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Emory College Faculty Senate Bylaws

Adopted Date
26 August 2015
Previous Revised Dates
23 November 202203 March 202018 April 201806 April 2016

Article I
Authorization

In accordance with the bylaws of Emory College, the following bylaws are adopted to further govern the organization and procedures of the Emory College Faculty Senate (Senate).

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Article II
Jurisdiction and Functions

Jurisdiction, authority, functions, membership and appointments, Executive Council, and meeting rules, including quorum requirements, of the Senate are set forth in the bylaws of Emory College, Article VI (Appendix A ).

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Article III
Executive Council

  1. Meetings

    The Executive Council (President, the President-elect, the immediate past-­President, and one senator from each division and one senator at large elected by and from the members of the College Senate) shall meet no later than one week in advance of meetings of the Senate and College Faculty. The primary responsibility of the Executive Council is for setting the agenda of the College Senate and College Faculty meetings.Conditions under which Executive Council meetings can be closed are listed under the Emory College Faculty Bylaws, Article VI, Section 9, Item B2, and Article VI, Section 9, Item E.

  2. Visitors

    Meetings of the Executive Council may be restricted to members of Emory Faculty or Administration by majority vote of the council.

  3. Proposals of Items to Include on Agenda

    1. General Discussion

      A Senator, member of the faculty, or member of the Administration, may submit to the President an item for general discussion for inclusion on the agenda for the Senate.

    2. Motions

      Faculty Senator, or any faculty member with the supporting signatures of twenty other faculty members, may submit to the President a proposed motion for inclusion on the agenda for the Senate. To be in proper form a proposed motion must be written and should contain a single item for adoption by the Senate. Proposed motions not in proper form may be put into proper form by the Executive Council as long as the intent is not altered; if this is not possible the proposal will be returned to its author within seven days of the decision.

    3. Determination

      Upon receipt, the President will place the proposed item on the agenda of the next Executive Council meeting. At that time the Executive Council may add the proposed item to the agenda of a Senate meeting, deny it a place on the agenda, or table the proposed item until the next meeting of the Executive Council. The president shall communicate the decision of the Executive Council to the individual who submitted the proposal within seven days.

    4. Annual Distinguished College Faculty Lecture

      At the end of each academic year, a distinguished faculty member from Emory College of Arts and Sciences shall present their work to senators, colleagues in the College, and the public at large.

      To this extent, the Executive Council will solicit, and evaluate nominations, and will elect the distinguished lecturer from among the faculty of Emory College of Arts and Sciences. In cooperation with the Dean, the Executive Council will invite the elected lecturer and arrange for their lecture at the end of the academic year. The Dean and Faculty Senate President introduces the distinguished lecturer.

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Article IV
Advisory Council to the Faculty Senate President

  1. Advisory Council

    Advisory Committee of Past Presidents to the Faculty Senate President. This committee shall consist of the past five Faculty Senate Presidents, and President-Elect. It shall advise the current Faculty Senate President at the beginning of each academic year, and as circumstances might call for it. The committee will maintain an institutional continuity of the Faculty Senate by providing a historical perspective on Senate matters.

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Article V
Meetings of the Senate

  1. Chair

    The chair of College Faculty Senate meetings shall be, in order, the President, the President-­Elect, or another senator designated by the President.

  2. Order of Business

    The regular order of business is established in Appendix B (Standing Rules).

  3. Motions

    The work of the Senate, besides announcements, reports and general discussion, will be handled by main motions introduced under new business (see Attachment A).

    1. Main Motion

      A main motion is a written proposal for the Senate to take an action on a subject. A main motion may only be considered under new or unfinished business. To be in order, a main motion must be published verbatim in the agenda of the meeting in which it is to be considered. No main motion can be introduced while another motion is pending.

    2. Proposals from the Floor.

      A proposal from the floor is a request by a Senator to consider an item of business. Proposals from the floor are to be introduced under “New Business.” Proposals must be available in writing to Senators at the meeting in which the proposal is made. The proposal must be introduced by a Senator and seconded prior to discussion and vote, and may not be amended. With a majority vote in favor of the proposal, the proposal becomes a main motion that the Senate will immediately consider. As a main motion the item may be amended, tabled, approved, rejected, etc.

  4. Debate and Voting

    Unless otherwise specified, all motions shall be decided by a majority vote of those present and voting by show of hands. After debate on a main motion and before voting has begun,any senator may call for the vote to be taken by secret ballot. A motion for secret ballot must be decided by an open vote.

    Main motions that are passed shall be called a "Resolution of the Emory College Faculty Senate" and provided a title, date and number (see Attachment B.)

