University Governance
(Board Policy 810.1, effective July 1, 1996; revised June 6, 2003)
The articles of campus governance for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville have been adopted by the Board of Trustees. The following excerpts from the Board policy include the full text of all sections which relate to staff governance. Sections relating to faculty and student governance are summarized or excerpted.
Preamble
In adopting this policy for articles of local campus government for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the Board of Trustees, on its own motion, may at any time review, amend, revise, overrule or affirm any matter, policy, resolution or legislation that may be adopted by any group referred to hereinafter.
Article I: The Faculty
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Authority
- The faculty, acting under the Board of Trustees, shall have responsibility for all
matters of academic concern. Such matters shall include, but not be limited to:
- admission requirements; transfer of credits; withdrawals; academic honesty; scholastic probation, suspension and dismissal;
- curriculum and courses;
- degrees and requirements for degrees;
- university academic calendars and schedules;
- award of academic honors.
- The faculty may make recommendations on any institutional matter of faculty concern.
Such matters shall include, but not be limited to:
- policies regarding faculty status, including appointments, promotions, granting of tenure, retirement, nonreappointment and dismissal;
- policies affecting the general welfare, working conditions, and the services performed by and for the faculty; and
- policies relating to academic and professional research and other scholarly and creative activities.
- The faculty, acting under the Board of Trustees, shall have responsibility for all
matters of academic concern. Such matters shall include, but not be limited to:
(sections omitted)
Article II: The Faculty Senate
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Authority
- The Faculty Senate shall exercise general legislative powers for the faculty as outlined
in Article I, Section A.
- The Faculty Senate shall have sole jurisdiction over:
- admission requirements; transfer of credits; withdrawals; academic honesty; scholastic probation, suspension and dismissal;
- curriculum and courses;
- degrees and requirements for degrees;
- award of academic honors;
- recommendations to the Board of Trustees of the names of individuals to receive honorary
degrees.
- The Faculty Senate will report to the Campus Council for informational and advisory purposes all legislation which it passes.
- The Faculty Senate shall exercise general legislative powers for the faculty as outlined
in Article I, Section A.
(sections omitted)
Article IV: The Students
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Authority
- The students, acting through the Associated Student Government, shall participate
in university decisions affecting their welfare. The Associated Student Government
("ASG" hereinafter) shall both represent the students and serve them.
- The judicial power of the ASG shall be vested in the All-Student Judicial Board, which
shall have the duties and powers provided in the ASG Constitution and Code.
- The ASG Constitution has been approved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, and any changes in that constitution shall also be approved by the Board.
- The students, acting through the Associated Student Government, shall participate
in university decisions affecting their welfare. The Associated Student Government
("ASG" hereinafter) shall both represent the students and serve them.
(sections omitted)
Article V: The Student Senate
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Authority
- The Student Senate shall exercise general legislative powers for the students, including
but not limited to those powers listed in the ASG Constitution.
- The Student Senate will report to the Campus Council for informational and advisory purposes all legislation which it passes. Any legislation not within the sole jurisdiction of the Student Senate shall be referred to the Campus Council for final action.
- The Student Senate shall exercise general legislative powers for the students, including
but not limited to those powers listed in the ASG Constitution.
(sections omitted)
Article VI: The Staff
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Authority
- The staff, acting through the Staff Senate, shall have responsibility relating to
the quality of the work life of the staff, the efficiency of the university's operations
and the staff's service to the campus community.
- The staff, acting through the Staff Senate, may make recommendations on any matter
of staff concern. Such matters shall include, but not be limited to:
- fringe benefits;
- university calendars and schedules;
- compensation;
- work schedules and working conditions;
- hiring and dismissal procedures;
- staff and administrative evaluation;
- grievance procedures;
- environment and safety;
- physical facilities; and
- health and wellness.
- The staff, acting through the Staff Senate, shall have responsibility relating to
the quality of the work life of the staff, the efficiency of the university's operations
and the staff's service to the campus community.
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Membership
In these Articles, "staff" shall mean all University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, employees eligible for fringe benefits who are not represented by either the Faculty Senate or the Student Senate.
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Officers
The officers of the staff shall be the officers of the Staff Senate.
