2024-68

Motion Introduced by: Senator Vander Meer          

Date of First Reading: February 26, 2024

Date of Second Reading: March 25, 2024

Title of Motion: Substantive Amendments to the Senate Bylaws

Action Requested: This motion and amendments are proposed by the Constitution and Bylaw Task Force and approved by the University Academic Council. It is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.

Rationale: The Senate Constitution requires a review of the document every four years to determine if any changes are needed to either the Constitution or the Bylaws. These proposed substantive amendments to the Bylaws only require approval by the Senate.

This motion is to approve eleven substantive amendments to the Bylaws. One measure clarifies voting in the Senate by defining non-senators serving as committee chairs as nonvoting ex-officio members of the Senate. Another motion eliminates an unused possible relationship between university and senate committees. Another motion eliminates another unused section involving an ambiguous reference to preferential voting. Another amendment states the actual role of Executive Director of the Senate in operating elections. Finally, in a recognition of reality, six amendments remove the university president as an ex-officio nonvoting member of Senate committees.