The Faculty Senate normally holds regular meetings once a month during the academic year from September through April. The Senate Executive Committee sets the agendas for the Faculty Senate meetings, subject to any exceptions specified in the Senate By-Laws. Executive Committee meetings are held prior to Faculty Senate meetings each month.
Faculty Senate Meetings and Attendance
Main Principles
Faculty Senate meetings are expected to be held in person. Remote attendance is an exception and must be approved by the Chair of the Faculty Senate.
Senators who are approved to attend remotely should be able to participate fully. This means they may attend, count toward quorum, and vote.
Remote attendance may be approved for reasons such as illness, concern about illness, caregiving responsibilities, mobility limitations, or physical disabilities. Senators do not need to disclose personal health information.
Requests to attend remotely should be made as early as possible.
Scheduling and Notice
The Chair and Secretary will work with senior administration to set Faculty Senate and Executive Committee meeting dates for the academic year.
Meeting dates should be announced by July 1, if possible.
Regular Faculty Senate meetings should be scheduled no later than 5:00 p.m.
Meeting agendas should be posted 7 days in advance.
Attendance Records
The Secretary will record whether each member is:
- Present in the room
- Attending remotely
- Absent
The Secretary will also keep attendance records and report elected faculty members who have missed more than half of the meetings by February 1 each year.
If a senator misses two consecutive meetings without unavoidable conflicts, the Secretary will work with the senator and their school to determine whether the senator wishes to continue serving or whether an alternate should be provided.
Rules for Remote Attendance
Faculty Senate meetings are closed meetings. Anyone attending remotely should do so from a private location.
Remote attendees should:
- Log in before the meeting begins
- Stay connected for the full meeting
- Keep their camera on to be counted as present
- Mute their microphone when not speaking
- Remain attentive
- Use the electronic hand-raising function or address the Chair when wishing to speak
- Identify themselves before speaking
- Notify the Secretary in advance if they will be late, absent, or need to leave early
Private chats will not be used during Faculty Senate meetings.
Only the Secretary may record Faculty Senate meetings, and recordings are used to prepare accurate minutes.