University Governance Records: Senate Records

The Universtity Senate was formed in 1941. According to the University Senate Constitution published in 1980:

The Western Connecticut State University Senate exists by the will of the Faculty. Its existence is based upon the principle that to institute new or change existing policies concerning matters over which local university autonomy exists, it is necessary to have the approval of the University Administration, i.e., the President and his designated representative(s); the University Senate, if it wishes to act; and, the Student Government Association Senate, if it wishes to act. The University Senate also exists to act as a forum to discuss and, by resolution, to express its views on any topic of concern to the faculty.

Concerning policies over which local and University autonomy exists, the approval of the University Senate, if it wishes to act, is required. In the exercise of its authority over curriculum policy and curricular structure, requirements for degrees and granting of degrees, policies for recruitment, admission and retention of students, academic policies relating to students and other matters of campus community, and consistent with the principle of shared governance.

The Senate's bylaws stipulate that: All elections of the University Senate shall be held in the month of April. Officers of the Senate will be elected in May. The incoming Senate shall take office effective July 1, each year.

Senate officers shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and an Archivist to be elected before the end of each academic year by the incoming University Senate. The duties of the University Senate President shall be: To serve as the chief executive officer of the Senate; To preside at al1 meetings of the Senate; and, To appoint a parliamentarian. The duties of the University Senate Vice President shall be: to assume the duties of the President in the absence of or at the request of the President; to serve as Chairperson of the Senate Agenda Committee; to serve as a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee; and, to perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President. The duties of the University Senate Secretary shal1 be: to inform fully the faculty in writing of all decisions, in the form of generally complete minutes published as a special section of The Westconn Report; to communicate in writing with and to receive written replies from the President of the University as may be appropriate for policy establishment or change; to forward as appropriate Senate actions and recommendations to the appropriate body, standing committees, departments, et al. to maintain the tape recording of a Senate meeting until the formal approval of the minutes of that meeting has occurred.

The Senate shall meet the third Wednesday, at 3:30 p.m completed, on the following Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. of each academic month when the University is in session, unless the Senate President: a. cancels the meeting; or b. selects an alternate day and/or meeting time. [Senate Amended Oct. 17, 2001 (R-01 0905) and Administrative Approval Oct. 2001]