Faculty Senate Governance Documents

SENATE CONSTITUTION


SENATE BYLAWS


SENATE STANDING RULES



SENATE CONSTITUTION

The faculty governance body underlying the University Faculty Senate first came into existence in 1921. A new Constitution for the University Faculty Senate was approved by the President of the University and adopted by Faculty Referendum of March 27, 1971, to become effective on June 1, 1971. Since that date other major changes were made in May 1975, April 1993, and April 26, 2022.

All changes in this printing are as approved by the Senate as of April 26, 2022.


Preamble

The Role of the University Faculty Senate at The Pennsylvania State University

Faculty perform a fundamental mission of the University’s highest and noble purpose to educate an ethical global citizenry. As the cornerstone of the university, they provide the knowledge-based environment and expansive capacity to address educational issues. Their deep expertise, broad experience, diverse perspectives, multifaceted creativity, and passion to drive innovations in teaching, research, extension and outreach to stakeholders and the public, are critical to the mission of the university.

Therefore, we affirm:

The faculty of the Pennsylvania State University community, represented by the University Faculty Senate whose Constitution follows, along with the Senate’s elected student members and appointed members, have been delegated the authority by the Board of Trustees to participate authentically in the shared governance of the institution. Through its senate, faculty have authority over the University’s curriculum (programs, requirements, courses, etc.) and all changes must occur through senate action. Furthermore, faculty serve in many ways as participants in the decisions and actions of the University’s administrative and Board leadership. Additionally, faculty, in collaboration with the University’s administrative and Board leadership, share the responsibility to guard and protect the mission of the University by keeping each other accountable.

Those principles mean that in addition to its primary role in oversight of an ever-evolving body of curriculum and guidance in implementation of the curriculum, Penn State’s University Faculty Senate operates as a general advisory and consultative body to achieve shared governance. This entails an ongoing role beyond that of a conduit of communication between faculty and administration. In the course of their various committee assignments or areas of expertise, Senators engage with and influence policies in wide-ranging areas from athletics to ethics, sustainability and planning, human resources and beyond. The purview of the Senate, therefore, is quite broad. The voice of the faculty, expressed individually and collectively through its duly elected representatives on the Senate, is essential for shared governance to exist in principle and in practice.

It is hereby affirmed that the quality of this institution is, in large part, measured by its success in sharing communication and expertise between the faculty, the University administration, and Board leadership, and in working together in partnership toward the inviolability of its mission. Respect and esteem for the faculty must be strong for our institution to continue its inspiring and successful mandate. Balanced and meaningful collaboration between all parties—shared governance—must exist for our institution to successfully continue to fulfill its mandate.


Article I – Functions

Section 1

The University Faculty Senate shall have the following functions:

(a) Legislative

To serve as the sole legislative body representing the University faculty as a whole. Its actions shall be authoritative on all matters that pertain to the educational interests of the University (all graduate, professional, and undergraduate instruction, research, and continuing education) and on all educational matters that concern the faculties of more than one college, subject, after consultation, to revision and orders of the president of the University.

Among the matters within the legislative jurisdiction of the Senate are:

(1) instructional program

(2) courses and programs of study

(3) academic admissions standards

(4) retention and graduation requirements

(5) University-wide unspecified scholarships, honors programs, and honors designation

(6) academic standards for intercollegiate athletic participation

(7) access to library and information systems for academic purposes.

(b) Advisory and Consultative

To act as an advisory and consultative body, both through its corporate whole and any of its constituent parts, to the President on any matter that may affect the attainment of the educational objectives of the University, such as:

(1) the establishment, reorganization, naming or discontinuation of organizational units and areas of instruction or research

(2) policies concerning the planning of physical facilities when these may affect the attainment of the educational objectives of the University

(3) policies and administration of the Libraries of the University

(4) policies affecting University development and utilization of resources

(5) matters pertaining to the general welfare of the University

(6) overall educational policy and planning, as they affect instruction, research, and service

(7) University calendar

(8) faculty affairs including academic personnel

(9) regulations affecting students

(10) general admissions policy

(11) other appropriate matters.

Consultation with Senate committees or officers does not constitute formal action or approval by the Senate.

(c) Forensic

To serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas among the members of the University Faculty Senate.

(d) Informational
To receive and disseminate information to the Senate and the University that is deemed important by the Senate or its committees.

(e) Recognition
To recognize or honor those individuals, organizations, or institutions the Senate deems worthy of special recognition by the University Faculty Senate. Such courtesy actions normally shall originate from Senate Council or the Senate officers.

Section 2

The Senate shall interpret its legislation.

Section 3

In case of question of legislative jurisdiction, the power of decision shall rest with the President of the University in line with the requirement of the Board of Trustees that the faculty, as appropriately organized as the University Faculty Senate, shall have certain authorities.

Section 4

The Senate shall have the authority to re-delegate authority in the areas listed in Section 1, according to such procedures as the Senate may establish.

Senate committees are authorized to act for and in the name of the Senate as specified in the Standing Rules. Such actions shall be reported promptly to the Senate and will stand unless the Senate, upon receiving such a report, takes jurisdiction of the matter for further consideration.

Senate committees may serve as advisory bodies to administrative officials. Reports made by committees shall not be considered to be or identified as reports of the Senate unless they have been approved by the Senate.

Section 5

Guests of the Senate and members of the University community who are not members of the Senate shall have the right to attend Senate meetings as observers and may be granted the privilege of the floor in accordance with rules established by the Senate.

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Article II – Membership

Section 1

For the purpose of defining the electorate of the Senate, the term “University faculty” shall mean all persons who hold full-time academic appointments, including instructors and all professorial ranks and equivalent ranks as defined in University Policy AC21, with the following exclusions:

(a) The President’s immediate staff;
(b) The immediate staff of the Executive Vice President and Provost, including Vice Provosts and Associate and Assistant Vice Provosts;
(c) Other Vice Presidents, including Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Academic Deans and Chancellors;
(d) Those holding affiliate academic appointments;
(e) Faculty members of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Section 2

The Senate shall be elected by the University faculty from among its members, except for ex officio, student, and appointed members as provided in Section 5. All members of the Senate shall have full voting rights.

Section 3

For the purpose of electing senators, the University faculty shall be divided into the following groups, hereinafter referred to as academic voting units:

(a) Each college/unit at University Park

(b) Penn State Abington

(c) Penn State Altoona

(d) Penn State Berks

(e) Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

(f) Penn State Great Valley

(g) Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College

(h) Dickinson Law

(i) Penn State Law

(j) University Libraries at University Park. All members of the University Libraries at locations other than University Park who fit the definition of the Senate Electorate are included in the Senate Electorate and census for that particular location

(k) College of Medicine

(l) The Combined Departments of Military Science at University Park. All members of the Departments of Military Science at locations other than University Park who fit the definition of the Senate Electorate are included in the Senate Electorate and census for that particular location

(m) Each campus of the University College

(n) Such groupings as may be designated, according to such procedures as the Senate may establish

(o) The academic voting units shall elect their senators at-large rather than as representatives of smaller units within the academic voting units, except at multi-campus units. In the case of a multi-campus unit, the academic voting unit itself shall determine the method of allocating Senate seats within that unit, provided that each geographic location is represented by at least one senator. The method of allocating Senate seats must be approved by Senate Council.

Each faculty member shall be counted in one, and only one, academic voting unit. Members of the University faculty who are not included in one of the above units (described in a-m of this section of the Constitution) may petition for assignment to an academic voting unit, according to procedures as the Senate may establish.

Section 4

The University Faculty Senate will be set at a fixed size of 200 elected faculty seats. Each unit (as defined in Section 3) will initially be allocated one elected faculty Senate seat. Remaining Senate seats, up to the total size, will be allocated proportionately to each academic unit based on the ratio of full-time faculty in each unit to the total of all full-time faculty. No academic unit may have more than 15 percent of the elected faculty senators. Seats will be allocated on the basis of the Senate census preceding the election. The University faculty of each unit shall elect their senators. The normal term of elected faculty senators shall be four years. One-fourth of the total number, as nearly as practicable, of faculty senators from each voting unit shall be elected each year. The Elections Commission may, on request, permit the voting unit to elect a senator for a term of less than four years.

Section 5

(a) The following persons shall be ex officio members of the Senate: the President of the University; the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University; the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School; the Chair of the Academic Leadership Council; the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education; the University Registrar; the Executive Director, Division of Undergraduate Studies; the Academic Trustee if not an elected senator, and any elected member of the Faculty Advisory Committee who is not an elected faculty senator.

(b) The President may appoint other University personnel to membership in the Senate on an annual basis. The total number of appointed and ex officio members (not including any member of the Faculty Advisory Committee and the Academic Trustee) shall not exceed a number equal to ten percent of the elected faculty senators.

(c) The full-time, degree-seeking students at the University shall be represented by student senators elected by their units and by three ex officio student senators from undergraduate student government organizations and one graduate and professional student government organization.

Student senators shall be allocated as follows:

(1) One undergraduate student from each of the colleges at University Park

(2) One student from each of the following locations or units:

Penn State Abington
Penn State Altoona
Penn State Berks
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Penn State Great Valley
Penn State Harrisburg , The Capital College
Dickinson Law
Penn State Law
Division of Undergraduate Studies
Graduate School
College of Medicine

(3) Two students from the University College

(4) Four leaders of student government organizations, as follows:

(i) One representative of the University Park Undergraduate Association
(ii) One representative of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments
(iii) One representative of the Graduate and Professional Student Association.
(iv) One representative of the World Campus Student Government Association*

*Whenever comparable units are added to the University or created through reorganization, each new unit shall elect one student senator. The term of a student senator shall be one year.

(d) The retired faculty of the University shall be represented by two elected retired faculty senators.

Section 6

An Executive Director appointed by the Provost of the University after recommendation by the Senate officers shall carry out staff functions, manage the Senate office, and support and facilitate the Senate in the performance of its duties. The Executive Director shall be responsible to the Senate Chair. A review of the Executive Director will be conducted every five years by the Senate Chair. The Executive Director shall be nonvoting but shall have the privileges of the floor.

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Article III – Amendments

Amendments of the Constitution consistent with directives of the Board of Trustees may be adopted at any meeting of the University Faculty Senate by a two-thirds vote of those senators present, provided that the amendment shall have been presented in writing in a preceding regular meeting. Such amendments shall not be in effect until they have been approved by the President.

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SENATE BYLAWS


Article I – Officers

Section 1

(a) The officers of the Senate shall be a Chair, a Chair-Elect, an Immediate Past Chair, and a Secretary.

(b) Elected Senators shall elect annually a Chair-Elect and a Secretary from among faculty members who are serving as elected faculty senators in the current Senate year. The Secretary shall be eligible for reelection, but shall serve no more than three consecutive one-year terms. The Chair-Elect, at the end of one year of service in that office, shall automatically succeed to the office of Chair. The Chair, at the end of one year of service in that office, shall automatically succeed to the office of Immediate Past Chair. The units from which the Chair-Elect and Secretary were elected may provide elected alternates to serve on the Standing Committees of the Senate and in the Plenary Sessions of the Senate.

(c) If a senator’s term as representative of an academic voting unit expires while serving as Chair or Chair-Elect, and the senator is not reelected, that senator shall be permitted to succeed to the offices of Chair and/or Immediate Past Chair. While completing terms as Chair and Immediate Past Chair, the officer will have all the rights and privileges of a regular member of the Senate.

(d) When a vacancy occurs in the office of Immediate Past Chair, the elected members of the Senate Council shall elect a faculty member from among Past Chairs to complete the unexpired term. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Chair, the Chair-Elect will move immediately into the office, complete the unexpired term, and continue through a full term as Chair. When a vacancy occurs in the office of Chair-Elect, the elected Secretary of the University Faculty Senate shall, within no more than thirty days of notification of the vacancy, convene a meeting of the Nominating Committee for the purpose of presenting nominees to fill the unexpired term of the Chair-Elect. The Nominating Committee, acting under the procedures enumerated in the Standing Rules, Article I, Section 11 (c), shall present at least two nominees to fill the vacancy. These nominees shall be announced at the next meeting of the Senate. At this time, additional nominations may be made from the floor of the Senate. The Elections Commission shall then conduct a special election to fill the vacancy. The special election shall be conducted in the manner enumerated in the Standing Rules, Article I, Section 1 (b). The name of the new Chair-Elect shall be announced at the next Senate meeting. The new Chair-Elect shall complete the unexpired term and succeed to the office of Chair. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Secretary, the elected members of the Senate Council shall elect a senator to complete the unexpired term.

