CSU Faculty Senate - Constitution and ByLaws

The Constitution of the Faculty Senate shall provide a means for the faculty to discharge its responsibilities with respect to University governance and the development of basic policies which affect the welfare of the University.

Article I - Purpose

All matters affecting the academic functions of the University and the general welfare of the University are necessary concerns of the Senate. Except where otherwise specified in the latest edition of the Illinois Revised Statutes, or the Governing Policies and Regulations of the Board of Trustees, or any Agreement between the University and the University Professionals of illinois, the Senate may initiate and consider matters affecting said welfare. In particular, the Senate shall focus on, but not be limited to such academic concerns as admissions, academic standards, curriculum and evolving programs.

To accomplish these goals, the Senate shall:

Develop and recommend policies for continuous curricular development and improvement.
Develop and recommend policies for the:
1. Improvement of instruction.
2. Library and the acquisition or use of various aids to learning.
3. Continuous evaluation of instructional procedures.
4. Assessment of student learning.
5. Integration of technology.
Develop and recommend policies to be employed in the effective recnlitment and selection of academic personnel.
Develop and recommend policies for University printing and publication of scholarly faculty publications.
Develop and recommend policies in connection with all intercollegiate programs.
Develop and recommend policies in the area of student academic advisement, counselling, and general student welfare.
Develop and recommend policies dealing with recruitment, admission, retention, and graduation standards for undergraduate students.
Participate in the selection of faculty committees.
Participate in the formation plans for developing and utilizing the physical facilities of the University.
Determine policies which will provide for faculty participation in the preparation of the budgets of the University.
Participate in discussion a.lld make recommendations on any subject which affects the welfare of the University.
Participate in selection of faculty members to university-wide committees.

Article II - Membership

Qualifications - Elected Senators shan have been full-time members of the faculty for one full academic term prior to the term in which the election is held.
Representation
1. Each department shall elect a minimum of one member.
2. Departments with fifteen or more faculty members shall elect one additional senator.(Departments with thirty or more faculty shall elect a total ofthree senators.) To insure Departmental continuity, terms shall be staggered.
3. For purposes of representation, the facility members of the Library and Learning Resources, and the Counselling Center each shall constitute a department.
4. The Provost or designated representative shall report to the Senate at each of the Senate meetings. The Senate may request the presence of any administrator when the need arises for additional information.

Article III - Faculty

Faculty members, for the pUrposes of the Faculty Senate are defined as those who are full-time, tenured/tenure track who hold the rank of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor or professor; exclusive of department chairs, and who have their primary appointment in an academic department, in University Library and Learning Resource Center, or in the Counselling Center.
Only faculty as described in Article II, Section 1 are eligible to vote for the election of Senators and in other elections conducted by the Faculty Senate.

Article IV-Officers

The officers of the Senate shall consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, recording secretary and corresponding secretary.
The Executive Committee of the Senate shall consist of the Senate offi.cers.
The officers of the Faculty Senate shall also conduct elections for the University as directed by the Faculty Senate or by the President of the University.
The officers of the Faculty Senate shall also be responsible for the reapportionment of the Faculty Senate and any other representative committee. There will be a reapportiomnent review every five years.
The officers of the Faculty Senate shall also determine whether faculty members are eligible to vote in Facility Senate elections.
Vacancies in the offices of the Senate shall be filled by election.
Upon the written request by 1/3 of the members of the Senate for the removal of an officer, the Chairman of the Senate shall convene the Senate and the officer in question shall be removed upon a vote by a 2/3 majority of the members of the Senate.

Article V-Meetings

The Senate shall schedule regular monthly meetings during the academic year.
Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the chairperson with the approval of the executive committee or shall be called upon the written request of 1/3 of the Senators.
A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum of the Senate and of its committees.
Actions and recommendations of the Faculty Senate shall be forwarded to the President of the University by vnitten communication. The President shall approve, reject, or return proposals for specific recommendations within a period of thirty (30) days after Senate action. A proposal which is not acted upon within thirty (30) days and for which there is no communication from the President to the Senate shall be considered approved.
In those cases where the President of the University may find it necessary not to support policy recommendations by the Senate, the Senate may, by majority vote, request the President to reconsider the decision and to give a response within sixty days of the Senate's request. The Senate may, 'upon approval by two-thirds of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, direct the Chair of the writing (to the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Board Regulations).
Minutes of the meetings shall be promptly distributed to the Fac.ulty, appropriate members of the administration, the Board of Trustees, and filed in the University Archives.
Meetings of the Senate shall be open unless an executive session is voted by a majority of the Senators present. With the consent of the Senate, non-members may participate in its deliberations.
All actions by the Senate shall be considered as final faculty decisions subject to the provisions of referendum provided in Article VI, Section 1,2,3 and 4.

