Document No. I-04-02

PROPOSAL TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE

TITLE: To Amend Two Subsections of the Constitution of the Academic Senate

SUBMITTED BY: Faculty Affairs Committee

DATE: February 6, 2004

ACTION: Legislative

REFERENCE: Constitution of the Academic Senate, Articles IV(B)(7) & Article VII (B).

PURPOSE: The Faculty Affairs Committee recommends that the Academic Senate approve the amendments to the Constitution of the Academic Senate as set forth in the document appended to this resolution.

RATIONALE

The Faculty Affairs Committee of the Academic Senate has drafted and approved two “housekeeping” amendments to the Constitution of the Academic Senate. First, the Committee is proposing new language in the Constitution to make clear that, in the event a member of the Senate goes on leave or sabbatical for a semester or a year, the runner up in the Senatorial election shall be appointed to fill the position until the elected Senator returns, or the term of the elected Senator expires. The current language in the Constitution speaks only of the procedure in the event that the Senator is unable to “complete” his or her term. The word “complete” is ambiguous, and thus, may not cover appointments for Senators who are on leave or sabbatical. The amendment drafted by the Committee also gives the Executive Committee of the Senate the ability to appoint an interim senator when the elected Senator cannot serve and no runner up in a senatorial election is available.

The current Constitution requires that all amendments to the Constitution of the Senate be discussed at a “general faculty meeting.” This requirement has been generally ignored. Amendments have been discussed at announced special forums open to all faculty members and any other interested parties. The Committee believes that the procedures that have actually been utilized make more sense than discussing the amendments to the Constitution at a general faculty meeting. Therefore, the Committee is proposing amending the Constitution to incorporate language embodying the current practice in the Constitution.