(e) Utilizing all four Senate Officers and two additional Faculty Senators by Chair appointment, the Chair of the Senate shall determine appropriate committee assignments for Faculty Senators serving on the Board of Trustees, subject to continuing invitation by the Board of Trustees.

Section 2

(a) The Chair shall be the presiding officer of the Senate and shall, subject to approval by the Committee on Committees and Rules, appoint a member of the Senate as Parliamentarian.

(b) The Chair, after consultation with the other Senate officers and the President of the University, shall have the authority to declare the existence of a situation of special Senate concern and convene the Senate Council. If the Senate Council acts on behalf of the Senate, the Chair shall also convene a special meeting of the Senate within a week following the announcement unless a regular meeting of the Senate is scheduled within that period. At either the special or a regular meeting of the Senate, the Chair shall report the actions taken under authority of Article II, Section 1, below, and the Senate shall then take appropriate action.

Section 3

The Chair-Elect shall convene the officers and the chairs of the Standing Committees of the Senate before each Senate meeting for the purpose of exchanging information on committee activities and advising the officers. The Chair-Elect shall also assume the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair.

Section 4

The Immediate Past Chair shall serve on the Faculty Advisory Committee to the President and shall also assume the duties of the Chair when the Chair and Chair-Elect are both absent.

Section 5

The Secretary shall keep the official roll, shall prepare and publish notices, agenda, and minutes of Senate meetings, and shall perform other duties appropriate to the office. The Secretary, in consultation with other Senate Officers, shall review and disseminate issues of concern from the Senate Discussion Forum to the Senate Council.

Section 6

Any officer of the Senate may be removed for neglect of duty or for misconduct in office in accordance with procedures for removal in the Standing Rules, Article I, Section 11 (b).

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Article II – Senate Council

Section 1

Duties:

(a) It shall ensure that the Senate addresses issues of major concern to the faculty voting units and the faculty as a whole.

(b) It may initiate Senate legislation in the same manner as a standing committee. In addition, it may charge a standing committee of the Senate to investigate matters deemed appropriate by the Council.

(c) It shall provide a mechanism for Council members’ review of all legislative, forensic, advisory/consultative, informational, and positional reports submitted for the Senate Agenda. If Council determines the report is adequately prepared, it will be submitted to the Senate Agenda with the following options:

1. Place report, mandated or otherwise, on the Senate Agenda for presentation and discussion.
2. Place report, mandated or otherwise, on the Senate Agenda only for the purposes of dissemination to the Senate and University community.
3. Place other reports, not otherwise sponsored by any Senate Committees, on the Senate Agenda for either presentation and discussion or for the purpose of dissemination to the Senate and University community.

Decision on whether an item is to be placed on the Agenda for full Senate discussion is to be based on whether a report is adequately prepared and documented.

(d) It shall advise, upon consultation with appropriate Senate committees, the President and Executive Vice President and Provost of the University on the establishment, reorganization, naming, or discontinuation of organizational units and areas of the University that involve two or more teaching, research, and continuing education functions (whether or not delegation of authority exists). Such advice should be given before official action is taken.

(e) It shall give the final vote of approval to unit governance documents forwarded to it by the Committee on Committees and Rules.

(f) In coordination with the University administration, it shall represent the Senate in seeking information from officials and agencies external to the University especially those who establish policies and control resources affecting University academic programs. It shall advise the University administration on external government legislation and other external issues that may have impact on the University. It shall advise the Senate on the preparation of statements on such matters. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the University on public and alumni relations, public information, general publications and private fundraising. The Chair shall be the spokesperson for the Council in these matters.
The External Matters Subcommittee is a standing subcommittee of Senate Council that will be charged to deal with issues external to the University. The subcommittee will consist of at least five Council members together with appropriate additional elected faculty senators and resource personnel and will be chaired by the Immediate Past Chair of the Senate. A majority of the subcommittee will be councilors with at least two members from locations other than University Park. The members of the External Matters Subcommittee will serve terms of two years, and may complete the second year of the term even in cases where they are no longer a member of Senate Council.

(g) It shall serve as an advisory body to the Senate officers and the Senate as a whole.

(h) In the event that the Chair of the Senate declares existence of a situation of special Senate concern, the Senate Council shall be empowered to act for the Senate in all matters until this authority is terminated by actions of the Senate.

(i) Individual Senate Council members play a critical role in communicating Faculty Senate issues and legislative decisions back to their units of origin. To facilitate these important communications, best practices for Senate Councilors include organizing caucuses with their unit membership, creating regular electronic communications of Senate activities and sending these communications to their Academic Unit Faculty Leaders, Senators and Administrators, and speaking about Faculty Senate activities at unit governance meetings. It is expected that Senate Councilors will embrace their leadership role and actively serve as a communication conduit back to the academic unit they represent.

Section 2

The Senate Council shall include:

(a) The Senate officers, with the Chair presiding.

(b) One faculty senator elected from and by the elected faculty senators of each academic unit entitled to four or more elected faculty senators. One faculty senator elected by and among the elected faculty senators of other voting units at University Park, Dickinson Law, Penn State Law, and Great Valley. One faculty senator elected from and by the elected faculty senators of the campuses of the University College. One student senator elected from and by the elected student senators. All elections to the Senate Council shall be for terms of one year. A member of Senate Council unable to attend a meeting may send another elected senator from the member’s voting unit to represent the unit and vote.

(c) In the event of a vacancy among the elected members of the Council, the electing body shall elect a replacement.

(d) The elected members of the Faculty Advisory Committee and the Academic Trustee shall participate, without vote, in Senate Council deliberations.

(e) The President and the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University may attend Senate Council meetings at their own discretion.

Section 3

The Senate Council shall be convened by the Chair of the Senate at least as often per annum as the Senate. The Chair shall convene a special meeting of Senate Council at the request of two-thirds of its voting members.

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Article III – Elections

Section 1

Election to the Senate by members of the University faculty in each voting unit shall be as follows:

(a) Nominations shall be made by members of the University faculty. The procedures shall provide that every member of the electorate shall have the opportunity to place names in nomination.

(b) While it is recommended that there be at least twice as many nominations as there are senators to be elected, there must be no fewer than one-and-one-half times the number of senators to be elected.

(c) Election shall be by secret ballot.

(d) All elections of the Senate including extra-senatorial elections shall be supervised by an Elections Commission. The duties of the Elections Commission will be to ensure that the Senate’s annual census occurs on a timely basis, help identify problematic issues that may arise during that census, recommend solutions to such issues, and ultimately ensure the legitimacy and accuracy of the Senate elections processes.

Section 2

The Elections Commission shall review annually and adjust, if necessary, the number of senators to be elected from each voting unit, based on the distribution of the University faculty as of the preceding November 1.

Section 3

Two retired faculty senators will be elected according to the following procedures. The Senate office will obtain from the Office of Human Resources a list of retired faculty members. That list will be cross-checked with lists of faculty who served on the University Faculty Senate prior to retirement. From the list of former senators, the Committee on Committees and Rules will develop a list of potential nominees, and the Executive Director will then contact the individuals to ask if they would stand for election to the Senate. A ballot will be established with the individual former senators (the order of names on the ballot will be determined by random selection) who have consented to serve. This ballot will also have a line marked “Other” for write-in votes so that other members of the retired population can be included in the voting. The ballot will be made available to all retired faculty. A simple plurality vote will determine the winner. In the case of a tie, the Committee on Committees and Rules will determine the winner by a coin toss. One Retired Senator will serve on the Committee on Faculty Benefits and one will serve on a standing Senate committee of the retired faculty senator’s choosing. The term of office will be four (4) years. If a retired senator cannot fulfill his/her term, the alternate from the last election will be appointed to do so. The elected retired faculty will be full voting members of the Senate.

Section 4

Student senators shall be nominated and elected according to such procedures as the Elections Commission of the Senate may establish.

If a student senator is unable to attend a meeting of the University Faculty Senate, an alternate may substitute for the senator at the plenary meeting of the Faculty Senate. The alternate may also substitute for the senator at the senator’s committee meeting being held on the same day. The Senate office must be provided with the name of the alternate senator prior to the first full meeting of the Senate year. The alternate senator must notify the Senate office prior to attending the meeting in order to receive the same voting privileges as the senator for whom he/she is substituting for the day.

Section 5

The names of newly elected and newly appointed senators to serve during the following year shall be reported to the Senate office by the first Friday in February in order to be reported to the Senate at the last regular meeting of the academic year.

Section 6

An elected senator who is engaged in any type of professional activity making it impossible to carry out Senate responsibilities for a period exceeding three consecutive months, excluding June, July and August, may resign if he or she wishes, but otherwise shall be replaced by an alternate to fill the period of time that the senator will be absent from the Senate.

Section 7

In case an elected faculty senator is unable to fulfill the duties of their elected term, the University faculty of the senator’s voting unit shall identify a replacement in the following manner: In addition to identifying an elected senator for each vacant seat, regular Senate elections shall identify at least the highest ranking alternate, that is, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes of those not elected. If more than one alternate is identified, the alternates’ names should be submitted in order of rank, based on the number of votes. The names of the winner(s) and all of the alternate(s) shall be reported directly to the Senate office. First choice for replacement is to be the highest ranking alternate, as identified in the most recent regular Senate election; if the highest ranking alternate is not available, then the choice will move to all remaining alternates, in order of their rank by vote. If no alternates are available from the most recent regular Senate election, then the University faculty of the voting unit shall hold a special election to identify a new elected senator, who will complete the unfinished term. This same procedure shall be followed in the replacement of committee members elected at-large by the Senate.

Section 8

Duties of Senators:

a) Attend the Senate plenary meetings.

b) Attend the assigned standing committee meetings.

c) Communicate with their unit faculty governance organization pertaining to the activities of the Senate.

d) Elected faculty senators are required to maintain a two-thirds attendance rate for both the plenary meetings and the assigned standing committee meetings. Should a senator drop below this level in either meeting category in each of two consecutive years, the senator may resign if he or she wishes, otherwise the Senate will remove the senator and require the unit to replace that senator with an alternative elected representative.

This provision does not pertain to sabbatical, medical, or other official leaves of absence, or absence related to professional responsibilities.

Section 9

In cases in which a voting unit or geographic location has only one faculty senator, if that senator is unable to attend a meeting of the University Faculty Senate, an alternate may substitute for the senator at the plenary meeting of the Faculty Senate. The alternate may also substitute for the senator at the senator’s committee meeting being held on the same day. The substitute must be identified on the Senate office’s list as an alternate for the voting unit or geographic location and must notify the Senate office in order to receive the same voting privileges as the senator for whom he/she is substituting for the day.

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Article IV – Committees

Section 1

The Senate shall determine its committee structure and composition with only the following stipulations:
(a) Any University personnel or any student of the University may be appointed to a committee.
(b) Chairs of Standing Committees must be elected faculty senators.
(c) The voting membership of Senate standing committees, special committees, and subcommittees consists of elected faculty, ex-officio, student, or appointed Senators.
(d) A majority of the voting membership of a Senate standing or special committee must be elected faculty senators.
(e)  When a standing or special committee goes into a closed meeting, only senators who are also members of the committee may be present.

Section 2

All members of Standing Committees who are not members of the Senate shall have nonvoting privileges of the floor when the subject of discussion pertains specifically to the work of their respective committees.

Section 3

Direct consultation between Senate committees and other instrumentalities of the Senate and members of the administration, faculty, and student body of the University is encouraged subject to Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution.

Section 4

Any legislative or non-legislative report approved by a committee at the last meeting of one Senate year shall be presented to Senate Council and if approved for the Agenda will be presented to the Senate at the beginning of the next Senate year without review by the new committee.

Section 5

Members of a Senate committee may file a minority opinion outlining concerns or objections to a pending committee report, provided that the minority opinion is signed by two or more voting members. If the committee report is approved for the agenda, Senate Council will include the minority opinion(s) in the Senate Agenda for the Senate’s consideration. The author(s) of a minority opinion will not present the report or stand for questions during the presentation of the report except by special invitation by the Chair. Committee members, like all Senators, are free to ask questions, or make statements when the Senate considers the pending report.

