The Policies of the Board of Trustees 1987, Article X.5a.b. provide for the establishment of Faculty Bylaws:

 

The faculty of each college shall prepare and adopt bylaws which shall contain:  (1) Provisions for committees and their responsibilities; (2) Procedures for the calling and conduct of faculty meetings and elections; and (3) Provisions for such other matters or organization and procedure as may be necessary for the performance of their responsibilities.

 

Bylaws shall be consistent with and subject to the Policies of the Board of Trustees of State University of New York, the laws of the State of New York, and the provisions of agreements between the State of New York and the certified employee organization established pursuant to Article 14 for the Civil Service Law.  Provisions of bylaws concerning consultation with the faculty shall be subject to the approval of the chief administrative officer of the college.  All actions under bylaws shall be advisory upon the Chancellor and the Chief Administrative Officer of the college.

 

 

PLATTSBURGH FACULTY BYLAWS

 

PREAMBLE

 

With due understanding that the basic purposes of any college or university are to preserve, augment, evaluate and transmit knowledge, and to foster creative capacities; That these purposes are best served by a community of scholars free to exercise independent judgment in the planning and execution of their educational responsibilities; That the government of an institution of higher education should be designed to allow the institution to identify and carry out its responsibilities with integrity and with maximum effectiveness; That the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York has delegated responsibilities for teaching, research and public service to the Faculty of the State University of New York and the several faculties on the component campuses; And guided by the principles described in the AAUP Statement on the Governance of Colleges and Universities; And consistent with negotiated collective bargaining agreements; We, the Faculty of Plattsburgh State University, do hereby enact these Bylaws.

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

THE FACULTY

 

1.1     DEFINITION         

 

The Faculty of Plattsburgh State University shall consist of the Chancellor of the State University, the Chief Administrative Officer of the College, and all members, both full and part-time, of the academic staff, administrative staff, and professional staff, including de facto professional staff members who are officially employed by the Research Foundation of the State University of New York and faculty and professional staff members employed on temporary contracts.

 

1.1.1     The Supervisor of Faculty Elections, hereinafter provided for in Article 1.5.3, shall maintain a list of such persons, which shall serve as the official Faculty Roster. This roster shall be distributed to all Senators and Heads of Governance Units at the beginning of each semester. Individuals excluded from the Faculty Roster may appeal to the Supervisor of Faculty Elections, who shall appoint an ad hoc committee of faculty to resolve the appeal.

 

     

1.2       VOTING FACULTY    

 

The following provisions apply to these Bylaws only; academic departments or other administrative units can use different rules for determining their members' voting status. For all-college purposes, Voting Faculty shall consist of persons appearing on the Faculty Roster with the following exceptions:

 

1.2.1     Any assistant instructor or other Faculty member who has primarily a training status.

 

1.2.2     Any retired member, unless on special term appointment for teaching or     research.

 

1.2.3     Any person having a full-time temporary appointment during the first year of appointment.

 

1.2.4     Any person employed full time by the Research Foundation of the State University of New York during the first year of such appointment.

 

1.2.5     Any person having less than full-time appointment except for (1) non-teaching faculty with term appointments who are serving in at least the third year of such appointments; and (2) part-time teaching faculty with term appointments.

 

 

1.3     FACULTY  VOTE:    

 

The voting status of each faculty member shall be indicated on the Faculty Roster, and determined as follows:

 

1.3.1       Full-time voting faculty who are assigned entirely or primarily to one governance unit shall be entitled to one vote as a member of that governance unit.

 

1.3.2     Full-time voting faculty with evenly split assignments shall be entitled to one vote as a member of the governance unit they select, from those units in which they have assignments.

 

1.3.3     Part-time voting faculty who are assigned entirely or primarily to one governance unit shall be entitled to one vote as a member of that governance unit.

 

1.3.4     Part-time voting faculty with evenly split assignments shall be entitled to one vote as a member of the governance unit they select, from those units in which they have assignments.

 

 

1.4     POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE FACULTY

 

1.4.1     The Faculty shall exercise powers and responsibilities in accordance with the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.  By its own action or through its designated agencies, the Faculty:

 

1.4.1.1 Shall consult (see Glossary) with and/or make recommendations to the Chief Administrative Officer, or the Chief Administrative Officer's designee, as appropriate, on the administrative organization of the College or its components; the designation of administrative officers; the formulation, interpretation or revision of college policy; and any other matters requiring consultation as called for in the Trustees' Policies.

 

1.4.1.2   Shall consult with the College Council concerning the appointment of the Chief Administrative Officer of the College.

