Constitution and Bylaws

The Faculty Senate was authorized by an amendment to the Governance Manual approved by a vote of the College community on December 14, 2020 to be the conduit through which matters pertaining to instruction and academics, shall pass, such that there should be one forum for formulation of and deliberation on academic policies in the spirit of transparency and collegiality.

• 1.1 - The name of this deliberative body shall be the Faculty Senate of the Community College of Rhode Island.

• 2.1 - The Senate, subject to the provisions of state and federal law, and subject to consistency with the general objectives established by its governing Council, and subject to the referendum power of the General Faculty has legislative authority on academic policies. It shall, with the concurrence of the College President, formulate policy concerning teaching, study, discipline and government: for example, and without excluding others not listed, academic standards (scholastic standing, admission and dismissal policy, class attendance, grading systems, etc.) and curriculum matters not covered by the Curriculum Review Committee. Nothing in this article should be construed to interfere with the authority or responsibility of the appropriate administrative officers in the carrying out of established policy, or in proposing, through the College President, such changes in policy as they deem desirable. General Faculty is constituted by the Full-Time faculty body.
• 2.2 - The Senate, with the concurrence of the College President, shall formulate such policies regarding student academic activities (e.g. experiential learning) as it may deem appropriate to advance the educational purposes of the College and to promote satisfactory discipline and behavior and support equitable outcomes and student success.
• 2.3 - The Senate may make recommendations to the College President and/or the Council on Postsecondary Education through the President in regard to policies affecting the General Faculty status and welfare. This section shall not be construed to conflict with the rights delegated to an exclusive collective bargaining agent duly authorized to represent the faculty in conformity with public laws.
• 2.4 - The Senate shall elect such officers, establish such standing and special committees, and adopt such bylaws, standing and temporary rules of order, and parliamentary authority as it deems necessary for the efficient and equitable functioning of the Senate.
• 2.5 - The Senate shall exercise all authority delegated to the College faculty by law and all authority lawfully delegated to it by the Council on Postsecondary Education, except that the General Faculty shall act upon the recommendations made by the various departmental faculties for the granting of degrees to those recipients who have fulfilled the requirements for the appropriate degrees.

Accordion Heading 1

• 3.1 The Faculty Senate shall be comprised of Ad Officium and Ex Officio Senators.
  • 3.1.A - Ad Officium Senators
    • 3.1.A.i - Ad Officium Senators shall include members of the General Faculty and Part-Time Faculty.
    • 3.1.A.ii - Ad Officium Senators shall have the right to speak, make motions, second motions, and vote on all matters before the Faculty Senate.
    • 3.1.A.iii - Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty
      • 3.1.A.iii.a - Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty are members of the permanent, full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty elected by the General Faculty of their respective academic departments to serve three-year terms.
      • 3.1.A.iii.b - Each academic department shall be represented by a number of Ad Officium Senators equal to the cubed root of its permanent, full- time, tenured, or tenure-track faculty, rounded to the nearest whole.
      • 3.1.A.iii.c – Any Senate seats left vacant following the annual election cycle shall be filled according to procedures established in the Senate Bylaws.
  • 3.1.A.iv - Ad Officium Senators of the Part-Time Faculty
    • 3.1.A.iv.a - Ad Officium Senators of the Part-Time Faculty are members of the contingent faculty who shall serve one-year terms.
    • 3.1.A.iv.b - The Part-Time Faculty shall have a minimum of four seats in the Faculty Senate with additional seats apportioned and filled via procedures established in the Senate Bylaws. Each of the College’s four academic divisions shall be represented by at least one Ad Officium Senator of the Part-Time Faculty.
    • 3.1.A.iv.c - Ad Officium Senators of the Part-Time Faculty shall be elected by the Part-Time faculty during the annual general elections.
    • 3.1.A.iv.d - Any Senate seats left vacant following the annual election cycle shall be filled according to procedures established in the Senate Bylaws.
  • 3.1.B - Ex Officio Senators
    • 3.1.B.i - The President of the College, Vice President of Academic Affairs, the academic division deans, the President of the CCRI Faculty Association (or their designated representative), the President of the CCRI Adjunct Faculty Association (or their designated representative), and the Presidents of the Campus Student Governments shall be Ex Officio Senators.
    • 3.1.B.ii - With the exception of the President of the CCRI Faculty Association and the President of the CCRI Part-Time Faculty Association, all Ex Officio Senators shall have the same rights and privileges as Ad Officium Senators except for the right to vote.
    • 3.1.B.iii - As members of the faculty, the President of the CCRI Faculty Association and the President of the CCRI Part-Time Faculty Association (or their designated appointees) shall have the same rights and privileges as Ad Officium Senators.

