Constitution and
By-Laws
Norfolk State University
Faculty Senate
Constitution and Bylaws
Article I. Authority
Section I
The Faculty Senate is the representative body of the entire Faculty of Norfolk
State University.
Section 2
The Faculty Senate will become operative pursuant to this Constitution and its
Bylaws immediately following approval at a faculty meeting.
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of the Faculty Senate is to facilitate faculty-administration
communication to promote the best interest of the faculty in the areas of
academic freedom, tenure, promotion, salary, and maintenance of quality academic
standards. The Faculty Senate is also designed to assist the administration in
the effective utilization of faculty talents in the formation and implementation
of education policies of Norfolk State University.
Article III. Composition and Membership of the Faculty Senate
Section 1
The Faculty Senate shall be composed of only full time faculty members.
Section 2
Only faculty, as defined in Article 1 of the Bylaws, may be voting members of
the Faculty Senate.
Article IV. Election of Senators
Section 1
All elections of the Faculty Senators shall be conducted in accordance with the
Rules of Election stated in the Senate Bylaws.
Section 2
Elections of Faculty Senators shall be held in November or December of each
academic year.
Section 3
Faculty Senators shall be elected for a two-year term. (Provision is made in the
Bylaws for ensuring that no more than one-half of the terms expire each year.)
Section 4
A Faculty Senator shall be eligible for reelection to the Senate after the
expiration of the initial term.
Section 5
Terms of office for senators shall be from January 1 to December 31.
Section 6
All vacancies in the Senate shall be filled in accordance with the procedures
outlined in the Bylaws Article III.
Article V. Officers and Their Election
Section 1
The Senate shall elect, in November or December, for a one-year term, a
President, Vice-President, Secretary Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and
Representatives to State Faculty Senate and for a two-year term Members to
Executive Council. An officer may be elected for no more than two consecutive
terms.
Section 2
Senate officers will assume their offices as of January 1. Old and new Senators
will attend the January meeting to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.
Section 3
Only Faculty Senators who have served during the current academic year and
continuing shall be eligible for election to the offices of President,
Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 4
The Senate officers, the heads of the standing committees as outline in the
Bylaws, Executive Council members, and the Past President shall constitute the
Executive Committee.
Section 5
The duties of all officers shall be those which are ordinarily assigned to such
offices and such additional duties as described in this Constitution and its
Bylaws.
Section 6
Vacancies in any office of the Faculty Senate shall be filled in accordance with
the procedure established in Article III of the Bylaws.
Article VI. Meeting of the Faculty Senate
Section 1
The Faculty Senate shall generally hold meetings on a regular monthly basis,
excepting those instances where the academic calendar creates very short months.
Section 2
The President, or in his/her absence, the Vice President, shall preside over all
meetings of the Faculty Senate.
Section 3
Special meetings may be called by the President of the Faculty Senate upon
his/her own initiative, or at the request of the President of the University, or
upon petition in writing to the President of the Faculty Senate signed by
one-third of the Senate membership. The President of the Faculty Senate shall be
required to give 48 hours notice to all Senators as to the time and place of all
special meetings.
Section 4
Notice of all meetings shall be in writing and shall be delivered via campus
email.
Section 5
A quorum of any regular of special meeting of the Faculty Senate shall be a
simple majority of the membership present.
Section 6
Except as specified in the Bylaws, any member of the faculty, any administrative
officer, and any student may attend the meetings of the Senate and may express
his/her views upon recognition by the presiding officer. Only Faculty Senators,
however, may propose a motion or cast a vote.
Section 7
The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of all regular and special
meetings. Copies of the minutes shall be distributed via campus email to faculty
senators and posted on the NSU website within two weeks after each meeting.
Section 8
The Faculty Senate Board meets at least once during the summer, and the
President maintains a leadership capacity as needed during this time.
Article VII. Agenda: Motions and Resolutions
Section 1
Items may be placed on the agenda by faculty members, administrative officers,
or by student petition prior to a Senate meeting.
Section 2
Except for motions of a procedural nature, in order to be included on the agenda
all motions or resolutions proposing Faculty Senate action must be in writing.
Section 3
A motion or resolution to be placed on the agenda must bear the signature of the
maker and two supporting or verifying signatures, except in special cases
outlined later in this Article. The original motion or resolution is kept on
file by the Secretary of the Senate. The distributed agenda copies will contain
names of the makers.
Section 4
Except for motions of a procedural nature, motions or resolution proposing
Senate action may be introduced from the floor without previous inclusion on the
agenda only by consent of two-thirds of the members present.
Section 5
All motions or resolutions, in order to be included on the agenda, must be
submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Senate at least seven (7) days
before the meeting at which they are to be introduced.