Article VI-Referendum

Any action of the Senate shall be subject to referendum upon presentation of a petition signed by twenty percent of the eligible faculty. All petitions for referenda must include the precise language to appear on the ballot to be used in each referendum. A referendum may also be initiated by a majority vote of the Senate. A valid request for a referendum suspends all actions that depend upon the result of the referendum.
A request for referendum shall be submitted to the Chair of the Senate who shall convene the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate within ten school days.
The Faculty Senate Executive Committee shall conduct the referendum by mail ballot to the eligible faculty within thirty days of receipt of the petition by the Senate Chair.
The Senate shall be governed by the results of the referendum.

Article VII-General Assemble

A general assembly of the Faculty shall be called by the Chair of the Senate upon a majority vote of the Senate or upon written request signed by 15% of the Faculty, or by the President of the U Diversity.

Article VIII-Parliamentary Authority

The most current edition of shall govern the meetings of the Senate and its committees in all cases to when they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution, the by-laws, and any special rules of order the Senate or its committees may adopt.

Article IX Amendments to the Constitution

Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the members of the Senate at least one week in advance of a regularly scheduled meeting or at least two weeks in advance of a special meeting during the academic year. Approval by a two-thirds majority of the Senate members present at a duly-convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall be required for submission to the University Faculty for Consideration. Voting by the University Faculty as described in Article III shall be by ballot. Approval by a two-thirds majority of the ballots rettlmed shall. be required for passage and submission to the University President for" review and approval. Following review and approval by the President, each amendment shall be submitted to the Board of Trustees for review.

Article X-Ratification

Ratification shall follow the same procedure as for amendments to the Constitution as set forth in Article IX.

The Constitution shall become effective at the start of the Acadel;D.ic Year following the review and approval by the President and submission to the Board of Trustees for review.

Faculty Senate by-Laws

Article I-Membership

Election of Members
1. Members of the Senate shall be elected by ballot at an announced DepartmentaL. Library and Learning Resources, or Counselling Center meeting. Persons receiving the highest number of votes shall serve as alternates.
2. The term of office shall begin in the Fall semester. Elections shall be held in the Spring semester preceding the beginning of the term of office.
The term of office for a Senator shall be three years. Incumbent Senators are eligible for re-election.
To insure Senate continuity, membership shall be staggered with one-third of the
The Executive Committee shall notify departments of the expiration of terms of Senators no later than March 15 of the year in which the term expires.

Article II-Senate Officers

Elections of officers shall be held during the first meeting of the Senate in the Fall term.
Election of officers shall be by secret ballot of the newly seated members and continuing members of the Senate.
A majority of the votes cast shall be required for the election of an officer.
The term office for the chairperson shall be two years. The terms of offices for other officers shall be one year.
The Chairperson of the Senate or other designated member of the Executive Committee shall serve as a faculty representative to the Provost and to the President, and shall meet with each on a regular basis.

Article III-Amendments

Amendments to the By-Laws may be presented in writing by any member of the Senate with the written support of not less than ten (10) eligible faculty members. The Senate shall act on the proposed amendment at the next regular meeting following the one at which the amendment was presented. Amendments to the By-Laws shall be effective upon approval by at least two-thirds of the total membership of the Senate.

Article V-Senate Committees

The Faculty Senate may create sl]ch standing and special committees and councils as it deems necessary to the exercise of powers and responsibilities. The Faculty Senate shall determine the powers, duties and organization of each of such committee and council.

The general functions of all senate committees shall be to:
1. Develop recommendations for consideration by the Senate and review university policies and their administration.
2. Serve in an advisory capacity on faculty matters to administrative personnel, including the President, upon request.
3. File a complete annual report of committee activities at the conclusion of the academic year with the Senate and with the Archives of the University.
Standing Committees of the Senate are as follows:
1. Admissions and Academic Standards Committee
2. Board of Athletic Advisers
3. Buildings and Grounds Committee
4. Curriculum Coordinating Committee
5. Executive Committee
6. Library Committee
7. Social Committee
8. Technology Committee
Membership for the standing committees, except for the executive committee, shall be selected from the faculty at large in the following manner.

Annually, the Executive Committee shall invite the faculty to request membership on committees.
The Executive Committee shall appoint members of the committees observing that:
1. Each committee should, ideally, include a representative from each college.
2. Each committee should, ideally, include at least one member of the Faculty Senate
3. Each committee should include the appropriate administrative officer. This officer or designated representative shall serve without voting privileges.
4. Each committee shall elect its own chair and secretary.
5. The term of office for members of the standing committees shall be one year with committee members eligible for reappointment.