  5. General Discussion

    The agenda may include or the Chair may at anytime call for general discussion of any topic. Senators may make a proposal from the floor for general discussion of any topic. No motions may be made during general discussion.

  6. Dean’s Annual State of the College Address

    Each year the Dean of the Emory College of Arts and Sciences shall present a State of the College Address to the Faculty Senate, at a date mutually agreed upon by the Senate Executive Council and the Dean.

  7. Visitors

    Meetings of the Senate may be restricted to members of Emory Faculty or Administration by majority vote.

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Article VI
Working Groups

The bylaws of the Emory College Faculty provide the Senate with the authority to create working groups and task forces. Section 3 of Article VI gives the Senate those powers and duties which have been or which may be delegated to it by Emory College faculty. Section 4 (F) grants the Senate the authority to create working groups and task forces. Section 10 specifies two kinds of working groups and task forces: those composed of elected senators, and those composed of faculty. The bylaws do not limit the Senate to only these two kinds of groups. The Senate, for example, may want to create a working group or task force that includes students, members of the administration, trustees, or individuals outside the College or University.

  1. Working groups or task forces composed of senators can be formed and dissolved by the Executive Council at any time. Senators wishing to create a working group or task force shall make a request to the President.

  2. Working groups or task forces composed only of faculty not currently serving on the Senate shall be constituted by nomination and election by the full faculty.

  3. Working groups or task forces which do not fall under Section 1 or Section 2 above, shall be created by a motion of the Senate. The motion must specify how the working group or task force is to be composed, such as by appointment, or nomination and election, or by some other mechanism.

    Working groups composed of senators can be formed and dissolved by the Executive Council. Senators wishing to create a working group shall make a request to the President.

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Article VII
Communication and Information

  1. Web Site

    The staff person assigned to the Senate will maintain the College Faculty web site, which shall be accessible to all members of Emory University. Senate membership with contact information, bylaws, motions, minutes, working groups and additional documents will be posted on the web site and kept up to date. The web site shall be the primary record and archive of the Senate.

  2. Communication

    In addition to the web site and reports at regularly scheduled faculty meetings, the Senate shall issue reports through its newsletter, prepared by the President with the approval of the Executive Council and issued electronically.

  3. Minutes

    The staff person assigned to the Senate will record the minutes of Senate meetings and provide them in a timely manner to the President, who shall transmit them electronically to the members of the Senate.

  4. Availability

    Members of the Senate shall make themselves available to departments and programs.

  5. Access to Information

    In order to carry out its functions, the Senate requires from the various administrative departments of the College full access to pertinent information (financial, budgetary, personnel, admissions). If the Senate and the Dean should disagree about the pertinence of information, it is understood that the Dean is empowered to override the judgment of the Senate and may choose to do so. Should the Senate require information from an administrative department that does not report to the Dean, the Senate may request the information from the President or Provost, as appropriate, and they, too, are empowered to override the judgment of the Senate on this issue. When such information is of a sensitive nature, the Senate will take appropriate precautions to limit its distribution.

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Article VIII
Absenteeism

The President, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, may ask a senator to resign if she or he is absent without cause for an excessive number of meetings. The resulting vacancy shall be filled by appointment according to the Emory College Bylaws, VIII, 5, A.

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Article IX
Amendments

These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Senate by two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided that notice of any proposed amendment has been given to the Emory College faculty Senate at a preceding meeting or in writing at least one week in advance of the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be acted upon.

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Article X
Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the College Senate, in all cases to which these rules are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, the bylaws of Emory College, the bylaws of Emory University or any special rules of the Emory College faculty, as determined by the chair. The Senate may appoint a parliamentarian by a majority vote of those present and voting.

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Appendix a
College Senate, Article VI from College Bylaws

  1. Jurisdiction

    The College Senate of Emory University’s College of Arts and Sciences is the elected and representative body of the Emory College faculty. It may consider, take positions, and vote on any matter of interest to Emory College faculty, including those having to do with the role of the College within the University.

  2. Succession

    The College Senate replaces the Governance Committee (GovCom). Any reference in Emory College policies and procedures to the Governance Committee or GovCom shall be understood as referring to the superseding College Senate.

  3. Powers and Duties

    The College Senate shall have those powers and duties which have been or which may be delegated to it by the Emory College faculty in these bylaws or by vote at a meeting of the Emory College faculty or by the Board of Trustees of Emory University.

  4. Functions

    1. The College Senate shall:

      1. protect academic freedom,
      2. promote excellence in research and teaching,
      3. promote equity and diversity within the faculty and student body, and
      4. advance the general welfare of the College.

    2. The College Senate will work with faculty and the College Administration to:

      1. establish priorities and goals for the College and
      2. create and implement policies regarding the core college missions of research, teaching, and service, including the development, evaluation, and reorganization of College programs.