• 4.1 - Amendments shall be proposed to the General Faculty by a majority of the total voting membership of the Faculty Senate and subject to ratification by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the General Faculty voting on the question.
• 4.2 - Balloting shall be conducted in accordance with procedures established by the Faculty Senate.

The following Senate By-Laws were developed to ensure the effective operation of shared governance at the Community College of Rhode Island.

• 1.1 - All Ad Officium Senators shall have the right to speak, make motions, second motions, and vote on all matters before the Faculty Senate. Ad Officium Senators are obligated to attend all Faculty Senate meetings and take part in the committee work assigned by the Presiding Officer of the Senate.
• 1.2 - All Ex Officio Senators (with the exception of the President of the CCRI Faculty Association and the President of the CCRI Part-Time Faculty Association) shall have the same rights as Ad Officium Senators except the right to vote.
• 1.3 - As members of the faculty, the President of the CCRI Faculty Association and the President of the CCRI Part-Time Faculty Association (or their designated representatives) shall have the same rights as Ad Officium Senators, including the right to vote.
• 1.4 - In the event an Ad Officium Senator misses more than two regular meetings in a semester, the Presiding Officer of the Senate shall declare that seat vacant. Any Senate office or position held by the Senator shall be simultaneously vacated. Any vacancies created by these actions shall be filled according to the procedures outlined in Section 2.10 of these Bylaws.
• 1.5 - An Ad Officium Senator who exceeds the number of allowed absences may petition the Leadership Committee to retain their seat. A successful petition will allow the Senator to retain their seat, but all offices held at the time of vacancy are considered forfeit. A petition cannot be made after the vacated seat has been officially filled

• 2.1 – Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty shall be elected by the General Faculty of the College. As defined in the Faculty Senate Constitution, General Faculty are the permanent, full-time, tenured or tenure-track members of the faculty.
• 2.2 - Elections shall be conducted by a committee of Ad Officium Senators using rules and procedures agreed upon by the full Senate.
• 2.3 - Senate seats shall be apportioned to academic departments using the formula described in the Faculty Senate Constitution (3.1.A.iii.b).
• 2.4 - At the penultimate meeting of the Spring semester the Senate’s Presiding Officer shall provide all academic departments with the names of those Senators whose terms are ending upon conclusion of the current academic year as well as any changes in apportionment.
• 2.5 - The election of Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty must take place between the penultimate and final Senate meetings of the Spring semester.
• 2.6 - A Senator whose seat is vacated due to absence or other disciplinary action is ineligible to stand at the next election.
• 2.7 - General Faculty election results shall be officially announced by the Presiding Officer of the Senate at the last Senate meeting of the Spring semester which is to take place no later than the College’s Spring commencement exercises.
• 2.8- Ad Officium Senators of the Part-Time Faculty may serve consecutive one-year terms without limitation, provided they remain on the College’s active roster.
• 2.9 - If a Senator resigns or becomes ineligible to serve (due to retirement, leave, change in employment status, etc.) their seat is considered immediately vacated and must be filled. Senators are encouraged to submit their resignation in writing to the Presiding Officer. If communication is not received, and the Presiding Officer has reason to believe a Senator is no longer eligible to serve, they may approach the chair of the Senator’s department to verify their status. In the event the Presiding Officer is unable to verify the status of a Senator, the procedures outlined in Section 2.12 will be followed.
• 2.10 - In the event an Ad Officium Senator of the General Faculty’s seat becomes vacant during the academic year, the academic department associated with the seat has 14-days from the official declaration of vacancy or the Friday before the next regular meeting (whichever span of time is greater) to name a new General Faculty member to serve out the remainder of the seat’s term.
• 2.11 - In the event an Ad Officium Senator of the General Faculty’s seat becomes vacated outside the academic year, the chair of the academic department associated with the seat must name a new General Faculty member to serve out the remainder of the seat’s term prior to the Faculty Senate’s first meeting of the Fall semester.
• 2.12 - If an academic department fails to name a General Faculty member to a vacated seat, the Senate Leadership Committee shall nominate a member of the General Faculty to serve the remainder of the academic year to be approved by a majority vote of the Senate. The seat will revert to the originating academic department to be filled in the annual general election.
• 2.13 - If an academic department fails to elect a General Faculty member to a vacant seat as part of the annual general election, the Senate Leadership Committee shall nominate a member of the General Faculty to serve a one-year term to be approved by a majority vote of the Senate. Upon conclusion of the one-year term, the seat will return to the original academic department to be filled via election.
• 2.14 - When nominating Senators, the Senate Leadership Committee shall give preference to faculty within the same academic department, followed by the same academic division, before considering all General Faculty.
• 2.15 - In the event an Ad Officium Senator of the Part-Time Faculty’s seat is vacated during their term, the Senate Leadership Committee shall nominate a member of the Part-Time Faculty to serve the remainder of the term to be approved by a majority vote of the Senate. Preference shall be given to nominating Part-Time Faculty within the same academic division before considering all Part-Time Faculty.