 

1.4.1.3   Shall formulate or review all major statements, existing or proposed, of the philosophy and objectives of the College, wherever such statements appear, as in master plans, budget proposals, etc.  In this capacity, appropriate participation may be through consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer.

 

1.4.1.4   Shall have the obligation to participate significantly in the initiation, development, and implementation of the instructional, research, and service programs of the College.

 

1.4.1.5   Shall formulate and review all policies which directly affect the

implementation of the instructional programs, such as, but not limited

to, admission requirements, general degree and graduation requirements,

student affairs polices, and policies relating to support services.

 

1.4.1.6   May make recommendations to the Chief Administrative Officer of the College regarding any matters affecting the Faculty or the College, except matters exclusive to a collective bargaining agent.

 

1.4.1. 7   Shall formulate and review proposed courses, new programs, and changes in substance or status (including termination) of existing programs of instruction.

 

1.4.1.8   Shall select a Presiding Officer of the Faculty.

 

1.4.1.9   Shall have the primary responsibility of making recommendations to the Chief Administrative Officer as described in Trustees' Policies Article XI, Title A and Article 3.1.7 of these Bylaws.

 

1.4.1.10     Shall elect its State University Senator(s) and Alternate(s), and through them shall participate in the University Faculty Senate.

 

1.4.1.11     Shall elect three Senators-at-Large as its representatives on the Plattsburgh Faculty Senate.

 

1.4.1.12     Shall prepare and adopt Bylaws, as required by the Trustees' Policies.

 

1.4.1.13     May create committee as it deems necessary to exercise its powers and responsibilities.

 

1.4.1.14     May remand any issue to the Faculty Senate and may remand any matter from the agenda of the Faculty Senate to its own agenda.

 

 

1.5     OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FACULTY

 

1.5.1     The Chief Administrative Officer of the College has the responsibilities detailed in the Trustees' Policies, Article IX, Section A.

 

1.5.2     A Presiding Officer of the Faculty shall be elected by the Voting Faculty

from its membership.

 

1.5.2.1     Responsibilities: The Presiding Officer of the Faculty shall serve as the  representative of the Faculty to the College Council and shall preside over meetings of the Faculty as provided for in Articles 1.7, 4.1.2, and 5.2.1.

 

1.5.2.2     The Presiding Officer of the Faculty may not concurrently serve as a voting member of the Faculty Senate.

 

1.5.3     The Supervisor of Faculty Elections shall be elected by the Faculty Senate.  The responsibilities of the Supervisor of Faculty Elections shall include conducting College-wide elections (Article 1.6.3), monitoring governance unit elections (Article 1.6.3), monitoring governance unit elections (Article 2.2.3, 2.2.9), and carrying out those additional responsibilities in Articles 1.1.1, 2.2.3.2, 2.2.3.3, 3.1.2.1, 3.1.2.2, 4.1.2 and 5.2.1.

 

1.5.4     A State University Faculty Senator, and Alternate, shall be elected by the Voting Faculty as the representative of the Faculty to the University Faculty Senate (Trustees' Polices, Article VII).

 

1.5.5     Three Senators-at-Large shall be elected by the Voting Faculty as the

representatives of the Faculty on the Plattsburgh Faculty Senate.

 

 

1.6     ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES

1.6.1     The eligibility requirement for Faculty Officers and Representatives is.

            Voting Faculty status (Article 1.2)

 

1.6.2     The term of office for the position of Presiding Officer, State University Faculty Senator (and Alternate) and Senators-at-Large and Supervisor of Faculty Elections is three years.

 

1.6.3     Election for Presiding Officer of the Faculty, State University Faculty Senator (and Alternate), and one Senator-at-Large (annually).

 

1.6.3.1   The Supervisor of Faculty Elections shall by February 15 notify the Faculty of the impending election(s) and invite nominations signed by ten or more Voting Faculty; then prepare and publish a slate of nominees and conduct the election(s) so as to be completed by March 15.  Election shall be by secret ballot and require a majority of those voting. Exception: The Alternate State University Faculty Senator will be the runner-up in the election of Senator.

 

1.6.4     Vacancies: If the post of Presiding Officer of the Faculty, or State University Faculty Senator (or Alternate), or a Faculty Senator-at-Large becomes vacant, the Supervisor of Faculty Elections shall conduct a new election to fill the unexpired term, within three weeks of the date the vacancy occurs, in a manner consistent with Article 1.6.3.

 

 

1.7     FACULTY MEETINGS

 

1.7.1     Meetings of the Faculty may be called by the Chief Administrative Officer of the College, by the Chief Administrative Officer's designee, or by the Presiding Officer of the Faculty.