    3. The College Senate will have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of standing committees, including:

      1. The authority to redefine standing committees and their mandates.
      2. Receiving reports from standing committees with the exception of the confidential deliberations of the Grievance Committee, the Lecture Track Promotion Committee, and the Tenure and Promotion Committee.

    4. Issues which the College Administration wishes to be considered by a standing committee shall be directed to the College Senate, which shall determine the assignment to a standing committee(s).

    5. The College Senate shall consider any matters presented to it by standing committees and may take whatever action concerning such matters as the College Senate deems appropriate.

    6. The College Senate shall have the authority to create working groups and task forces.

  5. Authority

    1. Impact

      Matters voted on by the College Senate shall be the decisions of the faculty subject to appeal as outlined in these bylaws.

    2. Recommendations

      The College Senate may submit recommendations and resolutions to the Administration, including the Board of Trustees, the Provost and President, the Dean of the Laney Graduate School, and the Dean of Emory College Arts and Sciences.

  6. Membership and Representation

    1. Composition

      The College Senate shall consist of twenty-three (23) voting senators and seven (7) non-voting, ex officio senators.

    2. Eligibility

      All regular members of the faculty of Emory College shall be eligible to serve as senators of the College Senate.

    3. Representation

      The College Senate shall be comprised as follows:

      1. Six (6) senators each from the Division of the Humanities, the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Division of Social Sciences, elected from and by members of each division.
        1. A minimum of three (3) senators from each division shall be faculty who hold appointments at the rank Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor.
        2. A minimum of one (1) senator from each division shall be faculty who hold appointments at the rank of Professor of Pedagogy/Practice/Performance, Senior Lecturer, or Lecturer.
      2. Five (5) at-large senators elected by the entire faculty.
        1. A minimum of two (2) senators shall be faculty who hold appointments at the rank Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor.
        2. A minimum of one (1) at-large senator shall be a faculty member who holds an appointment at the rank of Professor of Pedagogy/Practice/Performance, Senior Lecturer, or Lecturer.
      3. Seven ex-officio positions with no vote and not counted toward quorum:
        1. Faculty representative from the Faculty Council of the University Senate, (selected by the College Senate).
        2. Faculty representative from the Executive Council of the Laney Graduate School, (selected by the College Senate).
        3. Chair of the Curriculum, Assessment and Educational Policy Committee.
        4. Immediate past-President of the Senate.
        5. Dean of College.
        6. Dean of Admissions.
        7. Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.

    4. Ternure

      No Senator may serve more than seven consecutive years in the College Senate.

    5. Restriction

      No person shall concurrently hold more than one College Senate seat. Administrators at the level of Senior Associate Dean or above may not stand for election to the College Senate.

  7. College Senate Officers

    1. Officers

      The officers of the College Senate shall be President and President-elect.

    2. Nominations

      Two candidates for President-elect shall be nominated annually by the College Senate by secret ballot.

    3. Election

      The full faculty shall by electronic ballot elect the President-elect by majority vote from the two candidates nominated by the College Senate.

    4. Start of Term

      The elected candidate will begin to serve as President-elect at the beginning of the academic year following his/her election.

    5. President Term

      The President-elect shall serve in the capacity of President at the beginning of the academic year in the calendar year following his/her election and shall automatically assume the duties of that position at that time.

  8. Meetings

    1. Frequency

      The College Senate shall meet at least monthly during the academic year, except during meetings of the full faculty. Meetings shall be open to faculty and administration.

    2. Non-faculty Members

      Visitors shall be seated in such a manner as not to interfere with decorum and proper deliberations of the body. Meetings may be closed to visitors who are not regular or associate members by a majority vote of the College Senate.

    3. Protected Information

      The College Senate may refer issues involving legal or statutorily protected information to the executive council to be considered in closed session.

    4. Department / Program Representation

      Provision shall be made for departments or programs to make representation in person and in writing to the College Senate and to receive a response.

    5. Public Session

      The President of the College Senate shall reserve a time at the beginning of each meeting for public comment.

    6. Quorum

      At least fifteen (15) of the elected senators of the College Senate constitute a quorum.

    7. Permissible Actions

      In the absence of a quorum, discussion may proceed at the discretion of the chair, but no action (motion, resolution or other formal proposal) may be taken except adjournment to a specified future time.

    8. Restrictions

      1. No absentee or proxy voting is allowed in the College Senate.
      2. The College Senate may seek advice and guidance from any faculty member or administrator it deems appropriate, but such individuals may serve in an advisory role only.

  9. Executive Council

    1. Composition

      The College Senate shall have an Executive Council consisting of the President, the President-elect, the immediate past-President, and one senator from each division and one senator at large elected by and from the members of the College Senate.

