|
|
||||||||||||
| UFS Home |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
SENATE FACT SHEET
--acts as an advisory and consultative body to the President, both through its corporate whole and any of its constituent parts, on any other matter that may affect the attainment of the educational objectives of the University; --serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas among the members of the University faculty. One of the ways the Senate facilitates communication among faculty, students, and administration is through visits by the Senate Officers to all university campuses and colleges every three years. Senate Membership: The Senate represents more than 5,500 full-time faculty at 23 Penn State campuses. The Senate comprises faculty senators, who are elected from each college and campus in proportion to the total number of faculty in their units; undergraduate/graduate student senators; ex officio; and members appointed by the President. Senate committee chairs often invite other members of the University community to participate in the work of the committees as resources. Senate Structure: The Senate is under the leadership of an elected Chair and three other elected officers. It has 15 standing committees, including Curricular Affairs, Educational Equity and Campus Environment, Faculty Affairs, Intercollegiate Athletics, Research, and Undergraduate Education. In addition, the Senate elects or appoints members to and participates in various joint committees, commissions and boards, including the University Promotion and Tenure Review and the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities committees. The work of the Senate is accomplished primarily through its committees and subcommittees. An Executive Secretary is responsible for the operational duties of the Senate and supervises a staff of five. Senate History: The Penn State University Faculty Senate as a representative legislative body met for the first time on October 21, 1921. Prior to that date, the entire faculty met as a general assembly, but as the faculty grew in number, a more efficient means of faculty governance became necessary. The "modern" Senate dates back to 1966 when the body reorganized itself and adopted a new constitution, which was approved by the Board of Trustees later that year. The following year, the first Executive Secretary of the Senate was appointed. Members of the University community are welcome to attend Senate meetings and, with prior approval of the Chair, may speak regarding a matter before the body. Further information about the Faculty Senate is available in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the University Faculty Senate, the Faculty Senate Web site at http://www.senate.psu.edu, or by contacting the Office of the University Faculty Senate, (814) 863-0221, 101 Kern Graduate Building.
|