Reporting
1. Each committee shall develop and submit to the Senate for approval written policy and procedure statements. Shall recommend policy and procedural changes to the Senate and the President when such changes·seem desirable.
2. Each committee shall keep written minutes of all meetings.
3. Each committee shall submit an annual report to the Senate.
4. Proposals and recommendations submitted to the Senate and referred by the Senate to a committee shall be reported in that committee's official minutes. The committee of the Senate shall indicate its approval, rejection, or lack of action on a proposal or recommendation within thirty days after the referral and return the proposal or recommendation to the Senate for final consideration. A proposal, which is not returned within thirty (30) days and for which there is no communication from the committee to the originator, shall be regarded as having committee approval and shall be taken up by the Senate for final consideration.
Functions of Standing Committees
1. Admissions and Academic Standards Committee shall:
  1. develop and recommend policies concerning admissions, retention, and graduation standards for the undergraduate programs of the University,
  2. act as appeals committee for student petitions and make recommendations to the Dean of Admissions and Records.
2. The Board of Athletic Advisers shall:
  1. develop and recommend athletic policies and advise the Director of Athletics regarding the administration of such policies,
  2. monitor compliance with academic and other standards set down by the University or any other governing body as pertains to student athletics,
  3. promote the use of athletic facilities.
3. Buildings and Grounds Committee shall:
  1. recommend policy concerning construction, maintenanl~e, utilization of University structures, advise the Senate regarding campus development,
4. The Curriculum Coordinating Committee shall:
  1. make recommendations on proposals regard addition or deletions of academic program majors, options, or minors,
  2. review the minutes of College Curriculum Committees,
  3. monitor new course proposals with particular notice of possible conflicts among the Colleges,
  4. review and approve any policy or procedural changes recommended by the General Education Committee and forward such recommendations to the Senate
5. The Executive Committee shall:
  1. plan the work of the Senate by establishing goals, agenda, meeting times and places,
  2. determine the membership of Senate Com..rrrittees for approval by the Senate,
  3. act for the Senate between regular meetings and report such actions to the Senate for ratification.
6. The Library Committee shall:
  1. promote the use of the Library and Leaning Resources programs and materials, provide leadership on library and media utilization for students and faculty,
  2. serve in an ad',~sory capacity to the Dean of Library and Learning Resources and as a liaison between the university faculty and the I,ibrary and Learning Resources
Social Committee shall foster a spirit of collegiality and community through coordination of social activities.
The Technology Committee shall:
1. assess faculty technology needs and recommend provisions for those needs
2. recommend to Deans purchasing decisions involving introduction, integration or upgrade of technology.
Special Committees Special committees may be established by the Senate upon request by the Administration or appropriate governing body. Such committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and submitted to the Senate for approval.

Article V-Relationship to Other University Committees

There are additional committees which are not under the sole jurisdiction of the Faculty Senate, but which the Senate has interest. Some of these committees function independently, and may contain members other than faculty.

Budget Committee
1. Membership - The Budget Committee shall consist of 19 members chosen from the University community. Six of these members are chosen by elections conducted by the Faculty Senate. Members shall be elected by the various colleges with the Library and Learning Resources and the Counselling Center considered as a college. Representation will be proportional to the number of full-time) tenured/tenure-track faculty in a coilege, but all colleges shall have at least one member. Membership shall be composed of full-time tenured/tenure-track faculty who are in at least their second year of full-time employment as such. The Faculty Senate shall review and determine reapportionment every five years. The term:' of office shall be three years with approximately one-third of the members elected each year. Members may not succeed themselves. The Faculty Senate shall conduct elections in the appropriate colleges at the beginning of each Fall term. The Executive Committee shall notify faculty members in a college of any vacancy and allow at least ten days for applications to be submitted. Faculty wishing to serve on the University Budget Committee shall submit petitions signed by ten faculty members as defined by Section III of the Senate Constitution from the college of the member. Election shall be by ballot allowing at least five days after distribution for casting ballots. The person receiving the highest number of votes shall be the representative with the runner-up serving as alternate. Ties shall be broken by run-off elections.
2. Function - The Budget Committee shall participate in making recommendations with respect to:
  1. the setting of program priorities in the University budget,
  2. periodic review of the University budget,
  3. .. transfers of significant amounts among internal budget items.
3. Reporting - The Budget Committee shall give annual presentation to the Faculty Senate' and solicit suggestions.
4. Council on Teacher Education
  1. Membership - The Council on Teacher Education (CTE) shall be composed of five faculty representatives from the College of Education, five faculty representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Director of Teacher Certification, the Director of the Office of Field Placement, the Dean of the College of Education and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Dean of the College of Education shall be Chair of the CTE. The faculty representatives shall be appointed by the Deans of the respective colleges. One representative shall be from the Department of Psychology. No two members shall come from the same department and each shall be involved the teacher education curriculum.
5. Functions
  1. The CTE shall have responsibility for making recommendations to the administration regarding curricular matters pertaining to the following programs in Teacher Education:
    1. New undergraduate or graduate programs designed for the preparation of teachers or other educational personnel.
    2. Major revisions or modifications of existing University programs.
    3. Major changes in programs hitving impact on programs, options, courses, staffing in other Colleges of the University.
6. Recommendations shall be forwarded to the Faculty Senate for approval.
7. Copies of the minutes of the meetings of the CTE shall be distributed to CTE members, the Chair of the Faculty Senate, appropriate administrators, and filed in the University Archives.
8. General Education Committee A. Membership The General Education Committee shall consist of full-time tenure/tenure-track faculty with one representative from each department in the College of Arts and Sciences which has courses used for general education. In addition, all colleges which do not have courses used for general education shall have a representative. The Chair of the University Curriculum Coordinating Committee shall also serve on the committee.
Graduate Council

