Standing Rules

Approved by the Senate and Provost on April 12, 2016. Amended by the Senate and Provost on October 26, 2016; December 5, 2016; February 20, 2018; April 2, 2018; April 25, 2019; April 14, 2020; September 14, 2020; March 29, 2022.

The Standing Rules (hereafter, “Rules”) of the Academic Senate contain provisions for the regulation and management of the affairs of the Senate consistent with its Bylaws. The Rules of the Senate, as well as of the Academic Policy Committee and the Institute Curriculum Committee, and amendments thereto, require joint approval by the Senate and the Provost.

1. Nominations and Elections

1.1 General Rules

The following rules govern all nominations and elections conducted by the Senate.

1.1.1 Uncontested Elections

In any election in which the number of candidates is less than or equal to the number of available seats, the candidate(s) shall be deemed the winner(s) of an uncontested election and no ballots need be distributed.

1.1.2 Secret Ballot

The Senate shall ensure that the security and privacy of constituent data are safeguarded and that ballot responses are cast only once by eligible constituents and cannot be associated with specific respondents.

1.1.3 Tied Elections

Unless otherwise specified, tied votes in elections shall be decided by the Steering Committee, which shall first ask the tied candidates to decide among themselves who shall serve and, lacking consensus among or response from all candidates, shall draw names in a chance lottery from those candidates who have not declined.

1.1.4 Online Voting

[Approved by the Executive Committee and Provost on April 7, 2020. Ratified by the Senate on April 14, 2020.]

In urgent matters, deemed so by a majority of the members of the Executive Committee or Steering Committee, an online vote of the Senate or any of its committees may be conducted as an alternative to a vote or election held at a meeting. The threshold for approval (e.g., simple majority, two-thirds majority) shall be determined as usual by Senate Bylaws or Standing Rules, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, or the language of the motion itself (in that order of priority). Secret ballots shall be distributed to all voting members of the respective body, and the period for voting shall remain open for at least five business days when held entirely within dates during the fall or spring semester when classes are in session, or at least ten business days when held at any other time. A voter turnout equivalent to quorum for the respective body is required for valid results, and all ballot questions shall include an option to abstain. If quorum is not achieved, the period for voting may be extended by a majority of the Executive Committee or Steering Committee, or the motion or election may be conducted again at another time, either in-person or online. This standing rule must be ratified by an online vote of the Senate according to the procedures specified herein and requires a two-thirds majority approval. It may be amended thereafter according to procedures described in Senate Bylaws.

1.2 Regular Senate Elections

1.2.1 Departmental and At-Large Senator Nominees

Any at-large nominee from a department that does not have nominees for its departmental senator(s) shall be a presumptive nominee for the departmental seat(s), which nomination can be accepted or declined.

1.2.2 Counting Ballots

Ballots for departmental seats shall be counted first, and departments shall have as their senators the candidate(s) who received the most votes for departmental senator in that department, up to the maximum number allowed. Each candidate who has won an election for departmental senator shall not be eligible to be an at-large senator and shall be removed from the list of candidates for at-large senators. The at-large senators shall be those candidates who received the most votes for at-large senator in their respective categories, up to the maximum number allowed. If an individual is nominated both as a departmental senator and as an at-large senator, the votes received for either of those positions shall not count towards the other position under any circumstances. Tied votes in elections shall be decided by the Steering Committee, which shall first ask the tied candidates to decide among themselves who shall serve and, lacking consensus among or response from all candidates, shall draw names in a chance lottery from those candidates who have responded but not declined.

1.2.3 Alternates

Each senator shall have as an alternate the candidate who received the next highest number of votes for that seat in the most recent election and is not already a senator or alternate, up to the maximum number of seats allowed. In attempting to fill vacant seats, the Information Officer shall first ask alternates if they wish to serve out the remainder of the term in those seats.

1.3 Special Elections

Special elections fill vacancies that occur before the natural end of a term, and winners are elected to serve the remainder of that term. The Steering Committee shall issue a call for nominations to all constituents in the affected constituent group, with the call remaining open for at least ten business days when classes are in session. All nominations shall be confirmed in writing, and statements shall be requested of all candidates describing their interests and qualification. Should the number of nominees exceed the number of vacant seats, the Steering Committee shall conduct a special election, which shall remain open for at least ten business days when classes are in session. The person(s) receiving the most votes shall be the duly elected senator(s), up to the maximum number allowed.

