THE BYLAWS OF THE FACULTY SENATE

Section A. Meetings

  1. The Faculty Senate shall meet in regular session each month during the academic year and may meet in special session during the summer. The regular meetings shall be scheduled on Wednesdays. At the April meeting of the Senate, the Steering Committee shall present for confirmation by the Senate the dates for regular meetings of the Senate during the following academic year.

  2. Special meetings may be held at any time at the call of the President of the University, the Steering Committee, or at the written request of ten voting members of the Senate, representing at least four colleges or schools.
  3. All meetings of the Faculty Senate shall be open provided, however, that by a majority vote the Senate may go into closed session with only General Faculty members present.

  4. The presiding officer of the Senate shall be elected by the Senate from its membership and shall serve as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee. In the absence of the presiding officer, the Vice Chairperson of the Steering Committee or a person designated by him or her shall preside.

  5. Any member of the General Faculty may be recognized to speak, but the time of a non-member may be limited at the discretion of the presiding officer subject to the authority of the Senate to extend or curtail a non- member's time by a majority vote.

Section B. Quorum

A majority of the voting members of the Senate shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting.

Section C. Order of Business

  1. Minutes
  2. Report of the Steering Committee
  3. Special orders
  4. Reports of special committees
  5. Reports of standing committees
  6. Unfinished business
  7. Response of the President of the University to previous Senate action
  8. New business
  9. University welfare
  10. Announcements of deans and other administrative officers
  11. Announcements of the President of the University

Section D. Procedure

  1. All meetings of the Senate shall be conducted in accordance with the third (1988) edition of Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, except as otherwise provided in the Florida State University Constitution or in these Bylaws.

  2. Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of the Senate and shall be distributed to all members of the General Faculty, to all administrative officers, and to all members of the Professional Staff.

  3. A roll call vote for recording in the minutes may be taken on request of fifteen (15) members.

  4. The Steering Committee shall appoint annually a parliamentarian from among the General Faculty.

Section E. Steering Committee and Senate President

  1. Election

    a. As soon as the elected membership of the Senate has been certified by the Secretary of the Senate, a nominating ballot listing all voting members of the Senate shall be circulated to the Senate membership with a two-weeks return requirement. Each member may nominate as many candidates from this list as there are positions on the Steering Committee to be filled.

    b. The March meeting of the Faculty Senate shall be the last regular meeting of that Senate for the academic year. Members of that Senate shall hold office until the first meeting of the new Senate. The new Senate shall be seated at the April meeting date, with the previous Senate President presiding until the new Senate shall elect its President from its ranks. A majority shall be required for election. The new Senate may receive reports and conduct business during elections for both the Senate President and the Steering Committee.

    c. As soon as the Senate President has been elected, the new Senate shall proceed to elect its seven-member Steering Committee. The Elections Committee shall prepare and circulate to the Senate membership two weeks in advance of the meeting a slate of nominees. The slate shall consist of twice the number to be elected, including any members tied for last position on the ballot. Additional nominations may be taken from the floor of the Senate with four (4) seconds. Nomination and election ballots shall remind Senators that at least one person from each of four colleges or schools shall be represented on the Steering Committee. Names of Senators shall be listed by college or school. Four members shall be elected for two-year terms in even years and three members for two-year terms in odd years.

    d. Each member of the new Senate may vote for as many nominees as there are positions to be filled. On the first two ballots a majority shall be required for election. On the third ballot a plurality vote shall suffice. The Senate President shall withhold his/her ballot to break any possible ties on this third ballot. All voting shall be by secret ballot.

  2. Organization and Jurisdiction of Steering Committee

    a. Immediately following their election at the April meeting of the Senate, members of the Steering Committee shall convene and elect their vice chairperson and secretary, each for a one-year term.

    b. The Committee shall meet regularly, at least once a month, and on special call of the Chairperson. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings.

    c. The Committee shall consider and advise regarding all matters which are within the jurisdiction of the Senate. In consultation with the President of the University, the Committee shall prepare the agenda for each Senate meeting and distribute it to the membership of the entire faculty at least two days before the Senate meets. Items may be added to the agenda at any meeting of the Senate under new business by unanimous consent or by majority vote. On request of the President of the University, the Committee shall advise and consult with him or her on any matter which he or she may call to its attention.

    d. The Committee may request information from any member of the faculty or any administrative officer and may invite any such person to sit with it for consultation or advice on matters within its jurisdiction.

    e. The Steering Committee may establish special committees to facilitate its work.