 

1.7.2     Types of Meetings

 

1.7.2.1    Meetings called by the Chief Administrative Officer of the College, or the Chief Administrative Officer's designee, shall be informational meetings. The Chief Administrative Officer shall prepare an agenda of those matters upon which the Chief Administrative Officer wishes to consult with or inform the Faculty.

 

1.7.2.2   Meetings called by the Presiding Officer of the Faculty may be either informational meetings (including those required in Articles IV and V, below), or business meetings (i.e., involving resolutions, debate, and voting). The Presiding Officer of the Faculty shall call meetings if requested to do so by the Faculty Senate, or if petitioned to do so by at least twenty Voting Faculty. The Presiding Officer of the Faculty shall call meetings if requested to do so by the Faculty Senate, or if petitioned to do so by at least twenty Voting Faculty. The Presiding Officer may also call meetings at that officer's discretion. The agenda for any meeting shall

be prepared and published by the Presiding Officer at least one week in advance of the meeting, except in an emergency, and the meeting notice shall specify whether it is an informational or business meeting.

 

1.7.3     Conduct of Meetings

 

1.7.3.1   All Faculty members, whether voting or nonvoting, and members of the College Council may attend Faculty meetings and speak before the assembly. Other guests may be invited at the discretion of the convening officer.

 

1.7.3.2   Informational Faculty meetings shall have no quorum requirement.  For a Faculty business meeting, one-third of the Voting Faculty shall constitute a quorum, and minutes shall be recorded by a Secretary pro-tempore appointed by Presiding Officer of the Faculty. The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern Faculty business meetings in all cases to which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws or special rules of order of the Faculty.

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE FACULTY SENATE

 

2.1     POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE FACULTY SENATE

 

2.1.1     The Faculty Senate shall be the instrument through which the Faculty discharges those responsibilities specified and implied in Articles 1.4.1.1 through 1.4.1.7.  With regard to Article 1.4.1.7, the Faculty Senate shall review all proposed new programs, changes in the substance or status (including termination) of existing programs of instruction, but not proposed courses, with the exception of courses proposed for General Education.

 

2.1.2     The Faculty Senate shall participate with the other duly constituted units of the College in fulfilling the responsibility to participate significantly in the initiation, development and implementation of the instructional, research, and service programs of the College.

    

2.1.3     The Faculty Senate may suggest items for the agenda of a Faculty meeting, may propose a referendum by the Faculty on any question, and may propose amendments to these Bylaws.

 

2.1.4     Certain Standing Committees of the Faculty Senate are prescribed hereinafter.  The Faculty Senate may create ad hoc committees. It may refer to any of its committees those matters, which it deems appropriate as represented by the Executive Committee or by action from the floor.

 

2.1.5     The Faculty Senate shall distribute copies of the Senate minutes and agenda to all Faculty members, members of the College Council and the Student Association President.

 

2.1.6     The Faculty Senate shall require written annual reports of the Senate's Standing Committees and ad hoc committees created by the Senate.

 

 

2.2     COMPOSITION OF THE FACULTY SENATE

 

2.2.1     Voting members of the Faculty Senate are the governance unit Senators, the three Faculty Senators-at-Large, and the State University Faculty Senator.  For the election process, refer to Article 1.6.

 

2.2.2     Ex-officio, non-voting members of the Faculty Senate are the Chief Administrative Officer of the College, the Chief Academic Officer, the Chief Student Affairs Officer, the Chief Business Affairs Officer and the Presiding Officer of the Faculty.

 

2.2.3     Governance unit Faculty Senators shall be elected representatives of governance units. "Governance units" are groups established by the Faculty for purposes of effecting provisions of the Bylaws. These groups will ordinarily, but not necessarily, correspond to "administrative units" established by the Chief Administrative Officer of the College (Article 3.1.1).

 

2.2.3.1   The official Faculty Roster shall designate governance units and their membership.  No governance unit shall have fewer than three Voting Faculty.

 

2.2.3.2   Each governance unit shall elect one Faculty Senator from its membership.

 

2.2.4     Only Voting Faculty shall be eligible for membership in the Faculty Senate.

 

2.2.5     The elected Senators shall serve three-year terms, one-third being elected each year.

 

2.2.6     Terms of office of all Senators shall begin at the designated commencement of the Senate year.

 

2.2.7     The Executive Committee shall annually appoint a Senate Parliamentarian.

 

2.2.8     The President of the Student Association, or designee, shall be designated as an ex-officio non-voting representative to all meetings of the Faculty Senate; shall receive agendas, minutes, and other materials

which Senators receive; and may invite to Senate meetings other officers of the Student Association, as appropriate to the Senate agenda.