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Meetings
Meetings of the Staff Senate shall be open to all members of the staff, and they shall have an opportunity to be heard as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
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Committees
The Staff Senate shall establish appropriate standing committees of the staff and shall adopt rules for the appointment of members to such committees.
Article VII: The Staff Senate
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Authority
- The Staff Senate shall exercise general legislative powers for the staff.
- The Staff Senate will report to the Campus Council for informational and advisory
purposes all legislation which it passes. Any legislation not within the sole jurisdiction
of the Staff Senate shall be referred to the Campus Council for final action.
- The Staff Senate shall elect the staff members of the Campus Council as specified
in Article VIII, Section B.1.c.
- The Staff Senate shall act as the official liaison for staff with the administration,
faculty and students. The Staff Senate may review items of interest or concern brought
to it by staff, administrators, faculty and students.
- The chancellor may veto any action of the Staff Senate within 30 days of receipt of
the action. He or she may suspend the action for 30 days and seek Campus Council advice
before taking action on the legislation.
- At its next regular or special meeting after the chancellor has vetoed legislation
of the Staff Senate, the Staff Senate may, by a vote of at least three-fifths of those
present and voting with a quorum present, appeal the matter to the president of the
university. In this event, if the issue is not resolved within 30 days, the president
shall submit the matter to the Board of Trustees.
- The Staff Senate may adopt amendments to Article VII subject to approval of the Board
of Trustees, provided, however, that such amendments may not alter those areas of
sole jurisdiction reserved to the Faculty Senate or the Student Senate nor the procedures
outlined in paragraph three above.
- The Staff Senate shall exercise general legislative powers for the staff.
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Membership
- Each member of the Staff Senate shall be a member of the staff (as defined in Article
VI, Section B) and shall be based in Fayetteville.
- The voting membership of the Staff Senate shall consist of the chair, the vice chair
and such others as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
- The associate vice chancellor for administration and human resources shall be a non-voting
member of the Staff Senate.
- Each member of the Staff Senate shall be a member of the staff (as defined in Article
VI, Section B) and shall be based in Fayetteville.
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Officers and Duties
- The officers of the Staff Senate shall be the chair and the vice chair, each to be
elected as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
- The chair of the Staff Senate shall:
- call, and preside over, meetings of the Staff Senate;
- act as spokesperson for the staff;
- be a member of the Campus Council;
- appoint staff members to university committees as provided in rules of the Staff Senate;
- appoint members to standing committees of the staff;
- establish ad hoc committees as deemed appropriate, appoint the members of such committees and appoint persons or panels advisory to the chair as deemed appropriate; and
- perform such other duties as the chair deems appropriate to the office.
- Should the chair of the Staff Senate be unable to complete the term of office, the
vice chair of the Staff Senate shall become, for the unexpired term, chair of the
Staff Senate.
- The vice chair of the Staff Senate shall:
- assist with the duties of the chair of the Staff Senate;
- act for the chair of the Staff Senate at such times as the latter may be unable to perform his or her duties; and
- have such other duties and powers as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
- Should the office of the vice chair of the Staff Senate become vacant during the term
of office, the chair of the Staff Senate shall call a special meeting of the Staff
Senate to elect a new vice chair for the unexpired term. Nominations shall be made
from the floor, and all nominees shall be current members of the Staff Senate.
- The associate vice chancellor for administration and human resources shall appoint
an individual from his or her office to serve as recording secretary and to provide
clerical assistance to the Staff Senate and its officers.
- The officers of the Staff Senate shall be the chair and the vice chair, each to be
elected as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
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Meetings
- Regular meetings of the Staff Senate shall be held monthly, during regular office
hours and as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
- Special meetings of the Staff Senate may be called by the chair, by a majority of
the members of the Staff Senate, or otherwise as provided in by-laws adopted by the
Staff Senate.
- A majority of the members of the Staff Senate shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
- Minutes of each regular and special meeting of the Staff Senate shall be promptly
distributed by the Recording Secretary to all members of the Staff Senate, to the
chairpersons of the Faculty Senate and the Student Senate, to the chair of the Campus
Council Agenda Committee, to the chair of the Campus Council, to all vice chancellors,
to the chancellor, and to the associate vice chancellor for administration and human
resources. Minutes shall be available for inspection by any interested person as provided
in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
- Regular meetings of the Staff Senate shall be held monthly, during regular office
hours and as provided in by-laws adopted by the Staff Senate.