1.3.1 Procedures to Establish or Reestablish a Seat

Constituents in any department or at-large category without the maximum number of senators or alternates allowed may petition to establish (or reestablish) a seat by sending a request to the Steering Committee with the name(s) of their pro-tempore representative(s). The Steering Committee shall distribute ballots to all constituents in the affected group with the name(s) of the pro-tempore representative(s) and an option for a write-in votes, with voting to remain open at least ten business days when classes are in session. The person(s) receiving the most votes shall be the duly elected representative(s), up the maximum number allowed.

1.4 Officers

1.4.1 Nomination of Officers

The Steering Committee shall issue a call for nominations to all constituents in eligible nominating groups, with the call remaining open for at least ten business days when classes are in session prior to the scheduled meeting of the Senate Elect. All nominations shall be confirmed in writing, and statements shall be requested of all candidates describing their interests and qualifications.

1.4.1 Election of Officers

The Senate shall have as its officers the person receiving the most votes in the election for each office, subject to provisions below.

a. The election results for President shall be announced immediately after voting is closed, and the election results for Financial Officer, Information Officer, and Outreach Officer shall not be announced until after voting is closed for all three. Election of Parliamentarian shall follow.

b. In the event of a tie in the election for any office, a run-off election shall be held between the candidates who received the highest number of votes for that office. If the run-off also results in a tie, the election shall be resolved by drawing names in a chance lottery from those candidates who have not withdrawn.

c. In the event that one person receives the highest number of votes for two or more offices, that person shall be deemed the winner of the election in which that person received highest number of votes, and the other office(s) shall pass to the candidate(s) who received the next highest number of votes in the election(s) for the respective office(s), or, in the case of exhaustion of candidates, a new election shall be held.

d. In the event that candidates from the same department receive the highest number of votes in the elections of three or more offices, a run-off election shall be held between those candidates to determine which two shall be officers, with the other office(s) passing to the candidate(s) who received the next highest number of votes in the election(s) for the respective office(s), or, in the case of exhaustion of candidates, a new election shall be held.

1.5 Committee Chairs

Unless otherwise specified, the Senate shall elect its committee chairs from a pool of candidates solicited from constituents during a nomination period that remains open for at least ten business days when classes are in session and that is announced at least three business days in advance. Unless otherwise specified, regular elections for committee chairs shall be held by secret ballot no later than the September meeting of the Senate and preferably in April of the preceding academic year.

1.6 Committee Members

1.6.1 Requests for Renewal of Members of Academic Policy Committee & Institute Curriculum Committee

Current members of the Academic Policy Committee or Institute Curriculum Committee may request renewal of their membership by the Senate for another term, up to two consecutive renewals, by declaring their interest in writing to a member of the Steering Committee before the first Senate meeting of each spring semester, when the Senate shall vote upon these requests, either jointly or, if so desired, individually by secret ballot. The composition procedures described in Standing Rule 1.6.3 shall be applied to any renewed members in order to determine the number of remaining seats, up to the maximum allowed for each committee, and eligible categories, for the purpose of general nominations and elections. If a request for renewal is denied, that committee member may still be nominated or self-nominate for open positions during general nominations.

1.6.2 Nominations

The Senate shall solicit nominations for committee members from constituents during a nomination period that remains open for at least ten business days when classes are in session and that is announced at least three business days in advance. All nominations shall be confirmed in writing.

1.6.3 Election of Members of the Academic Policy Committee and Institute Curriculum Committee

Regular elections for members of the Academic Policy Committee and Institute Curriculum Committee shall be held among constituents, with elections concluding no later than April 15 of each year. The candidate from each department who received the highest number of votes shall be retained on the list of candidates, and all others from that department shall be placed on a list of potential alternates, to be decided by procedures specified in 1.5.4 below. Candidates belonging to more than one department shall be considered separately under each of their departments and retained on the list of candidates if they received the highest number of votes in any of their departments. If any candidates are senators, those who received the highest number of votes shall be retained on the list of candidates, up to the maximum number of senators allowed on that committee, and other senators shall be placed on the list of potential alternates. From the remaining candidates, the committee shall be composed as follows:

a. The candidate who routinely teaches graduate-level classes and who received the highest number of votes shall be added to the committee. If there are no candidates from a graduate program, that seat shall be considered vacant and filled according to procedures specified in Senate Bylaws.

b. The candidate who routinely teaches undergraduate-level classes and who received the highest number of votes shall be added to the committee. If there are no candidates from an undergraduate program, that seat shall be considered vacant and filled according to procedures specified in Senate Bylaws.

