2.26.04 Academic Senate

2.26.04.010
	The Academic Senate is the instrumentality by which the faculties of the University can express to the President of the University and the Board of Governors their considered opinion and judgments upon matters of educational policy affecting the University community. Although the privilege of direct communication by any member of the faculty is affirmed, this Senate is recognized as the official and major channel of communication on such matters between the faculties and this Board.
2.26.04.020	Composition of Academic Senate
	The Senate shall be composed of 1) members elected at large by the University academic staff; 2) members elected from the several schools and colleges in numbers proportionate to their faculty size; and 3) members elected by the academic staffs of certain service divisions of the University.
2.26.04.030
	Any full-time member of the academic rank of instructor, or its equivalent, or any higher rank, shall be entitled to vote in any election of Senate members-at-large or at any referendum affecting the Senate. Eligibility to vote for school, college, or unit representatives shall be determined by the school, college, or unit concerned.
2.26.04.040
	The members of the Senate holding office at the time this statute is adopted by the Board of Governors are directed to hold a referendum on proposed formulas for representation of the three groups referred to as soon as it is conveniently possible, and to reorganize the Senate membership in accordance with the proposal receiving majority approval of those voting providing, however, that all members currently holding office shall be entitled to continue for the balance of the term for which elected notwithstanding the provision of this statute.
2.26.04.050
	Future changes in the formulas for representation shall be submitted to a similar referendum upon petition of 5% of the persons eligible to vote thereat, or by vote of a majority of the membership of the Senate; and if approved as herein provided shall take effect at the next regular election for members of the Senate.
2.26.04.060
	The term and place of elections to the Senate shall be included in the bylaws of the Senate.
2.26.04.070
	Any changes in the formulas for representation shall be subject to the provisions herein provided for changes in the Senate bylaws.
2.26.04.080	Functions and Responsibilities
	This Senate has authority and responsibility for the formulation and review of educational policy affecting the University as a whole; but this responsibility shall extend to the internal affairs of colleges, schools, divisions and other units of the University only where they significantly affect the interests of other units or the University as a whole.
2.26.04.090
	The responsibility for the formulation and continuing review of educational policy shall give attention to the content and costs of academic programs together with those aspects of organization which have a substantive effect on the character of academic programs. The appropriate University officers, as designated by the President, shall work with the Academic Senate in the formulation of educational policy recommendations. 1
2.26.04.100
	The Academic Senate shall, in particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, recommend to the President and the Board of Governors, except in those matters subject to collective bargaining, policies affecting faculty rights and responsibilities, faculty welfare, and generally accepted principles of academic freedom and tenure.
2.26.04.110
	In case of appointments to administrative posts above the level of deanships, the Senate may offer recommendations as to criteria and may provide for systematic faculty consultation in regard to particular appointments.
2.26.04.120	Procedures
	This Senate may consider matters referred to it by the President, by other councils, or upon its own initiative, and may make recommendations with reference thereto to the President and/or such other councils, and pursuant to the procedures herein set forth, to this Board.
2.26.04.130
	The President will be expected to secure the judgment of the Senate upon any proposed change in educational policy or any matter affecting faculty rights and responsibilities, except in those matters subject to collective bargaining, before taking formal action thereon. Where these matters are to be submitted to the Board of Governors for approval, the Academic Senate shall be given a timely opportunity to provide a position paper for submission to the Board of Governors. When urgency precludes prior consultation, the President shall promptly report the action to the Senate for its review.
2.26.04.140
	Consequential matters as described in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph which may be proposed by the President are expected to be brought to the Academic Senate at a sufficiently early stage to allow for significant faculty input before decisions are taken.
2.26.04.150
	Actions of the Senate shall become University policy when approved by the President acting within the scope of his or her authority. If the President disapproves a Senate action, he or she shall either forward said action to the Board of Governors together with his or her reasons for disapproval, or return it to the Senate with a recommendation for reconsideration. After such a reconsideration, if the President still disapproves the Senate's action, he or she shall forward that action to the Board of Governors, together with his or her reasons for disapproval. In such a case the Senate, through representatives designated by it, presents its position to the Board.
2.26.04.160	Bylaws and Procedures of the Senate
	The Senate shall have the power to establish its own bylaws and procedures, and amend same; also to appoint appropriate officers and committees, and to delegate to them such duties and responsibilities as it may deem proper and appropriate. Amendment of Bylaws will be reported by the President to the Board of Governors.

Legislative History

Adopted 5-0; Official Proceedings 6:892 (15 November 1961) Amended(1,2); Official Proceedings 11:1304 (20 October 1966) (text appears at Official Proceedings 10:1271) 1 Amended(3) 8-0; Official Proceedings 16:2l04 (10 February 1972) Amended(4) 6-0; Official Proceedings 20:2606 (11 July 1975) Amended(5) 7-0; Official Proceedings 27:3815 (10 June 1983) Amended(6) 8-0; Official Proceedings 34:4560 (27 April 1990) The role of the Academic Senate was discussed at Official Proceedings 35:4640 (14 December 1990) (7)