University Senate

University Senate

Welcome to the Senate!

Congratulations on your recent election to the Senate. You are now a part of the most influential governing bodies on campus. The Senate Chair and the Senate Office look forward to working with you!

University Senate

What is the University Senate?

The Senate is one of the largest and most powerful governing bodies on campus. It provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, and administrators to participate in shared governance. The Senate works closely with the administration as “partners”. The Senate follows Robert’s Rules of Order.

University Senate

Senate Org Chart

University Senate

Who’s on the Senate? ~100 Faculty senators from various colleges

Each college is apportioned a number of faculty senators based on number of total faculty

22 Staff Elected according to various categories (1 EAM, 10 Professional, 3

Clerical/Secretarial, 2 Srvc Mtnc, 2 Skilled Crafts, 3 Tech/ParaProf, 1 Contingent)

23 Undergraduates Each College is apportioned a number of undergrad senators

based on number of total undergrads 10 Grad Students

Voted at-large No more then 2 grad students from same college

Single Member Constituencies Emeritus Faculty, Instructor/Lecturers (FT/PT), Research Faculty,

Adjunct & Professors of the Practice, Head Coaches 15 Deans

Voting Ex-Officios President, VPs, Chairs & Directors – Non-Voting Ex-O’s

University Senate

What does the Senate do?

The primary function of the Senate is to advise the University President on any matter or concern, including but not limited to, education, budget, personnel, campus-community, long range plans, facilities, and faculty, staff and student affairs (subject to the limitations imposed by laws or mandates from the University of Maryland System Board of Regents or the Chancellor). This broad charge brings virtually all campus policy matters within the purview of the Senate. The Senate meets on a monthly basis to vote on proposals and other matters as submitted by its committees and constituents.

University Senate

What is shared governance?Shared Governance is the practice of faculty, staff, and students coming together to discuss, review, and suggest change to current and new University policies and procedures. Through Shared Governance, all constituents have the opportunity to participate in important decisions regarding the successful operation of our University. Shared Governance is essentially the custom of open and honest communication amongst all constituents.

University Senate

When do I start?

New Senators will begin their term at the May Senate meeting.

Go to the Senate Meeting Schedule to see the exact date this year:

http://www.senate.umd.edu/meetings/schedule/

University Senate

When & Where are Senate Meetings?Senate meetings are held once a month

during the academic semesters.Meetings run from 3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.Senate meetings are all held in the Atrium of

the Stamp Student Union (unless otherwise noted).

A full schedule of meetings for the academic year can be found at: http://www.senate.umd.edu/meetings/schedule/

University Senate

What are my responsibilities as a Senator?Attend Monthly Senate Meetings

If you cannot make a meeting or plan to arrive late, send an email to senate-admin@umd.edu for an excused absence

2 unexcused absences could result in your dismissal from the Senate

Review materials prior to each meetingMaterials are posted on the Senate websiteA link to the materials is emailed one week prior to

each meeting

University Senate

When do I get the materials for each meeting?Materials are posted on the Senate website:

http://www.senate.umd.eduAn email with the link to the materials will be

sent to all Senators one week prior to each meeting.

Senators can view/print the materials through this link.

University Senate

What do I do when I get to a Senate Meeting?All Senators must sign-in at the registration

table outside the Atrium.You will be given a clicker to use for voting

when you register.Light refreshments will be available to all

attendees.

University Senate

What do I do at Senate Meetings?

The Chair will open the floor to discussion on each agenda itemYou may approach the microphone, state your

name, constituency and college if you wish to make a comment

You can also introduce a non-senator to speakThe Chair will open the voting period on

each agenda itemYou will use your clicker to vote (1: in favor, 2:

opposed, 3: abstain)

University Senate

Who runs the Senate?

The Senate Chair, Chair-Elect, Director, and Parliamentarian oversee the work of the SenateThe Senate Chair presides over Senate meetings.Every year, the Senate elects a Chair-Elect who will

become the Chair after a year of service.The Senate Director runs the Senate Office and

advises the Senate Chair.The Parliamentarian advises the Senate Office and

Senate Chair.