c. If two constituents from the chairs category are not already members of the committee, the candidate(s) from the chairs category who received the highest number of votes shall be added to the committee, up to two chairs category members total. If there are fewer than two candidates from the chairs category, that seat shall be considered vacant and filled according to procedures specified in Senate Bylaws.

d. For any school, as well as the Library and departments not associated with a school, that does not already have a member on the committee, the candidate from each of those schools, the Library, or, jointly, those departments not associated with a school, who received the highest number of votes shall be added to the committee in descending order of number of votes, up to the maximum number allowed for the committee, and while achieving a majority of faculty on the committee. If adding another chair category or staff constituent would make this majority impossible, given the maximum size of the committee, only the faculty candidates shall be added. If there are insufficient faculty candidates, the seat(s) shall be considered vacant and filled according to procedures specified in Senate Bylaws.

e. Remaining candidates shall be added to the committee in descending order of the number votes received, up to the maximum number allowed for the committee and while preserving faculty majority.

1.6.4 Election of Other Standing Committee Members

Regular elections for members of other standing committees shall be held by secret ballot at a Senate meeting no later than October meeting of the Senate.

1.6.5 Vacancies in Committee Members

In replacing a vacant committee membership, the Steering Committee shall consider, within the category of the affected seat, runners up in the most recent election in descending order of votes. If the most recent election was more than one year ago, the Steering Committee may vote to conduct a special election to fill the seat or may appoint a replacement from a list of names presented at a meeting of the Steering Committee.

1.7 Institute Committees

Unless otherwise specified, the Senate shall elect faculty and chair members of Institute committees from a pool of candidates solicited from constituents during a nomination period that remains open for at least ten business days when classes are in session and that is announced at least three business days in advance. All nominations shall be confirmed in writing, and statements shall be requested of all candidates describing their interests and qualifications. If urgency does not allow this length of nominations period, the Senate or its Steering or Executive Committees may reduce the length of the nomination period by a two-thirds majority vote.

1.8 Search Committees

Unless otherwise specified, the Senate shall select faculty and chair nominees to search committees specified in Senate Bylaws from a pool of candidates solicited from constituents during a nomination period that remains open for at least ten business days when classes are in session and that is announced at least three business days in advance. All nominations shall be confirmed in writing, and statements shall be requested of all candidates describing their interests and qualifications. If urgency does not allow this length of nominations period, the Senate or its Steering or Executive Committees may reduce the length of the nomination period by a two-thirds majority vote.

1.8.1 Search Committees for Deans

In the case of search committees for deans, the Senate shall facilitate ranked nominations for faculty and chair nominees from within the school in which the search is being held, from among the pool of confirmed nominees from that school. All constituents within that school shall be eligible to rank nominees, and ranking shall remain open for at least ten business days when classes are in session and be announced three business days in advance. No more than one search committee nominee from within a school may come from the same department, unless the number of departments in that school is less than the number of faculty and chair search committee members from that school. Faculty and chair search committee nominees from other schools shall be ranked by the Senate from among the pool of confirmed nominees from other schools.

1.9 Positions on the Board of Trustees

Unless otherwise specified, the Senate shall nominate faculty and chair trustee candidates and members of Board non-standing committees from a pool of candidates solicited from constituents during a nomination period that remains open for at least ten business days when classes are in session and that is announced at least three business days in advance. All nominations shall be confirmed in writing, and candidates shall be asked to submit a statement and resume for consideration.

2. Meetings

2.1 Meeting of the Senate-Elect

The current Executive Committee shall convene the meeting of the Senate-Elect at a time mutually agreeable to the greatest number of senators-elect and sufficient for quorum. The meeting shall be chaired by a current or former Senate officer, who shall not accept nomination for any position during the meeting, or, if no such person is available, the senators-elect shall choose their own chair, who shall not accept nomination for any position during the meeting. The same procedure shall be used to select a minute-taker, who may accept nomination for any position during the meeting. Following their election, the President-Elect may chair the meeting.

2.2 Online Meetings

[Approved by the Senate and Provost on September 14, 2020.]

2.2.1 Designation and notice of online meetings

A majority of the members of the Executive Committee or Steering Committee may designate a Senate or Steering Committee meeting as online (without in-person participation), or in the case of a Senate committee, the committee chair may designate their respective committee’s meeting as online. Notice must be given with the meeting announcement, subject to provisions in Senate Bylaw VII.A. Online meetings must be conducted using technology that allows all participants to hear each other.