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Committees
- The Staff Senate shall utilize the standing committees of the staff.
- The Staff Senate may establish appropriate ad hoc committees.
- The Staff Senate shall adopt rules to govern the appointment of staff to university committees.
- The Staff Senate shall utilize the standing committees of the staff.
Article III: The Campus Council
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Authority
- The Campus Council shall exercise general legislative powers in connection with all
legislation not reserved to the sole jurisdiction of the Faculty Senate, the Student
Senate or the Staff Senate.
- All legislation initiated in the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate or the Staff Senate
shall be reported to the Campus Council for informational purposes. If the legislation
is not within the sole jurisdiction of those bodies, it will require final action
by the Campus Council for approval.
- The Campus Council may advise the chancellor, the president of the university, and
through the president, the Board of Trustees, on any matter of concern to the Campus
Council including legislation reported by the Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate and
the Student Senate.
- The Campus Council shall exercise general legislative powers in connection with all
legislation not reserved to the sole jurisdiction of the Faculty Senate, the Student
Senate or the Staff Senate.
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Membership
- The voting membership of the Campus Council shall consist of the chair of the Faculty
Senate, the vice chair of the Faculty Senate, the ASG President, the president pro tempore of the Student Senate, the chair of the Staff Senate, 16 additional faculty representatives
as specified in paragraph a. below, 16 additional student representatives as specified
in paragraph b. below, 16 additional staff representatives as specified in paragraph
c. below, and administrative representatives as specified in paragraph d. below.
- The 16 additional faculty representatives shall be voting members of the Faculty Senate, and shall be elected for one-year terms by the Faculty Senate pursuant to its rules.
- The 16 additional student representatives shall be voting members of the Student Senate, and shall be elected for one-year terms by the Student Senate pursuant to its rules.
- The 16 additional staff representatives shall be voting members of the Staff Senate, and shall be elected for one-year terms by the Staff Senate pursuant to its rules.
- The administration representatives shall be the dean of students, the dean of each
college or school (including the Graduate School and the Division of Continuing Education)
and the dean (or director) of University Libraries.
- Should a faculty, student or staff representative be unable to complete the term of
office, the senate which elected that person shall elect a replacement member to serve
for the unexpired term.
- The chancellor and all vice chancellors shall be non-voting members of the Campus
Council.
- The voting membership of the Campus Council shall consist of the chair of the Faculty
Senate, the vice chair of the Faculty Senate, the ASG President, the president pro tempore of the Student Senate, the chair of the Staff Senate, 16 additional faculty representatives
as specified in paragraph a. below, 16 additional student representatives as specified
in paragraph b. below, 16 additional staff representatives as specified in paragraph
c. below, and administrative representatives as specified in paragraph d. below.
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Officers and Duties
- The Campus Council shall elect its chair and vice chair from its members.
- Should the chair of the Campus Council be unable to complete the term of office, the
vice chair shall become, for the unexpired term, chair of the Campus Council.
- The secretary of the Campus Council shall be appointed by the chair of the Campus
Council, but with voting privileges only if entitled thereto by virtue of election
to the Campus Council.
- The duties of the officers of the Campus Council shall be those normally associated
with their respective offices.
- The Campus Council shall elect its chair and vice chair from its members.
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Meetings
- The Campus Council shall meet at least once each semester, and at such additional
times as the chair of the Campus Council deems appropriate or upon call of the chancellor.
- A meeting notice and tentative agenda shall be distributed by the secretary to all
members of the Campus Council, Faculty Senate, Student Senate and Staff Senate, and
to all members of the faculty, at least three business days in advance of each regular
or special meeting.
- A majority of the voting members of the Campus Council shall constitute a quorum at
any meeting. An action of the Campus Council shall require a simple majority vote
of those present and voting, a quorum being present.
- Minutes of each regular and special meeting of the Campus Council shall be promptly
distributed by the Secretary to all members of the Campus Council, to the chairpersons
of the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate, and the Staff Senate, to all members of
the faculty, to all vice chancellors and deans, and to the chancellor. Minutes shall
also be available in the office of the secretary for inspection by any interested
person, and shall be deposited in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
as the office of record.