 

2.2.9     Senators who undertake leaves of absence shall cease to be Senators at the commencement of any such leave. The Chief Administrative Officer of the College shall immediately notify the Supervisor of Faculty Elections as soon as such a leave is approved so that special election(s) can be held. Should a special election be held for a seat, which, due to the cancellation of a leave, does not become vacant, that election shall be null and void.

 

2.2.10     An elected Senator who is absent from three Senate meetings in a Senate year ceases to be a Senator. The Secretary of the Faculty Senate shall notify such Senators in writing, with copies to the head of the governance unit if appropriate, and the Supervisor of Faculty Elections.

 

 

2.3     OFFICERS OF THE FACULTY SENATE

 

2.3.1     The officers of the Faculty Senate elected from among its own voting members shall be a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, and such additional officers as the Senate may designate.

 

2.3.2     Officers shall be elected at the organizational meeting of the Faculty Senate (Article 2.4.2).  If there are multiple nominations, voting shall be by secret ballot, Election shall require a majority of the votes cast.  Absentee or proxy nominations and ballots shall not be accepted.

 

2.3.3     The term of elected officers shall coincide with the Faculty Senate year (Article 2.4.1).  Any officer who ceases to be a Senator ceases to be an officer. No elected officer shall serve more than three successive terms.

 

2.3.4     If an office becomes vacant between regular elections, the Faculty Senate shall elect a replacement to complete the term in the manner prescribed in Article 2.3.2.

 

 

2.4     CALENDAR AND MEETINGS OF THE SENATE

 

2.4.1     The Faculty Senate year shall begin at the beginning of the fall semester of one academic year and continue to the beginning of the fall semester of the next academic year.

 

2.4.2     The newly elected Faculty Senate shall be convened by the incumbent Chair within, but not more than three weeks before the end of the spring semester for the purpose of organizing itself and completing necessary elections.

 

2.4.3     Meetings of the Faculty Senate shall normally be held once each month during the regular academic year.  Additional meetings may be convened at the discretion of the Executive Committee or the Chair of the Faculty Senate, or upon receipt of a petition to the Chair of the Faculty Senate for a special meeting signed by five Senators.

 

2.4.4     The Chair of the Faculty Senate or an alternate designated by the Chair, or if none has been designated, a chair pro tempore elected by the Faculty Senate, shall preside at meetings of the Faculty Senate.

 

2.4.5     The Faculty Senate shall keep minutes of all its meetings.  Its secretary shall be responsible for distributing copies of these as its official reports to all Faculty, to all members of the College Council, and to the President of the Student Association. The Secretary shall keep permanent files of the minutes.

 

2.4.6     Faculty members, members of the College Council and appropriate students (Article 2.2.8) may attend meetings of the Faculty Senate. The Chair may invite guests to attend a meeting, and may permit any person present to take part in discussions.

 

2.4.7      Notice and Agenda

 

2.4.7.1 Notice and a statement of the agenda of each meeting of the Faculty Senate shall be sent by the Secretary to all Faculty members, to members of the

College Council and to the President of the Student Association at least five days prior to the meeting.

 

2.4.7.2   Items for the agenda of the Faculty Senate may be suggested by any member of the Faculty as defined in Article 1.1 or the President of the Student Association. Such suggested items must be submitted in writing

to the Secretary and Chair of the Faculty Senate for proper channeling by

 the Executive Committee.

 

2.4.7.3   Informational matters not included on the published agenda may be brought before the Faculty Senate when the Chair determines that their inclusion is in order; all other matters not included on the published

agenda shall be in order only upon a two-thirds vote of the Faculty

Senators present and voting.

 

2.4.8     A quorum of the Faculty Senate shall be two-thirds of its voting membership. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern meetings of Faculty Senate in all cases in which they are not in conflict with these Bylaws or special rules of order of the Faculty Senate.

 

 

2.5     EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE

 

2.5.1     The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate shall consist of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary, the University Senator(s), the Chair of the Senate Standing Committees on Resources and Planning, General Education, Academic Policies, and Curricula and Programs, two additional Senators elected annually by the Senate at its organizational meeting, and one student member appointed by the Student Association (ex-officio, non-voting).  The Presiding Officer of the Faculty is an ex-officio, non-voting member. When a member is unable to attend an Executive Committee meeting, the Chair of the Committee may appoint an alternate from the Faculty Senate.