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Article V Meetings

Section 1

Regular meetings of the Senate shall be held at least three times per semester during the academic year at times and dates decided upon by Senate Council, except as provided in Section 4 of this Article.

Section 2

Upon the request of the President of the University, the Chair shall convene the Senate.

Section 3

The Chair shall convene the Senate in response to a written petition of at least fifty members of the University faculty to consider proposals of the petitioners stated in writing, providing the petition contains:

(a) statement of purpose of petition and

(b) names of five faculty members designated to meet with the Senate Council.

The five designated faculty members will review the issue substantively with the Senate Council before the special meeting of the Senate.

Section 4

Any regular meeting of the Senate may be canceled (as long as the provisions of Section 1 are met) or scheduled for a new date in either of the following ways: (a) by a majority vote at any Senate meeting (at which a quorum is present) or (b) by a two-thirds vote of Senate Council. In case of emergency the Senate Chair, after consulting with the other Senate officers, may postpone any Senate meeting for no longer than three weeks unless the Senate Council subsequently acts as specified earlier in this section.

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Article VI – Quorum

Section 1

A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of fifty (50) senators.


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Article VII – Delegation of Authority

Section 1

Authority for functions of the Senate as defined in Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution may be delegated in whole or in part to appropriately organized faculty bodies upon recommendation of the Senate Council and approval by the Senate in accordance with Article X, Section 1, of the Bylaws. Such delegation shall be limited to those functions appropriate to the faculty body concerned, and such delegations shall be specified in succeeding sections of this Article and shall be established in accordance with Article X, Section 1, of the Bylaws as interpreted by Senate Council. Legislative actions and minutes of all bodies to which authority has been delegated under Article VII shall be forwarded to the Chair of the Senate. Where appropriate, actions will be transmitted to the President following established procedures. The Executive Director is charged with assuring that review and transmittal to the Chair is made.

All faculty governance organizations to which the Senate delegates its authority shall draft its governance documents consistent with the Requirements and Recommendations for Faculty Governance Organizations set forth by the Senate Council. Those Requirements and Recommendations shall be read consistently with, and incorporate, the following basic requirements:

(1) Unit governing documents may be known by whatever name is consistent with the traditions of the unit, and may be identified as constitutions, bylaws, standing rules and the like, as long as they are clearly identified as constituting the governing rules of the unit.

(2) The chair of the faculty governance organization shall be elected from the unit’s non-administrative faculty, either by the faculty of the unit or by the elected members of the faculty governance organization.

(3) The key functions of the leader of the unit’s faculty governance organization shall include, but are not limited to:

    • Presiding over meetings of the faculty governance organization
    • Setting the agenda for the meetings of the faculty governance organization
    • Overseeing the selection of committee members, their leadership, and their charges
Section 2

The faculty of the Graduate School, as represented by the Graduate Council, is delegated authority for the interests of the Graduate School except in those matters that have University-wide implications; it shall administer its own affairs subject to review by the Senate.

(a) The review process shall include a report of actions of the Graduate Council to the Senate through the Senate Council. On special motion of the Senate Council, any of those actions may be placed on the agenda of the Senate for appropriate action.

(b) The Senate Council will provide for liaison with the Graduate Council.

(c) The Chair of the Graduate Council shall present an annual report to the University Faculty Senate.

(d) The Dean of the Graduate School shall present an annual report to the University Faculty Senate.

Section 3

The faculty of the College of Medicine, as represented by the faculty organization of the College of Medicine, is delegated authority for the approval of 700-level courses and their content taken by medical students in the medical curriculum and by physician assistant students in the Physician Assistant Master’s Program. This delegation of authority is subject to review by the Senate. The review process shall include the submission of all 700-level courses to the Curriculum Coordinator for inclusion on the Senate Curriculum Report and will be subject to the same hold and approval procedures as those listed in The Guide to Curricular Procedures.

Section 4

The faculty of Dickinson Law and Penn State Law are delegated responsibility respectively, for the approval and content of courses (900-level courses) taken by law students in the law curriculum. This delegation of responsibility is subject to review by the University Faculty Senate. The review process shall include the submission of all 900-level courses to the Curriculum Coordinator for inclusion on the Senate Curriculum Report (Blue Sheet) and will be subject to the same hold and approval procedures as those listed in The Guide to Curricular Procedures.

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Article VIII – Referenda

Section 1

The Senate may conduct referenda of the University faculty to obtain information concerning any subject under its purview.

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Article IX Rules of Procedure

Section 1

The Senate shall establish its rules of procedure.

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Article X – Amendments

Section 1

Amendments of the Bylaws may be adopted at any meeting of the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided that the amendments shall have been presented in writing at a preceding regular meeting.

In those cases where amendments are deemed to be editorial changes of a non-substantive nature (e.g., issues of nomenclature, committee names, or faculty titles), the Committee on Committees and Rules may submit them to Senate Council for approval by a two-thirds vote. If the vote fails, they will be returned to the Committee on Committees and Rules to be submitted via the regular legislative process. If the vote succeeds, the changes shall be published in a Communication to the Senate in the next Senate agenda. For five days following the Senate meeting, any faculty senator who feels that the changes require a more careful review may place their objections in writing to the Senate Chair who will return them to the Committee on Committees and Rules to be submitted via the regular legislative process. If there are no objections after five days the changes will go into effect.

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SENATE STANDING RULES


Article I – Rules of Procedure

Section 1

(a) The rules of procedure in the meetings of the University Faculty Senate, except as may be otherwise specified in the Senate Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules, shall be those of the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Parliamentary Code of Parliamentary Procedure (AIPSC). All motions, except as may be otherwise specified in these documents, shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast. Roll-call votes may be initiated only by the decision of the Chair or by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of senators voting. The role of the Parliamentarian is advisory only.

(b) Election of officers of the Senate shall be by secret preferential ballot, the preferred candidate being designated by “1,” the next by “2,” and so on. In counting votes the Hare System of the single transferable ballot shall be used. In the event of a tie, the results of the election shall be determined by drawing lots among the tied candidates. (See The Senate Record, March 5, 1974, Vol. 7, No. 8)

(c) Each academic voting unit eligible under the provisions of Article II, Section 2, of the Bylaws shall elect its Senate Council member(s) from among its elected faculty senators.

Section 2

The order of business at each regular meeting of the Senate shall be as follows:

(a) Call to Order
(b) Reading, correcting, approving, or disposing of the minutes of the previous meeting
(c) Comments or reports of the Senate officers and invited guests
(d) Questions for the President and Provost
(e) General Discussion
(f) Unfinished Business (voteable)
(g) New Business (voteable)
(h) Informational reports (non-voteable)
(i) Comments or announcements
(j) Adjournment

The order of business may be changed by the Senate Council prior to any meeting. Any or all items in this Section may be suspended at any regular meeting of the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at any special meeting by decision of the Chair.

Section 3

The Chair of the Senate may convene special meetings of the Senate, in addition to those specified in Article V or Article I, Section 2 of the Bylaws, at such times and for such purposes as the Chair deems necessary for the effective discharge of the business of the Senate.

Section 4

The order of business for any special meeting of the Senate shall be determined by the Chair of the Senate.

Section 5

The agenda and appendices shall be distributed no fewer than six days before the meeting to which they pertain, to all members of the Senate and to others as determined by the Senate Secretary.

Section 6

The Chair of the Senate shall appoint Special Committees to consider subjects not already assigned to Standing Committees of the Senate. These Special Committees shall be terminated no later than the end of the Senate year unless reappointed by the new Chair of the Senate. They shall file reports of actions taken with the Senate office for inclusion in The Senate Record.

Section 7

Six Faculty Senators will attend Board of Trustee meetings, subject to continuing invitation by the Board of Trustees. Those Senators will include the four Senate Officers and two chosen by the Senate Chair. These Senators will staff their respective Board of Trustees committee positions following the July-May Board of Trustee Committee staffing cycle. The immediate Past Chair of Faculty Senate will deliver a final Faculty Senate report to the Board of Trustees in May and the new Faculty Senate Chair will be announced and seated at the May afternoon plenary Board of Trustees meeting. Faculty Senate shall use the July Board of Trustees meeting to staff Board of Trustee committees with new Faculty Senate representatives.

Section 8 General Discussion

(a) The General Discussion in the Order of Business provides an opportunity for any senator to discuss any matter of concern to the University. To introduce items for general discussion an individual senator or a senator representing a group, such as a standing committee, must present in writing to the Chair of the Senate with a title and summary of the matter to be discussed by the end of Friday before the plenary meeting. Due to time considerations, placement on the agenda will be at the Chair’s discretion. The senator’s name will be placed on the agenda by the Chair of the Senate together with the title and summary. Items for discussion may also come from the floor if time allows at the discretion of the Chair.

Section 9

New rules for Policies and Procedures for Students, new Standing Rules of the Senate, and amendments to these rules may be acted upon only after they have been presented in writing to all senators six days before a regular meeting of the Senate, except that this section may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

Section 10

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the Senate, the Senate shall publish an official record (The Senate Record) of its proceedings within twenty-one (21) days after each meeting, and this record shall contain:

(a) agenda of the meeting;

(b) verbatim minutes of the meeting except for informational and mandated reports. An executive summary of informational and mandated reports will be included in The Senate Record unless a verbatim transcription is requested by the Chair or the Executive Director;

(c) documents distributed at the door of the meeting;

(d) such other items as the Chair shall direct.

Note: Senate meetings are digitally recorded (audio and video) and the recordings are available in the Senate office.

All Informational Reports will be made available via a link through the Senate website and archived for long-term reference. Copies of The Senate Record shall be deposited in the University Archives of the University Library.

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the Senate, the Senate office shall establish:

(a) A Senate Discussion Forum that will foster open lines of communication between senators

(b) An electronic Senate Newswire.

The Office of the University Faculty Senate shall directly communicate on Senate matters, as appropriate, with faculty governance leaders and with deans/ chancellors. The Senate office shall send pertinent documents directly to the relevant elected leaders of faculty governance units with copies to deans/ chancellors when appropriate.

Section 11

(a) The elective year of the Senate shall begin on July 1 and continue until the following June 30. The new officers’ terms shall begin on July 1.

(b) At any meeting of Senate Council, a petition may be presented to the Chair requesting that any Senate officer be removed from office for neglect of duty or misconduct in office. The petition must be signed by at least two elected Senate Council members. Senate Council after appropriate investigation and discussion shall vote whether the Senate shall be polled to consider the removal of the officer. A majority vote of the total number of elected councilors shall be required. If the Council vote is to poll the Senate, a ballot or e-mail notification of the election website will be sent to all senators allowing at least ten working days for voting. A two-thirds majority vote shall be required for removal of the officer. In the case of the removal of the Senate Chair, the Chair-Elect shall succeed immediately to the Chair. If the Chair-Elect is removed, a new election will be held using regular procedures. If the Secretary is removed, the Senate Council shall elect a replacement.

(c) The Nominating Committee of the Senate shall develop the slate of nominees for the offices of Chair-Elect and Secretary, as well as for a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the President. It shall also be responsible for developing the slate of nominees for the Committee on Committees and Rules. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the elected members of Senate Council and the Immediate Past Chair of the Senate, who shall chair the committee. The Chair of the Senate shall activate the Nominating Committee at least four weeks prior to the second regularly scheduled meeting of the spring semester. The committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary, who shall charge the committee. The committee shall present at least two nominees for the offices of Chair-Elect and Secretary. In addition, in the event that the Chair-Elect received a vote of no-confidence or that the Secretary is serving as interim Chair-Elect, the committee shall report a slate of at least two nominees for the office of Chair. The committee shall also report a slate of at least two nominees for a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the President (three-year term). Nominations shall reflect the variety of disciplines, functions, and geographic locations of University units.

The Nominating Committee shall create a report with their nominations for senate officers and the Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC), which will be included in the agenda for the second-to-last Senate plenary meeting. During this meeting, the Senate Chair will officially announce the nominations and open the floor for additional nominations from the Senate.

The Nominating Committee shall additionally report their nominations for the Committee on Committees and Rules to Senate Council in a prompt enough manner so that Council may meet to elect the new members by the May 1 deadline.

(d) Elections will be conducted by secret preferential ballot. Ballots or e-mail notification of the election website will be sent to all current senators at least 21 days before the date of the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Senate.

