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Faculty Senate Constitution

PREAMBLE

To ensure advocacy, equity, effectiveness, and predictability for participating in the formation of college policies on academic and professional matters, we, the Faculty of Calhoun Community College, do hereby establish this representative organization to represent us to the Administration and the community.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Faculty Senate of Calhoun Community College, herein referred to as the Senate.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

  • Section 1:
    Electorate
The Electorate shall consist of all Schedule D full-time faculty personnel whose primary assignment is at Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur, Decatur Campus, Limestone Correctional Facility, and Research Park Campus (hereafter, all shall be referred to as the College) and whose assignment does not include evaluation of other faculty/certificated personnel in a supervisory role.
  • Section 2:
    Senate

The Senate shall be composed of the following members:

  1. Representative Senators to be voted upon by the Electorate as dictated by the Bylaws.
  2. The Executive Board of the Faculty Senate, which shall include the Faculty Senate President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSES & SCOPE

  • Section 1:

The Senate shall have the following purposes:

  • To promote the general welfare of the College, its faculty, and its students.
  • To ensure the formal and effective procedures for participating in the formation of College policies on academic and professional concerns.
  • To encourage a sense of responsibility among faculty for maintaining a superior level of instruction and professional commitment.
  • To represent the faculty in making recommendations to the Administration of the College with respect to academic and professional matters.
  • To cooperate with the community and other college representational organizations to improve the status of community college education in Alabama, especially with respect to matters directly affecting faculty and support staff.
  • Section 2:

The Senate shall exercise its authority within the following scope in accordance with State Board of Education policy:

  • Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines;
  • Degree and certificate requirements;
  • Grading policies;
  • Educational program development;
  • Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success;
  • College governance structures, as related to faculty roles;
  • Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self-study and annual reports;
  • Policies for faculty professional development activities;
  • Processes for program review;
  • Processes for institutional planning and budget development;
  • Faculty awards and recognition;
  • Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the Administration and the Faculty Senate.

ARTICLE IV: ROLES & RESPONSIBLITIES

  • Section 1:
    Actualize the purpose and scope
The primary function of the Senate is to ensure the realization of its purpose within the scope defined; to that end, it shall appoint committee members, hold regular meetings, and elect representatives who can perform the duties as described in the Bylaws.
  • Section 2:
    Appointment
The Senate shall be empowered to appoint committees, conduct studies, surveys, and conduct such business and review such concerns as shall be deemed appropriate by the Senate. All committees shall report their findings to the Senate, unless otherwise instructed.
  • Section 3:
    Functions
The Senate shall conduct meetings, hold elections, and perform duties as outlined in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V: BYLAWS

Bylaws of this constitution may be adopted or amended at an official meeting by a two-thirds vote of the Senate members present, provided that the proposal has been introduced at a previous meeting.

ARTICLE VI: ASSESSMENTS

The Senate may call upon its members for the annual payment of professional dues in the amount of $50.00. However, professional dues are purely voluntary and not to be a condition of or eligibility for membership in the Senate, and no sanctions are to be imposed upon those members who do not pay such professional dues.

ARTICLE VII: AFFILIATIONS

The Senate may affiliate with educational or professional organizations, local or otherwise, provided that such affiliation never restricts or infringes upon the independence of the Senate.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

  • Section 1:
    Procedure
An Amendment to the Constitution may be proposed in writing to the Senate by a member of the Senate. If accorded a two-thirds favorable vote, the proposed Amendment shall be submitted to the Electorate for approval.
  • Section 2:
    Adoption
If two-thirds of the votes cast by the Electorate favor adoption of the Amendment, it shall immediately become effective unless otherwise provided.