TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE BYLAWS
Revised August 14, 2023

T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

Chapter I. Officers of the Senate

1. Elected Officers................................................................................................................. 4
2. Election of Officers........................................................................................................... 4
3. Appointed Officers............................................................................................................ 5

Chapter II. Committees of the Senate

1. Standing Committees........ ............................................................................................... 5
2. The Executive Committee............................................................................................... 6
3. The Election Committee................................................................................................ 7
4. The Bylaws Committee.................................................................................................... 8
5. The Committee on Committees..................................................................................... 8
6. The Academic Affairs Committee.................................................................................. 9
7. The Budget Information Committee.............................................................................. 9
8. The Personnel and Welfare Committee..................................................................... 10
9. The Planning Committee............................................................................................... 10
10. The Research Committee............................................................................................. 10
11. The Core Curriculum Council….................................................................................. 11
12. The Legislative Affairs Committee…......................................................................... 12
13. Caucus Committees..................................................................................................... 12
14. Reporting Committees.................................................................................................. 13
15. Ad Hoc Committees...................................................................................................... 20

1. Proposal of Amendments.............................................................................................. 20
2. Adoption of Amendments.............................................................................................. 20

Chapter IV. Procedures

1. Governing Rules............................................................................................................. 20
2. Meeting Agendas........................................................................................................... 20
3. Actions on Motions......................................................................................................... 21
4. Senate Actions................................................................................................................ 21
5. Interpretation of Constitutionality and Related Questions....................................... 21

Chapter V. Meetings

1. Regular Meetings........................................................................................................... 22
2. Special Meetings............................................................................................................ 22
3. Sessions.......................................................................................................................... 22
4. Open Meetings............................................................................................................... 22
5. Committee of the Whole................................................................................................ 22
6. Visitors.............................................................................................................................. 22

Chapter VI. Membership and Participation

1. Ex-Officio Representatives........................................................................................... 23
2. Visitors.............................................................................................................................. 23
3. Appointed Replacements.............................................................................................. 23
4. Attendance...................................................................................................................... 23

Chapter VII. Elections

1. Election Committee........................................................................................................ 24
2. Electors............................................................................................................................ 24
3. Office Holder................................................................................................................... 24
4. Apportionment and Reapportionment......................................................................... 24
5. Nomination of Senatorial Candidates......................................................................... 25
6. Write-In Candidates....................................................................................................... 26
7. Elections.......................................................................................................................... 26
8. Vacancies........................................................................................................................ 26

Standard Operating Procedures

1. Elections.................. ......................................................................................................... 28
2. Voting............................................................................................................................... 28
3. Financial Records........................................................................................................... 28
4. Sexist Language............................................................................................................. 28
5. Consent Agenda............................................................................................................. 28
6. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Celebration........................................................................... 29

Chapter I. Officers of the Senate

1. The elected officers of the Faculty Senate shall be Speaker, Speaker-Elect, and Secretary, each elected annually from the Senate membership.
   1.  In addition to the duties specified in the Constitution, the Speaker shall represent the Senate at official functions. The Speaker shall administer the financial matters of the Senate and present an annual budget report to the Senate.
   2. The Speaker-Elect shall act in the absence of the Speaker. This officer shall also be a member of the Executive Committee.
   3. The Secretary shall provide for minutes of meetings of the Senate and of the Executive Committee. This officer shall also be a member of the Executive Committee.
   4. In the absence of the Secretary, the Speaker shall designate a substitute. This individual should have previous experience with the duties of the office if possible.
2. Procedures for Electing Senate Officers
   1. The Speaker of the Senate for the next Session will be the individual serving as Speaker-Elect in the current Senate Session. The Speaker of the Senate may serve in this office even if the term as Faculty Senator expired during service as Speaker-Elect. If the Speaker-Elect cannot or will not serve as Speaker for the next Senate Session, an election for Speaker for the next Senate Session will be held. 
   2. Nominations for officers Speaker (if necessary), Speaker-Elect and Secretary shall be submitted by Senators to the Election Committee no later than the nomination deadline. Nominees may run for only one office.
   3. Nominations from the floor are in order if and only if no nominations are submitted by the nomination deadline. Nominations from the floor require prior consent of the nominee.
   4. A biographical sketch and brief statement from each consenting candidate shall be submitted to the Election Committee, which shall distribute them to the Senators.
   5. Elections will be held electronically following the April Senate meeting.  The results of the election will be announced immediately after the votes are counted and verified.
   6. Candidates receiving a majority vote from those Senators voting shall be elected to the office. A quorum shall consist of a majority of active Senators. All Senators are to be considered active unless officially declared inactive by the Speaker or the Senate Office.
   7. If no candidate receives a majority vote, the top two candidates shall be placed in a runoff. When a tie exists after the runoff election, the tie shall be promptly determined by lot.
   8. Unsuccessful candidates for Speaker, Speaker-Elect, or Secretary may place their names onto the ballot as candidates for members-at-large of the Executive Committee.
3. Appointed Officers
   1. The Speaker may annually appoint a Parliamentarian and a Deputy Parliamentarian who need not necessarily be Senators.
   2. The Speaker may annually appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms from members of the Senate.

