1. Legislative Reports and Actions of the Senate
   
   In keeping with the University Faculty Senate Constitution, Article I, Section 1(a) the Senate has a legislative function and may pass legislation that shall be authoritative with regard to the educational interests of the University resident instruction, research, and continuing education programs; and on all educational matters concerning faculties of more than one college, subject to revision and orders of the President. These Senate actions shall be termed legislative and shall result from Action by the Senate on Legislative Reports and/or motions originating with Senate Committees or individual members of the Senate.
   
   Legislative actions of the Senate shall pertain only to items of business for which the Senate has legislative authority or to items of business internal to the Senate such as the Senate Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules.
   
   
   
2. Advisory and Consultative Reports and Actions of the Senate
   
   In keeping with the University Faculty Senate Constitution, Article I, Section 1 (b) the Senate has an advisory and consultative function, both through its corporate whole as well as its constituent parts, to the President on any matter that may affect the attainment of the educational objectives of the University. In fulfillment of this function the Corporate Senate may take various actions as appropriate. The wording of these actions should be as precise as possible to accurately convey the intent of the Senate Action. Reports developed for action by the Corporate Senate should be given the title Advisory and Consultative Report. The exact wording in the body of the report should accurately reflect the intent and nature of the advice or consultation.
   
   
   
3. Informational Reports of the Senate
   
   These reports originate from the various standing and special committees of the Senate. An informational report may be written or oral. It should report past or present events or situations in a factual manner. It may report committee opinions or conclusions. In no instance should the report imply endorsement by the Corporate Senate. (If this is intended then the report should be presented as a Legislative Action Report or Advisory and Consultative Action Report.) Informational Reports are received by the Senate but receipt does not imply endorsement. In many instances the report will be received without comment. Informational reports may provide the basis for future Senate actions or the report may receive endorsement by vote of the Senate as a whole. Such a report might thus become Legislative or an Advisory and Consultative Report to the President.
   
   
   
4. Forensic Function of the Senate
   
   In keeping with the University Faculty Senate Constitution, Article I, Section 1(c) the Senate serves as a forum for exchange of ideas among the members of the University Faculty. Also in keeping with Standing Rules, Article 1, Section 7 (d)(e) forensic concerns of the Senate may become the basis for Senate action after the Chairperson declares the forensic discussion period to be at the end. Such Senate action shall then take place to fulfill the Legislative Function or Advisory and Consultative Function of the Senate and the action shall reflect either of these modes.
   
   
   
5. Courtesy Actions of the Senate
   
   These actions shall be in the form of resolutions or other expressions honoring or recognizing various individuals, organizations, or institutions. Courtesy actions shall originate from Senate Council or the Senate Officers.
   
   Rationale
   
   By tradition we have labeled many actions as "legislative" when indeed they are "advisory and consultative" and not "legislative" when examined in light of our Constitution. These problems are even more confusing when our "actions" or "inactions" are reported in the public media and non-Senators attempt to interpret their significance.
   

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES AND RULES
Martha A. Adams
Donald K. Alexander, Vice-Chair
Priscilla H. Allison
Peter D. Bennett
Herbert Cole, Jr., Chairperson
E. Emory Enscore, Jr.
Robert S. Friedman
Evelyn A. Hovanec
Louis P. Inserra
Herberta M. Lundegren
Stanley P. Mayers, Jr.
Donald C. Rung
Valerie N. Stratton