 

2.5.2     The Chair of the Faculty Senate shall be the Chair of the Executive Committee.

 

2.5.3     Responsibilities. The Executive Committee shall:

 

2.5.3.1   Review the general functioning of the Faculty Senate and recommend ways to improve its operation.

 

2.5.3.2   Prepare the agenda for meetings of the Faculty Senate and provide reports of all official actions to the Faculty Senate.

 

2.5.3.3   Appoint members of the Senate Standing Committees as prescribed in these Bylaws and Ad Hoc Committees as appropriate.

 

2.5.3.4   Act as steering committee for the routing of proposals for consideration to the Faculty, the Faculty Senate or any of its committees, to units of the College, or to the Chief Administrative Officer, as appropriate.

 

2.5.3.5   Act for the Faculty Senate on urgent matters at such times as it is clearly impractical or impossible to convene the Faculty Senate. Such action shall be reported to the Faculty Senate at its next meeting and shall require the official endorsement of the Senate.

 

2.5.3.6   Act as the committee of the Faculty to consult with the College Council on the method of selection of the Chief Administrative Officer of the College and to consult with the Chief Administrative Officer of the College on the method of selection of Vice-Presidents, Deans, and others with similar responsibilities, such consultation in each case to include both the selection process itself and faculty representation in the process.

 

2.5.3.7   Meet on a monthly basis with the Chief Administrative Officer.

 

2.5.3.8   Upon receiving an appropriate request from a non-faculty source (e.g., an administrative committee, the Student Association) for Faculty representation on matters of mutual interest shall designate such representation.

 

 

2.6     STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY SENATE -- GENERAL

 

2.6.1     In order to enable the Faculty Senate to carry out its functions, it shall                establish the following standing committees: Academic Policies; Curricula and Programs; Resources and Planning, General Education; and Writing Across the Curriculum. 

 

2.6.2     The Faculty Senate or the Executive Committee may refer to its committees such matters as it deems appropriate. The committees shall be responsible to the Faculty Senate and shall bring their recommendations to the Faculty Senate except where otherwise specified.

 

2.6.3     The faculty members of Standing Committees, except for the committee Chairs, shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, and may be replaced at that Committee's discretion. Committees may include Senators, members of the Faculty who are not Senators, and students. In the selection of personnel for committees, provision shall be made, as far as it is practical, for gradual rotation of membership among directly interested governance units.

 

2.6.4     Unless otherwise specified by these Bylaws, the term of office of members of Senate Standing Committees shall be two years. Should a vacancy occur on any Standing Committee, the vacancy shall be filled for the remaining period of that

term by appointment by the Executive Committee within two weeks of the occurrence of the vacancy.

 

2.6.5     Each Standing Committee chair shall be elected annually by the Faculty Senate from the Senate's voting membership at the Senate's organization meeting.

 

2.6.6     The Secretary of a committee shall be appointed from among its membership by the committee chair.  The Secretary shall provide members of the committee with an agenda at least one day in advance of each meeting and shall maintain records and minutes of its proceedings. Approved minutes of meetings shall be sent to the Chair of the Senate. Upon request, copies of the minutes shall be made available to Faculty Senators or other Faculty members except as hereinafter provided.

 

2.6.7     A quorum of a committee shall be a majority of its membership of filled seats.

 

2.6.8     Committees may create such subcommittees as they deem necessary unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws. The personnel of the subcommittee shall be selected by the parent committee, which shall inform the Chair of the Senate of its selections.

 

2.6.9     Each Standing Committee will submit a written annual report to the Faculty Senate.

 

 

2.7     STANDING COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC POLICIES

 

2.7.1     MEMBERSHIP: This committee shall consist of a Chair (Article 2.6.5), six faculty members appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, one student selected by the Student Association, and ex officio non-voting the Chief Academic Officer or the designated representative of the Chief Academic Officer.

 

2.7.2     RESPONSIBILITIES: This committee shall formulate, review, and make

recommendations concerning academic policies of a College-wide nature such as those concerning admissions, graduation requirements, academic standards, and institutional assessment.

 

 

2.8     STANDING COMMITTEE ON CURRICULA AND PROGRAMS

 

2.8 1     MEMBERSHIP: This committee shall consist of a Chair (Article 2.6.5), six faculty members appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate,

one student selected by the Student Association, the Registrar of the College, and ex officio non-voting the Chief Academic Officer or the designated representative of the Chief Academic Officer.