Section 6
The agenda shall be sent to each member of the Senate at least five (5) calendar
days before a regularly scheduled meeting. In case of special meetings, the
President shall inform each Senator at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Section 7
Resolutions germane to any subject set forth in the agenda may be passed by
majority vote of members present and voting. Other matters may be brought up for
discussion by a Senator at any meeting, if a two-thirds majority of those
present and voting concur.
Article VIII. Functions of the Faculty Senate
Section 1
As the representative body of the Faculty, the Faculty Senate has all powers
delegated to it by the Faculty. The faculty hereby delegates to the Senate its
responsibilities to formulate policies and make recommendations as well as the
selection of a faculty representatives to committees with the exception noted in
Section 2 of this Article and Section 1 of Article X and exceptions required by
Virginia State Law. In regard to policy formulation, the Faculty Senate as a
legislative body shall have the responsibility for an advisory role in academic
matters. Such matters shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the
following: standards for admission, selection, and retention of students;
requirements of granting of degrees; curricular requirements for general
education, majors and minors, and professional education. The Faculty Senate has
a primary responsibility to make policy recommendations to promote standards for
faculty welfare in tenure, promotions, and fringe benefits; development of
programs of research, experimentation, and instruction.
Section 2
Any action of the Senate may be brought before a meeting of the Faculty for
review. Actions of the Senate or Senate Committees may be reviewed, modified, or
nullified by the faculty in one of two ways: first, through submission to the
general faculty for its consideration by a majority vote of the Senate, or
secondly, through a petition for a meeting of the general faculty signed by at
least 20% of the members of the general faculty. This petition for a meeting
shall explicitly state the matter or matters to be the subject of the petitioned
meeting. The petitioned meeting or meetings must be held within two weeks of the
distribution of the minutes of the relevant Senate action to the faculty for any
Senate action to be modified or nullified. Such modifications or nullification
shall be effective only by a vote of two-thirds of the faculty at the petitioned
meeting or meetings, with at least 51% of the faculty present.
Section 3
The Faculty Senate shall elect its own officers pursuant to procedures outlined
in the Bylaws.
Section 4
The Faculty Senate shall elect or select its committees and subcommittees and
establish whatever rules and procedures necessary for functioning, consistent
with this Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 5
The Faculty Senate may adopt, amend or repeal any Bylaws, rules or procedures
relating to the conduct or its business and the duties of its officers and
committees by a two-thirds majority of the voting members of the Senate.
Section 6
The Faculty Senate shall transmit its recommendations to the President to the
University via the President of the Faculty Senate within five days of Senate
approval. The administration must reply within thirty days. In case of emergency
matters, as defined by the Senate, more immediate administrative action may be
required by the President of the Faculty Senate. In appropriate cases, the
Senate shall transmit its recommendations to the Board of Visitors within ten
days.
Section 7
The Senate shall transmit its official minutes to each Faculty Senator by campus
email, who will direct his / her constituents to the Faculty Senate website.
Section 8
The Faculty Senate shall assume the lead role in the periodic revision and
editing of the Faculty Handbook which shall contain this Constitution and state
established policies of the University in all matters relating to the faculty.
Section 9
The President of the Faculty Senate shall be responsible for officially
informing the University President and the Vice-President of Academic Affairs of
the transaction of the Senate and for informally discussing these and related
maters with them.
Section 10
All members of the Faculty Senate shall be responsible for keeping their
departmental faculty informed on Senate activities via face to face and
electronic communications.
Article X. Amendment
Section 1
This Constitution may be changed or amended at a Faculty Senate meeting by
two-thirds majority vote of the Senators present and voting. The Constitution as
changed or amended shall be presented at a faculty meeting, with at least 51% of
the faculty present, for the purpose of approval or not approval.
Bylaws of the Constitution of the Faculty Senate of Norfolk State University
Article I. Definition of Faculty
Section 1
Only full-time faculty members (including those with released time assignments
who teach) may serve as voting members of the Faculty Senate. A faculty member
is the holder of the academic rank of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant
Professor, or Instructor. These persons are distinguished from administrative
officers and staff members by the act their primary employment is teaching.
Section 2
In those cases where the Board of Visitors recognized a person as a full-time
teacher, even though he/she is part-time administrator; such recognition renders
the person a full-time faculty member for the purpose of this Constitution.
Section 3
Whenever doubt arises as to the status of any individual, the ruling of the
Vice-President of Academic Affairs will be sought for clarification.
Article II. Election of Senators
Section 1
Faculty Senators are to be chosen by the Academic departments. Apportionment of
the Faculty Senate seat shall be according to the formula stated in Appendix A
of these Bylaws.
Section 2
Election of Faculty Senators shall take place in November or December of each
year. Terms are for two years commencing on January 1 and expiring at midnight
on December 31. The terms of the first Faculty Senators will be staggered as
follows so that only one-half expire each year: In the Academic department with
one Senator, one will be elected every two years; in departments with more than
one Senator, one half will be elected every two years. The exact sequence will
be determined by the Elections and Nominations Committee upon the adoption of
the Bylaws by the Faculty Senate.