• 3.1 - All Senate Officers must be members of the General Faculty and have the same rights and responsibilities as Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty unless otherwise noted in the Senate Bylaws.
• 3.2 - All Senate Officers shall serve for one year commencing at the adjournment of the last meeting of the Spring semester.
• 3.3 - If a Senate Officer’s Senate term ends before the completion of their term in office, their Senate term is automatically extended.
• 3.4 - The Presiding Officer of the Senate shall be titled the Senate President.
• 3.5 - The Senate President shall preside over all meetings of the Senate and all meetings of the Senate Leadership Committee.
• 3.6 - The Senate President shall not vote in Senate proceedings except to cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie. If the Senate President declines to cast a deciding vote, the motion fails.
• 3.7 - The Senate President shall sign the official copies of all Senate actions.
• 3.8 - The Senate President shall serve as the chief liaison between the Faculty Senate and the chief executives of the College and Faculty Unions. The Senate President shall also serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of the Senate in all public matters.
• 3.9- The Senate President may grant members of the faculty, student body, administration, and staff the privileges of the floor at Senate meetings.
• 3.10 – The First Subordinate Presiding Officer shall have the titles of Senate Vice President and Senate President Elect.
• 3.11 - Upon conclusion of their term, the Senate Vice President shall assume the office of Senate President.
• 3.12 - If the Senate Vice President’s term as Ad Officium Senator ends upon conclusion of their term as Vice President, their term as Ad Officium Senator is automatically extended for the duration of their term as Senate President.
• 3.13- If the office of Senate President is vacated before the official conclusion of their term, the Senate Vice President will immediately assume the office of Senate President.
• 3.14 - If the Senate President is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable, a majority of the Senate Leadership Committee may temporarily grant the Senate Vice President the title of Acting Senate President with all the associated rights and responsibilities of the Senate President except those described in Section 3.7.
• 3.15- Unless otherwise assigned by the Senate President, the Senate Vice President shall have the following responsibilities:
  • 3.15.A - Attending to the logistical and technological needs associated with Senate meetings. This includes coordinating with Facilities on ensuring the proper configuration of tables and chairs, working with the IT Department to ensure that all technology needs are addressed, and making the necessary arrangements for remote participation (if needed).
  • 3.15.B - Reporting on the actions of the Senate Leadership Committee at every regular Senate meeting.
• 3.16 - The Second Subordinate Presiding Officer shall have the title of Senate Secretary.
• 3.17 - Unless otherwise assigned by the Senate President, the Senate Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:
  • 3.17.A - Keeping minutes for every full Senate meeting as well as meetings of the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 3.17.B - Maintaining the Senate’s records and updating the Faculty Senate website.
• 3.18 - If the office of Senate Vice-President is vacated before the official conclusion of their term, the Senate Secretary may choose to assume the office of Senate Vice-President.
• 3.19 - If the Senate Vice President is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable, a majority of the Senate Leadership Committee may temporarily grant the Senate Secretary the title of Acting Senate Vice President.
• 3.20 - If the Senate Secretary declines or is unable to assume the office of Senate Vice President pursuant to Section 3.19, a member of the Senate Leadership Committee shall be granted the title of Acting Senate Vice President by a majority vote of the Senate Leadership Committee. The Acting Senate Vice President will retain the office until a new Senate Vice President can be elected according to the procedures in Section V.
• 3.21 - If the office of Senate Secretary is vacated before the official conclusion of their term, a member of the Senate Leadership Committee shall be temporarily granted the title of Acting Senate Secretary by a majority vote of the Senate Leadership Committee. The Acting Senate Secretary will retain the office until a new Senate Secretary can be elected according to the procedures in Section V.
• 3.22 - If the Senate Secretary is incapacitated or otherwise unavailable, a majority of the Senate Leadership Committee may temporarily grant a member of the Senate Leadership Committee the title of Acting Senate Secretary.
• 3.23 - All acting officers shall have the associated rights and responsibilities of their office (unless otherwise noted in the Bylaws). The title of acting officer will be retained until the serving officer resumes their duties, or the office is officially vacated.

