Academic Senate 101

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Academic Senate 101

• Martin Sancho-Madriz, Ph.D.
• Professor and Senate Chair 2008-09

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Background

• Since 1963 each CSU campus has an Academic Senate
• A system-wide Senate was also created but has no
  authority over matters delegated to the
  individual campuses by the Chancellor or the
  Board of Trustees

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Why do we have a Senate?

• The Legislature recognizes that joint
  decision-making and consultation between
  administration and faculty or academic employees
  is the long-accepted manner of governing
  institutions of higher learning and is essential
  to the performance of the educational missions of
  these institutions
• California Higher Education
  Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA, signed
  into law on 9/13/78)

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Why do we have a Senate?

• The Academic Senate is the official voice of the
  faculty and the primary consultative body in
  areas established by its constitution
• educational and other university policies
• academic personnel policies
• selection of administrative officials of
  university and foundations
• university administrative regulations and
  practices, including preparation of University
  Manual

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Faculty and shared governance

• Faculty recommendations are normally accepted,
  except in rare instances and for compelling
  reasons. The collegial process also recognizes
  the value of participation for the faculty in
  budgetary matters, particularly those affecting
  areas for which the faculty has primary
  responsibility.
• CSU Board of Trustees, 10/14/85

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Membership

• 35 senators proportionally represent
  constituencies (colleges plus library and related
  areas)
• 2 CSU academic senators, 1 staff representative,
  1 student representative
• Total 39 members

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Organization

• Chair, Vice Chair,
• and Executive Committee (one representative
  per constituency and one CSU Senator)
• Standing Committees
• Academic Affairs
• Academic Programs
• Budget Committee
• Elections and Procedures
• Faculty Affairs
• General Education
• Technology

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Operation

• Referrals sent by individual faculty or
  committees as well as administrators are intended
  to investigate and recommend on university
  policy, procedure, or practice
• Senate standing committees write reports on
  referrals with recommendations

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Operation

• Senate votes on recommendations after two
  readings and sends to President if approved
• President can accept, modify or reject but has 30
  instructional days to respond
• EC may refer Presidents response back to
  Committee. Senate may pass their recommendation
  only by 2/3 of those casting vote

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How can you participate in shared governance?

• Provide input on a referral
• Write and send a referral
• Volunteer for Senate standing committees,
  university committees, search committees and
  other Senate appointed positions
• Run for Senate office (3-year term)

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How can your department and college support the
Senate and shared governance?

• Incorporate and value participation in the Senate
  and Senate appointed positions in RTP criteria
• Provide support to faculty that participate (e.g.
  dont schedule them for class on Wednesdays from
  3-5 pm)
• Support your senators (do you know who they are?)

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For more information

• www.csupomona.edu/senate
• Email senate_at_csupomona.edu