Since its introduction in 1876, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) has been accepted as the traditional rules for conducting meetings in democratic organizations. However, even after its major revision in 1970 it retains a decidedly 19th century flavor, which makes it often difficult to read and follow even for people who work with it on a regular basis. This is especially problematic for organizations like the University Faculty Senate (UFS) where our election processes present many new members entering the Senate every year. Learning the intricate rules of parliamentary procedure is often magnified by the arcane language and organization of Robert’s Rules. In addition, there are few educational resources that would clarify Robert’s Rules in a manner that is simple and convenient for busy senators.
The Senate Self-Study Committee and the Committee for Committees and Rules therefore recommend that the UFS instead adopt the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedures (AIPSC) for the rules of procedure used in the meetings of the University Faculty Senate, except as may be otherwise specified in the Senate Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules. An example of this kind of exception is the fast-tracking of motions from the floor with a 2/3 vote in UFS Standing Rules Article 1 Section 8a. Some Faculty Governing Organizations at Penn State, such as the Faculty Organization of the College of Information Science and Technology and the Library Faculty Organization, are already using AIPSC.
The key difference between the AIPSC versus Robert’s Rules is that many of the procedures are simplified, its key resource texts and other educational materials are all standardized, and it is written in plain language. The American Institute of Parliamentarians has excellent online and published educational resources. One such resource is a simple 25-page pamphlet published by the American Institute of Parliamentarians titled, Differences Between AIPSC and RONR.1 The committees have reviewed this document and have determined that in most situations the change will have no effect on the actions on the floor of the Senate. However, senators should be more likely to have a better understanding of the processes.
A representative example of the differences between the two is that when making a motion Robert’s Rules specifies, “...a member rises in his place when no one else has the floor and faces the chair, and says, “Mr. President...” Whereas AIPSC simply says, “a member rises and address the presiding officer.” For simplicity, we have created a one-page overview of key differences between RONR and AIPSC can be found online at https://sites.psu.edu/parliamentarian/.
This change not only simplifies the process but also replaces with more contemporary language the dated gender specific terminology embedded by RONR in the most basic process we do—making motions. Hence, the committees believe that AIPSC more closely reflects the values of the UFS and aligns with our efforts to include DEI inclusive language throughout the standing rules.
Robert’s presents Parliamentary Procedure as a single book of rules. Whereas AIPSC presents parliamentary procedure as a standardized code, which is presented in two key texts. The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure originally by Alice Sturgis and Demeter’s Manual of Parliamentary Law and Procedure by George Demeter. The Standard Code, revised in 2012, is simply written yet detailed enough to be sufficient for the operation of most senate meetings, both plenary and committee. Demeter’s Manual is extremely detailed, yet still remarkably easy to follow, and goes deeply into the nuances of parliamentary procedure for a wide range of organizations with many practical examples. Both follow the same American Institute of Parliamentarians code in distinct levels of detail.
Given that parliamentary procedure is the code of rules and ethics for working together in groups and their purpose is to safeguard rights for all members, it is our committees’ additional recommendation that all members of the senate (especially committee chairs) be provided by the senate with a copy of Sturgis’s Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure and that the Senate Parliamentarian be very familiar with Demeter’s Manual especially for rare cases where difficult or unusual parliamentary problems arise that are not covered in the UFS governing documents or by Sturgis.
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- Differences Between AIPSC and RONR, American Institute of Parliamentarians Education Department, Barry Glazer, 2015, 1