Chapter II. Committees of the Senate

1. Standing Committees
   1. The standing committees of the Senate shall be the Executive Committee, the Election Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the Committee on Committees, the Academic Affairs Committee, the Budget Information Committee, the Personnel and Welfare Committee, the Planning Committee, the Research Committee, the Core Curriculum Council, and the Legislative Affairs Committee.
   2. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, the size of standing committees shall be determined by the Senate.
   3. Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution, voting members of the Senate standing committees shall also be members of the Senate. Ex- Officio non-voting members who are not members of the Senate may be appointed to any standing committee.
   4. Except as otherwise provided, each standing committee shall elect its own chairperson.
   5. Each standing committee may form subcommittees. The chairpersons of subcommittees shall be appointed by the standing committee from among its members. Membership of subcommittees may also include persons not members of the Senate.
   6. Members of all Senate standing committees shall be elected or appointed annually.
   7. Outgoing chairs of all standing committees, including the Speaker on the Executive Committee, unless the outgoing chair is serving as a regular committee member, shall remain as Ex-Officio non-voting members of the respective committees for a period of one year to promote continuity of purpose.
2. The Executive Committee
   1. Organization and Functions
      1. The Executive Committee shall have twelve members, consisting of the Speaker, the Speaker Elect, the Secretary, and nine elected members-at-large. The Dean of Faculties shall serve as a non-voting Ex-Officio member of the Executive Committee. The Speaker shall chair this committee.
      2. The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate shall advise the Speaker of the Senate, assist in the administration and planning of Senate meetings, be responsible for the budget, implement the decisions and programs of the Senate, and act as directed by the Senate. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act for the Senate in case of an emergency. All such actions shall be reported to the Senate at its next meeting.
      3. The quorum of the Executive Committee shall be eight.
   2. Election Procedures
      1. Nominations for members-at-large shall be submitted by Senators to the Election Committee no later than the nomination deadline.  The nomination deadline shall be established annually by the Elections Committee in consultation with the Faculty Senate office.
      2. Nominations from the floor are in order if, and only if, an insufficient number of nominations are submitted by the nomination deadline. Nominations from the floor require prior consent of the nominee.
      3. A biographical sketch and brief statement, from each consenting candidate, shall be submitted to the Election Committee whichshall distribute them to the Senators.
      4. Following the election of officers, each Senator shall vote for not more than nine candidates from the list of nominees.
      5. The nine candidates receiving the largest majorities from those Senators voting shall be elected to the committee. In the case of ties among candidates receiving majority vote for the final position(s), the winner(s) shall be promptly determined by lot, at the meeting at which the votes are canvassed. The following guidelines apply:
         1. As required by the Constitution, no electoral unit (here after unit) may have more than two members on the Executive Committee. For purposes of determining unit representation, the Speaker, the Speaker-Elect, and the Secretary shall each count as one member of the Executive Committee in addition to those elected as Member-at-large.
         2. For units with more than two nominees, only the two receiving the highest majority votes are eligible to be elected.
      6. If sufficient candidates fail to receive a majority of votes, the number of unfilled committee seats shall be multiplied by two and that number of candidates shall be placed in a runoff. When ties exist for the final run-off position(s), the candidate(s) shall be promptly determined by lot.
      7. Senators shall then vote for no more than the number of unfilled seats, with those candidates receiving a majority vote being elected, subject to the guidelines in paragraph e.
      8. If the result of a runoff is a deadlock, i.e., no one is elected nor eliminated, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes shall be eliminated. An ensuing runoff shall occur.
      9. If seats on the committee remain unfilled, the process outlined in paragraphs e. and f. above shall be repeated.
3. The Election Committee
   1. The Election Committee shall consist of one Senator from each representative unit. The Senators from each unit shall elect one member from that caucus to serve in this position. In the event of a vacancy on the Election Committee during the academic year, the Faculty Senate caucus of the unit lacking representation shall nominate, and the Executive Committee shall ratify, a senator as a replacement to fill the unexpired term.
