Constitution Of The Faculty Senate of Cheyney University
Approved: March 2001

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Faculty Senate of Cheyney University.

Article II. Purpose and Functions

Section 1: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be: To participate as an advisory body in the formation, implementation, and review of institutional policy and to provide the means for the faculty to initiate action on matters of academic concern.

Section 2: Functions

The functions of this organization shall be: To consider University policies and problems of faculty concern; to consult with and advise the President of the University in all matters which affect the welfare of the University; to provide communication among the faculty, the administrative officers, and the Board of Trustees.

Section 3: Channels and Procedures

To resolve differences and for clarification about matters of academic concern, a review can be requested by responsible authorities with the Executive Committee and/or the Faculty Senate.

Article III. Membership

Section 1: Composition and Eligibility

Membership in the Faculty Senate will be limited to twenty per centum of the total faculty complement. Any tenured or tenure track faculty member who is a part of the instructional staff is eligible for membership, regardless of other assigned duties and responsibilities The said membership is to be prorated among the academic departments. Those departments with fewer than eight (8) members elect one senator at the departmental level; those departments with eight or more members elect two (2) senators at the departmental level.

Section 2: Time of Election to Senate Membership

Departments should elect their representatives in Faculty Senate at least two weeks prior to the final spring meeting of the Senate, so that the new Senate membership can elect its officers before the close of the spring term.

Section 3: Term of Membership in Senate

Departments should elect their representative(s) for two year terms, in even numbered years. The term shall begin with the opening of the final regular meeting of the Senate for the spring term. Limits on the length of service or number of terms its own representatives may serve shall be determined by the department itself.

In the event that a senator retires, or otherwise leaves the Senate, there will be a timely departmental election to fill the vacated position, for the remainder of the term.

Article IV. Organization

Section 1: Officer

The officers shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Recorder.

Section 2: Duties

The Chairperson, or his or her designee, shall preside over Senate meetings, and represent the Senate as requested at University functions. The Recorder shall record and disseminate the minutes of the Senate. The Vice Chairperson acts in the absence of the chair.

Section 3: Qualifications of Officers

All officers must be members of the Senate. If an officer ceases to be a member of the Senate, the term of office will then cease. New elections for that office, for the remainder of the term, will be held.

Section 4: Terms of Officers

Any elected officer may serve a maximum of three (3) consecutive two year terms. Election of officers shall be held at the final regular meeting of the Senate for the spring term, in even numbered years. The term of office shall begin upon election, and continue until the beginning of the term of their successors. In the event that a Senate officer retires, or otherwise leaves the faculty, there will be a timely election to fill the vacated position, for the remainder of the term of that office.

Section 5: Recall of Officers

Upon petition for recall by one-fifth of the members of the faculty to the Senate, a hearing will be arranged before the Senate body to consider charges. Upon the vote of two-thirds of the Senate, the office will be vacated and an election arranged. A quorum of the Senate for a recall hearing shall consist of fifty per cent of the elected senators.

Section 6: Committees

A. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Recorder, and from two (2) to six (6) other members to be elected by the Faculty Senate. The Senate shall decide the number of members to be elected.

The Executive Committee shall suggest and review the Senate agenda with the Chairperson. The Executive Committee may be requested by responsible parties to clarify or review Senate views on matters of academic concern. The Executive Committee may convene special meetings of the Senate, upon request of a Senator. The Executive Committee shall review suggested amendments to the Senate Constitution, prior to their being submitted to the Senate.

B. Standing Committees may be established at the will of the Senate.

Members of Standing Committees shall be selected from Senate members. Standing Committees may be established in the following areas, among others.

Academic Freedom and Tenure
Student Admissions, Standards, and Discipline
Student Life
Curriculum Development
Liaison Committee to work with Faculty Bargaining Unit
Representative Committee on Student Concerns.

C. Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees shall be selected from the Senate for the purpose of expediting temporary business.

D. Faculty Advisory Committee to the Board of Trustees

This committee will consist of three Senate members through whom Senate opinion will be conveyed to the Board. Members of this committee will be elected by the Senate.

E. Senate Representatives on University Committees

Members of the Senate may be selected by the Senate to serve as representatives on various University Committees, such as the Academic Council, Judicial Board, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs Committees, or other committees, as requested.

Article V. Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meetings

The regular meetings of the full Senate are open to all faculty members, although only senators may vote. Meetings will be held at least once a month, more often at the discretion of members, throughout the regular academic year.

Section 2: Special Meetings

A special meeting of the Senate may be convened by the Chairperson or by a petition of a member of the Senate to the Executive Committee. Provisions for closed meetings including only members of the Senate can be made by a majority vote of the Senate.

Article VI. Transaction of Business

Section 1: Initiation of Action

The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, or Recorder of the Senate shall receive written suggestions for agenda items from any member of the University community, on a matter of academic concern. Any member of the Senate may initiate debate.

Section 2: Nature of Sessions

A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of the assembly of members present at a regularly constituted meeting. There must be one third of the elected members present to transact business. The Senate or any committees of the Senate shall be privileged to call members of the college community concerning a matter under consideration. Decisions shall be by majority vote of the members in attendance after full discussion and free debate.

Section 3: Transmittal of Recommendations

The Senate may direct the Recorder or the Chairperson to transmit to the appropriate individual or body a written statement of actions and recommendations of the Senate when approved at a regularly constituted meeting.

Article VII. Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1:

Proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Chairperson, who shall bring them to the attention of the Senate Executive Committee. Amendments may be suggested by Senators, or by other faculty members, preferably in consultation with a Senator. Amendments must be approved first by the Senate, and then by the Faculty, as follows.

Section 2:

The Executive Committee will review the proposed amendment, and may make revisions in the proposed amendment, in consultation with the proposer. The committee will then forward the amendment to the Senate. In the case of a large scale revision of the constitution, the Executive Committee will review and revise the major changes proposed for the constitution.

Section 3:

After the Executive Committee has reviewed the amendment(s), the Chairperson will present the amendment(s) to the Senate, together with any recommendations from the Executive Committee.

Section 4:

Notice of the time, manner and place for voting on proposed amendments to the constitution must be announced, and the text of the proposed amendments must be circulated among the membership of the Faculty Senate, at least one week prior to the casting of votes.

Section 5:

Approval of amendments by the Senate shall require a two-thirds vote of all members of the Faculty Senate who are in attendance, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate. If Senators have expressed an interest in a particular section of a large scale revision, that section may be singled out for a separate vote; otherwise, the document may be approved as a whole.

If amendments are approved by the Senate, they will be submitted to the faculty, as follows.

Section 6:

Notices of the time, manner and place for voting on proposed amendments to the constitution must be announced, and the text of the proposed amendments must be circulated among the membership of the Faculty, at least one week prior to the casting of votes.

Section 7:

Ratification of amendments shall require a two-thirds vote of all members of the Faculty who are in attendance, at a regularly scheduled general Faculty meeting.

If faculty members have expressed an interest in a particular section of a large scale revision of the constitution, that section may be singled out for a separate vote; otherwise, the document may be approved as a whole.