• 4.1 - The steering committee of the Senate shall be known as the Senate Leadership Committee, and it shall have such powers and duties as delegated to it in the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate.
• 4.2 - The Senate Leadership Committee shall be composed of the Presiding Officers of the Senate and four Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty representing the College’s four academic divisions.
• 4.3 - Each Division Representative shall be elected for the duration of their Senate term, beginning with their election at the last meeting of the Spring semester, and concluding at the last meeting of their current Senate term.
• 4.4 - Any Ad Officium Senator of the General Faculty whose term does not end at the last meeting of the current Spring semester shall be considered eligible for Division Representative, and they may run for re-election so long as they meet this requirement.
• 4.5 - A Division Representative must be a member of an academic department that is housed within the academic division they seek to represent.
• 4.6 - The faculty member who most recently served as Senate President prior to the current serving Senate President, the Immediate Past President, is granted Committee Ex-Officio status (with full rights and privileges) within the Senate Leadership Committee.
• 4.7 - The Senate Leadership Committee shall meet at the request of the Presiding Officer, or when called to convene by a majority of its members.
• 4.8 - Unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws or Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate, The Senate Leadership Committee shall represent or designate representatives for the Senate in meetings with individuals and organizations both internal and external to the College.
• 4.9 - The Senate Leadership Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Senate when the body is not in session. This includes during the recess between Fall and Spring semesters, between the end of the Spring semester and the beginning of the Fall semester, and at any other time in which the Senate is unable to convene. Any actions taken by the Senate Leadership Committee at these times are considered provisional and must be approved by the Senate at its next meeting or be rendered null and void.
• 4.10 - The Senate Leadership Committee shall advise the Presiding Officer in selecting members for all Standing and Special Committees.
• 4.11 - The Senate Leadership Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the agenda for all regular Senate meetings and shall (except under extenuating circumstances) meet no less than five days before any regular Senate meeting to conduct this business.
• 4.12 - If a Division Representative seat is vacated during the academic year, a special election to replace the Division Representative shall take place at the next regular meeting of the Senate. The newly elected Division Representative shall serve the remainder of the current term.
• 4.13 - If a Division Representative seat is vacated outside the academic year, the remaining members of the Senate Leadership Committee may name an Acting Division Representative from among the qualifying Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty (see Section 4.5). The Acting Division Representative shall remain in that position until the first regular meeting of the academic year, at which time a special election will be held to fill the position.

• 5.1 - All Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty shall be considered eligible for officer nominations.
• 5.2 - Any Senator may move to nominate a qualifying Ad Officium Senator of the General Faculty to an office.
• 5.3 - Ad Officium Senators can only hold one Senate office at a time. This includes standing committee offices. Upon taking a new office, the previous office is immediately and automatically vacated.
• 5.4 - If an office is uncontested (only one nominee), the nominee shall automatically be elected by acclamation.
• 5.5 - If an office is contested (more than one nominee), the elected officer shall be determined by ballot using rules adopted by the Election Committee, and the nominee who receives a majority of the votes cast is elected to the contested position.
• 5.6 - If a ballot with three or more nominees does not result in a majority for any single nominee, a second ballot will be circulated featuring the two nominees who received the most votes in the previous ballot.
• 5.7 - If a ballot with only two nominees results in a tie, the Presiding Officer shall cast the deciding vote.
• 5.8 - At the last regular meeting of the Fall semester, the Election Committee shall name a Nominating Sub-Committee of three members chosen from among the Ad Officium Senators of the General Faculty whose terms will end at the last meeting of the Spring semester. This committee shall present at least one nominee for each of the Subordinate Presiding Officer positions at the first regular meeting of the Spring semester.
• 5.9 - At the first Senate meeting of the Spring semester, the Senate shall elect the Subordinate Presiding Officers whose terms will begin upon conclusion of the current academic year.
• 5.10 - The election of the First Subordinate Presiding Officer shall take place prior to the election of the Second Subordinate Presiding Officer.
• 5.11 - Any nominee for the First Subordinate Presiding Officer who does not win election may request to be included on the ballot for Second Subordinate Presiding Officer.
• 5.12 - At the last meeting of the Spring semester, the Senate shall elect the Division Representatives who will serve on the Senate Leadership Committee.
• 5.13 - If an officer vacancy occurs outside the normal election cycle, a special election shall take place at the next regular Senate meeting. If the vacancy is for a Subordinate Executive Officer, the Senate Leadership Committee shall serve as the Nominating Committee and present at least one nominee for election. The election shall follow the procedures outlined in Sections 5.2-5.5, and anyAd Officium Senator of the General Faculty may be nominated.
• 5.14 - Officers elected in a special election to fill a vacant position shall serve the remainder of the position’s current term. Officers elected in this manner shall have all the associated rights, responsibilities, and rules of succession as the original office holder