 

2.8.2     RESPONSIBILITIES: This committee shall review and make recommendations concerning proposed changes in the substance or status (including termination) of existing programs and proposed new programs of instruction, research, and service offered by the College. Prior to submitting these recommendations to the Faculty Senate, it shall consider a judgment of the financial implications of the recommendations by the Standing Committee on Resources and Planning.

 

 

2.9     STANDING COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES AND PLANNING

 

2.9.1     MEMBERSHIP: This committee shall consist of a Chair (Article 2.6.5), nine faculty members appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, one student selected by the student association, and three ex-officio, non-voting members: the Chief Academic Officer, the Chief Student Affairs Officer, and the Chief Business Affairs Officer.

 

2.9.2     RESPONSIBILITIES: This committee shall be the College-level body through which the Faculty can participate significantly in the areas specified below.  This Committee shall advise or consult with the Chief Administrative Officer directly, or review or formulate policy for Faculty Senate consideration, or both, as appropriate to its charge by the Senate and shall provide the Senate with a written report of its advice to or consultation with the Chief Administrative Officer as soon as practicable. The specific responsibilities of the committee are as follows:

 

2.9.2.1   Preparation of the College's budget requests, master plans, and similar documents.

 

2.9.2.2   Distribution of funds and other resources including personnel, to departments and other major units.

 

2.9.2.3   The administrative organization or reorganization of the College or its components.

 

2.9.2.4   The College's philosophy and mission.

 

2.9.2.5   Development and utilization of the College's physical plant.

 

2.9.2.6     Budgetary implications of proposed new academic programs or specializations, proposed new services, research, or support programs, or proposed changes in the substance or status (including termination) of all such programs. In this capacity, the committee shall render advice to other appropriate Standing Committees charged with reviewing such proposals.

 

2.9.2.7   To provide upon request information and advice concerning the College's resources, objectives, or plans to any other Committee established or authorized under these Bylaws.

 

 

2.10     STANDING COMMITTEE ON GENERAL EDUCATION

 

2.10.1     MEMBERSHIP: This committee shall consist of a Chair (Article 2.6.5), twelve Faculty members appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate (Article 2.6.3), one student member appointed by the Student Association and one ex-officio, non-voting member, the Chief Academic Officer] all members of the committee, with the exception of the Chair and student member (be to selected in January) who will serve for one-year terms, shall be appointed for three years.

 

2.10.2     RESPONSIBILITIES: This committee shall be responsible for leadership

in developing the General Education curriculum, for implementing policies,

monitoring the administration of the General Education curriculum and

recommending policies on General Education in order to realize the goals and objectives of the program. The committee shall supervise the formation of subgroups of faculty offering courses within the same component of the General Education Program to monitor and report on the effectiveness of each category of the curriculum. The committee shall have access to the resources of the Chief Academic Officer's office for support of its work. The specific responsibilities of the committee is as follows:

 

2.10.2.1     Formulating and distributing procedures to be followed in receiving and acting upon proposed courses.

 

2.10.2.2     Sponsoring or soliciting and selecting courses suitable for meeting the guidelines of the General Education Program.

 

2.10.2.3     Designating courses that may be taken to fulfill General Education requirements.

 

2.10.2.4     Coordinating the development of courses suitable for satisfying the General Education requirements.

 

2.10.2.5     Recommending modification in the General Education requirements to accommodate transfer and advance standing students.

 

2.10.2.6     Conducting a periodic evaluation of the General Education Program.

 

2.10.2.7     Making recommendations to the Senate Executive Committee for significant revisions and changes in the General Education program such as addition or deletion of components, or a change in the credit hour

requirements.

 

2.10.2.8     Consulting, when necessary, with the Standing Committee on Resources and Planning to insure the availability of needed resources to staff, fund and support General Education experiences.

 

2.10.2.9     Issuing a report each semester of all curricular actions for the information of all faculty advisors.

 

 

2.11     STANDING COMMITTEE ON WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

 

2.11.1     Membership:  The committee shall consist of a Chair (Article 2.6.5), nine Faculty

members appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate (Article 2.6.3), one student member appointed by the Student Association and one ex-officio non-voting member, the Chief Academic Officer or designated representative of the Chief Academic Officer. 

 

2.11.2     Responsibilities:  The committee shall be responsible for leadership in monitoring the administration of this program and recommending policies on Writing Across the Curriculum in order to realize the goals and objectives of the program. 