University Senate

What does the Senate Office do?The Senate Office is the

administrative office of the Senate.It is made up of the Director, two

Committee Coordinators, and a Coordinator that works with the Senate and Senate Executive Committee (SEC)

It oversees the work of the Senate and its committees, conducts elections, and ensures that Senate business is reviewed appropriately.

The Senate Office is located in 1100 Marie Mount Hall and can be contacted at 301-405-5805 or senate-admin@umd.edu

University Senate

Who runs the Senate Meetings?

The Senate Chair presides over each Senate meeting.

The Parliamentarian & Director are seated next to the Chair and serve an advisory role.

University Senate

What do Senators do at Senate meetings?Senators may comment on each piece of

legislation being discussed.Senators will vote on approving each piece of

legislation.

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Who can speak at Senate Meetings?Senators.Those introduced by Senators.Committee members whose proposal is being

presented to the Senate.Ex-Officio members of the Senate.

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How do I speak at a Senate Meeting?The Senate Chair will open the floor to

discussion after each proposal is presented.At that time, you can go to one of the

microphones in the outside aisles to speak.You must state your name, constituency, and

college prior to making your comments.

University Senate

How do Senators Vote?Senators will be instructed when to

vote by the Senate Chair.Senators use clickers to vote pressing

the following keys on the clicker.1/A if you would like to vote “in favor”2/B if you would like to vote “opposed”3/C if you would like to vote “abstain”

You can change your vote as many times as you wish until the voting period closes.

Results of each vote are displayed on the screen immediately following each vote.

Please return your clicker at the end of the meeting.

University Senate

What do I do if I can not make a Senate Meeting?You must request an excused absence.Simply send an email to senate-

admin@umd.edu stating that you can not attend and why.

Excused absence requests must be submitted by 1 p.m. on the day of the senate meeting.

University Senate

How do I get selected for an elected committee?Some of the Senate’s elected committees

include the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) & the Committee on Committees.

The Senate’s Nominations Committee creates a slate of candidates made up of current/new senators for the various elected committees.

Elections are held at the transition meeting in May where new senators are seated.

The Senate Chair-Elect is also elected at this meeting.

University Senate

Executive Committee

Gateway to the SenateElected each year for a 1 year term at the

Transition MeetingRun by Chair of the SenateConsists of 7 faculty, 2 staff, 3 student repsAlso includes chair-elect, parliamentarian,

director, president’s rep & provost’s rep

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Standing Committees

Academic Procedures & Standards (APAS)Campus AffairsGeneral Education CommitteeEducational AffairsElections, Representation, & Governance (ERG)Faculty AffairsEquity, Diversity & InclusionPrograms, Curricula, and Courses (PCC)Staff AffairsStudent AffairsStudent Conduct

University Senate

What do Senate committees do?There are 12 Senate committees that cover

various areas of the campus including student affairs, educational affairs, campus affairs etc. A complete list can be found at: http://www.senate.umd.edu/committees/

Much of the Senate's work is completed in the committees, which report to the full Senate periodically throughout the year.

They review issues charged to them and then report on their findings directly to the

Senate for approval.

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Can Senators serve on Senate committees?YES, all campus constituents can serve as

members of senate committeesVolunteers are solicited in the end of March.You can volunteer by visiting the Senate

website.The Senate’s Committee on Committees will

fill vacancies on all committees in May and June.

Committee assignments are announced over the summer.

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Who is on the committees?

Committee chairs are senators appointed by the Senate Chair

You do not have to be a senator to serve on a committee

Made up of reps from all constituencies & reps from admin units

Faculty/Staff serve 2-year terms & Students serve a 1-year term

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How do I find out what the Senate is working on?The Senate Office maintains a legislation

tracking system at http://www.senate.umd.edu/senateBills/

Search for past billsReview current billsShows stages of review and approvalIncludes links to related documents

University Senate

How do I submit an issue for the Senate to review?Any campus constituent may submit an issue

for review by the Senate. You can submit a proposal by going to

http://www.senate.umd.edu/proposals/ to find:Suggestions to consider when writing a

proposalA proposal formA sample proposal