   2. The Election Committee shall conduct elections of the Senate, of Senate officers, and of Senate Executive Committee members, consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws. The Election Committee shall develop election procedures consistent with the Constitution and other bylaws for the consideration of the Senate. These procedures shall provide for a secret ballot except when the number of nominees for Senate officers or committees is equal to the number of positions to be filled. When the number of nominees is equal to the number of positions to be filled, the nominees may be elected by voice vote.
4. The Bylaws Committee
   1. The Bylaws Committee shall consist of one Senator from each unit. The Senate Parliamentarian will serve as a non-voting Ex-Officio member. The Senators from each unit shall elect one member from that caucus to serve in this position. In the event of a vacancy on the Bylaws Committee during the academic year, the Faculty Senate caucus of the unit lacking representation shall nominate, and the Executive Committee shall ratify, a senator as a replacement to fill the unexpired term.
   2. The Bylaws Committee shall formulate and present the Bylaws to the Senate. This committee shall also consider and make recommendations on all amendments or changes referred to the committee by the Senate or proposed to the committee by other committees or by individual Senators.
5. The Committee on Committees
   1. The Committee on Committees shall consist of one Senator from each unit, the Speaker and the Speaker elect. The Senators from each unit shall elect one member from that caucus to serve in this position, normally the caucus leader. A representative of the Vice President for Student Affairs shall serve as a non-voting, Ex-Officio member of the Committee on Committees for a term of one year. In the event of a vacancy during the academic year, the Faculty Senate caucus of the unit lacking representation shall nominate, and the Executive Committee shall ratify, a senator as a replacement to fill the unexpired term.
   2. The Committee on Committees shall select nominees for the various University committees for presentation to the Senate or the Executive Committee. Nominees are not required to be Senators. After approval of standing committee nominees by majority vote of the Senate, or of ad hoc committee nominees by majority vote of the Executive Committee, the nominations should be forwarded as appropriate.
   3. The Faculty Senate Speaker shall serve as chairperson.
   4. The Committee on Committees shall select a Deputy Chairperson from its members.
6. The Academic Affairs Committee
   1. Jurisdiction - This committee has the responsibility to study policies, procedures, and regulations and to recommend actions in the following areas:
      1. Curriculum and Instruction.
      2. Academic Standards:
         1. Admissions 
         2. Graduation
         3. Retention
      3. Honors.
      4. Other matters affecting academic matters.
   2. Members shall be appointed by the Speaker, annually, with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate.
7. The Budget Information Committee
   1. Justification: This committee has the following duties and responsibilities:
      1. Obtain information from the Vice President for Finance, other Vice Presidents, the Provost, other officers and the President relating to the University budget
      2. To study the University budget and become thoroughly familiar with its structure, provisions, and development.
      3. To advise and recommend action on any issue pertaining to the development and content of the University budget to the Executive Committee of the Senate and to the Faculty Senate as a whole.
         1. Membership
            • Members shall be appointed by the Speaker, annually, with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate.  The Vice President for Finance shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member.
8. The Personnel and Welfare Committee
   1. Jurisdiction - This committee has the responsibility to study policies, procedures, and regulations and to recommend actions in the following areas:
      1. Hiring, retention, tenure, promotion, and evaluation of academic personnel.
      2. Hiring, retention, promotion, and evaluation of support personnel and graduate assistants.
      3. Benefits for academic and support personnel.
      4. Faculty development.
      5. Other matters relating to university personnel and welfare.
   2. Members shall be appointed by the Speaker, annually, with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate. A member of the University Staff Council will serve as a non-voting Ex-Officio member.
9. The Planning Committee
   1. Jurisdiction - This committee has the responsibility to study policies, procedures, and regulations and to recommend actions in the following areas:
      1. Policies affecting University development and use of resources.
      2. Establishment, reorganization, or discontinuation, of organizational units/ areas of instruction, research, or administration.
      3. Libraries, computing, and other support facilities affecting the academic environment.
      4. Physical Plant and facilities affecting the academic environment.
      5. Other related matters relating to planning.
   2. Membership
      1. Members shall be appointed by the Speaker, annually, with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate.
      2. The Vice President for Facilities, Safety & Security and the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio members.
10. The Research Committee
