The term of office for members of this committee shall begin with the passing of the gavel at the last regular Senate meeting of each Senate year.
(b) The
committee shall participate regularly in Senate Council deliberations.
(c) The
Faculty Advisory Committee shall include:
(1) Chair of the Senate
(2) Chair-Elect of the Senate
(3) Immediate Past-Chair of the
Senate
(4) Secretary of the Senate
(5) Three elected
faculty members chosen for three year staggered terms with the following
exclusions:
(a) The
President's immediate staff;
(b) The
immediate staff of the Executive Vice President and Provost, including Vice
Provosts and Associate and Assistant Vice Provosts;
(c) Other
Vice Presidents, including Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Academic
Deans and Campus Executive Officers;
(d) Those
holding affiliate academic appointments.
(d) The elected faculty members
shall be chosen at the same time and in the same manner as Senate officers. At
least one of the members of the committee must always be from a location
other than
(e) Any
member of the Faculty Advisory Committee who is not a member of the Senate
shall have all the rights and privileges of a regular member of the Senate
while continuing to serve on the Faculty Advisory Committee. Such individuals
shall not be counted as members of academic voting units.
SECTION 7
Joint
Faculty/Administrative Committee to Monitor Travel Policies
(a) Membership:
(1) Four
members appointed by the Chair of the Senate from a slate of six candidates
nominated by the Committee on Committees and Rules. The faculty members shall
serve rotating two-year terms and may serve for no more than two consecutive
two-year terms.
(2) Four
members appointed by the President.
(3) The
Executive Secretary of the Senate (ex-officio, non-voting). The Chair of the
Committee is appointed jointly each Senate year by the President and the Chair
of the Senate from among the faculty members on the Committee.
(b) Duties:
The Joint Faculty/Administrative Committee to Monitor Travel Policies shall
advise and consult with others involved in the University travel program on all
University travel policies. It shall include in its activities ways to
publicize programs, disseminate information to travelers and facilitate the
development of policies to eliminate obstacles to the effective functioning of
the program. It shall act in an advisory and consultative capacity to the
University Travel Services office. It shall act in a similar capacity to
facilitate and improve relations between the University Travel Services office
and University travelers. It shall act as liaison between the University travel
program and the University Faculty Senate to maintain a well understood,
efficient and economic ongoing program for the University. It shall receive
suggestions for improvement in the program and shall submit a written report
annually to the Senate Committee on Faculty Benefits.
SECTION 8
Faculty Athletics Representatives
(a) Faculty Athletics Representative (NCAA): The Faculty Athletics Representative (NCAA) shall be a presidential appointment following nomination
by the Committee on Committees and Rules of the Faculty Senate. The
representative shall be a tenured Professor at
(1) The term of appointment shall be
five years (renewable) and reviewed by the President in consultation with the
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics at the end of each five-year term.
(2) The NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for
(3) The representative will present
to the Senate annually a summary of the year’s activities and will also advise
Faculty Athletics Representatives at campuses other than
(4) He/she will also advise Faculty Athletics Representatives at campuses other than
(b) Faculty Athletics Representatives (other than University Park) shall be appointed by the dean of
each college which participates in any National Collegiate Athletic Association
programs following nomination by the
college faculty organization, to act for the faculty of that college. The
(1) The term of appointment shall be
five years (renewable) and reviewed by the appropriate administrative officers
in consultation with the committees or faculty organizations at the end of each
term.
(2) The representatives shall act
for their respective faculties in accord with Academic Policies and Procedures
for Undergraduate Students, Section 67-00, and present a summary of activities
annually to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics. The faculty
representatives also serve as ex-officio members of the Committee on
Intercollegiate Athletics. The college representatives shall also serve, under
the direction of the appropriate administrative officers of their college as
the representative to the appropriate intercollegiate athletic associations.
SECTION 9
University
Ombudsman:
(a) Eligibility:
Current or emeritus faculty member
(b) Election: By the Senate Council
for a term of four years (renewable). While University Ombudsman, the
incumbent may not serve on the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure, the Senate
Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities, or the University Promotion
and Tenure Review Committee
(c) Duties: The University Ombudsman shall coordinate the training of all
college and campus ombudsmen; shall provide for the appropriate dissemination
of information among the various college and campus ombudsmen; and shall be the
university-level contact for the various college and campus ombudsmen. The
University Ombudsman shall report periodically to the Senate Council and shall
maintain liaison with the Office of the University Provost, the Office of Human
Resources and the Senate office. The University Ombudsman shall have no appeal
function.
SECTION 10
Council of Past Senate Chairs:
(a) Membership: The Council shall consist of the Past Chairs of the Senate other
than the Immediate Past Chair. It shall have no legislative authority, and shall
serve only as an advisory and consultative body to the Chair of the Senate.
(b) Duties: The Council shall convene only at the call of the Senate Chair to
provide consultation and advice.
SECTION 11
Senators
representing the Senate on extrasenatorial committees, boards, and commissions
shall report actions of these bodies to the Senate when requested by the Senate
Council or the Chair.
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to
the Standing Rules may be adopted at any meeting of the Senate by a majority
vote of those senators present, provided that the amendments have been
presented in writing in the agenda for that meeting.
This page is maintained by the Senate office
(pjp4@psu.edu).