Faculty Senate
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Section 1. Faculty Governance
1.100
I. Faculty Senate
A. Composition
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1. Members of the general faculty (as defined in the Faculty Constitution, Article 2) shall be elected to serve on the Faculty Senate as follows:
a. Each department (as defined in Section 4.110) shall elect one senator. All members of the general faculty who are certified by the Provost as members of that department (see Section 4.312(b)) are eligible to serve.
b. The remaining senators (minimum of four) shall be elected at-large from the general faculty.
c . See the Faculty Constitution, Article 5 for further restrictions on the composition of the Faculty Senate.
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2. Senate terms begin and end at the last Faculty Senate meeting of the academic year.
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3. Proxy votes are not allowed for senators not in attendance at the meeting. Proxy votes are allowed if a senator must leave a meeting that exceeds the expected ending time, after informing the secretary of the fact that he has left a proxy with another senator. The expected ending time for senate meetings has been set for 5:30 PM.
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4. Should a senator be scheduled absent from senate meetings for one full academic term, the Faculty Senate Chair shall direct the Elections Committee to conduct a special election in a manner consistent with these Bylaws to replace that senator for the period of time during which he/she shall be absent. At the end of the scheduled absence, the originally elected senator shall resume his/her duties with the Faculty Senate.
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5. A vacancy on the Senate of more than one academic term will be filled by special election. The Faculty Senate Chair is responsible for directing the Elections Committee to conduct that interim election in a manner consistent with these bylaws.
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B. Senate Elections
1.1211. Elections shall be conducted each year by the Senate Elections Committee in a manner that demonstrates fairness, is consistent with Section 1.110, and ensures the seating of all newly elected senators by the last senate meeting of the academic year.
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2. Each year, prior to the last Senate meeting of the fall term, the Senate Elections Committee shall submit an election plan and timeline to the Senate Chair for approval. The plan must satisfy the following requirements:
a. Eligibility. The Elections Committee shall obtain from the Provost list of the members of the general faculty with their department(s) and/or administrative affiliations.
b. Departmental Elections. The committee shall:
(1) Provide a list of eligible faculty members to each department with seats open for election and direct the department to conduct the election.
(2) Allow at least ten (10) university days for departments to conduct elections.
(3) Remind departments that they must elect a senate representative, following their department’s established procedures and report the name of their elected representative to the elections committee.
(4) Warn departments that if they fail to elect a representative, they ipso facto forfeit representation on the Faculty Senate for the upcoming year.
c. at-Large Elections.
(1) The committee will conduct at-large elections following the department election deadline.
(2) Nominations. The committee shall provide the faculty with a list of eligible persons and solicit nominations. There shall be up to two calls for nominations, seeking to identify a number of candidates equal to twice the number of vacancies. Only nominees who consent in writing can be placed on a ballot. Those nominees who are named the greatest number of times will be placed on the ballot. All persons tied for the final position will be declared nominees.
(3) Allow at least five (5) university days for each round of nominations, for nominees to accept or reject nomination in writing, and before elections are concluded.
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C. Recall of a Senate Member
If absenteeism or other factors appear to render a senator ineffectual, a recall vote may be requested by a) one-third of the electorate for a department senator; b) 20 percent of the general faculty for a senator-at-large; or c) two-thirds of the Faculty Senate. The Elections Committee will supervise a vote of the appropriate electorate by secret ballot. A two-thirds vote of the electorate is necessary for recall of the senator.
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II. Committees
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A. Presidential Committees and Councils
The President and vice presidents shall appoint such committees and councils as are necessary for assistance in the administration of the university.
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B. Faculty Senate Committees and Councils
The Faculty Senate Chair shall appoint committees and councils, except the Advisory Council and the Hearing Panel, from the membership of the Faculty Senate to facilitate performance of the assigned duties of the Senate. Each appointed committee shall consist of at least three members. Councils and committees may choose consultants from outside the senate membership as deemed appropriate. All actions and recommendations must be reported to the Senate. Committees and councils of the Senate include, but are not limited to, the following:
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1. Advisory Council
The Advisory Council shall work in close cooperation with the University President in the implementation of policies and shall be responsible for establishment and coordination of duties of the other senate committees. The Advisory Council shall also review and make recommendations concerning the general allocations of institutional funds. On matters the University President deems too urgent to permit time for a meeting, the Advisory Council may act for the Faculty Senate. All such actions are subject to review by the Senate.