• 6.1 - The Senate has the authority to create, modify, and dissolve Standing Committees and Special Committees.
• 6.2 - The powers and duties of Standing and Special Committees shall be stipulated by the Senate at the time of their creation.
• 6.3 - Standing Committees are permanent bodies that can only be created, renamed, or dissolved through an amendment of the Senate Bylaws (with all the associated requirements and procedures in Section XII).
• 6.4 - The charges and operational details of Standing Committees shall be as follows:
  • 6.4.A - Academic Standards and Policy Committee
  • • Purpose: Responsible for developing, reviewing, and evaluating academic policies for the college. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.B - Academic Technology Committee
  • • Purpose: Responsible for policy proposals and procedural recommendations regarding academic technology related issues, projects, implementation, costs and priorities. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.C - Teaching and Assessment Committee
  • • Purpose: Responsible for program review and assessment of student learning outcomes. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.D - Online Learning Committee
  • • Purpose: Responsible for online course quality, evaluation, delivery, structure. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.E - General Education Committee
  • • Purpose: Address matters, courses, policies pertaining to CCRI’s General Education and CCRI’s Definition of an Educated Person. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.F - Student and College Success Committee
  • • Purpose: Address matters related to the academic support of students and the college community. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.G - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
  • • Purpose: Address academic matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The committee shall report to the full senate once each academic year, as scheduled by the Senate Leadership Committee.
  • 6.4.H - Constitution and Bylaws Committee
  • • Purpose: Conduct a yearly review of the Constitution and Bylaws and propose and review changes in the Constitution and Bylaws. Ensure that the Constitution and Bylaws are up to date and ensure that the language of all duly approved changes is consistent with the style, format and arrangement of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Faculty Senate.
  • 6.4.I - Elections Committee
  • • Purpose: Organize and manage the annual general election along with conducting ballots of the Faculty Senate and General Faculty as required by the Constitution and Bylaws.
• 6.5 - In addition to considering matters referred to them by the Senate Leadership Committee and the Senate at large, Standing Committees may initiate action on matters that fall within the purview granted to them by the Senate Bylaws and the Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate.
• 6.6 - All Standing Committees shall be comprised of the following members:
  • 6.6.A - No fewer than four Ad Officium Senators.
    • 6.6.A.i - Ad Officium Senators are appointed to committees by the Presiding Officer of the Senate in consultation with the Senate Leadership Committee
    • 6.6.A.ii - Ad Officium Senators shall have the right to speak, make motions, second motions, and vote on all matters before the committee.
    • 6.6.A.iii - Ad Officium Senators are obligated to attend all committee meetings and perform all committee work assigned to them.
    • 6.6.A.iv - All newly seated Ad Officium Senators will be appointed to a primary committee prior to their first regular Senate meeting.
    • 6.6.A.v- Unless changed through one of the mechanisms outlined in the Standing Rules, Ad Officium Senators will retain their primary committee assignment for the duration of their term.
    • 6.6.A.vi- Ad Officium Senators may volunteer to serve on additional committees so long as their participation does not conflict with any obligations to their primary committee.
    • 6.6.A.vii - In the event a Standing Committee would have fewer than four Ad Officium members, the Senate Leadership Committee shall solicit one or more volunteers from among the Ad Officium Senators.
    • 6.6.A.viii - If no Ad Officium Senators volunteer to serve on the committee, the Senate Leadership Committee may appoint Ad Officium Senators to the committee.
    • 6.6.A.ix - Ad Officium Senators assigned to a committee through the process described above (Section 6.6.A.viii), may return to their original committee once newly seated Ad Officium Senators have been permanently assigned to the committee.
  • 6.6.B - A number of Committee Ex Officio members not to exceed one half of the Ad Officium Senators on the committee (rounded down).
    • 6.6.B.i - The number of Committee Ex Officios will be established at the beginning of the academic year. Any subsequent changes to the number of Ad Officium Senators on the committee will not change the number of Committee Ex Officios.
    • 6.6.B.ii - Committee Ex Officio members are appointed by the College President and approved by the Senate Leadership Committee.