    1. Jurisdiction - This committee has the responsibility to study policies, procedures, and regulations and to recommend actions in the following areas:
       1. External funding of research.
       2. Internal funding and distribution of research funds.
       3. Travel related to soliciting, conducting, and presentation of research.
       4. Libraries, computing, and other support facilities affecting the environment.
       5. Publication or other means of disseminating research findings.
       6. Copyrights and patents.
       7. Other matters affecting the conduct and dissemination of research.
    2. Membership 
       1. Members shall be appointed by the Speaker, annually, with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate.
       2. The Vice President for Research shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member. 
11. The Core Curriculum Council
    1. Jurisdiction - This committee shall establish requirements for, and recommend to the Senate courses to be included in the core curriculum to satisfy:
       1. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) requirements in:
          1. Communications
          2. Mathematics
          3. Life and Physical Sciences
          4. Language, Philosophy & Culture
          5. Creative Arts
          6. American History
          7. Government/Political Sciences
          8. Social and Behavioral Sciences
       2. The University graduation requirement for international and Cultural Diversity and Cultural Discourse.
          1. The committee shall also establish criteria for evaluation and review, and to recommend to the Senate renewal or non-renewal of existing courses on a regular basis.
          2. The committee shall establish and implement methods for assessing the success of the core curriculum in meeting THECB and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) standards.
          3. Members shall be appointed by the Speaker annually with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate.  The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member.  
12. The Legislative Affairs Committee:
    1. Jurisdiction - This committee shall annually review and report to the Senate proposed legislation that may impact the educational process or employee benefits and working conditions. The committee may meet with local legislators to promote or discuss potential legislation.
    2. Members shall be appointed by the Speaker, annually, with the advice of the Executive Committee and the consent of the Senate. The Texas A&M Vice President for Governmental Affairs and the Vice President for Federal and Institutional Affairs or representatives from those offices shall be ex-officio members.
13. Caucus Committees
    1. Unit Caucus
       1. The senators elected from each electoral unit shall be known collectively as a Caucus. The Caucus shall facilitate communication on matters of importance to the faculty. The focus of communication shall be among senators and among faculty, administration, and senators in the unit. They shall also nominate candidates for the Election Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the Committee on Committees, and other committees as requested by the Executive Committee.
       2. The senators of each Caucus shall elect one from their membership to serve as Caucus Leader.
    2. Caucus Leaders Committee
       1. The Caucus Leaders Committee shall be comprised of the elected Caucus Leaders from the various units and a member of the Executive Committee appointed by the Executive Committee. The Caucus Leaders Committee shall facilitate informal communication among the various units and between those units and the Executive Committee on matters of broad importance to the faculty.
       2. The member of the Executive Committee shall convene the committee which will elect its chairperson.
14. Reporting Committees
    1. The following committees shall have their membership determined by and shall report to the Faculty Senate:
       • Committee on Emeritus
       • Status Graduate Council
       • Honors Program Advisory
       • Committee Library Councils
         • University Library Council
         • Medical Sciences Library Council
       • Rules and Regulations Committee
       • Scholarship Committee
       • Undergraduate Admissions Advisory
       • Committee Undergraduate Curriculum
       • Committee International Programs Committee
       • Unless otherwise specified below:
         • All faculty members of these committees shall serve three-year terms and shall be appointed so that approximately one-third of the terms for members of each committee expires each year. Those serving on a committee as a result of their Texas A&M University position shall continue to serve as long as they are in that position. Student members shall serve one-year terms.
         • Members of these committees shall be appointed by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees after consultation with the appropriate deans and offices and upon approval of those selected by a majority vote of the Faculty Senate. If there is not at least one member of each committee reporting to the Faculty Senate who is a Faculty Senator, the Committee on Committees shall have the discretion to nominate an at-large member to serve on such committees.
         • Each of these committees shall elect, by its voting members, its own Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Committees will hold an annual election for a chairperson.