The Advisory Council consists of the senate chair, vice chair, secretary, immediate past chair plus three additional members all of whom are elected by and from the newly seated Senate at its first meeting in June each year.
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2. Committee on Committees
The Committee on Committees shall assign items of business to the appropriate committee or council and shall be responsible for the composition and performance of all faculty standing and ad hoc committees and councils, except for the Faculty Personnel Committee. The committee will ascertain faculty member preferences and abilities for committee and council assignments and will ensure an equitable distribution of assignments among the schools and departments, where appropriate and possible. Committee appointments for the following academic year shall be reported to the Faculty Senate for approval by the last senate meeting of spring term.
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3. Elections Committee
The Elections Committee will hold elections of department chairs, members of the Faculty Personnel Committee and faculty senators and all votes of the general faculty. One member shall be designated the elections coordinator who shall conduct all elections and certify that all nominations submitted for Senate confirmation were selected in accord with these bylaws. The committee shall approve all lists of eligible faculty for positions and certify election results. The committee will also certify the faculty nominations for the University Planning Committee following the provisions of section 1.226 (b).
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4. Constitution Committee
The Constitution Committee shall consider items related to the interpretation and revision of the Faculty Constitution and the Bylaws and make recommendations on these matters to the Faculty Senate.
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5. Hearing Panel and Committees
A hearing committee shall hear the grievance of a faculty member as provided in section 6.100 and challenges to disciplinary actions or procedures as provided in section 6.200 of these bylaws. Committee members shall be selected in the following manner: the Senate shall elect from its membership during June each year a panel consisting of ten faculty members; from this panel, the Senate shall name five to serve as the hearing committee for each appeal. The faculty member and the administration are each allowed one peremptory challenge; the Senate will then replace a committee member so challenged from the panel. The committee shall be constituted promptly with the Faculty Senate Chair designating a convener. The hearing committee shall elect a chair from among its members. The committee shall complete the hearing and its report within 30 days of its constitution, if possible.
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6. Faculty Senate Representation on University Committees
1.226(a)
a. Technology Council
The Technology Council advises the University President, the Executive Council and the Director of Information Technology on matters related to technology policies, planning, and resource allocation. The Technology Council has broadly representative membership including the CIO; six student representatives appointed by ASSOU; five faculty representatives, one appointed by each of the school deans; and six administrative representatives, one each from the Library, BASIS, Business Advisory Council, Computing Services, Extended Campus Programs, and Student Affairs. In addition, the Faculty Senate Advisory Council shall appoint one senator to serve on the Technology Council and be a liaison between the Technology Council and Faculty Senate.
1.226(b)
b. University Planning Committee
The University Planning Committee shall be an active partner with the administration in 1) the development of guidelines, criteria, and procedures for program, fiscal, and physical planning; 2) the assignment of facilities and the allocation of resources; 3) the development of biennial and annual budgets; 4) the establishment of priorities in capital construction and campus maintenance.
1.226(b1)
1. The University Planning Committee shall consist of one faculty member selected from each of the following subdivisions of Southern Oregon University:
School of Arts and Letters
School of Business
School of Sciences
School of Education
School of Social Science, Health and Physical Education
Library Faculty
AP:SOU
Faculty Senate
Other members shall include:
Administrators (one member)
OPEU (one member)
ASSOU (two members)
Ex officio: Provost, Vice President of Administration and Finance, and Vice President of Student Affairs.
1.226(b2)
2. Nominees to fill committee vacancies for the following academic year shall be selected by the end of the previous spring term. With the exception of the ASSOU student representatives and the faculty senate representatives, members shall serve for four years and may be reappointed or re-elected.
a) To nominate a member representing a school, each school dean shall notify the faculty members of the school to seek recommendations and the election coordinator to initiate the certification procedure (see bylaws, section 1.223). The School Dean and the department chairs of that subdivision as a committee of the whole will select a representative and alternate from among the recommendations. The names shall be forwarded to the Faculty Senate for confirmation.
b) The Office of Finance and Administration will request nominations from all administrators and then conduct an election to select the administrative member.
c) The AP:SOU member will be selected by the AP:SOU Executive Board.
d) The Faculty Senate Advisory Council will select the faculty senate member for a one-year, renewable term.
e) The local OPEU President will select the OPEU member.
f) The ASSOU Student Senate will make two ASSOU one-year renewable appointments.