Membership - The Graduate Council shall be composed of members of the Graduate Faculty representatives, one from each department offering a graduate program. The Deans of colleges with graduate programs and the Coordinator of Course Scheduling shall be non-voting members. The Dean of Graduate Studies shall be Chair of the Graduate Council.
Functions - The Graduate Council shall

act as a Curriculum Committee and approve new graduate courses and all changes in courses or programs after such additions and changes have been approved by the appropriate College Curriculum Committee.
review unusual student appeals concerning the application or interpretation of graduate policies and make recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
act to promote scholarships for gradl,late students informing both faculty and students of available opportunities.
set admission standards and other policy pertaining to graduate students. Any
approve all new graduate programs after such additions have been approved by the appropriate College Curriculum Committee. After approval, the Graduate. Council shall then forward any new graduate program to the Faculty Senate for
Policy Monitoring Committee
1. Membership - In accordance with the Board of Trustees (the "Board") policy, a policy monitoring committee consisting of 1 representative from the administration, 1 representative from the civil service, 1 representative from student government and 2 representatives from the faculty shall be selected each by the appropriate governing body. The two representatives from the faculty shall consist of the chairman of the Senate, and another faculty member elected by the Senate.
2. Functions - The purpose of the Policy Monitoring Committee is to submit to the President expressions of concern regarding proper implementation of Board policy on campus. The President shall forward the concerns of the Policy Monitoring Committee to the Board should the committee so request. Each such expression of concern shall be in the form of a written statement identifying the specific provisions of Board policy in question, with allegations of improper implementation stated in detail with sufficient factual support. Such statements shall be signed by concurring members of the Policy Monitoring Committee and shall contain a proposed remedy for the asserted violation. The President shall respond, in writing, to the statement of the Policy Monitoring Committee. In those instances where the Board has received the statement of the Policy Monitoring Committee, the Board shall communicate its response to the Committee in writing.
3. Meetings - The Policy Monitoring Committee shall schedule monthly meetings during the academic year.
4. University Personnel Committee Membership accordance with the Agreement established by the University Professionals of Illinois, the University Personnel Committee shall consist of eleven or fewer members. Members shall be elected by the various colleges with the Library and Learning Resources and the Counselling Center considered as a college. Representation shall be proportional to the number of full-time, tenured/tenure-track faculty in a college, but all colleges shall have at least one member. The Faculty Senate shall review and detennine reapportionment every five years. The term of office shall be three years with approximately one-third of the members elected each year. Members may seek re-election. The Faculty Senate shall conduct elections in the appropriate colleges the beginning of each Fall term. The Executive Committee shall notify faculty members in a college of any vacancy and allow at least ten (10) days for applications to be submitted. Facility wishing to serve on the University Personnel Committee shall submit petitions signed by ten facility members the College of said member. Faculty members shall consist of those defined by Article III of the Senate Constitution. Election shall be by ballot allowing at least five (5) days after distribution for casting ballots. The person( s) receiving the highest number of votes shall be the representative with runner(s)-up serving as alternate(s). Ties shall be broken by run-off elections.
5. Function - The University Personnel Committee shall review and make recommendations personnel actions for faculty as defined by Section III in the Senate Constitution. The University Personnel Committee shall be responsible for setting its own rules of operation in accordance with the contract Agreement between the University and the University Professionals of Illinois.

Article VI-Ratification

Ratification shall follow the procedure for amendments to the Faculty Constitution in effect. The By-Laws of the Faculty Senate shall become effective at the start of the Academic Year following the review and approval by the President and submission to the Board of Trustees for review.