October brings several changes to the Faculty Senate website and processes, which will help facilitate Senate business. First, we are instituting a consent agenda for the Steering Committee using a Committee Report form which can also be used for committee reports generally (link). This form can also be used to indicate if an item should be placed on the full rather than consent agenda.
Second, in order to better develop and track motions for Senate action, the Senate is adopting a Pathway for a Petition with a Motion for Vote (Article IV, Section 3 Constitution and Bylaws) which codifies effective motions that can be acted upon by the Senate. While motions can also be accepted from the floor during a Senate meeting in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, the Motions and Petitions form can help alert the Steering Committee and allow for constituent input. Newly adopted language describes this process:
- Development of a petition begins by downloading the Motions and Petitions template from the Faculty Senate website. Insert the name for the maker and second (if necessary) of the motion. Enter the title of the motion, the preamble or introduction, and the text of the motion. The Faculty Senate Principal Assistant will enter the date and motion number.
- The motion form is submitted electronically to the Faculty Senate Principal Assistant. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee has the authority to request the maker of a motion to explain the motion at the next scheduled Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting. This allows the maker of the motion to answer questions posed by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and may result in returning a motion to the maker, with instructions, to clarify the text or concepts expressed.
- The Faculty Senate Steering Committee directs placement of petitions with motions on the agenda for full Senate consideration. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee will facilitate forwarding the motion to the Faculty Senate Steering Committee for placement on the agenda.
- The Faculty Senate Principal Assistant posts the agenda and motions to be considered 1 week in advance of the full Senate meeting.
- In circumstances requiring more expedient action, such as the last Senate meeting of a year, discussion items may be moved to action items through Senate vote and direction.
The Faculty Senate also directed formation of two new committees, one focusing on International Affairs and one on Faculty Compensation. Committee on Committees Chair and Senate Chair Elect Ken Roberts will be working with interested parties to develop the scope and committee composition. If you are interested in participating either in these committee’s developing guidelines or becoming nominated as a member please contact Dr. Roberts directly at kenroberts@wsu.edu.
Finally, the Senate adopted approval of two new Centers at WSU: the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures and the Center for Trauma Education and Community Health (C-TEaCH). We look forward to a reporting on their activities in future Senate meetings.