  3. President of the Senate

    a. The President of the Senate shall be elected at the first meeting of the new Senate in April of each year. Notice of this election shall be provided by the Secretary of the Senate to all members of the new Senate at least two weeks prior to the meeting. A list of the members of the new Senate and their college or school affiliation shall accompany the notice.

    b. The President of the Senate shall serve as liaison between the President of the University and the Senate and shall communicate to the President of the University the recommendations of the Steering Committee. The Vice Chairperson of the Steering Committee shall serve as liaison between the Senate and the Steering Committee, shall present the agenda at Senate meetings, and report the opinions and actions of the Steering Committee to the Senate membership.

    c. If the President/presiding officer of the Senate is unable to complete the elected term of office, the Vice Chairperson of the Steering Committee shall become President of the Senate for the remainder of that term. The candidate with the next highest number of votes in the most recent election to the Steering Committee shall become a member of the Steering Committee for the period that the Vice Chairperson fulfills that term of office as President. The Steering Committee shall then elect a new vice chairperson.

  4. Nominations or recommendations by the Steering Committee for committee members and other positions subject to election or consent by the Faculty Senate shall be distributed to the Senate two weeks prior to the meeting at which a decision is to be made.

Section F. Standing Committees

  1. Undergraduate Policy Committee
    The Undergraduate Policy Committee shall consider University-wide policies on undergraduate academic affairs. The Committee shall consist of eleven faculty members appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three-year terms. No college or school shall have more than three representatives. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, or his or her designee, and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, or his or her designee, shall be ex-officio members. An undergraduate student member shall be appointed annually by the President of Student Government. The Committee shall elect its chairperson annually from the faculty representatives. The Committee will make its recommendations to the Steering Committee which will transmit the recommendations to the Senate for action.

  2. Graduate Policy Committee
    The Graduate Policy Committee shall consider University-wide policies relating to graduate education. Members of this Committee shall be appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three-year terms. Each college or school shall have one representative; the Colleges of Education, Business, and Social Sciences shall have one additional representative; and the College of Arts and Sciences shall have four additional representatives. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, or his or her designee, and the Dean of Graduate Studies, or his or her designee, shall be ex-officio members; and membership shall include two graduate student representatives from different colleges or schools appointed for a one-year term by the President of Student Government.

    The Committee shall annually elect its chairperson from the faculty representatives. The Committee will make its recommendations to the Steering Committee, which will transmit the recommendations to the Senate for action.

  3. Curriculum Committee
    The Curriculum Committee shall consider curricular policies and procedures at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Committee shall consist of nine faculty members appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three- year terms. The Dean of the Faculties, or his or her designee, shall be an ex-officio member. The Committee shall annually elect its chairperson from the faculty representatives.

  4. Elections Committee
    The Elections Committee shall conduct Senate and University elections involving faculty. The Committee shall consist of three Senators appointed annually by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate; each appointee shall come from a different college or school.

    The chairperson shall be appointed by the Steering Committee.

  5. Student Academic Relations Committee
    The Committee on Student Academic Relations shall hear appeals from students who think that decisions about their academic work have been made improperly or unprofessionally in colleges or schools. The Committee shall consist of five persons appointed annually by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered two-year terms; an undergraduate student member and a graduate student member shall be appointed annually by the President of the University. The Committee shall elect its chairperson annually from the faculty representatives. The Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. It shall also report each term to the Faculty Senate.

  6. Budget Advisory Committee
    The Budget Advisory Committee shall consider University budget policies, procedures and practices, with special emphasis on the academic budget. The Committee shall consist of seven faculty members appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered two-year terms. It shall consult regularly with the President of the University and the Vice President for Academic Affairs; it shall report on its deliberations at least each term to the Faculty Senate.

  7. Honors Program Policy Committee
    The Honors Program Policy Committee shall consider policies and procedures relating to the University's Honors and Scholars Program. The Committee shall consist of seven faculty members appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three-year terms. No college or school shall have more than three faculty representatives. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, or his or her designee, and the Director of the Honors and Scholars Program shall be ex-officio members. Two undergraduate student members shall be appointed annually by the President of Student Government from among present or past participants in a Florida State University honors curriculum. The chairperson shall be appointed by the Steering Committee from the faculty representatives. The Committee will make its recommendations to the Steering Committee which will transmit the recommendations to the Senate for action.

  8. Library Committee
    The Library Committee shall consider University-wide policies on general library operations. Members of this Committee shall be appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three-year terms. Each college or school shall have one representative; the Colleges of Education, Business, and Social Sciences shall each have one additional representative; and the College of Arts and Sciences shall each have four additional representatives. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, or his or her designee, the Dean of the Faculties, or his or her designee, and the Director of University Libraries shall be ex-officio members; and membership shall include a graduate student and an undergraduate student from different colleges or schools appointed for a one-year term by the President of Student Government.

    The Committee shall annually elect its chairperson from the faculty representatives. The Committee will make its recommendations to the Steering Committee which will transmit the recommendations to the Senate for action.

  9. Computing and Information Resources Committee
    The Computing and Information Resources Committee shall consider University-wide policies relating to the acquisition and use of computing and communicating resources for instruction, research, and service. This shall include policy for academic computing, administrative information systems, telecommunications and their interrelations. Members of this committee shall be appointed by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three-year terms. Each college or school shall have one representative; the Colleges of Education, Business, and Social Sciences shall each have one additional representative; and the College of Arts and Sciences shall have four additional representatives. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, or his or her designee, the Vice President for Research, or his or her designee, the Dean of the Faculties, the Associate Vice President for Computer and Information Resources, and the Associate Vice President for the Supercomputer Computations Research Institute shall be ex- officio members. The membership shall include two students, one graduate and one undergraduate, from different colleges or schools appointed for one-year terms by the President of Student Government.

    The Committee shall annually elect its chairperson from the faculty representatives. The Committee will make its recommendations to the Steering Committee which will transmit the recommendations to the Senate for action.

  10. Committee on Memorials and Courtesies
    The Committee on Memorials and Courtesies shall represent the Faculty Senate and General Faculty on appropriate occasions. The Committee shall consist of three faculty members appointed annually by the Steering Committee, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

  11. Professional Relations and Welfare Committee
    A Committee on Professional Relations and Welfare shall consider all matters involving University policy concerned with professional relations, professional ethics, academic freedom, conditions of employment, and the general welfare of the faculty. The Committee shall make recommendations to the Faculty Senate or to the appropriate administrative officer. This Committee is to concern itself with policy; particular grievances are the province of the Grievance Committee.

    The Chairperson of the Elections Committee shall, through the Secretary of the Senate, notify each college or school scheduled to nominate candidates for this Committee. The faculty of that unit shall, through procedures it shall determine, nominate from its ranks at least twice the number of faculty members to be elected. Additional nominations shall be taken from the floor of the Senate. Election shall be by the General Faculty for three-year staggered terms to begin July 1. Each college or school shall have one representative; the Colleges of Education, Business, and Social Sciences shall have an additional representative; and the College of Arts and Sciences shall have four additional representatives. The Steering Committee shall appoint the chairperson.

  12. Grievance Committee
    The Grievance Committee shall have jurisdiction, through its hearing panels, to hear grievances, as defined by University rules, brought to its attention by any faculty member in relation to the University practice in professional relations, professional ethics, academic freedom, conditions of employment (including the termination or suspension of tenured and nontenured faculty), and general faculty welfare. The Committee is empowered to create hearing panels for the consideration of individual cases. The Grievance Committee will report each term to the Faculty Senate. Action by a Grievance Committee hearing panel in no way precludes a faculty member from seeking redress through other official means; however, no other University committee shall serve as an appeals committee for cases initially heard by the Grievance Committee. The Chairperson of the Elections Committee shall, through the Secretary of the Senate, notify each college or school scheduled to nominate candidates for this Committee. The faculty of that unit shall, through procedures it shall determine, nominate from its ranks at least twice the number of faculty members to be elected. Additional nominations shall be taken from the floor of the Senate. Election shall be by the General Faculty for three-year staggered terms to begin July 1. Each college or school shall have one representative; the Colleges of Education, Business, and Social Sciences shall have an additional representative; and the College of Arts and Sciences shall have four additional representatives. The Steering Committee shall appoint the chairperson.

  13. Elections
    The Elections Committee shall prepare the ballots for the Professional Relations and Welfare Committee and the Grievance Committee and circulate them to all members of the General Faculty, allowing two weeks for the return of ballots. A majority vote shall be required for election.

  14. Standing committees and special committees shall arrange with the Chairperson of the Steering Committee to have their reports placed on the Senate agenda.

  15. A committee report which is on the agenda should be distributed to the Senate membership at least two days before the Senate meets. Except by unanimous consent of the Senate, a committee report which is not on the agenda shall not be considered for action.
  16. Vacancies in Standing Committees
    Vacancies in standing committees shall be filled by the Steering Committee with the advice and consent of the Senate. In case of elected committees the Steering Committee shall consider first those from the affected college or school who fell just short of election on the most recent usable ballot.
Section G. Amendments

The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote at any meeting of the Senate provided that the amendment has been introduced at a prior meeting.