(e) Votes shall be counted or verified by three tellers, formed from members of the Elections Commission who are not members of the Nominating Committee [see (c)]. The tellers will report the results of the election to the Executive Director of the Senate Office who will immediately inform the Senate officers, candidates, and the chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules of these results. The full Senate will be notified of the results in a timely fashion.

(f) The Elections Commission shall post a report of the results of the elections of all officers and extra-senatorial positions on the Senate website no later than May 31.

Section 12

(a) By May 1 the Senate Council shall elect five members to serve on CC&R for the following year and report the results to the Elections Commission. Appointments shall reflect the variety of disciplines, functions, and geographic locations of University units. If a committee member is no longer an elected senator at the end of the first year of the term on the committee, a vacancy shall occur in that position and a selection shall be made to fill the unexpired term.

(b) The Chair of the Faculty Senate shall convene the new membership of the Committee on Committees and Rules, as soon as is practicable in the new Senate year, where the committee will elect its chair and vice chair for that year from the elected members of the committee.

(c) The Committee on Committees and Rules shall complete selection of the roster of all committees, including Chairs and Vice Chairs, for the coming Senate year by the end of the current Senate year. The membership of each committee will be reported in writing to the Standing Committee Chairs by the beginning of the Senate year. This roster will be listed in The Senate Record for the first regular meeting of the Senate year.

(d) When a member of a Senate committee resigns before the expiration of the appointment, the Chair of that committee shall notify the Chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules of this circumstance, and the latter group shall name a replacement.

Section 13

At least six regular meetings of the Senate shall be scheduled on Tuesdays during the academic year at times and dates decided upon by Senate Council, except as provided for in Section 4 of this Article. A schedule of regular meetings and starting times for the following academic year will be presented to the Senate at the last meeting of each academic year. The Senate Council may change the time or date of a meeting by notifying all senators in writing at least ten days before the earlier of either the originally scheduled or rescheduled dates.

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Article II – Senate Committee Structure

Section 1

The Chair of the Senate as an ex officio member of all Standing Committees may authorize the Chair-Elect, the Secretary, the Immediate Past Chair, or any elected member of the Senate Council to be a representative at meetings of any committee.

Section 2

All Standing Committees may add to their membership (consistent with the distribution requirement imposed by the Constitution, and with the approval of the Committee on Committees and Rules) nonvoting resource personnel on the basis of their position, interest, expertise, or membership in a particular sector of the University community. Committees may add resource personnel on either a continuing or an ad hoc basis depending on the issues before the committee.

All Standing Committees are encouraged to invite individuals to render testimony or advice on particular questions as circumstances indicate. They are also encouraged to appoint ad hoc subcommittees as needed. The Chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules is to be notified of the charge and personnel of all ad hoc subcommittees at the time of their formation. These ad hoc subcommittees shall be terminated no later than the end of the Senate year unless reappointed by the new Standing Committee. Their reports, if any, are an internal responsibility of the parent Standing Committee. All Standing Committees shall file reports of their actions with the Senate office for inclusion in The Senate Record.

Most standing committee duties include liaison with other University bodies. Liaison implies information sharing. Membership on other bodies is pre-scribed by the appointing authority. The Chair of the Senate has full authority to decide which Committee has responsibility for considering and proposing legislation and/or consultation on any item which may overlap the responsibilities of more than one Committee. Committees may speak on behalf of the Senate on items specifically delegated in their charge in the Standing Rules.

Section 3

Elected members of the Committee on Committees and Rules of the Senate may not serve as members of [other] Standing Committees of the Senate except in such ex officio capacities as may now or in the future be designated. This restriction on committee membership may be suspended on an individual basis by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at a regular or special meeting.

Section 4

Except for the Committee on Committees and Rules all committee positions held by elected faculty senators are normally tenable for two years ending on May 31 and beginning on June 1. Administrative and Student senator positions are tenable for one year, unless otherwise specified. In any given year the Committee on Committees and Rules may assign senators one year terms of membership on a committee in order to balance membership. As far as practicable at least half of any committee’s elected faculty membership should extend for two years. No senator may serve longer than six consecutive years on a given committee nor more than three consecutive years as its chair. However, under extenuating circumstances the Committee on Committees and Rules may allow, by a two-thirds vote in the affirmative, a Senator to serve a seventh consecutive year as a committee member, or a fourth consecutive year as the committee chair. Committee chairs are selected annually by the Committee on Committees and Rules in consultation with the Senate Chair.

Section 5

All Senate committees will be available for consultation with the Office of the President of the University.

Section 6

Senate Committees:

(a) Committee on Committees and Rules

1. Membership:

(i) Ten (10) elected faculty senators

(ii) Chair-Elect of the Senate (non-voting)

(iii) Immediate Past Chair of the Senate (non-voting)

(iv) Secretary of the Senate (non-voting)

           (v)  The Senate Parliamentarian (non-voting)

2. Election: By the Senate Council for a term of two years. Elected members of Senate Council may not serve on the Committee on Committees and Rules.

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Committees and Rules shall review and make recommendations on the Senate’s committee structure. In this role, the committee shall strive to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its activities. It shall appoint the members of all Standing Committees. It shall be responsible for proposing changes in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the University Faculty Senate for action by the Senate. This committee shall serve as a Nominating Committee to the administrative officers of the University in the selection of University faculty to serve on University-wide committees. In addition, this committee has the investigative function in determining the constitutionality of acts of the Senate, failures to implement Senate legislation, problems resulting from conflicting legislation, and errors in the implementation of legislation. The Committee on Committees and Rules shall have the authority to interpret the Senate Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules subject to review by the Senate. The committee shall be advisory to the Senate Officers.

Each year the Committee on Committees and Rules shall ask returning and new senators to rank their preferences for committee assignments. The Committee on Committees and Rules will then select the senatorial members of each Standing Committee, taking into consideration the preferences of senators. Where a representative of an administrative office is to be an ex officio member of a committee, this member will be selected by the Committee on Committees and Rules in consultation with the appropriate administrative officer. Appointments to all committees should reflect the variety of disciplines, functions, and geographic locations of University units. Annually, the Committee on Committees and Rules shall elect its own Chair and Vice Chair. In consultation with the Senate Chair, the Committee shall designate the leadership of all other Standing Committees of the Senate.

While the Senate officers are the primary faculty representatives to the Big Ten Academic Alliance, the Committee on Committees and Rules shall be informed and consulted on faculty governance issues that arise in the CIC. Such items will be periodically reported to the Senate.

  1. Subcommittees
  1. Constitution Subcommittee: The subcommittee shall consult with faculty governance organizations to ensure that their governance documents conform with Senate rules. These functions include review of Unit Constitutions, Bylaws, and Standing Rules. The subcommittee will consist of the Senate Parliamentarian and at least two elected Senators appointed by the Senate Chair and will be chaired by the Senate Secretary. Final vote of approval of the unit governance documents shall be by Senate Council.
  2. Elections Commission Subcommittee: The subcommittee will have at least three members, including the chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules and the Senate Parliamentarian and will be chaired by the Senate Secretary. Membership of this subcommittee should not overlap with the Nominating Committees. The subcommittee shall have responsibility over the Senate Census and responsibility over all Senate run elections.
  1. Mandated reports: Nomination report. The Committee on Committees and Rules shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(b) Committee on Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and Student Aid

1. Membership:

(i) At least ten elected faculty senators

(ii) At least two undergraduate student senators

(iii) Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education and Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions

(iv) Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education and University Registrar

(v) Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education and Executive Director for Student Aid

(vi) Assistant Vice President, Executive Director for Academic Services and Assessment

(vii) Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services

(viii) Member of the academic advising community appointed by the Associate Dean for Advising

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and Student Aid shall initiate legislation relating to academic admissions and readmission standards for the Senate Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Students. With a focus on equity and inclusion, it shall make recommendations on policies concerning the effect that Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and Student Aid procedures have on the attainment of the University’s overall educational objectives. Analyses for disparate impact should be conducted for overall functional assessment (e.g., how do scheduling processes impact students with minoritized identities [dis/abilities, BIPOC, first generation]?) as well as for any recommended policy changes. It shall be the University Faculty Senate advisory body to the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education and it shall maintain liaison with other University officials in these areas. It shall be concerned with policies involving student awards, scholarships, and student aid. It shall have the authority to act on individual problems of reinstatement and certification of credit referred to it by the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education.

4. Standing Subcommittee on Articulation

The ARSSA Articulation Review Subcommittee membership shall include two faculty from ARSSA, including the Vice Chair of ARSSA, who serves as chair, in addition to five other representatives: one from the Undergraduate Admissions Office, one from the Office of Student Aid, one from the Office of the University Registrar, one from the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses, and one from the Office of Penn State Global. The committee may call upon the articulation agreement proposer for consultation on any given proposal. The University Faculty Senate Office (Senate Office) shall facilitate composition by requesting those offices to identify representatives.

The subcommittee shall review articulation agreements to ensure they adhere to the current University policies.

5. Mandated reports:

a. Reserved Spaces Report
b. Faculty Senate Scholarship Report
c. High School Students Enrolled in Nondegree Credits
d. Articulation Agreement Report based on five-year review

The Committee on Admissions, Records, Scheduling, and Student Aid shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(c) Committee on Curricular Affairs

1. Membership:

(i) At least 17 elected faculty senators including one faculty senator from each college at University Park and one faculty senator from each of Abington, Altoona, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, and the University College.

(ii) One undergraduate student senator

(iii) A member of the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education (selected by ACUE)

(iv) Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications or representative

(v) Chair of the Graduate Council Committee on Programs and Courses

(vi) A representative from the Office of the University Registrar

(vii) A representative from the Division of Undergraduate Studies

(vii) A representative from the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research

(ix) A representative from the Office of Undergraduate Education

(x) A representative from the Office for General Education

2. Selection: Committee members shall be selected by the Committee on Committees and Rules. One Chair and two Vice Chairs shall be chosen from the elected faculty senate members.

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Curricular Affairs shall review, evaluate, and approve or reject all course and curriculum proposals including proposals to limit program enrollment submitted by the various departments, colleges, and other appropriate units of the University that have not received delegation or responsibility in this area from the Senate. With regard to program enrollment limitations, restrictions proposed for academic reasons are subject to approval or rejection while restrictions proposed for resource restraints are subject only to consultative review. The Committee shall study the existing courses and curricula of the University with reference to the needs of students; enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; and opportunities for service to the Commonwealth and make recommendations for changes where appropriate. It shall develop equity-minded criteria for evaluating courses and curricula and recommend procedures for handling courses and curriculum proposals. It shall have oversight of the following subcommittees: Bachelors of Arts, Certificates, General Education, Integrative Studies, Retention and Transfer, United States and International Cultures, and Writing. It shall disperse vice chair duties such that one vice chair shall oversee General Education efforts including serving as subcommittee chair for General Education and Integrative Studies subcommittees, and one vice chair shall support all general business of the committee and shall oversee at least two remaining subcommittees. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment, reorganization, naming or discontinuation of organizational units pursuant to Council duties specified in Article II, Section 1 (d) of the Bylaws. It shall maintain such liaison with University administration and faculty as may be necessary for the implementation of these procedures.

  1. Standing Subcommittees:

All subcommittees shall for their activities consider with earnest the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

(i) General Education Subcommittee
It shall consist of nine members to monitor the General Education Program and make recommendations for assuring the delivery of effective general education as mandated in the General Education legislation. The subcommittee shall be led by the vice chair of SCCA; its membership shall be such that the subcommittee has at least one member with expertise in each of the General Education Categories (GWS, GQ, GA, GH, GN, GS and GHW). An effort should be made to include at least one member from a non-University Park location, but with disciplinary expertise remaining the primary consideration. When the subcommittee’s workload is especially intense, the chair of SCCA may appoint additional members, drawn from SCCA or other Senate committees.  The subcommittee shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Integrative Studies requirement in the undergraduate curriculum. It shall periodically review and revise, as necessary, guidelines for courses intended to fulfill this requirement. It shall also accept and review proposals for integrative coursework year-round and forward recommendations to the Committee. (See Appendix “B,” 4-28-15.) The Subcommittee shall review all General Education course proposals (except as provided below for the United States and International Cultures & Writing Subcommittees) and forward recommendations to the Committee. It shall also develop, revise, and edit official University publications that provide information about General Education. (See Appendix “H,” 1-23-90.)