1.226(b3)
3. The faculty senate representative will report to the Faculty Senate after each meeting of the committee. Each recommendation from the committee will be forwarded for action to the Faculty Senate with a copy to the University President.
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C. General Faculty Committees and Councils
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1. Composition/Tenure
The size and specific membership of each committee or council are to be determined by the Faculty Senate. In general, faculty committee appointments shall be for a period of three years, approximately one-third of each committee being selected each year.
The University President is an ex officio member of all faculty committees and councils; other ex officio members are specifically designated. Ex officio committee or council members may not serve as chair nor be included in determining a committee quorum; neither may they vote.
Administrative membership is included on committees and councils as specifically designated. Student membership is included on committees and councils; however, such student membership shall not exceed one-fifth of the total of faculty membership, except for the Student Affairs Committee. The Student Senate shall select representatives from the student body. Student members shall not be included in determining a committee quorum, but they shall have full voting rights. They may not serve as chair of faculty committees or councils.
Committees and councils may select non-voting consultants as considered necessary for the performance of their assigned functions.
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2. Meetings, Minutes and Recommendations
It shall be the responsibility of the committee chairs to schedule committee meetings and to prepare the agenda. Each committee and council shall submit to all senators and to the University President minutes of all meetings. All committee and council recommendations for changes in policy shall be submitted to the Faculty Senate for approval before taking effect.
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3. Committees and Councils of the General Faculty
Committees and councils of the general faculty include, but are not limited to, the following:
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a. Academic Policies Committee
The Academic Policies Committee shall recommend policies regarding admission, transfer, general academic regulations and graduation.
The Faculty Senate appoints six members to this committee. Faculty and administrators are eligible for appointment. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Registrar, Associate Provost for Curriculum, Director of Academic Advising, and Director of Graduate Studies
1.233(b)
b. Academic Standards Committee
The Academic Standards Committee shall advise on policies pertaining to student academic performance including probation, suspension, and readmission and shall act on student petitions regarding these matters.
The Faculty Senate appoints twelve members to this committee. Faculty and administrators are eligible for appointment. The Student Senate may appoint up to two student members.
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c. Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee shall study existing curricula and consider all changes in curricula including degrees offered, degree requirements, and specific courses.
The Faculty Senate appoints six faculty members. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Registrar, Associate Provost for Curriculum, and Director of Graduate Studies
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d. Faculty Personnel Committee
1.233(d1)
1. The Faculty Personnel Committee shall consist of six members, one elected from and by each of these subdivisions of Southern Oregon University:
School of Arts and Letters
School of Business
School of Sciences
School of Education
School of Social Science, Health and Physical Education
Library Faculty
1.233(d2)
2. Membership on this committee shall be restricted to faculty with at least five (5) years service at Southern Oregon University. Academic faculty without tenure shall not be eligible to serve on this committee. Department chairs, school deans, vice presidents, members of the Faculty Senate, and members of school personnel committees shall not be eligible to serve on this committee during their term of service. The Faculty Personnel Committee will examine all personnel action on tenure, promotion, and sabbatical leaves, and will approve the forms used. It shall study matters of balance, standards and equity. The committee shall then forward all sets of papers with such recommendations on individuals to the University President, via the Provost.
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3. The committee shall participate in the evaluation of the President, vice presidents, and school deans as provided in sections 2.100, 2.200 and 3.140 of these bylaws.
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4. One-third of the members of this committee shall be elected each year to ensure continuity.
1.233(d5)
5. The Elections Committee shall, not later than the first of March, mail ballots containing names of nominees for vacancies on the Faculty Personnel Committee to faculty members of the respective subdivisions.
1.233(e)
e. Financial Aid and Awards Committee
The Financial Aid and Awards Committee shall advise on matters related to scholarships, grants-in-aid, and other types of student awards and honors.
The Faculty Senate appoints twelve members to this committee. Faculty and administrators are eligible for appointment. The Student Senate may appoint up to two student members.
Ex officio: Director of Financial Aid
1.233(f)
f. Graduate Council
The Graduate Council shall establish the composition of the graduate faculty and recommend policies related to graduate curriculum and programs.
The Faculty Senate appoints six faculty members. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Provost for Curriculum, school deans, and coordinators of graduate degree programs.