2.2.2 Voting during online meetings

Voting members must be identifiable by visual or audial means, and decisions are subject to quorum requirements in Senate Bylaw VII.D. Votes may be cast using voice, visual signals, polls or surveys, text, or other means, as determined by the meeting chair and with the consent of the body. Voting by secret ballots during online meetings must conform to requirements stated in Senate Standing Rule 1.1.2, or be conducted by another means separate from the online meeting. The Steering Committee shall periodically review technologies for conducting online meetings and maintain a list of recommended platforms and procedures.

2.3 Hybrid Meetings

A majority of the members of the Executive Committee or Steering Committee may designate a Senate or Steering Committee meeting as hybrid (with in-person and online participation), or in the case of a Senate committee, the committee chair may designate their respective committee’s meeting as hybrid. Members may be asked to declare their method of participation in advance, and online participation is subject to the availability of facilities and technology. The combined total of voting members in person and online shall count toward quorum, as defined in Senate Standing Rule 1.1.4. Any voting among online participants shall follow procedures in Senate Standing Rule 2.2.2.

3. Members and Vacancies

3.1 Constituent Database

Each semester, the Information Officer shall provide the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment with specifications of Senate constituents as defined in Senate Bylaws and request an official database of constituents compiled from data verified by Human Resources and the Office of the Provost one day after the add/drop date for that semester. This database shall be electronically transmitted to the Senate and used to determine eligibility and the number of available seats in elections. Upon inspecting the database, the Senate may suggest corrections to the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment or to Human Resources, along with a request for updated data. Once a nomination or related election period has opened, no changes may be made to the database for that period, and changes shall take effect for the following nomination and related election periods.

3.2 Current Constituents

Any person defined as a constituent in Senate Bylaws during the most recent fall, spring, or summer semesters shall be eligible to participate in current nominations and elections, according to eligibility rules described in Senate Bylaws or Standing Rules. The most recent information available shall be used to determine their constituent status (i.e., whether someone is a constituent or not) and relevant categories (e.g., title, department, etc.).

3.3 Changes in Constituent Category

Constituent status and categories can change over time. The following rules shall guide the officers in determining eligibility. Cases of ambiguity should be referred to the Steering Committee for discussion.

3.3.1 Changes in eligibility for future positions

During a nomination period, a person may request to be classified as eligible to run for a future seat, even if they are not currently eligible, by writing a member of the Executive Committee with information about a position change that would make them eligible to serve for the upcoming term. The Executive Committee should consider both the nature and the certainty of the change in deciding whether to grant the request and shall maintain absolute confidentiality about position details. 

3.3.2 Changes to status or category once elected

Once a person is elected to a seat, a change in constituent status and/or categories may make them ineligible or temporarily ineligible to serve in that seat:

a. If the change occurs immediately or later in the current semester, they may continue to serve in the seat for the rest of the semester.

b. If the change occurs in a future semester and will last through the remainder of the term, they may serve in the seat until the change takes place. If at that time, they are no longer eligible for the seat based on their current position, the seat shall automatically be deemed vacant for the rest of the term and filled according to established procedures.

c. If the change occurs in a future semester, is known to be temporary (e.g., an acting or interim position), and the person is expected to return to an eligible status and/or category before the term of the seat ends, the person may serve in the seat until the change takes place. If at that time, they are no longer eligible for the seat based on their current position, the seat shall be deemed temporarily vacant, and the person may resume the seat for the remainder of the term upon returning to an eligible status and/or category.

3.4 Leaves of Absence

Faculty members on sabbatical or constituents on leaves of absence, as defined in the Faculty Handbook, shall be eligible to participate in nominations and elections.

4. Other Standing Committees

In addition to standing committees specified in its Bylaws, the Senate shall have the following standing committees.

4.1. Distinguished Teacher Award Committee

4.1.1 Purpose

The Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes exceptional dedication to the Institute’s mission and applauds the accomplishments made over the course of a career. The Distinguished Teacher Award Committee reviews nominations made by the student body and recommends candidate(s) to the Senate, which confers the award jointly with the administration and Board of Trustees.

4.1.2 Membership

The Distinguished Teacher Award Committee shall consist of seven to eleven voting members:

• a. the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Chair;

• b. at least four Senate constituents each drawn from different schools, as well as the Library and, jointly, those departments not associated with a school, all of whom shall be ineligible for the award during their term of service;

• c. one undergraduate student selected by student government; and

• d. one graduate student selected by student government.

The committee shall have non-voting, ex-officio members as specified in Senate Bylaws.