(ii) United States and International Cultures Subcommittee
It shall be led by a person as appointed by the chair of SCCA and consist of ten members and shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the United States cultures and International Cultures requirement in the undergraduate curriculum. It shall periodically review and revise, as necessary, guidelines for courses intended to fulfill this requirement. It shall also review proposals for courses under this requirement and forward recommendations to the Committee. (See Appendix II, 12-4-90 and III, 4-27-04.)

(iii) Writing Subcommittee
It shall be led by a person as appointed by the chair of SCCA and consist of ten members and shall be responsible for overseeing and reviewing, as necessary, the implementation of Writing Across the Curriculum in the undergraduate curriculum. It shall periodically review and revise, as necessary, guidelines for writing-intensive courses. It shall also review all writing-intensive course proposals and forward recommendations to the Committee. (See Appendix “E” 3-20-90.)

(iv) Bachelor of Arts Requirements Subcommittee
It shall be led by a person as appointed by the chair of SCCA and consist of eleven members including a faculty member from each college that offers the BA degree (Abington, Altoona, Arts and Architecture, Berks, Communications, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Erie, Harrisburg, Liberal Arts, Science, and University College). It shall review BA course proposals and monitor and review all BA requirements and it shall consider recommendations for changes in these requirements. These recommendations shall be reported to the Committee and, if approved, shall be forwarded to the Senate for vote. (See Appendix II, 4-13-93 and E, 10-26-04.)

(v) Retention and Transfer Subcommittee
It shall be led by a person as appointed by the chair of SCCA and consist of five members to review, make recommendations and monitor all holds on student admissions to programs and special or more restrictive academic requirements for entrance into a college, major or minor, and/or for retention in a program, consistent with general academic guidelines established by the Committee on Education. (See Appendix “E,” 10-26-93.)

(vi) Certificates Subcommittee
It shall be led by a person as appointed by the chair of SCCA and consist of at least five members to review and make recommendations about certificate programs. It shall periodically review and revise, as necessary, guidelines for undergraduate credit certificates. It shall also monitor recertification of certificates at the 5-year expiration and review extension requests. (See Appendix “E” 3-15-16)

5. Mandated reports: Senate Curriculum Report. The Committee on Curricular Affairs shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall continue to send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(d) Committee on Education

1. Membership:

(i) At least sixteen elected faculty senators, at least one of which must be graduate faculty

(ii) Two undergraduate student senators

(III) One graduate student senator

(iv) Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, University Park Undergraduate Association

(v) Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education or their designee

(vi) Executive Director, Division of Undergraduate Studies or their designee

(vii) Dean of the Schreyer Honors College or their designee

(viii) Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School or their designee

(ix) Dean of the College of Medicine or their designee

(x) Dean of Dickinson Law School or their designee

(xi) Dean of Penn State Law or their designee

(xii) Vice Provost for Online Education or their designee

(xiii) Senate representative to the Graduate Council

(xiv) Vice President for the Commonwealth Campuses or their designee

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Education shall make recommendations on policies relating to academic advising and instruction offered for credit by all delivery systems including Resident Instruction, Hybrid Instruction, Online Instruction, Continuing Education, and Independent Learning. The committee will promote policies that will enable equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational opportunities and outcomes for all students and attempt to address issues of inequity with respect to degree attainment. Furthermore, the Committee oversees activities related to advising. The Committee shall serve as an advisory body to the University Faculty Senate on matters that may affect the attainment of the University’s educational mission. It shall be the Senate’s review body for the academic standards in all areas of education including all proficiency and placement tests offered by the University. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment, reorganization, naming or discontinuation of organizational units and areas of the University’s educational mission. The committee shall maintain liaison with other Senate Committees (including, but not limited to, ARSSA, Curricular Affairs, the Libraries, Information Systems, and Technology Committee, and Student Life). Liaison will also be maintained with the Faculty Advisory Committee for the Schreyer Honors College, the Undergraduate Advising Council, and the University Academic Measures Committee. It shall be the University Faculty Senate advisory body to the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education, the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School, the Deans of the Penn State College of Medicine, Dickinson Law, and Penn State Law.

4. Standing Subcommittees: The membership of the subcommittees shall include at least five members and shall be designated by the Education Committee with a majority of the members of the subcommittees also holding membership on the parent committee.

(i) Subcommittee on Undergraduate Petition Review
The subcommittee, chaired by the Vice Chair of the parent committee, and including appropriate resource personnel, shall have responsibility for the Academic Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Students (except for Academic Admissions Policy) as related to petitions. Unless otherwise specified in the Policies, the subcommittee shall serve as the final review board for petitions for exceptions to the Policies. When a pattern emerges from petition reviews, the subcommittee will make recommendations to the administration for changes in policy implementation or to the committee for potential changes in policy to address systemic issues of inequity.

(ii) Subcommittee on Academic Policy Review
The subcommittee shall make equity-minded recommendations to the parent committee for transmittal to the Senate for changes in educational policies.

5. Mandated reports: none. The Committee on Education shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(e) Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment

1. Membership:

(i) At least seven elected faculty senators with at least two senators from locations other than University Park

(ii) One undergraduate student senator

(iii) One graduate student senator

(iv) One representative from each of the following Commissions (selected by each Commission):

(a) Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity

(b) Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity

(c) Commission for Women

(v) Vice Provost for Educational Equity

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment will recommend policy and advise the University on educational equity, inclusion, diversity, and sustainability, as related to educational equity in the campus environment across the entire University at all of its campuses. The Committee will initiate explorations and investigations to enhance and encourage the integration of principles of equity throughout Senate deliberations.

The purview of the Committee shall include all matters as they relate to equity and diversity. It shall also be the Senate advisory board to the Vice Provost of Educational Equity.

4. Mandated reports: The Committee shall report to the Senate at least annually. The Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(f) Committee on Faculty Affairs

1. Membership:

(i) At least 23 elected faculty senators including

(a) at least one faculty senator from each college at University Park and one faculty senator from each of the following: Abington; Altoona; Berks; Dickinson Law; Penn State Law; Erie; Great Valley; Harrisburg; University Libraries; Medicine; and University College; and

(b) At least three faculty senators who hold a non-tenure-line appointment.

(ii) A representative of the Office of the President

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Faculty Affairs shall advise the Senate on matters of policy concerning faculty affairs; on matters regarding the cultural, social, and material welfare of the faculty; and on matters affecting the educational environment in which the faculty works. In these roles, the committee shall strive to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its activities. Among the policy matters of concern to the Committee on Faculty Affairs are the following:

(a) faculty appointments

(b) policies on promotions in rank

(c) tenure

(d) policies on leaves including sabbatical leaves

(e) academic freedom

(f) rights and responsibilities including due process

(g) matters of faculty privacy

(h) affirmative action and equal opportunity

(i) faculty development

(j) faculty/student assessment outcomes issues.

(k) issues that concern all faculty irrespective of the character of their appointment.

In the area of its concern, the Committee on Faculty Affairs shall make equitable recommendations for the modification of existing policies and shall assist the University administration in the formulation of new policies. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment, reorganization, naming or discontinuation of organizational units pursuant to Council duties specified in Article II, Section 1 (d) of the Bylaws. It shall maintain liaison with the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee.

4. Standing Subcommittees: Each standing subcommittee shall consist of at least five members, all designated by the Committee, with a majority of the members also holding membership on the Committee. One non-tenure-line faculty member will be appointed to each subcommittee. In the roles listed below, the subcommittees shall strive to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its activities. Additional duties may be assigned.

(i) Subcommittee on Promotion, Tenure, Appointments and Leaves
It shall monitor all proposed changes in policy and provide appropriate recommendations to the Committee. It shall monitor and suggest policies in all areas of faculty evaluation.

(ii) Subcommittee on Faculty Development
It shall promote the personal development of all faculty members by making recommendations concerning policies and practices related to scholarly progress, enhancement of teaching, new pedagogical initiatives, equity-minded pedagogy, and mechanisms for supporting change or regeneration of professional interest. It shall have special responsibility to ensure that expectations and resources are equitable and  consistent. It shall coordinate its recommendations with other subcommittees and groups, as appropriate.

(iii) Subcommittee on Faculty Rights and Privacy Issues
It shall monitor and suggest policies to the Committee on matters of faculty rights and responsibilities and faculty privacy including copyright issues and disciplinary matters.

5. Mandated reports: Tenure Flow Report (Informational, jointly with Committee on Intra-University Relations). The Committee on Faculty Affairs shall have the authority to approve the Tenure Flow Report for publication to the Senate Agenda. Co-sponsor a Promotion Flow Report (Informational, jointly with Committee on Intra-University Relations). Where possible, data included in the aforementioned mandated reports should be disaggregated by gender identity, race, ethnicity, and other categories of concern. The Committee on Faculty Affairs shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(g) Committee on Faculty Benefits

1. Membership:

(i) At least seven elected faculty senators

(ii) Vice President for Human Resources

(iii) Two additional resource members from the Office of Human Resources

(iv) One retired faculty senator

(v) One representative from the Health Care Advisory Committee (HCAC)

(vi) Diversity, equity and inclusion resource person from Penn State’s Office of Human Resources, Office of Educational Equity, or other entities

(vii) One representative from the University Staff Advisory Council

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Faculty Benefits shall investigate and be the faculty’s voice on the adequacy and other attributes of the University’s provisions for total compensation (salaries and benefits), and any other perquisites affecting faculty employment. This “voice” should be inclusive and address the specific benefits needs of faculty in minoritized groups. It shall maintain liaison with the Health Care Advisory Committee (HCAC).

4. Mandated reports:

a. Faculty Salary Report (Informational) Where possible, this data should be disaggregated by gender identity, race, ethnicity, and other categories of concern.
b. Sponsor annual report each October, regarding the University Benefits reviewed by the committee in the prior year (Informational)
c. Childcare Report (Informational) Where possible, the report should evaluate how childcare provision at the PSU centers supports the university’s DEI initiatives. Such analysis should include, but not be limited to: 1) A summary of the childcare centers’ student population by gender, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status; 2) A summary of the childcare centers’ teaching and support staff by gender, race, and ethnicity; 3) a review of how provision of childcare at the campus centers aids in the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, students, and staff at the University.

The Committee shall report to and make recommendations to the Senate at least annually. The Committee on Faculty Benefits shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(h) Committee on Global Engagement

1. Membership:

(i) At least seven elected faculty senators with at least two senators from locations other than University Park

(ii) A representative of Graduate Council

(iii) One undergraduate student senator

(iv) One graduate student

(v) The Vice Provost for Penn State Global

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Global Engagement shall provide advice and consultation to the Vice Provost for Penn State Global about the implementation of activities, standards, and programs to enhance the inclusive internationalization of Penn State’s undergraduate and graduate education, research, campus environment, and student affairs. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Vice Provost for Penn State Global. The committee will provide guidelines and develop policies that are relevant to the academic integrity of content, delivery, and support of programs associated with Penn State Global. It shall provide consultation on the affiliation and partnerships of the University with institutions and organizations outside the United States. The committee shall provide advice and consultation emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion to support international and exchange students at Penn State. It will also participate in tracking progress in achieving the strategic goals of Penn State Global and the University for inclusively internationalizing the students and academic programs. The committee shall also maintain liaisons with other Senate committees, where appropriate, as well as with students and faculty, University-wide through the Senate.

4. Mandated Reports: The committee shall report annually to the Senate on the participation of Penn State students in global programs, both on campus and abroad, and other University-wide global initiatives related to the University’s strategic goals. This report should disaggregate participation by some combination of race and ethnicity, gender identity, dis/ability status, sexual identity or orientation, and country of citizenship, at minimum. Additionally, this annual report should include retention and graduation statistics of international and domestic students (similarly disaggregated). The Committee on Global Engagement shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(i) Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics

1. Membership:

(i) At least eight elected faculty senators with the following qualifications:

(a) Senator appointments on the committee will be a minimum of two years, unless impractical due to a need to balance committee membership or a senator being unable to fulfill the duties of their elected term, and

(b) the committee chair will be required to have at least one year of prior experience on the committee, and will be appointed to a two-year term, as applicable given the remaining length of the senator’s term.

(c) At least two of the eight elected faculty senators must be from a location other than University Park. One of these two elected faculty senators must be from a campus with a varsity athletic program participating in NCAA Division III or PSUAC and will also serve as the chair of the extra-senatorial Committee on Campus Athletics.

