CEHHS Faculty Senate Bylaws
The CEHHS Faculty Senate is governed by Artical V secton 3 of the Bylaws of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Below Article V of the CEHHS Bylaws has been listed. Click here for a complete PDF version of the CEHHS Bylaws.
Article V Committee Structure of the College
5.3 The College Senate (CS) serves as an advocate of and voice for the faculty in matters that affect the academy of the College, including faculty affairs, policies, and procedures.
5.3.1 The CS helps to create, maintain, and protect an environment that allows faculty to accomplish their assigned responsibilities.
5.3.2 All actions taken by the CS shall be considered as actions taken for the Faculty.
5.3.3 The CS recognizes that all members of the academic community play a role in the governance of the College. As an elected group of representatives, CS members shall keep their faculty colleagues informed of important issues and bring concerns of the faculty to CS and the Dean.
5.3.4 The CS consists of two voting members elected from each department by a majority (N/2+1) of eligible voting members of that department. The representatives are tenured or tenure track faculty.
5.3.5 The President represents the faculty on the Dean's Executive Committee.
5.3.6 The President of the CS is responsible for chairing the meeting and setting the agenda. The President is selected from the voting members of the CS. The President shall be selected by a majority vote of the voting members of CS with a term of one year.
5.3.7 Faculty members serve three-year terms. Beginning with the initial year of the committee, one-third of the members shall serve one year, one-third of the members shall serve two years, and one-third of the members shall serve three years. Members from the same department cannot rotate off the committee in the same year. Selection for the term of these initial appointments shall be by draw. Thereafter, faculty members serve three-year terms.
5.3.8 All tenured and tenure track faculty in the College are eligible to vote in the election of CS members. Faculty with adjunct or joint appointments based outside the College are not eligible to vote for CS members. Joint appointments that are based in the College may vote for CS members.
5.3.9 All full-time tenured or tenure track faculty, including those with joint appointments that are based in the College, may serve on CS.
5.3.10 CS membership vacancies shall be filled by a vote of the faculty from the appropriate Department.
5.3.11 Elections shall be held in the spring semester for the College Senate, the Graduate Council, and the Undergraduate Council. The CS President is responsible for assuring that College elections occur within the designated time period.
5.3.12 The President-elect shall be elected from among the CS members by a majority of the CS members at the February meeting of the spring term. The President-elect serves as President of the CS for a one-year term the following year. The President chairs the meeting, prepares agendas, and votes in case of a tie.
5.3.13 In the event faculty issues arise during the summer months, the CS shall identify individual members of the CS who would be willing to address matters that require the attention of the CS. These members shall be identified at the last meeting of the academic year.
5.3.14 At the beginning of each fall semester, the CS convenes a new legislative session. The continuing and new committee members shall assume office one week prior to the start of fall classes.
5.3.15 Any faculty member may submit agenda items through any representative and any member of the CS may submit agenda items to the President of the CS. Agendas shall be shared with College faculty in advance of each meeting. Minutes of each CS meeting shall be distributed to all faculty and staff within two weeks of each CS meeting.
5.3.16 The CS shall meet once a month during fall and spring semesters except for official closings of The University of Tennessee. The President of the CS may call additional meetings as needed. CS meetings are open to all faculty and staff of the College. A simple majority of the voting members constitute a quorum.
5.3.17 Any member of the CS may request a closed session. A closed session is a part of the meeting that is attended only by CS members. Determination of adding a closed session as part of the regular meeting agenda shall be based on a majority vote of the CS members.
5.3.18 The Dean's office shall provide staff support in the form of administrative help to the President of the CS, including secretarial duties.