4.1.3 Duties

The duties of the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee shall include but not be limited to:

• a. coordinating nominations by the student body and competition for the annual medal design,

• b. determining eligibility and criteria of excellence in teaching to guide review of candidates,

• c. recommending the Distinguished Teacher Award candidate(s) to the Senate, and

• d. periodically reviewing the effectiveness of its outreach and procedures.

4.1.4 Committee Chair

The Distinguished Teacher Award Committee shall be chaired by a faculty member elected by the Senate and have duties specified in Senate Bylaws and committee guidelines.

4.1.5 Recusal

Any member of the committee who is a finalist for the award shall have the option of either declining nomination for the award and remaining on the committee, or resigning from the committee and remaining as a candidate for the award.

4.1.6 Meetings

The Distinguished Teacher Award Committee shall convene by the end of fall semester to review criteria, eligibility, and nomination procedures for the Distinguished Teacher Award, which may be amended at any time upon the recommendation of the committee and approval by the Senate. The Committee shall recommend the candidate(s) no later than the March meeting of the Senate.

4.1.7 Compensation

In accordance with provisions in the Senate Compensation Policy, the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Chair shall receive 6% ($3,600) of the minimum starting salary in effect for full-time faculty of professor rank as defined in the CBA, and part-time faculty serving as committee members shall receive 1% ($600).

4.2 Faculty Development Fund Committee

4.2.1 Purpose

The Faculty Development Fund provides financial support for the development and advancement of Senate constituents. The Faculty Development Fund Committee reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the Provost, who determines final awards.

4.2.2 Membership

The Faculty Development Fund Committee shall consist of five to nine voting members, a majority of them faculty:

• a. the Faculty Development Fund Committee Chair; and

• b. at least four Senate constituents each drawn from different schools, as well as the Library and, jointly, those departments not associated with a school, who shall not apply for a grant during their term of service.

The committee shall have non-voting, ex-officio members as specified in Senate Bylaws.

4.2.3 Duties

The duties of the Faculty Development Fund Committee shall include but not be limited to:

• • a. reviewing all complete applications submitted to the Office of the Provost;

• • b. recommending for or against the funding of proposals, including recommending partial funding or revisions to budgets, to the Provost and reporting those recommendations to the Senate;

• c. recommending changes to criteria and procedures governing the Faculty Development Fund, in consultation with the Provost.

4.2.4 Committee Chair

The Faculty Development Fund Committee shall be chaired by a faculty member elected by the Senate and have duties specified in Senate Bylaws and committee guidelines.

4.2.5 Meetings

The Faculty Development Fund Committee shall convene by the end of fall semester to determine criteria, eligibility, and procedures for the Faculty Development Fund in consultation with the Provost and for review by the Senate. The Committee shall recommend the awards to the Provost and report them to the Senate no later than the February meeting of the Senate.

4.2.6 Compensation

In accordance with provisions in the Senate Compensation Policy, the Faculty Development Fund Committee Chair shall receive 6% ($3,600) of the minimum starting salary in effect for full-time faculty of professor rank as defined in the CBA, and part-time faculty serving as committee members shall receive 2% ($1,200).

4.3. Research Recognition Award Committee

4.3.1 Purpose

The Research Recognition Award recognizes cumulative and ongoing contributions to research, broadly defined. The Research Recognition Award (RRA) Committee reviews nominations for the award and recommends candidate(s) to the Senate, which confers the award jointly with the Provost.

4.3.2 Membership

The Research Recognition Award Committee shall consist of five to nine voting members, a majority of them faculty:

• a. the Research Recognition Award Committee Chair;
• b. at least four Senate constituents drawn from different schools, as well as the Library and, jointly, those departments not associated with a school, all of whom shall be ineligible for the award during their term of service.

The committee shall have non-voting, ex-officio members as specified in Senate Bylaws.

4.3.3 Duties

The duties of the Research Recognition Award Committee shall include but not be limited to:

• a. coordinating nominations for the annual award,
• b. determining eligibility and criteria of excellence in research to guide review of candidates,
• c. recommending the Research Recognition Award candidate(s) to the Senate, and
• d. periodically reviewing the effectiveness of its outreach and procedures.

4.3.4 Committee Chair

The Research Recognition Award Committee shall be chaired by a faculty member elected by the Senate and have duties specified in Senate Bylaws and committee guidelines.

4.3.5 Recusal

Any member of the committee who is a finalist for the award shall have the option of either remaining on the committee and being ineligible for the award, or resigning from the committee and remaining as a candidate for the award.