 

This committee shall:

 

2.11.2.1     Review and make approved proposed courses to meet the WAC requirement,

 

2.11.2.2     Review criteria for meeting WAC and make recommendations for any changes,

 

2.11.2.3     Maintain a list of approved courses, course syllabi, and dates approved,

 

2.11.2.4     Create and implement a staggered five-year review of all WAC courses,

 

2.11.2.5     Monitor compliance with approved criteria and policies and is empowered to remove any courses that fail to comply. 

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE FACULTY

 

 

3.1     ORGANIZATIONS AND FUNCTIONS

 

3.1.1     A governance unit is a subdivision of the College, which includes faculty whose primary function is teaching, research, or service to the College and community.

 

3.1.1.1   Academic governance units are defined as divisions of the College in which faculty have a common academic interest (e.g., Departments, Centers, and the Library).

 

3.1.1.2   Professional governance units shall be Academic Support Services, Business Affairs and Institutional Advancement, and Student Affairs, or shall be sub-units contained within one of these three units.

 

3.1.2     The governance units shall be the component parts of the governmental structure of the Faculty to the extent provided by these Bylaws. The Faculty Senate shall review proposals for new or reorganized governance units.

 

3.1.2.1   A proposal for a new governance unit may be initiated by a written petition of the majority of its prospective members to the Supervisor of Faculty Elections, who shall make a recommendation on the petition to the Faculty Senate.  Approval of the new governance unit shall require a majority vote of the Faculty Senate.

 

3.1.2.2   A proposal for a reorganization (regarding status, composition, and /or representation) of an existing governance unit may be initiated by a two-thirds majority of its members, through a written petition to the Supervisor of Faculty Elections, who shall make a recommendation on the petition to the Faculty Senate. Approval of the change shall require a majority vote of the Faculty Senate.

 

3.1.3     Each governance unit shall be responsible for the conduct, evaluation, and improvement of those programs under its jurisdiction, and for initiating

appropriate action within the Faculty Senate.

 

3.1.4    Meetings of the governance unit concerning its participation in the governance structure shall be called at the discretion of the unit's Senator(s) or upon petition of one-third of the unit's membership. In addition, a place shall be provided on the agenda of each meeting of the unit's members convened by its administrative officer, so that the unit's Senator(s) may inform or consult with the unit's members on appropriate matters.

 

3.1.5     In accordance with the provisions of Article 2.2.3, each governance unit shall elect its Faculty Senator(s). Elections must be completed six weeks prior to the end of the academic year. A vacancy shall be filled by a new election held with three weeks of the date the vacancy occurs.

 

3.1.6     Each governance unit shall be solicited by the Supervisor of Faculty Elections to nominate individuals from its membership for appointment by the Executive Committee to the standing committees of the Faculty Senate.  Nominations in writing shall be sent to the Executive Committee by April 15.

 

3.1.7     Members of each governance unit shall, as members of their administrative unit, participate, as appropriate, in peer appointment (Trustees’ Policies, Article XI, Title A) and in selection of their administrative officer (Trustees’ Policies, Article IX, Title C).

 

3.1.8     Faculty Affairs Committees:

 

3.1.8.1   Academic Governance units shall organize themselves so as to establish a Faculty Affairs Committee within each of these bodies: the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Faculty of Professional Studies, the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the Library. Each such Faculty Affairs Committee shall consist of at least three members, elected for two year staggered terms, with elections for the next academic year to be completed and the results reported in writing to the Supervisor of Faculty Elections by May 1. The Chair of each Faculty Affairs Committee will be elected from and by its members. The incumbent Chair will conduct elections as needed, including those to fill vacated seats.

 

3.1.8.2   Responsibilities:

 

a.   To advise and consult (at the level of the governance unit) with the appointing officer of the administrative unit concerning candidates for administrative appointments and reappointment.

 

b.   To evaluate a dean during every third year of the appointment. The means of evaluation shall be developed jointly between the Dean and the appropriate Faculty Affairs Committee.

 

3.1.9     Faculty Course and Program Review Committees:

 

3.1.9.1    Governance units shall organize themselves so as to establish a Faculty and Program Review Committee within each of these bodies: the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Faculty of Professional Studies, the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the Library. Each such Faculty Course and Program Review Committee shall consist of at least three members, elected for two-year staggered terms, with elections for the next academic year to be completed and the results reported in writing to the Supervisor of Faculty Elections by May 1.  The Chair of each Faculty Course and Program Review Committee will be elected from and by its members. The incumbent Chair will conduct elections as needed, including those to fill vacated seats.

 

3.1.9.1.1  Responsibilities:

 

a.    To consult with and advise the appropriate administrative officer(s) regarding all proposed credit-bearing courses and programs, including those not clearly associate with a governance unit.