    2. Function

      1. The President, in consultation with the Executive Council, shall be responsible for setting the agenda of the College Senate and College Faculty meetings.
      2. May consider matters referred from the College Senate involving legal or statutorily protected information in closed session.

    3. Ex-Officio

      The immediate past president shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the executive committee for one year following their term as President unless re-elected to the College Senate.

    4. Ineligibility

      If the immediate past president is ineligible or unable to serve for any reason including being reelected to the College Senate that slot on the Executive Council shall remain vacant for that term.

    5. Closed Sessions

      Meetings of the Executive Council shall be open to faculty and administration unless the Executive Council votes by two-thirds vote to go into closed session to consider legal or statutorily protected information.

      1. Any person whom the Executive Council may determine to be necessary to its deliberations may be allowed to participate in the council’s closed session meeting for that purpose.
      2. The Executive Council shall report to the College Senate exclusive of any confidential findings or actions.

  10. Working Groups

    1. A working-group or task force composed of elected senators may be constituted at any time.

    2. A working group or task force composed of faculty shall be constituted by nomination and election.

    3. All decisions by working groups and task forces must be referred directly to the College Senate for discussion before final determinations are made, or before making recommendations to the College Administration.

  11. Communications

    The College Senate shall report on its work to the Emory College faculty through minutes of its meetings and in regularly scheduled faculty meetings.

  12. Bylaws and Organization of the Sentate

    The College Senate shall adopt its own bylaws for further organizing itself and conducting business. The bylaws of the College Senate must also contain procedures by which any member of the college community may, in a timely manner, obtain the schedule, agenda, and minutes of College Senate meetings and may attend Senate meetings. No provision of the College Senate bylaws may conflict with the bylaws of the Emory College Faculty.

  13. Review

    1. After a period of three (3) years following its first meeting, the College Senate will review the senate, including its composition and functioning, and will report its findings and recommendations to the faculty by the end of the first semester of the fourth (4th) year.

    2. This report shall be voted on by the regular members of the faculty by electronic ballot.

    3. After the initial review, the Senate shall review itself every five (5) years and shall report its findings and recommendations to the faculty for approval.

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Appendix ab
Standing Rules

  1. The regular order of business for the College Faculty meeting shall be as follows:
    1. Call to Order
    2. Approval of Agenda
    3. Submission of Minutes
    4. Report of the Dean of the College
    5. Report of the College Senate
    6. Report of Standing Committees
    7. Motions to Commit to Senate
    8. Unfinished Business
    9. New Business
    10. Adjournment
  2. Additional items may be placed on the faculty agenda by two-thirds vote of those regular members present and voting if a quorum is present.
  3. Copies of the minutes of each faculty meeting shall be sent to all faculty.
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Attachment aba
Types of Motions

  1. Main Motion. A formal written proposal to take an action. Main motions that come from the executive council or a working group do not require a second. According to RRO, §3, 34‐5, “The main motion sets a pattern from which all other motions are derived.”
  2. Motion from the Floor. A request by a Senator to consider an item of business, introduced under “New Business.” Proposals must be available in writing to Senators at the meeting in which the proposal is made. The proposal must be introduced by a Senator and seconded prior to discussion and vote, and may not be amended. Upon an affirmative vote the Senate will immediately consider the item of business as a main motion.
  3. Secondary Motions. These are to assist the Senate with the main motion.
    1. Motion to Postpone Indefinitely. Does away with the main motion without a direct vote.
    2. Motion to Amend. Changes the wording of the main motion. May not be tabled. If not voted on by the end of the meeting, the motion fails.
    3. Motion to Refer. This sends the main motion to a group for additional modification.
    4. Motion to Postpone. This moves consideration of the main motion to a later time, eitherwithin the meeting or to another meeting.
    5. Motion to Lay on the Table. This sets the main motion aside temporarily without specifying a time to renew debate. A majority can resume discussion whenever it decides.
    6. Motion to Limit or Extend Debate. Sets specific limits on the discussion of the main motion.
    7. Calling the Question. Immediately closes debate with the exception of a motion to lay on the table. Requires a two-‐thirds vote and may not be amended.
    8. Motion for Secret Ballot.This motion must be made afterdebate on a main motion and before voting has begun, and must be decided by an open vote.
    9. Motion to Adjourn. Ends the meeting.
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Attachment abab
Example Of An Approved Main Motion

01-2050

Resolution of the Emory College Faculty Senate

Title


[Text of approved motion]




Approved by the Emory College Faculty Senate, September 15, 2050

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Attachment ababc
Bringing an Item before the College Faculty Senate

senate-bylaws-attachment-c.png
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