4.3.6 Meetings

The Research Recognition Award Committee shall convene by the end of fall semester to review eligibility, criteria, and nomination procedures for the Research Recognition Award, which may be amended at any time upon the recommendation of the committee and approval by the Senate. The Committee shall recommend the candidate(s) no later than the February meeting of the Senate.

4.3.7 Compensation

In accordance with provisions in the Senate Compensation Policy, the Research Recognition Award Committee Chair shall receive the equivalent of the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Chair, and part-time faculty serving as committee members shall receive the equivalent of Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Members.

4.4 Academic Service Award Committee

4.4.1 Purpose

The Academic Service Award recognizes cumulative and ongoing contributions to service, broadly defined. The Academic Service Award (ASA) Committee reviews nominations for the award and recommends candidate(s) to the Senate, which confers the award jointly with the Provost.

4.4.2 Membership

The Academic Service Award Committee shall consist of five to nine voting members, a majority of them faculty:

• a. the Academic Service Award Committee Chair;
• b. at least four Senate constituents drawn from different schools, as well as the Library and, jointly, those departments not associated with a school, all of whom shall be ineligible for the award during their term of service.

The committee shall have non-voting, ex-officio members as specified in Senate Bylaws.

4.4.3 Duties

The duties of the Academic Service Award Committee shall include but not be limited to:

• a. coordinating nominations for the annual award,
• b. determining eligibility and criteria of excellence in service to guide review of candidates,
• c. recommending the Academic Service Award candidate(s) to the Senate, and
• d. periodically reviewing the effectiveness of its outreach and procedures.

4.4.4 Committee Chair

The Academic Service Award Committee shall be chaired by a faculty member elected by the Senate and have duties specified in Senate Bylaws and committee guidelines.

4.4.5 Recusal

Any member of the committee who is a finalist for the award shall have the option of either remaining on the committee and being ineligible for the award, or resigning from the committee and remaining as a candidate for the award.

4.4.6 Meetings

The Academic Service Award Committee shall convene by the end of fall semester to review eligibility, criteria, and nomination procedures for the Academic Service Award, which may be amended at any time upon the recommendation of the committee and approval by the Senate. The Committee shall recommend the candidate(s) no later than the March meeting of the Senate.

4.4.7 Compensation

In accordance with provisions in the Senate Compensation Policy, the Academic Service Award Committee Chair shall receive the equivalent of the Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Chair, and part-time faculty serving as committee members shall receive the equivalent of Distinguished Teacher Award Committee Members.

5. Budget & Resource Policies

5.1 Academic Initiatives Fund

The Senate shall set aside at least 25% of its Other Than Personal Services (OTPS) budget for support of academic initiatives organized by constituents and open to the Pratt community. The Executive Committee, whose members shall be ineligible for this award during their terms, shall be responsible for determining awards and criteria, including award amounts, eligible funding categories, deadlines, and procedures for publicizing and reporting on initiatives. Priority shall be given to initiatives that are interdisciplinary in nature and to schools, programs, and areas of interest that have not received support during the current fiscal year and in past years. All funded initiatives must state Academic Senate sponsorship.

5.2 Ad-Hoc Committee Compensation

For ad-hoc committees formed after January 1 of each academic year, ad-hoc committee chairs shall receive 2% ($1,200) of the minimum starting salary in effect for full-time faculty of professor rank as defined in the CBA and part-time faculty serving as members of ad-hoc committees shall receive 0.5% ($300), unless a greater amount is approved by the Senate when the committee is formed, which shall not exceed the highest current compensation for committee chairs or members. For ad-hoc committees formed on or before January 1 of each academic year, ad-hoc committee chairs shall receive 4% ($2,400) and part-time faculty members serving as members of ad-hoc committees shall receive 1% ($600), unless a greater amount is approved by the Senate when the committee is formed, which shall not to exceed the highest current compensation for committee chairs or members. All compensation shall be paid according to the Senate Compensation Policy.

5.3 Senate Office Access

All Senate officers and committee chairs shall have use of the Senate office and related equipment and supplies for the purpose of Senate business. The Financial Officer shall arrange physical access to the office. The Information Officer shall receive requests for use of the Senate office for committee meetings and other Senate business and maintain a schedule of meetings, making this schedule available to all officers and committee chairs.

5.4 Requests for Equipment and Supplies

Senate officers and committee chairs may make reasonable requests for equipment and supplies related to Senate business. Requests shall be made to the Senate President and Financial Officer, and any equipment shall be returned to the Senate at the end of the person’s term.