Bylaws Agenda Committee
Agenda Committee

BYLAWS OF THE SENATE
As amended during the 2006-2007 session of the University Senate Revising Article I, Sections 1 and 3 and Article V, Section 3

ARTICLE IV. THE AGENDA COMMITTEE

Section 1.
There shall be an Agenda Committee consisting of a Vice Chancellor or a Vice President designated by the Chancellor and eleven other members of the Senate to be elected by the Senate. Seven of the eleven shall be chosen from the faculty and staff, three from the student representatives, and one from among the ex officio members. Of the eight persons representing the faculty, the staff and the ex officio members of the Senate, no more than four may be from one college or school; two shall be elected in one year, three the next, and three (including the representative of the ex officio members) in the third year. The eleven elected members shall serve for a term of three years beginning on August 15 following their election, provided they remain members of the Senate; they may not succeed themselves after completing a full three-year term. Vacancies in the Committee shall be filled by Senate election at the next meeting after a vacancy occurs. Students elected to fill vacancies shall be deemed to be filling new three-year terms, beginning on August 15 of the academic year in which they take office. Otherwise, elected replacements shall serve the remainder of the terms vacated. In all elections of members of this Committee, nominations shall be made to the Senate by the Agenda Committee. The number of nominations shall be at least twice the number of vacancies; additional nominations may be made from the floor. The Committee annually shall elect its chairperson from its own membership.

Section 2.
The Agenda Committee shall prepare the Agenda for all meetings of the Senate.

Section 3.
In all Senate meetings the simple motion to refer shall imply referral to the Agenda Committee. The Agenda Committee will assign the assigned matter to a committee it deems appropriate. The Agenda Committee shall keep itself informed of the progress of all committees, encourage them to complete their tasks, and arrange for their reports to the Senate.

Section 4.
At the April meeting of the Senate each year the Agenda Committee shall nominate membership of all committees and subcommittees listed in these Bylaws. Additional nominations may be made from the floor, and the number of members recommended by the Agenda Committee for any committee may be increased or decreased by majority vote of the Senate. The Agenda Committee may at any time recommend creation or abolition of any committee.

Section 5.
After the last regular Senate meeting of an academic year, the Agenda Committee shall be empowered to act in place of the full Senate for the review and approval of honorary degrees for commencement speakers. At the first business meeting of the Senate in the fall, the Agenda Committee will report any such action taken.

Section 6.
At the October meeting of the Senate each year the Agenda Committee shall submit to the Senate a summary of the work of the Senate during the preceding academic year. When this summary has been approved by the Senate, it shall be distributed to each member of the faculty.

Section 7.
The Agenda Committee shall have responsibility for promoting, coordinating and integrating the work of all committees and shall have power to assign to committees matters of relevance to their functions. It shall also use its influence to promote implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the Senate.

Section 8.
An original main motion (i.e., a motion that introduces a substantive question as a new subject) may be placed upon the agenda in the following ways:

• The Agenda Committee may place a motion on the agenda through its own initiative.

• The Agenda Committee may place a motion on the agenda submitted to it by an individual member. Individual members who wish a motion placed on the agenda, he/she will normally submit it first to the Agenda Committee; such submissions should allow enough time for the Agenda Committee to make copies of the motion for distribution to senators before the start of the next regular or special meeting. The Agenda Committee will then either place the motion on the agenda for the next Senate meeting or refer it to an appropriate Senate Committee for further consideration. The sole function of the Agenda Committee will be to expedite the business of the Senate by preparing the body for debate and action. To that end it may ask the mover(s) to furnish testimony in session of the Agenda Committee, will print motions in advance of the Senate session along with other relevant information; and will ensure requisite time on the agenda for appropriate debate. The mover(s) may insist on a hearing before the Agenda Committee.

• A majority report and subsequent motion(s) of a committee will automatically be placed on the agenda.

• A minority of 1/5 of a committee may, if it wishes, automatically have its report and subsequent motions placed on the agenda.
• A motion to place an item on the Agenda may be made by any Senate member and will pass, if 2/3 of the members present vote in favor of hearing it.

• A motion must be placed on the Agenda, if submitted to the Agenda Committee and seconded in writing by 15 Senate members. Such motions must be submitted in time to be printed and distributed before the start of the next regular or special meeting.

The Presiding Officer may rule as out of order any amendment to an existing motion that so alters or adds to the original motion as to constitute in effect a new motion. Such rulings may be overridden by a simple majority vote of the members present.

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