    • 6.6.B.iii - Committee Ex Officio members shall have the same rights as Ad Officium Committee members except for the right to vote.
    • 6.6.B.iv - Committee Ex Officio members are obligated to attend all committee meetings.
    • 6.6.B.v - A Committee Ex Officio member may be removed or replaced by the President of the College at any time.
  • 6.6.C - A number of Committee Advisors named by the Committee Chair.
    • 6.6.C.i - Committee Advisors may be members of the Faculty, Staff, Administration or Student Body.
    • 6.6.C.ii - Committee Advisors serve one-year terms but may be dismissed by the Committee Chair at any time. The names of all Committee Advisors shall be reported to the Senate Leadership Committee upon appointment or dismissal.
    • 6.6.C.iii - Committee Advisors have the right to speak but may not make motions, second motions, or vote.
• 6.7 - Special Committees are temporary bodies created by the Senate to address specific, time-limited issues or tasks.
• 6.8 - A Special Committee may be formed by a majority vote of the Senate, or a two-thirds vote of the Senate Leadership Committee. In the event a special committee is created by a vote of the Senate Leadership Committee, the committee shall be considered provisional (see Section 4.9). A motion to create a Special Committee must include:
  • 6.8.A - The committee's specific charge.
  • 6.8.B - The expected duration or completion criteria for the committee.
  • 6.8.C - The frequency with which the committee will meet and a timeline for delivering reports to the Senate (if during the academic year) or the Senate Leadership Committee (if outside the academic year).
• 6.9 - Special Committees automatically dissolve upon completion of their charge, at the end of their specified duration, or at the conclusion of the academic year, whichever comes first. A Special Committee may also be dissolved prior to meeting these conditions by a majority vote of the Senate.
• 6.10 - A Special Committee may be extended by a majority vote of the Senate.
• 6.11 - All Special Committees shall be comprised of no fewer than four Ad Officium Senators who will have the same rights and responsibilities as those serving on Standing Committees.
• 6.12 - At the discretion of the Senate Leadership Committee, a Special Committee may have Committee Ex Officios and Committee Advisor members. The rights, responsibilities, and procedures for both member classes are the same as those serving on Standing Committees.
• 6.13 - All committees shall have two committee officers: a Committee Chair and a Committee Secretary. Both committee officers shall be elected by the Ad Officium members of the committee from among their number.
• 6.14 - The Committee Chair is responsible for the preparation of meeting agendas, calling meetings, ensuring proper tracking of attendance, and delivering reports to the Senate. The Committee Chair (or a member of the committee designated by the Committee Chair) shall have the privilege of the floor when delivering reports or conducting other committee business before the Senate.
• 6.15 - The Committee Chair may petition the Senate Leadership Committee to reassign Senators serving on their committee.
• 6.16 - The Committee Secretary is responsible for recording committee meeting minutes and sharing them with the Senate Leadership Committee upon approval.
• 6.17 - All committee officers are to be elected before or during the first committee meeting of the academic year. Committee officers shall retain their office until they are promoted to another office, resign, are removed, or are no longer eligible to serve.
• 6.18 - A committee officer who fails to fulfill their responsibilities may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the committee or a majority vote of the Senate Leadership Committee.
• 6.19 - If the office of Committee Chair is vacated during the academic year, the Committee Secretary automatically assumes the position.
• 6.20 - If the office of Committee Secretary is vacated during the academic year, a new Committee Secretary shall be elected from among the Ad Officium members of the committee.
• 6.21- Unless otherwise specified, all Standing Committees shall meet within the two weeks before or after every regularly scheduled Faculty Senate meeting. Carrying out committee work electronically is permissible.
• 6.22 - Unless otherwise specified, all Standing Committees shall provide a report at the second Faculty Senate meeting of the Fall semester outlining goals for the coming year. All Standing Committee chairs shall present a report on committee activities to the Faculty Senate at least once a semester (this includes the report at the second Faculty Senate meeting of the Fall semester). The Senate Leadership Committee may request additional reports from committee chairs as needed, with at least two weeks' advance notice.
• 6.23- All committee business to be presented to the Senate must be submitted to the Leadership Committee at least three days in advance of the Senate Leadership Committee meeting at which the upcoming Senate meeting agenda will be approved.

