Faculty Senator Guide

Primary Responsibilities for Senators:

• Actively participate in all Faculty Senate meetings.
• Serve on at least two Faculty Senate committees.
• Seek input from colleagues regarding ideas, policies, or areas of concern.
• Disseminate information on policy issues passed by the Senate to your constituents.

Becoming a Faculty Senator

Faculty Senate Meetings

When

Regular meetings are typically held at 3:15 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. A complete list of meeting dates is available on the Faculty Senate website.

Where

Meetings are conducted both online via Zoom and in person at the Fitzsimmons Event Hall in the WVU College of Law. Senators are encouraged to attend in person whenever possible.

Attendance and Absence

Senators are expected to attend all meetings, and attendance is recorded by the Faculty Senate Office. Senators may mark themselves as present by completing the meeting attendance poll or by checking in with the Faculty Senate representative inside the event hall.

If you are unable to attend a meeting and wish to be marked as excused, please notify the Faculty Senate Office at FacultySenateOffice@mail.wvu.edu before the meeting.

Meeting Organization

Each meeting follows an agenda, which is posted online and distributed via email one week prior. The Faculty Senate follows Robert's Rules of Order, 12th ed. for matters of conduct and governance where applicable and on matters where the Faculty Constitution or other special guidelines do not apply.

Meeting minutes are made available no later than one week before the next meeting. Senators may request amendments to the minutes by contacting the Faculty Senate Office.

Addressing the Senate

Senators have the opportunity to speak on nearly all matters of business before the Senate. After a report is given or a main motion is introduced, the floor will be opened for questions and comments.

To address the Senate, approach a microphone in the event hall or use the “raise hand” function in Zoom. Upon recognition by the Chair, state your name and constituency before speaking.

Items not directly related to the agenda may be introduced under “New Business” when prompted by the Chair. Non-Senators may speak at a meeting only if a Senator requests permission for them to do so.

Committees

There are three types of Senate committees: constitutional, standing, and special. Constitution committees are established by the Faculty Constitution. For details, refer to Faculty Constitution Article III. 

Committee Composition

Committee rosters typically include faculty senators, faculty, and ex officio appointments representing staff, administration, and/or students. Composition is determined by the Committee on Committees, Membership, and Constituencies, though additional members may be considered by each committee.

Committee Types and Membership

Constitutional Committees

• Executive Committee
• Committee on Committees, Membership, and Constituency

Standing Committees

• Academic Technology Committee
• Curriculum Committee
• Committee of Retired Faculty
• Faculty Welfare Committee
• General Education Foundations Committee
• Inclusion and Diversity Committee
• Library Committee
• Research Committee
• Service Committee
• Shared Governance Committee
• Student Rights and Responsibilities Committee
• Sustainability Committee
• Teaching and Assessment Committee

Special Committees

• Committee on Collaboration
• Recruitment and Retention Committee

Committee Organization

To serve as a Senate committee chair, one must be a Senator or have served as chair-elect the previous year. The chair-elect must be a Senator or have served at least three years as a member of the respective committee.

Each spring, the Faculty Senate Office distributes a survey allowing faculty to indicate their committee preferences. The Committee on Committees, Membership, and Constituency then assigns members based on these preferences.

Committee Reporting

Committees are may be called on to report at Executive Committee or Faculty Senate meetings, either to update the body on committee action or to present a matter of concern. Should a committee seeks Senate action, the committee chair must first report to the Executive Committee. If deemed appropriate, the Executive Committee places the item on the Senate meeting agenda. The committee chair or a designated representative should be present to introduce and discuss the item. Committee chair's should contact the Faculty Senate Office or Faculty Senate chair for more information.  

All committees must submit an annual report summarizing their progress, comparing it to stated goals, and establishing objectives for the upcoming academic year.

Communication and Representation

As a Senator, you are responsible for both disseminating relevant policy information to your constituents and gathering their input. You may do this through various means, including:

• Creating and posting a summary of Senate actions.
• Sending regular email updates.
• Discussing Senate matters with colleagues in person or by phone.
• Any other method you find effective.

It is also your responsibility to bring your colleagues’ ideas, concerns, or policy suggestions to the Senate. Depending on the issue, you may contact a member of the Executive Committee, an appropriate standing committee, or Senate leadership.

If you wish to introduce an issue to the Senate floor, please consult the Faculty Senate Chair or Faculty Senate Office beforehand.