(ii) Two undergraduate student senators, one from University Park and one from a location other than University Park. The student from a location other than University Park will also serve on the extra-senatorial Committee on Campus Athletics.

(iii) The University Park, Division I, Faculty Athletics Representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association

(iv) Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at University Park

(v) Senior Women’s Administrator for Intercollegiate Athletics at University Park

(vi) Two members of the University Faculty Senate selected by the President of the University.

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules unless otherwise specified

Duties

1. Jurisdiction: The Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible to the Senate for all intercollegiate athletic programs at the University as they relate to the University’s academic and educational objectives. In this role, the committee shall strive to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its activities. Intercollegiate athletics shall include all teams and individuals representing the University with significant off-University activity.

(a) Scope: Without limiting the jurisdiction of the Committee, it shall, specifically (1) consider policies on eligibility of students for intercollegiate athletics, (2) certify the academic eligibility of students for athletic grants-in-aid, (3) approve intercollegiate athletic schedules as they affect academic standards, (4) review and approve matters from the Committee on Campus Athletics as required, and (5) help promote a sound academic climate for the intercollegiate athletic programs at all University locations.

(b) Consultation: The Committee shall meet with responsible administrators and others concerning the intercollegiate athletic programs at University Park and other University locations that offer intercollegiate competition. It shall make a particular effort to seek the views of students participating in these intercollegiate athletic programs.

(c) Advisory role: Subject to the Constitution and rules of the Senate, and in consultation with the Senate Chair, the committee may also serve as the representative of the Senate to advise the President of the University on the operation of the intercollegiate programs at University Park and other University locations that offer intercollegiate competition. Subject to the general authority of the President of the University, as delegated by the University Board of Trustees and to the delegated authority of the Senate under its constitution to manage its own governance where matters considered touch on Senate jurisdiction, it shall initiate new policies, or review existing policies, which govern these intercollegiate athletic programs. These policies shall guide the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and administrators at other University locations that offer intercollegiate competition in administering their respective programs when approved in accordance with applicable rules. With appropriate consultation, it shall develop recommendations to the President of the University on matters affecting the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC), the Big Ten Conference, the NCAA, and other national athletic governance bodies in which the University holds membership and shall work closely with the faculty representatives in establishing the University’s formal vote to these organizations. Without otherwise limiting the Senate’s general forensic and related authority, and at the request of the President of the University to the Senate Chair, the committee may consider other issues affecting the various athletic programs under the President’s jurisdiction.

2. Mandated reports: The Committee shall report on its activities to the Senate at least annually. The Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. Where possible, this data should be disaggregated by gender identity, race, ethnicity, and other categories of concern. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

3. Meetings: At the discretion of the committee chair, committee meetings or votes – in person or remotely – may be announced over the summer as necessary to respond to time-sensitive Intercollegiate Athletics issues requiring the full attention of the committee. With the understanding that many senators are on nine-month appointments, participation in such meetings is voluntary and the chair shall use discretion to limit such meetings to those that require time sensitive decisions/input.

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(j) Committee on Intra-University Relations

1. Membership:

(i) At least 16 elected faculty senators including

(a) One faculty senator each from Abington, Altoona, Berks, Erie, Harrisburg, Law, and Medicine; four faculty senators from the University College, and five faculty senators from different colleges at University Park; and

(b) At least two faculty senators who hold a non-tenure-line appointment.

(ii) Two student senators (including one from a campus other than University Park)

(ii) A member of the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education (selected by ACUE)

(iv) A representative of the Graduate Council Committee on Programs and Courses

            (v) A representative well versed in diversity, equity and inclusion from the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Educational Equity, or another appropriate entity from within the University

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Intra-University Relations shall make recommendations to the Senate on policies and procedures of an inter-campus nature or concerning the relation of one or more campuses to other units of the University. In consultation with the appropriate college(s) it shall review, evaluate, and make recommendations on issues pertaining to the University which cut across disciplinary and geographic lines while striving to address diversity, equity, and inclusion consistently across University-wide interests. In this context it shall review, evaluate, and make recommendations on issues concerning all faculty irrespective of the character of their appointment.

4. Standing Subcommittees: The membership of the standing subcommittee shall consist of at least five members, all designated by the parent committee, with a majority of the members also holding membership on the parent committee. Additional duties may be assigned.

(i) Subcommittee on Non-Tenure-Line Faculty
It shall be responsible for considering all matters related to and issues of concern for non-tenure-line faculty. It shall be responsible for submitting an annual report to Intra-University Relations, copied to Faculty Affairs, on the status of non-tenure-line faculty across the University. The chair, or one of two co-chairs, shall hold appointment as non-tenure-line faculty.

5. Mandated reports: Promotion Flow Report (Informational, jointly with Committee on Faculty Affairs). The Committee on Intra-University Relations shall have the authority to approve the Promotion Flow Report for publication to the Senate Agenda. Co-sponsor a Tenure Flow Report (Informational, jointly with Committee on Faculty Affairs). Where possible, data included in the aforementioned mandated reports should be disaggregated by gender identity, race, ethnicity, and other categories of concern. The Committee on Intra-University Relations shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(k) Committee on Libraries, Information Systems, and Technology

1. Membership:

(i) At least eight elected faculty senators

(ii) One undergraduate student senator

(iii) One graduate student

(iv) Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications

(v) Vice President for Information Technology

(vi) Representative of the Pennsylvania State University Press

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Libraries, Information Systems, and Technology shall advise the Senate and University administration on strategic issues involving the University Libraries and information technology. These include such areas as: the use of information technology and University Libraries to support research, instruction and education; information security, access, retrieval and content stewardship; telecommunication and knowledge dissemination; library access and information technology training; collections and administrative issues; and open access and scholarly communication issues.

It shall ensure an active faculty role in considering policies affecting the University Libraries and information systems, and supporting infrastructure. It shall carry on studies, surveys, and advisory activities either on request or under its own initiative. All such activities shall embed and address issues particular to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The committee will promote library and technology resources and services that meet the needs of all Penn State populations, including traditionally under-served populations. It will also champion an inclusive and accessible environment for all Penn State students, faculty, and staff by supporting the ongoing efforts of University Libraries and Penn State Information Technology. It shall prepare one informational or advisory/consultative report per year on a topic relating to sustainability broadly defined within the Libraries or Department of Information Technology.  It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications and to the Vice President for Information Technology. One member of the committee shall serve on the Penn State Press Editorial Committee. It shall also maintain liaisons with other Senate committees, where appropriate, as well as with students and faculty University-wide through the Senate.

4. Mandated reports: The Committee shall report biennially on the use of the Technology Fee that is charged to all students for the fiscal year ending June 30. The Committee on Libraries, Information Systems, and Technology shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(l) Committee on Outreach

1. Membership:

(i) At least nine elected faculty senators

(ii) One student senator

(iii) Vice President for Outreach or their designee

(iv) Director of Penn State Extension

(V) A representative from the Office of the Vice President for the Commonwealth Campuses, designated with statewide responsibility for continuing education and outreach activities

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Outreach recommends policy and advises the University on outreach activities. Outreach is the exchange of information and the creation of meaningful collaborations between the University and its many external audiences. Responsibilities for the Outreach committee include: identifying University outreach activities, establishing evaluation methods to ensure quality, and creating recognition measures to reward outstanding performance. Its responsibilities focus on the University’s outreach and public scholarship mission as realized through community engagement, transdisciplinary research, credit and noncredit instruction, service through continuing and online education, cooperative extension, public broadcasting, and other programs beyond the sphere of resident education. These outreach activities are located in Penn State Outreach and Online Education, Penn State Extension, and in Penn State colleges, interdisciplinary institutes (such as the Sustainability Institute), and the Commonwealth Campuses. Penn State seeks to intentionally embed, prioritize, and demonstrate a commitment to values, goals, and principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its Outreach programming, communication strategy, messaging, imagery, and framing, whether programs emerge from external stakeholders or internally. Quality evaluation will include the effectiveness of DEI. Outstanding performance in DEI will be recognized. The Committee on Outreach liaises with the Senate Committee on Education, the bodies that are addressing engaged scholarship and other bodies as appropriate.

4. Mandated reports: none. The Committee on Outreach shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(m) Committee on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

1. Membership:

(i) At least ten elected faculty senators

(ii) One graduate student senator

(ii) One undergraduate student senator

(iv) Six members of the Graduate Council Committee on Graduate Research including the Committee Chair

(v) Vice President for Research

(vi) Vice Provost for Graduate Education/Dean of the Graduate School or their designee

(vii) Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs or their designee*

(viii) Director of Technology Management or their designee*

(ix) Director of Research Protections or their designee*

(x) Representative from Undergraduate Education responsible for undergraduate research*

(xi) Chief Sustainability Officer or designee from the Sustainability Institute*

           (xii) Associate Dean for Graduate Educational Equity or their designee from the Council of             College Multicultural Leadership*

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules. Members from the Graduate Council Committee on Graduate Research will be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Council.

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity is charged with fostering and promoting the creation of new knowledge by faculty and students in all disciplines across the Penn State campuses, as well as with facilitating interdisciplinary and intercampus collaboration in this regard. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Senior Vice President for Research and to the Vice Provost for Graduate Education/Dean of the Graduate School. In the realm of graduate research, scholarship, and creative activity it works closely with the Graduate Council Committee on Research (whose chair and members serve on the Committee) to achieve common aims and shared objectives. Within the advisory and consultative functions of the Senate, it shall advise and consult on all matters involving research policies and services, as well as on issues relating to intellectual property and technology transfer. In conjunction with the Libraries, Information Systems, and Technology Committee, it shall ensure an active faculty role in the formulation of all research computing and information systems policies as they affect faculty and students. The committee will work affirmatively to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the University’s research scholarship, and creative activity enterprises. In collaboration with the University Planning Committee, it advises and consults on matters related to facilities, including sustainability and administration costs. It shall make recommendations to Senate Council on the establishment, reorganization, naming or discontinuation of organized research units and institutes. It will maintain a formal liaison with the University Research Council and its chair shall serve as a member of that body.

4. Mandated reports:

a. Biennial Summary of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity on Sustainability

b. Biennial Summary of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity on Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The Committee on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

5. Liaison with other Senate, Administrative, Special, or Joint Committees:

One member of the committee shall serve on the Penn State Press Editorial Committee. The chair shall serve on the University Research Council and act as the committee’s liaison to that body.

*nonvoting resource person for the committee

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(n) Committee on Student Life

1. Membership:

(i) At least seven elected faculty senators

(ii) Two graduate students, at least one a senator

(iii) One undergraduate student senator from a location other than University Park

(iv) President of the University Park Undergraduate Association

(v) Vice President of the University Park Undergraduate Association

(vi) Vice President for Student Affairs

(vii) The Executive Director or another student representative from the Council of Sustainable Leaders

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on Student Life shall be concerned with policies involving those aspects of student life on the University campuses that are of concern to students, both graduate and undergraduate, and that are not specifically covered in other committees. In this role, the committee shall strive to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its activities. The purview of the Committee shall include but not be limited to student housing, health, conduct, organizations, extracurricular activities, sustainability, and career development and placement. The committee shall be a principal agency to the Senate for representation of student opinion on academic matters in the Senate, and to this end it shall be a point of entry for student proposals. It shall maintain liaison with the elected officers of the students as appropriately organized and with the appropriate University offices. It shall be the Senate advisory body to the Vice President for Student Affairs. It shall maintain awareness of current trends and long-range studies in student life. It shall maintain liaison with all student organization committees and boards as appropriate.

4. Mandated reports: none. The Council of Sustainable Leaders may send an annual summary of student sustainability efforts to the Student Life Committee. The Student Life Committee shall share this report with the Senate via either a presentation or as supplemental material.