• 7.1 - A majority of Ad Officium Senators shall constitute a quorum, and a quorum shall be required for all regular Senate meetings.
• 7.2 - Regular meetings of the Senate will only be held during the academic year.
• 7.3 - Except under extenuating circumstances, the Senate shall have no fewer than four regular meetings per semester.
• 7.4 - At the penultimate meeting of the Senate, the Leadership Committee shall propose the days, times, and location of regular Senate meetings for the ensuing year.
• 7.5 - In the event of extenuating circumstances, regular meetings of the Senate may be rescheduled by the Presiding Officer of the Senate so long as the new meeting takes place prior to the next scheduled meeting.
• 7.6 - Every regular meeting of the Senate shall have an agenda which will be made public no later than five days before the meeting.
• 7.7 - At the first regular meeting of the Fall semester, the College President shall present a State of the Budget Address to the Senate. The address shall include a statement of the College President’s priorities for the College for the coming year.
• 7.8 - At the last Senate meeting of the Fall semester, the Vice President of Finance and Strategy (or the executive officer directly responsible for administering the finances of the College) shall present to the Senate a summary report concerning expenditures at the six-month point in the current budget cycle. At the last Senate meeting of the Spring semester, the same officer shall report to the Senate on the newly constructed operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year. At the discretion of the Senate Leadership Committee, additional presentations on the College’s budget may be requested.
• 7.9 - The Senate Leadership Committee shall consider the inclusion of any business on the agenda that is presented in writing no less than three days prior to the Senate Leadership Committee meeting in which the pertaining agenda will be voted on. If the majority of the Senate Leadership Committee approves, a request for inclusion on the agenda that does not meet these requirements may still be considered.
• 7.10 - Any written request for inclusion on the agenda that has the signatures and/or endorsement of at least 10% of the General Faculty shall automatically be included on the agenda of the next regular Senate meeting so long as it is received no less than three days prior to the Senate Leadership Committee meeting in which the pertaining agenda will be voted on. In the event the request is received after this deadline, it will automatically be added to the agenda of the following regular Senate meeting.
• 7.11 - A Senator may move to have an item be added to the agenda upon approval of the majority of the Senate. Unless specifically requested, any agenda item added in this way will be addressed after all other business.
• 7.12 - If a meeting requires additional time, it may be extended in 15-minute increments no more than twice by a majority vote of the Senate.
• 7.13 - If the Senate is unable to complete its business, a majority of the Senate may vote to either table the outstanding business for the next regular Senate meeting or authorize a special meeting to address the remaining business. In the event a special meeting is requested, the same rules for quorum apply.
• 7.14 - In addition to the process outlined in Section 7.6, a special meeting of the Senate may also be called by the Presiding Officer of the Senate, a majority vote of the Senate Leadership Committee, or a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
• 7.15 - Special meetings can only be called during the academic year and announced no less than three days before they are scheduled.
• 7.16 - A quorum is only required for special meetings in which official Senate business is to be discharged.
• 7.17 - Except under extenuating circumstances, special meeting agendas must be made available at least 24 hours in advance.