- The Campus Council shall meet at least once each semester, and at such additional
times as the chair of the Campus Council deems appropriate or upon call of the chancellor.
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Committees
- The standing Agenda Committee shall consist of ten members. Three members shall be
faculty members, three shall be staff members, three shall be students and one member
shall represent the administration. The term of appointment shall be for one year.
Members can be re-appointed.
- Any person represented on the Campus Council may submit to the committee, through
a member of the Council, proposed motions, reports, discussion items or other business
to be placed before the Council, with an appropriate rationale to accompany each such
proposal. The committee shall, before each of its meetings, call attention to this
privilege by notice in a campus-wide publication.
- The committee shall review each proposal submitted under the provisions of paragraph
a. above and may recommend that the proposal be changed or withdrawn by the initiator(s)
thereof, who may accept or reject any such recommendation.
- The committee shall review all legislation reported by the Faculty Senate, Student
Senate or Staff Senate. If final action is required by the Campus Council, the committee
shall include such items as top priority on the agenda for the next meeting of the
Campus Council. If legislation reported by the Faculty Senate, Student Senate or Staff
Senate appears to the committee to be legislation which rests within the sole jurisdiction
of a senate other than the one from which it was reported, it shall be promptly referred
to the senate with the sole jurisdiction over such legislation and shall be considered
enacted only if approved by the senate with sole jurisdiction.
- The committee shall prepare, for each meeting of the Campus Council, a tentative agenda,
consisting of a priority-ordered list of items. The agenda shall include all items
submitted under the provisions of paragraph a. above and not subsequently withdrawn;
any item(s) referred to the Campus Council for final action by the Faculty Senate,
Student Senate or Staff Senate; and such items as should be carried over from the
agenda adopted at the preceding meeting of the Campus Council.
- The agenda prepared by the committee shall be submitted to the secretary of the Campus
Council for distribution.
- Any person represented on the Campus Council may submit to the committee, through
a member of the Council, proposed motions, reports, discussion items or other business
to be placed before the Council, with an appropriate rationale to accompany each such
proposal. The committee shall, before each of its meetings, call attention to this
privilege by notice in a campus-wide publication.
- The Campus Council shall utilize the standing committees of the faculty, students,
staff and administration as the Campus Council deems appropriate.
- The Campus Council may establish appropriate ad hoc committees. Provision shall be made for faculty, student, staff and administration
representatives on such committees unless the Campus Council deems such provision
clearly inappropriate.
- The standing Agenda Committee shall consist of ten members. Three members shall be
faculty members, three shall be staff members, three shall be students and one member
shall represent the administration. The term of appointment shall be for one year.
Members can be re-appointed.
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Amendments to Article VIII
- The Campus Council may adopt amendments to Article VIII subject to approval of the
Board of Trustees, provided, however, that such amendment may not alter those areas
of sole jurisdiction reserved to the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate or the Staff
Senate.
- One or more proposed amendments to Article VIII may be presented to the Campus Council
at any regular or special meeting. Any such proposal may be amended at the same meeting
by majority vote of those present and voting, a quorum being present.
- A recommendation to amend Article VIII shall not be voted upon at the same Campus
Council meeting at which the proposed amendment was presented. If such proposal is
amended by the Campus Council, the amended proposal shall not be voted upon at the
same meeting at which such proposal was amended.
- If approved by a majority of those present and voting at a regular or special meeting
of the Campus Council, a quorum being present, such recommendation shall promptly
be forwarded to the chancellor with a request that it be promptly forwarded to the
Board with the chancellor's own recommendation regarding the proposed amendment.
- An amendment of Article VIII shall be effective from the time of its adoption by the Board of Trustees.
- The Campus Council may adopt amendments to Article VIII subject to approval of the
Board of Trustees, provided, however, that such amendment may not alter those areas
of sole jurisdiction reserved to the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate or the Staff
Senate.
The Staff Senate has adopted by-laws, which are available, along with other information about the Staff Senate, on the Staff Senate web page at http://staffsenate.uark.edu.
Monday, September 28, 2009 4:36 PM