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(o) Committee on University Planning

1. Membership:

(i) At least twelve elected faculty senators

(ii) One undergraduate student senator

(ii) One graduate student senator

(iv) Executive Vice President/Provost of the University or representative

(v) Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer

(vi) Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

(vii) Chief Sustainability Officer or designee from the Sustainability Institute

2. Selection: By the Committee on Committees and Rules

Duties

3. Duties: The Committee on University Planning solely and in consultation with other committees, shall report on and/or propose action on matters of University planning that affect development and alumni relations, physical plant resources, and the academic and financial policies of the University. In accordance with the Constitutional advisory and consultative roles of the Senate, specific areas of responsibilities include but are not limited to: the allocation of resources among units and functions as they relate to educational policy; academic planning, strategic planning, development planning, and campus and physical planning including sustainability, safety and security of persons, buildings, and other facilities. The committee shall be the primary Senate body advisory to the Office of the President, including the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer, Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, and the Executive Vice President/Provost, for all planning functions; and shall review those functions of the University that contribute to the planning processes. The committee shall participate in the development and review of the master plans for each of the University’s campuses and be consulted regularly in regards to proposed changes to those plans. The Committee will ensure that within all these activities, the promotion and advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion is prioritized.  In addition, this committee shall assist in creating an understanding of the University’s planning functions among all units within the University. The committee shall have access to all information necessary to perform their charge.

4. Mandated reports:

a. Annual Construction Report
b. Biennial Space Allocation and Utilization Report
c. Annual University Budget and Planning Report
d. Biennial Development and Alumni Relations Report
e. Triennial Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System Report

The Committee on University Planning shall have the authority to approve its mandated Informational Reports for publication to the Senate Agenda. The committee shall send its Informational Reports to the Senate Council.

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(p) Elected Senator Standing Committee
  1. Membership:
    1. All Elected Senators
  2. Duties:
    1. To provide a mechanism for elected membership of the University Faculty Senate to frankly discuss and deliberate concerns, issues, and strategies related specifically to their remit, which could then be brought to the whole body for a wider and more substantive discussion. The Elected Member Standing Committee will be chaired by the Chair of the Faculty Senate, who may appoint a vice-chair of their own choosing.

It will serve only an advisory and informational function to the whole of the Senate and as such will have no authority to draft legislative reports or advisory consultative reports.

However, it can consult or advise other standing committees or Senate Council, who in turn can perform those functions if they so desire as their current duties might allow. Yet, the Elected Senator Standing Committee would have the authority to create informational or positional reports commensurate with its duties, on which the whole Senate membership would then have the opportunity to discuss, deliberate, and vote when appropriate.

The committee would be called as needed by the Senate Chair. However, it and its subcommittees would have the authority to meet as regularly as necessary when situations of special interest or specific concern to the elected membership might occur.

  1. Subcommittees:
    1. As per Standing Rules Article II, Section 2, the committee is encouraged to invite individuals to render review or advice on specific questions as circumstances indicate. They are also encouraged to appoint ad hoc subcommittees as needed. The Chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules is to be notified of the charge and personnel of all ad hoc subcommittees at the time of their formation.
  2. Mandated Reports
    1. None

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(q) Officers and Chairs Standing Committee
  1. Membership:
    1. Senate Officers and Chairs of Standing Committees
    2. The committee shall be chaired by the Chair-Elect of the University Faculty Senate
  2. Duties:
    1. Engage in consultation regarding the ongoing work and reports of the Senate’s standing committees.
    2. Reduce inadvertent redundancy of work across the Senate’s standing committees.
    3. Ensure thorough consultation and collaboration on shared Senate standing committee charges.
    4. Provide a mechanism for cross-committee discussion and consultation, when necessary, before reports go to the full University Faculty Senate.
    5. Serve as an advisory group to the Chair of the University Faculty Senate.
    6. It may initiate Senate informational and positional reports. It will not have the authority to initiate forensic, legislative, or advisory/consultative reports.
  3. Subcommittees:
    1. Data and Analysis Subcommittee
      1. Chair: Chair Elect of the Senate
      2. Members: A minimum of three (3) faculty members drawn from the electorate of the University Faculty Senate. At least one member should have demonstrated skills in qualitative research, and at least one member should have demonstrated skills in quantitative research.
      3. Duties: Shall assist the University Faculty Senate in execution of research involving Senate interests and policy.
  4. Mandated Reports
    1. None

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Article III – Other Functions of the Senate

Section 1

The Senate participates in the selection of members for extra-senatorial standing committees, commissions, and boards of the University. For the purposes of Sections 2 and 5 of this Article, a faculty member is defined as University faculty by Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution but who does not have administrative signatory authority on promotion and tenure documents.

Section 2

Standing Joint Committee on Tenure

(a) Membership: Five members — two members representing the administration appointed for a one-year term by the President of the University, three tenured University faculty elected by the elected faculty members of the University Faculty Senate. The chair will be chosen by the committee from the elected tenured faculty members and will serve a one-year term as chair.

(1) The term of office of the elected members shall be three years. The terms of elected members will commence on July 1 and will be staggered to provide for continuity.

(2) The Committee on Committees and Rules shall serve as the nominating committee.

(3) Nominations shall be presented by elected faculty senators during the next-to-last regular meeting of the Senate each academic year. The quorum for this purpose shall consist of fifty elected faculty senators.

(4) Election of the three faculty members and the three faculty alternates shall be by plurality election by secret and secure ballot.

(5) In case an elected faculty member resigns, the alternate elected in the same year as the member resigning will complete the term. The candidate in the most recent election receiving the highest number of votes of those not elected will fill the unexpired term of the alternate provided there are two or more eligible candidates. Otherwise a special election will be held.

(6) No member of this committee may serve concurrently on the University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee and/or the Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities.

(b) Duties: See The Pennsylvania State University Policy Manual, Promotion and Tenure Procedures and Regulations, AC-23 and SR: 5-6-75 IV.

Section 3

Standing Joint Committee for General Education Assessment

(a.) Scope

The new standing joint committee should recommend the development of datasets to inform general education assessment. Such datasets should include, but not be limited to:

  1. A General Education Curricular Inventory that shows patterns of course offerings, student enrollment, and student grades by major and location.
  2. General Education curriculum mapping that shows the relationship between General Education and undergraduate majors.
  3. General Education course objective mapping that shows the relationship to General Education learning objectives.
  4. The new standing joint committee should collect and use data in an ongoing way to examine student out-comes, such as (1) student success (e.g., time-to-degree, graduation rate, and other institutional data) and (2) student learning (e.g., course work, engaged scholarship projects, and other factors that provide evidence of learning). The data should also be used to inform curricular improvement, including but not limited to: (1) decisions about the General Education curriculum, including questions about the efficacy of pathways to support integrative thinking; (2) effective assessment practices and processes, especially those that can be shared across disciplines; and (3) decisions about availability of General Education curricular components across the University, including gaps and trends. The goal should be to develop an analytic assessment plan, supported by data that informs curricular improvement and evolves over time.

(b.) Membership

  1. Vice Provost for Planning and Assessment or their designee; Co-Chair
  2. Chair of the Curricular Affairs Committee or their designee; Co-Chair
  3. An associate vice president and associate dean for Undergraduate Education, appointed by the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education
  4. Director and Assistant Dean of the Office for General Education
  5. A member of the Graduate Council, appointed by the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and the Dean of the Graduate School
  6. An associate dean from Penn State Libraries, appointed by the Dean of Libraries and Scholarly Communications
  7. A student government representative (either UPUA, CCSG, or WCSGA), appointed by the Committee on Committees and Rules.
  8. Six University Faculty Senators, to represent Commonwealth Campuses and University Park Colleges, appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees and Rules. These Senators must include at least one member each from current members of the Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Education. Faculty Senators will serve rotating two-year, renewable terms.

(c.) Selection

  1. The University Faculty Senate, the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research shall jointly appoint the committee.

(d.) Duties

  1. The committee shall work in cooperation with the University-wide assessment working group chaired by the Vice Provost for Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research and any subsequently formed University-assessment coordinating body to ensure that assessment efforts are coordinated across General Education, baccalaureate degree programs, and other assessments of academic areas (such as engaged scholarship, minors, certificate programs, etc.).
  2. The committee shall develop data sets to be used for general education assessment, such as curricular inventories that show patterns of course offerings, student enrollment, and student grades by major and location; curriculum mapping that shows the relationship between General Education and undergraduate majors; and course objective mapping that shows the relationship to General Education learning objectives.
  3. The committee shall prepare annual reports with data-based recommendations on the General Education curriculum to the Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs and the Senate Committee on Education.
Section 4

University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee

(a) Membership:

(1) The committee shall consist of eleven members.

(2) Seven of these faculty members shall be selected by plurality election by the University Faculty Senate from a slate of nominees prepared by the Committee on Committees and Rules with provisions for nominations from the Senate floor. At least two faculty members shall be from campuses other than University Park.

(3) The remaining four members of the committee shall be appointed by the President of the University.

(4) The President shall appoint the chair of the committee from among the seven elected and four appointed committee members.

(5) All tenured Professors, Librarians, and other faculty of equivalent rank holding full-time standing appointments are eligible for election by the Senate or appointment by the President with the following exclusions:

(a) the President’s immediate staff;

(b) the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University’s immediate staff;

(c) those holding affiliate academic appointments;

(d) Administrators as defined in Policy AD-14.

(6) All members of the committee shall serve for two-year terms commencing on July 1, staggered to provide continuity to the committee’s deliberations. No persons may serve more than two successive terms and after serving two successive terms may not be appointed or elected to the committee for the following two-year (one-term) period.

(7) In case an elected faculty member resigns, the candidate in the most recent election receiving the highest number of votes of those not elected will complete the term provided there are two or more eligible candidates. Otherwise a special election will be held.

(8) No member of this committee may serve concurrently on the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure and/or the Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities.

(b) Duties: See The Pennsylvania State University Policy Manual, Promotion and Tenure Procedures and Regulations, AC-23 and SR: 5-6-75 IV.

Section 5

Senate Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

(a) Membership and Alternates: Twelve members elected by the Senate – eight faculty members and four members of the Academic Leadership Council who have signatory authority (through the college level) for promotion and tenure. The group of faculty members shall consist of:

  • a minimum of three employed on non-tenure line contracts
  • a minimum of three of the employed on tenure-line contracts
  • a minimum of three will be from academic voting units at University Park
  • a minimum of three faculty will be from academic voting units other than University Park of which at least one will be employed on a non-tenure-line contract and at least two will be employed on tenure-line contracts

All members and alternates will have either earned or been hired in with at least one level of promotion. The committee chair will be chosen by the committee members from the elected faculty members and will serve a one-year term as chair. The membership criteria outlined above and the membership criteria given for the committee in AC76 will be kept in agreement.

(1) The term of office for regular members will be three years commencing on July 1. The terms will be staggered to provide for continuity.

           (2) The term of service for alternate members will be one year unless activated as regular deliberative member.

(3) Should a regular member be unable to complete their term of office an alternate member from their respective faculty or Academic Leadership Council category will complete the leaving member’s term of office, so that the patterns set for the staggering of membership may be preserved.

(4) The activation of alternate members will be ranked by greatest plurality from the pool of eligible unelected candidates in the most recent Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities election. Faculty alternates who are chosen to serve actively and deliberatively on the committee may come from any location and have either tenure or non-tenure status. If the activation of an alternate member temporarily and unavoidably unbalances the cohort component of the committee, that balance should be reestablished in the subsequent regular Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities election.

(5) The Committee on Committees and Rules will present a list of nominees to fill vacancies and expiring terms on the committee at the next to last meeting of the Senate each academic year. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at that time.

(6) Election of committee members and alternates will be by secret and secure ballot.

(7) No member of this committee may serve concurrently on the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure and/or the University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee.

(b) Duties and Procedures: See SR: 5-8-73 III, pp. 7-15.

Section 6

Faculty Advisory Committee to the President

(a) The Faculty Advisory Committee to the President, hereinafter referred to as the Faculty Advisory Committee, shall be an instrumentality of the Senate without legislative authority. It shall represent the Senate and thus the faculty at large as an advisory and consultative body to the President of the University. It shall provide advice and consultation to the President on matters of general concern to the faculty pertaining to the welfare and effectiveness of the University. (See Article I of the Constitution.) Topics for discussion may include any matter initiated either by the President or the committee. The committee shall report regularly to the Senate. The term of office for members of this committee shall begin with the passing of the gavel at the last regular Senate meeting of each Senate year.

(b) The committee shall participate regularly in Senate Council deliberations.

(c) The Faculty Advisory Committee shall include:

(1) Chair of the Senate

(2) Chair-Elect of the Senate

(3) Immediate Past Chair of the Senate

(4) Secretary of the Senate

(5) Three elected faculty members chosen for three-year staggered terms with the following exclusions:

(i) The President’s immediate staff;

(ii) The immediate staff of the Executive Vice President and Provost, including Vice Provosts and Associate and Assistant Vice Provosts;

(iii) Other Vice Presidents, including Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Academic Deans and Campus Chancellors;

(iv) Those holding affiliate academic appointments.