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g. Honors Faculty Board
The Honors Faculty Board will recommend policies and give general supervision concerning honors programs. The Board will meet at least once a term during the regular academic year and will make reports of these meetings to the Faculty Senate.
This Board will include faculty members teaching in honors programs; student representatives; and two general faculty or administrative members appointed by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees for overlapping three-year terms.
Ex officio: Director of Honors Program
1.233(h)
h. Faculty Development Committee
The Faculty Development Committee will study and recommend means to evaluate and improve the instructional program and general scholarship of the faculty and to promote research activities. The committee is responsible for establishing criteria, reviewing faculty applications and recommending disbursement of faculty development monies such as Carpenter grants, instructional development funds, and research funds.
The Faculty Senate appoints six faculty members. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Associate Provost for Curriculum
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i. Intercollegiate Athletics Committee
The Intercollegiate Athletics Committee shall recommend policies in regard to intercollegiate athletics including eligibility, scheduling, financial aid, coaching staff and conference relationships.
The Faculty Senate appoints six members to this committee. Faculty and administrators are eligible for appointment. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Athletic Director and faculty athletic representatives
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j. Library Committee
The Library Committee reviews and proposes policies and practices regarding library operation and materials. It shall also make recommendations regarding the allocation of resources.
The Faculty Senate appoints six members to this committee. Faculty and administrators are eligible for appointment. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Library Director
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k. Student Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee, in consultation with student leaders, shall advise on policies regarding student affairs in general and shall be responsible for actions in matters referred to it concerning student discipline.
The Faculty Senate appoints five members to this committee. Faculty and administrators are eligible for appointment. The Student Senate may appoint five student members.
Ex officio: Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students
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l. Teacher Education Committee
The Teacher Education Committee represents all departments involved in teacher education. The committee shall periodically examine teacher education policies and shall review all proposed changes in policy.
The committee may make policy recommendations to the Associate Dean for Teacher Education for Senate approval.
Each department involved in teacher education nominates one representative from their department to serve on an ongoing basis. The Student Senate may appoint up to two student members.
Ex officio: Associate Dean for Teacher Education, Chair of Education Department, and a representative from Extended Campus Programs
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m. University Studies Committee
The University Studies Committee (USC) will oversee the institution, maintenance and development of the University Studies general education curriculum.
The USC will be composed of seven voting faculty members, one representing each of the following: the School of Arts and Letters, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Sciences, the School of Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, the University Seminar program, and the Library. The chair of the committee will be elected from the voting membership of the committee.
Until the end of the 2005-2006 academic year, up to four additional faculty members who served as full-time faculty members of CREAC, will be invited to serve as voting members of the USC. The Associate Provost for Curriculum and Personnel, the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions, the Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment (CTLA), one member of the ACCESS center advising staff, a representative from Information Technology (IT), and one student will also serve as ex-officio, non-voting members. The Provost will designate one of the administrative ex-officio members as the administrative contact for this committee.
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n. Assessment Committee
The Assessment Committee (AC) will oversee the institution, maintenance and development of student learning outcomes for the curriculum at Southern Oregon University.
The AC will be composed of seven voting members, one representing each of the following: the School of Arts and Letters, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Sciences, the School of Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, the University Seminar program, and the Library. The chair of the committee will be elected from the voting membership of the committee.
The Associate Provost for Curriculum and Personnel, the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions, the Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment (CTLA), the Director of University Studies, one member of the ACCESS center advising staff, a representative from Information Technology (IT), and one student will serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of this committee. The Provost will designate one of the administrative ex-officio members as the administrative contact for this committee.
1.233(o)
o. International Affairs Council
The International Affairs Council advises the University President, the Provost, and the Faculty Senate on matters related to SOU’s international engagement, including strategic planning, alignment, and policy concerning internationally focused academic and experiential programs for students, faculty, and staff.
The Faculty Senate appoints six members. The Student Senate may appoint a student member.
Ex officio: Senior Program advisor from Office of International Programs, designee from Student Affairs, designee from Enrollment Services
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D. Ad Hoc Committees
The Administration, Faculty Senate, schools, and departments may create special committees as necessary for the orderly functioning of Southern Oregon University. Such ad hoc committees may not abridge the authority of the faculty or Senate. Ad hoc committees are subject to the same regulations as standing committees except that school and department committees that are concerned only with school or department affairs are not required to submit minutes to the Senate.