 

b.   To review all proposed divisional credit-bearing courses and programs. Courses and programs generated from within and approved by a governance unit must be submitted to the Faculty Course and Review Committee representing that governance unit.  All other courses and programs must be submitted to at least one of the Faculty Course and Program Review Committees.   Any Faculty Course and Program Review Committee may refer the proposal to a more appropriate Faculty Course and Program Review Committee(s).

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

PROVISIONS FOR REFERENDA

 

 

4.1     REFERENDA

 

4.1.1     Questions may be submitted to the Voting Faculty for referendum by the Faculty Senate or by ten percent of the Voting Faculty upon submission of a written petition to the Presiding Officer of the Faculty.

 

4.1.2     Proposed questions shall be submitted in writing through the Presiding Office of the Faculty to the Voting Faculty. At least one week but not more than three

 

weeks after the question has been circulated, the Presiding Officer of the Faculty shall convene a meeting of the Voting Faculty to consider the issue. The Supervisor of Faculty Elections shall conduct the referendum. Such balloting shall be carried out within one week of the adjournment of the meeting. A deciding vote on the question shall require that at least two-thirds of the Voting Faculty casting ballots or an absolute majority of the total Voting Faculty supports the issue.

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

REVIEW, AMENDMENT, AND MINOR CHANGE PROCEDURES

 

 

5.1     REVIEW

 

These Bylaws shall be reviewed every fifth year by an Ad Hoc Bylaws Review

Committee appointed by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, in the

year previous to the actual review.

 

 

5.2     AMENDMENT

 

Amendment of these Bylaws may be proposed by the Faculty Senate or by ten percent of the Voting Faculty upon submission of a written petition. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Presiding Officer of the Faculty who shall circulate them to

the Voting Faculty. The amendment proposal must include an effective date of implementation. At least one week but not more than three weeks after the proposal has been circulated, the Presiding Officer of the Faculty shall convene an informational meeting of the Voting Faculty, the purpose of such meeting being to inform the Voting Faculty of the rationale and intent of the proposed amendment. If, as a result of this meeting, the Presiding Officer of the Faculty determines that the proposed amendment requires revision before going to a ballot, the Presiding Officer shall so direct the sponsor of the proposed amendment. Such revision must be completed within two weeks and be presented to another informational faculty meeting. Balloting will be conducted within one week by the Supervisor of Faculty Elections. A deciding vote on the amendment or

its revision shall require either an absolute majority of the total Voting Faculty or a two-thirds majority of those casting ballots.

 

 

5.3     MINOR CHANGES

 

Minor changes in these Bylaws (see Glossary) may be recommended by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate for consideration by the Senate. It shall require a three-fourths majority of the total Senate membership to rule that any such proposed change is a minor change, and it shall require a subsequent three-fourths majority of the total Senate membership to adopt the proposed minor change. Such changes are to be reported to the Faculty by the agenda and minutes of the Faculty Senate meetings.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

INTERPRETATION

 

 

6.1     CONFLICTNG INTERPRETATION

 

It shall be understood that in any matter specifically covered or interpreted to be covered in an agreement between SUNY and a bargaining agent of a negotiating unit, the agreement shall take precedence.

 

 

 

 

GLOSSARY

 

to advise or consult:  to offer information, opinion or recommendations; to exchange attitudes and proposals; to raise questions. The parties are (1) an individual or group authorized to make a

decision, and (2) a group with a legitimate interest in that decision and a perspective deserving consideration. Each party shall have the opportunity and obligation to express its views candidly and have them made a matter of record, at a time sufficiently prior to decision making to allow the decision to be influenced. The ends sought, although not always achievable, are understanding, agreement, and decisions satisfactory to both parties.

 

governance units:  groups established by the Faculty for purposes of effecting provisions of these Bylaws. Refer to Article III for definition, organization and functions.

 

majority:  a whole number greater than one-half of the total votes cast but excluding abstentions.

 

Minor changes in the bylaws:  Changes intended to improve the clarity and consistency of the Bylaws, or to keep the terminology of the Bylaws current in view of the College organization, the Trustees' Policies, etc. Excluded from this category of changes are any which would alter the powers and responsibilities assigned within these Bylaws to the Faculty, the Faculty Senate, or its Committees, or would alter the composition of those groups.

 

day:  a "day" means any day or part there of that classes are in session during the fall and spring semester.

 

week:  a “week” means five days.

 

term:  as defined by the State-UUP agreement.

 

ex officio:  serving by virtue of an office held. Ex officio members may vote unless the Bylaws stipulate otherwise.