• 8.1 - All actions of the Senate, unless otherwise specified in the Constitution, Bylaws, or Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate, shall be taken by a majority vote of those present and voting, provided a quorum is present.
• 8.2 - Voting by proxy, absentee voting, and advance voting are all expressly prohibited.
• 8.3 - A Senator may motion for a roll call vote so long as it is seconded by at least one-fifth of those Senators present and voting.
• 8.4 - A Senator may request a vote by anonymous ballot so long as it is approved by a majority of the Senators present and voting.
• 8.5 - An anonymous ballot shall be used for ratifying amendments to the Senate Constitution, electing Senate officers, and recalling Senate actions.
• 8.6 - All other rules and procedures relating to voting shall be outlined in the Standing Rules.

• 9.1 - The meetings of the Senate and its committees shall be conducted in accordance with the rules laid down in the latest edition of the American Institution of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure except when preceded by the Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate.
• 9.2 - The Presiding Officer may appoint a Parliamentarian to advise the Senate on parliamentary procedures so long as the Parliamentarian does not hold any other position or office within the Senate.

• 10.1 - The following actions of the Faculty Senate do not require approval by the College President:
  • 10.1.A - Resolutions of the Faculty Senate.
  • 10.1.B - The creation, renaming, dissolution, and charging of Standing and Special Committees.
  • 10.1.C - The appointment of Senators to committees and the recognition of Committee Advisors.
• 10.2 - Actions of the Faculty Senate outside those listed above, namely the drafting of Academic Policies, shall be transmitted to the College President as a bill via a process outlined in the Standing Rules of the Faculty Senate.
• 10.3 - Prior to being voted on by the Faculty Senate, all academic policy drafts must first be reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA). The VPAA has 14 days upon receipt of the draft policy language to either approve or reject the policy as written.
  • 10.3.A - If the VPAA approves, the academic policy draft may proceed to the Faculty Senate who will vote on the proposal.
  • 10.3.B - If the VPAA rejects the academic policy draft, it will be returned to the originating Faculty Senate committee along with a written statement on why the academic policy draft failed to receive approval.
  • 10.3.C - If the VPAA neither approves nor rejects an academic policy draft within the 14-day period, the draft language will be considered approved unless the VPAA submits a written request for an extension.
    • 10.3.C.i - If the extension request is received before the conclusion of the 14- day period and the Senate Leadership Committee approves, an extension of up to 7 additional days may be granted.
• 10.4 - The College President shall have 21 days upon receipt of the bill to either approve or reject the action of the Senate.
  • 10.4.A - If the College President approves, the actions of the Senate shall become effective immediately unless otherwise specified in the language of the action or in the event of one or more of the following contingencies:
    • 10.4.A.i - If action is required by the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC), the bill shall be transmitted to the RIOPC at which time they may approve, reject, or request further clarification.
    • 10.4.A.i.a - If approved, the actions of the Senate shall become effective immediately unless otherwise specified in the language of the action.
    • 10.4.A.i.b - If rejected, the Senate Leadership Committee shall return the action to the Senate at which time the Senate shall decide what actions to take (if any).
    • 10.4.A.i.c - If further clarification is requested, the Senate President (or their designee) shall serve as spokesperson for the Senate. In the event the Senate President is unavailable, the Senate Leadership Committee may appoint a representative for the Senate.
    • 10.4.A.ii - If the College President submits a written request to the Senate Leadership Committee to delay implementation within the 21-day period.
    • 10.4.A.ii.a - The College President is entitled to a 30-day delay in the implementation of all Senate actions.
    • 10.4.A.ii.b - If an extension beyond 30 days is required, the College President shall submit a written petition with a clear rationale for the extension and a set deadline for implementation. If the petition is received during the academic year, it must be voted on by the Senate, otherwise a vote of the Senate Leadership Committee is required.
  • 10.4.B - If the College President rejects the actions of the Senate, the Senate Leadership Committee shall return the action to the Senate at which time the Senate shall decide what actions to take (if any).
    • 10.4.B.i - If the Senate chooses to confirm and direct the statement and the College President rejects the action a second time, either party may elect to submit the matter to the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner.
  • 10.4.C - If the College President neither accepts nor rejects the actions of the Senate within the 21-day period, the Senate action will be considered approved unless the College President submits a written request to the Senate Leadership Committee for an extension.
    • 10.4.C.i - If the request is received before the conclusion of the 21-day period, a 30-day extension shall be automatically granted.
    • 10.4.C.ii - If an extension beyond 30 days is required, the College President shall submit a written petition with a clear rationale for the extension and a set deadline for implementation. If the petition is received during the academic year, it must be voted on by the Senate, otherwise a vote of the Senate Leadership Committee is required.

• 11.1 - At the first regular meeting of the academic year, the Senate shall adopt the Standing Rules for that academic year.
• 11.2 - The Senate Leadership Committee is responsible for reviewing and updating the Standing Rules prior to the annual vote.
• 11.3 - While the Standing Rules are to be adopted as a single document, any Senator may move to amend any of the Standing Rules prior to adoption with a simple majority vote.
• 11.4 - Once adopted, the Standing Rules can only be amended with a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

• 12.1 - These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of Senators present and voting.
• 12.2 - No amendment to the Bylaws may be voted on at the same meeting in which it is first presented to the Senate.