Section 3
Academic departments will select Faculty Senators and alternates according to
procedures agreed upon by those constituencies.
Section 4
In those cases where two or more small departments have combined to form a
constituency, the Senator and the first alternate must come from different
departments. If one department refuses to furnish either Senator or alternate,
the other department may supply such even though both Senator and alternate
would then come from the same department.
Article III. Vacancies in the Faculty Senate
Section 1
When a vacancy occurs, the President of the Senate shall fill it by notifying
the vacant constituency’s alternate who then becomes Senator. The constituency
is then to select a new alternate. The alternate may attend Senate meetings with
voting privileges in the absence of a Senator.
Section 2
A seat may be declared vacant by the Executive Committee of the Senate in the
event of three (3) successive unexcused absences by the elected Senator.
Section 3
The President of the Senate will notify, by letter, a nonparticipating
department of its status as such and will urge the department’s return to the
Senate.
Article IV. Meetings
Section 1
The Faculty Senate shall meet at least once every month of the academic
year. The meeting date shall be the third Tuesday of each month. The number of
additional meetings shall be determined by Senate members and its President.
Section 2
The secretary of the Faculty Senate shall notify the faculty of the date’s
proposed agenda at least five (5) calendar days before the scheduled meeting.
Article V. Faculty-Initiated Petitions, Proposals and Referendums
Section 1
At least 20% of the members of the faculty who are eligible to vote in Faculty
Senate elections may petition for a meeting of the general faculty to review,
modify, or nullify any Senate action in accordance with Section 2 of Article VII
of the Faculty Senate Constitution.
Section 2
A referendum by the general faculty may be initiated by majority vote of the
Senate in accordance with Section of Article VIII of the Faculty Senate
Constitution.
Section 3
In order to recall their Senator, sixty percent of their constituency must vote
in favor of recall, and notify the President of the Senate by letter of their
decision.
Article VI. Committees and Ad Hoc Committees
Section 1
All full-time faculty members are eligible to serve on committees.
Section 2
The work of the Senate shall be performed by standing and ad hoc committees. All
committees will be established by the Faculty Senate at its first regular
meeting. The standing committees shall consist of: Executive Committee,
Admissions, Academic Standards, Constitution and Bylaws, Curriculum and
Instruction, Elections and Nominations, Evaluation Policies and Procedures,
Grievance, Faculty Manual, Library Services, Research and Status and Welfare.
Section 3
The Executive Committee shall be the Committee on Committees for the Senate. It
shall be composed of the officers of the Senate, the heads of the standing
committees, Executive Council members, the past President, and an ex officio
representative from AAUP. It shall serve as Senate liaison with the
administration, prepare agenda for each meeting, recommend the number of
standing and ad hoc committees and the number of members to serve on each, and
nominate for election by Senate, members to serve on each committee.
Section 4
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall maintain an up-to-date edition of
the Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws, based on changes voted by the Senate
and / or the Faculty at large, and forward appropriate recommendations for
revision to the Faculty for action.
Section 5
The Elections and Nominations Committee shall consist of five (5) faculty
members. It shall plan and coordinate the annual election in October/November of
each year, Faculty Senate representatives from each department, officers of the
Faculty Senate, faculty representative(s) to the Executive Council, State
Faculty Senate representatives, and determine the order of the staggered
election of two-year terms for Faculty Senators.
Section 6
The Evaluation Policies and Procedures Committee shall monitor and make
recommendations for changes in the annual faculty review process and procedures.
Section 7
The Grievance Committee shall investigate, hold hearings (if necessary), and
make recommendations for the resolution of faculty grievances referred to it
from the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, which remain unresolved through the
normal chain of command.
Section 8
The Faculty Manual Committee shall review, make recommendations, and maintain
(in appropriate format) changes approved at all levels of the University
governance, related to information outlined in the Faculty Manual. This
committee shall also periodically review the Faculty Manual.
Section 9
Status and Welfare Committee shall review and make policy recommendations
related to faculty appointment, tenure, promotion, salary and fringe benefits
and related matters.
Section 10
The Senate shall establish whatever rules and procedures it deems necessary for
the functions of all committees, consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws.
Article VII. Amendments of Bylaws
Section 1
These Bylaws or any portion thereof may be repealed or amended by two-thirds
majority vote of the voting members of the Faculty Senate.
Section 2
In cases not covered by the Constitution of Bylaws, the parliamentary procedure
to be followed in conducting Faculty Senate meetings will be Robert’s Rules of
Order.
Section 3
The President of the Faculty Senate shall appoint a Parliamentarian to serve at
the pleasure of the Faculty Senate.
Rev fall 07
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