Changes to Faculty Senate constitution ratified
May 21, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- A revision of the substitution policy for absent council members was one of two amendments to the constitution of the Western Michigan University Faculty Senate approved by the University's Board of Trustees at its May 17 meeting.
The Faculty Senate, a body of elected faculty representatives, shares in the governance of WMU by formulating, reviewing and giving advice on policies and other matters of concern to the University.
The University's board approved two amendments to the Faculty Senate constitution.
One amendment changed the period that the senate will hold actions and decisions regarding institutional policy to 30 days or until the next regular senate meeting. The prior policy required a waiting period of 30 days only and was changed because subsequent senate meetings are often scheduled before 30 days expire. The amendment will prevent senate actions and decisions from being delayed for longer than 30 days.
The second amendment allows faculty who are council members to designate a substitute from their college in the event that they cannot attend a council meeting. The previous substitution policy required that substitutes be selected from a list of former elected council members. The change will facilitate substitution at council meetings and help ensure a quorum is present for meetings.
Media contact: Marie Lee, 269 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu