Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate will speak only for the faculty of the university, confining its activities to matters directly concerning the university, its administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Because shared governance works best in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, communication and cooperation between the university administration and the Faculty Senate are to be encouraged and expected.

The principal functions of the Faculty Senate are as follows.

  1. Legislative  The Faculty Senate will have legislative responsibility proposing, reviewing, and modifying the academic policies and procedures of the university.  These include but are not limited to those for faculty promotion and tenure policies and procedures, admissions requirements, graduation requirements, curriculum and course revisions, degree programs, and grading procedures and policies.  It will recommend candidates for diplomas, degrees, and certificates to be conferred by the university president on behalf of the General Faculty.

    The Faculty Senate must approve any additions to or changes in university academic policies and procedures.  In the formation and review of academic policies and procedures, the senate will work collaboratively with the university administration and with all faculty members.  Policies and procedures approved by the senate must be submitted to the university president for review and to the Board of Regents for final approval.  In the event that the university president does not approve a recommendation from the senate, the university president will inform the senate in writing of the reasons for his or her objections and every effort will be made by each party to resolve the differences.  The senate may vote again on the issue, either in the same or in modified form, and inform the university president of its final decision.  If the differences cannot be resolved, the university president will present to the Board of Regents the administration's recommendation with respect to the issue in question.  The university president will invite the senate president to present the senate's recommendation with respect to the issue.
     
  2. Advisory  The Faculty Senate will serve in an advisory capacity in other areas of the university as they relate to academic matters or to the general welfare of the faculty, staff, and students of the university.  On its own initiative or in response to expressed concerns of faculty members, the senate may conduct studies and may make recommendations to the university president, the provost, or others as appropriate.

    In the event that the university president does not approve a recommendation from the senate, the university president will inform the senate in writing of the reasons for his or her objections and every effort will be made by each party to resolve the differences.
     
  3. Conflict Resolution  The Faculty Senate may conduct investigations and make recommendations to assist in resolving conflicts among faculty, staff, students, and the administration.  Such investigations may be requested by faculty, staff, students, or the administration.

    In the event that the university president does not approve a recommendation from the senate, the university president will inform the senate in writing of the reasons for his or her objections and every effort will be made by each party to resolve the differences.