(d) The elected faculty members shall be chosen at the same time and in the same manner as Senate Officers. At least one of the elected members of the committee must always be from a location other than University Park while at least one elected member must be from University Park. In case an elected faculty member resigns, the candidate in the most recent election receiving the highest number of votes of those not elected will complete the term provided there are two or more eligible candidates and provided representation of both University Park and a location other than University Park is maintained. Otherwise a special election will be held to fill the vacancy.

(e) Any member of the Faculty Advisory Committee who is not a member of the Senate shall have all the rights and privileges of a regular member of the Senate while continuing to serve on the Faculty Advisory Committee. Such individuals shall not be counted as members of academic voting units.

Section 7

Faculty Athletics Representatives

(a) The Faculty Athletics Representative for University Park shall be appointed by the President following nomination by the Committee on Committees and Rules of the Faculty Senate. The representative shall be a tenured full Professor at University Park with a full-time faculty appointment.

(1) The term of appointment shall be five years and is renewable. Reappointment by the President requires prior endorsement by the Committee on Committees and Rules of the Faculty Senate.

Consideration for reappointment of the Faculty Athletic Representative at University Park will be held in the fourth year of the incumbent representative’s term. If the incumbent is re-appointed, that person will complete the fifth year of his or her existing term and then begin a new, five-year term as Faculty Athletic Representative. If a new Faculty Athletic Representative is nominated and appointed for the subsequent term, that person will serve as Faculty Athletic Person Elect, concurrent with the remaining time of the incumbent representative’s term, and then serve five years as Faculty Athletics Representative.

(2) The Faculty Athletics Representative for University Park shall serve under the direction of the President and represent the faculty in all matters related to varsity athletics at University Park. The representative shall serve as an ex officio member of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics and as the primary liaison between the Athletic Director and the Faculty Senate. Under the direction of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics and in accord with Policies and Procedures for Students, Section 67-10, and in compliance with Big Ten and NCAA rules, the representative will act on behalf of the University faculty to certify eligibility for competition and financial aid; approve minor exceptions to 67-10 normal progress and GPA policies; approve waivers for outside competition; assist student athletes in pursuing and receiving academic awards; review proposed NCAA and Big Ten legislation and assist in developing an institutional position on such matters; review forms and documents related to compliance with 67-10, Big Ten, and NCAA rules; administer the NCAA Coaching Certification examination; facilitate research and data collection related to intercollegiate athletics, in general, and the academic status of student athletes, specifically; assist in preparing waivers related to NCAA and Big Ten rules; consult with the President, Athletic Director, and faculty regarding any matters related to the general status of intercollegiate athletics; participate in investigations of possible rule infractions; and represent Penn State at NCAA, Big Ten, and other appropriate meetings or conventions. After consultation with the chair of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, the Faculty Athletics Representative may approve minor exceptions to committee-approved University Park intercollegiate athletic schedules. The representative will also report to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics all University Park varsity athletic schedules prior to the beginning of the sport season and schedule changes as they occur, all excused class absences for athletic teams each semester, and academic eligibility of athletes for both grade-point deficiency and normal progress each semester.

(3) The Faculty Athletics Representative will present to the Senate annually a summary of the year’s activities.

(4) He/she will also advise Faculty Athletics Representatives at campuses other than University Park, as appropriate.

(b) Faculty Athletics Representatives (other than University Park) shall be appointed by the chancellor of each campus that participates in any National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs following nomination by the campus faculty organization, to act for the faculty of that campus. The Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses shall appoint two Faculty Athletics Representatives for those campuses belonging to the Penn State University Athletic Conference. The two PSUAC FARs shall be appointed regionally, with one representing the Eastern campuses (Brandywine, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and York) and one representing the Western campuses (Beaver, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Mont Alto, New Kensington, and Shenango). The Faculty Athletics Representative shall be a faculty member in good standing with a minimum of five years of continuous employment, a commitment to academic integrity, and experience in faculty leadership with committee or administrative involvement at their respective campus.

(1) The term of appointment shall be five years (renewable) and reviewed by the appropriate administrative officers in consultation with the committees or faculty organizations at the end of each term.

(2) The Faculty Athletics Representatives shall act for their respective faculties in accord with Academic Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Students, Section 67-30, and present a summary of activities annually to the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics. The Faculty Athletics Representatives also serve as ex-officio members of the extra-senatorial Committee on Campus Athletics. The Faculty Athletics Representatives shall also serve, under the direction of the appropriate administrative officers of their campus, as the representative to the appropriate intercollegiate athletic associations.

Section 8

Committee on Campus Athletics

(a) Membership:

(1) All NCAA Division III Faculty Athletics Representatives.

(2) The Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Faculty Athletics Representative.

(3) One faculty senator elected from a campus competing in athletics events other than University Park.

(a) Serves as Chair of the Committee.

(b) Serves concurrently on the Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics.

(4) One student senator elected from a campus competing in athletics events other than University Park. The student senator serves concurrently on the Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics.

(5) One Division III campus athletics director.

(6) Director, Commonwealth Campus Athletics.

(7) One student athlete from a campus competing in athletics events other than University Park.

(b) The University Park, Division I, Faculty Athletics Representative, will be available to advise the campus FARs as noted in the Senate’s Standing Rules, Article III, Section 8, (b) (2).

(c) The membership of the Committee on Campus Athletics will be determined annually by the Senate Committee on Committees and Rules. Committee meetings will be held at least three times per semester.

(d) Any changes recommended by the Committee on Campus Athletics to University or student policy relating to athletics (i.e., 67-00) would be proposed through the committee chair to the Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics or chair of the appropriate Senate committee.

(e) Duties: The Committee on Campus Athletics will maintain a reporting to, and information-sharing, relationship with the Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics. Responsibilities will include the approval of campus athletic schedules; review of student athlete eligibility reports; ensure campus compliance with Policy 67-00; monitor student athlete GPA requirements (both Division III and PSUAC); oversight of academic review/graduation rates of campus student-athletes; and provide consultation for campuses considering changes in athletics conferences. The CCA will provide a forum for discussion and consultation for intercollegiate athletics programs on the campuses and promote positive communication between faculty, coaches, and student athletes. The CCA will review the annual reports from the campuses and compile them for presentation to the Senate Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics. The CCA will prepare and present a biennial report on the status of campus athletics to the University Faculty Senate. The CCA will facilitate and enhance faculty consultation prior to the appointment of FARs at the campuses. The CCA will develop guidelines for the involvement of campus faculty organizations in providing oversight and consultation to the campus athletic director.

(f) Mandated reports: biennial report on the status of campus athletics.

Section 9

University Faculty Ombudsperson and Ombudsperson Elect:

(a) Eligibility: Current or emeritus faculty member

(b) Term: Four years, no term limit

(c) Election: By the Senate Council

The election for Ombudsperson will be held in the third year of the incumbent Ombudsperson’s term. If the incumbent is re-elected, that person will complete the fourth year of his or her existing term and then begin a new, four-year term as Ombudsperson. If a new Ombudsperson is elected, that person will serve one year as Ombudsperson-Elect, concurrent with the last year of the incumbent Ombudsperson’s term, and then serve four years as Ombudsperson.

(d) Restrictions: The University Faculty Ombudsperson or Ombudsperson-Elect may not serve on the Standing Joint Committee on Tenure, the Committee on Faculty Rights and Responsibilities, or the University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee.

(e) Duties: The University Faculty Ombudsperson shall coordinate the training of all college and campus ombudspersons; shall provide for the appropriate dissemination of information among the various college and campus ombudspersons; and shall be the University-level contact for the various college and campus ombudspersons. The University Faculty Ombudsperson shall report periodically to the Senate Council and shall maintain liaison with the Office of the University Provost, the Office of Human Resources and the Office of the University Faculty Senate. The University Faculty Ombudsperson shall have no appeal function.

The Ombudsperson-Elect shall have no formal role or responsibility, other than to acquire a thorough understanding of university policies that pertain to faculty rights and responsibilities and promotion and tenure, and other aspects of the position.

Section 10

Academic Member of the University Board of Trustees

The Academic Member of the University Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Academic Trustee, is nominated by the Senate Council Nominating Committee and elected by the Board of Trustees.

(a) The Academic Trustee shall have the rights and responsibilities designated in the Charter, Bylaws, and Standing Orders of the Board of Trustees.

(b) Nominees for the position of Academic Trustee shall be selected by the Senate Council Nominating Committee from among the University’s full-time faculty, with the following exclusions:

(i) The President’s immediate staff;

(ii) The immediate staff of the Executive Vice President and Provost, including Vice Provosts and Associate and Assistant Vice Provosts;

(iii) Other Vice Presidents, including Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Academic Deans, and Campus Chancellors;

(iv) Those holding affiliate academic appointments

(c) Slates of the nominees for the position of Academic Trustee shall be determined by the Senate Council Nominating Committee and submitted to the University Faculty Senate at the same time and in the same manner as the other slates that the Senate Council Nominating Committee submits to the Senate. The University Faculty Senate shall then vote in the same manner as it votes to elect the Senate officers. According to the election results, the name of the recipient of the highest number of votes shall be forwarded to the Board of Trustees as the preferred candidate for Academic Trustee. In accordance with the Board’s Charter, Bylaws, and Standing Orders (Standing Order V), the Board of Trustees will then appoint the Academic Trustee. In the event that the designated Academic Trustee does not serve his or her full term, the recipient of the next highest number of votes from the most recent University Faculty Senate election for this position shall become the University Faculty Senate’s Academic Trustee nominee to fill the unfinished term, in accordance with the Board’s Charter, Bylaws, and Standing Orders.

Section 11

Council of Past Senate Chairs:

(a) Membership: The Council shall consist of the Past Chairs of the Senate. It shall have no legislative authority, and shall serve only as an advisory and consultative body to the Chair of the Senate. Those who are not already elected to the Senate by their units shall serve as non-voting members of the University Faculty Senate.

(b) Duties: The Council shall meet annually on the Monday prior to the first Senate meeting of the academic year. Thereafter, the Council shall convene only at the call of the Senate Chair or at the request of at least three members of the Council to provide consultation and advice. The Immediate Past Chair of the Senate shall serve as chair of the Council.

(c) Except by special request of the Committee on Committees and Rules in consultation with the Senate Chair, non-voting members will not be assigned to a Senate standing committee.

Section 12

Senate Historians:

(a) The Chair of the Senate shall appoint, from elected Senators, a Senate Historian to serve for a three-year (renewable) term. The Chair may appoint Associate Historians to serve as a resource to the Senate Historian for a one-year (renewable) term.

(b) Duties:

(1) The Senate Historian and Associate Historians shall file an annual informational report with the Committee on Libraries, Information Systems, and Technology to include:

(i) A summary of the major issues, debates and legislative initiatives of the Senate in the preceding year.

(ii) A transcript of any remarks made to the full Senate by candidates seeking election as either a Senate officer, or as the Academic Member of the University Board of Trustees.

(iii) Brief biographical descriptions of the Senate officers, the Parliamentarian and the Academic Member of the University Board of Trustees.

(iv) Photographs of Senate proceedings from the prior year.

(2) The Senate Historian and Associate Historians shall, on an ongoing basis, create content for the Senate web page concerning the history of the University Faculty Senate.

Section 13

Senators representing the Senate on extra-senatorial committees, boards, and commissions shall report actions of these bodies to the Senate when requested by the Senate Council or the Chair.

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Article IV Amendments

Amendments to the Standing Rules may be adopted at any meeting of the Senate by a majority vote, provided that the amendments have been presented in writing in the agenda for that meeting.

In those cases where amendments are deemed to be editorial changes of a non-substantive nature (e.g., issues of nomenclature, committee names, or faculty titles), the Committee on Committees and Rules may submit them to Senate Council for approval by a two-thirds vote. If the vote fails, they will be returned to the Committee on Committees and Rules to be submitted via the regular legislative process. If the vote succeeds, the changes shall be published in a Communication to the Senate in the next Senate agenda. For five days following the Senate meeting, any faculty senator who feels that the changes require a more careful review may place their objections in writing to the Senate Chair to be returned to the Committee on Committees and Rules to be submitted via the regular legislative process. If there are no objections after five days the changes will go into effect.