         • The term off-campus academic unit shall refer to officially designated branch campuses.
    2. Structure and Function of Reporting Committees
       1. Committee on Emeritus Status
          1. Membership shall be composed of the Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost, Ex-Officio, plus one tenured faculty member from each academic college, off-campus academic unit, and the library. Faculty members shall be nominated by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, after consultation with the college caucuses, and shall be approved by the Faculty Senate.
          2. The Committee shall: (1) monitor the files to assure that all eligible candidates are considered for emeritus status; and (2) review all unfavorable recommendations and forward its recommendations to the Executive Vice President and Provost. The committee, through its chair, shall communicate in writing to the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate policy and procedural matters associated with the review of nominees for emeritus status.
       2. Graduate and Professional Council
          1. Membership shall consist of the following individuals:
             • One (1) representative from each college and off-campus academic unit who shall be selected by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee after consultation with the college deans and caucuses (chairs of the college committees for graduate instruction shall be considered for appointment)
             • Two (2) representatives of the Graduate Faculty
             • Two (2) graduate students
             • Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School (Ex-Officio)
             • All faculty members shall be members of the Graduate Faculty.
             • All of the above members except the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School shall be voting members. In the absence of the appointed member, a substitute may vote on behalf of that unit.
             • A representative from the Graduate and Professional School and one representative of the University Library Council shall serve as non-voting members. In addition, a representative from Curricular Services shall serve and provide advice as a non-voting member.
             • All faculty members shall serve three-year terms. Those serving on a committee as a result of their Texas A&M University position shall continue to serve as long as they are in that position. Student members shall serve one-year terms.
             • A representative from the Graduate and Professional School shall serve as the Administrative Assistant but not have voting privileges.
             • To ensure continuity, the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School shall serve as the Chair of the Council.
          2. The Council shall review all curricular requests pertaining to graduate and professional academic programs, shall be responsible for the quality and development of the graduate instruction and programs, and shall advise the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School on all graduate and professional program matters.
             • The Council shall have the authority to create standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities.
          3. The Council shall communicate in writing, through its administrative assistant, its recommendations to the Faculty Senate, by way of the Executive Committee.
       3. Honors Program Advisory Committee
          1. Membership shall consist of the Executive Director of the Office of Honors Programs (Ex-Officio and chair), Associate Director for Honors Programs (Ex-Officio), and Chair of the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee (Ex-Officio). Committee membership shall also include one faculty representative from each college, selected by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees after consultation with the college deans and caucuses (with preference given to honors faculty), and 2 students and 3 honors faculty appointed by the Executive Director. Each of the above-named members shall be voting members of the committee. Ex-Officio, non- voting members may be appointed by the Chair.
          2. This reporting committee provides advice on standards and policies related to honors programs at the University. The committee will act as a resource and advice/support group to the Office of Honors Programs on the concerns of the University community regarding Honors Programs and related issues including, but not limited to, University and Foundation Honors, University Undergraduate Research Fellows, Latin Honors, Honors Courses, Honors Sequences, and recognition of achievements in honors. The committee is intended to represent the University perspective. Consequently, every effort will be made to have broad representation in the committee membership.
          3. The Honors Program Advisory Committee shall communicate in writing, through its chair, its recommendations to the Faculty Senate on policies and procedures dealing with Honors Programs at Texas A&M University by way of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and simultaneously to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs and Academic Services.
       4. Library Councils
          1. University Library Council 
             • This Council shall consist of representatives from each of the colleges and schools. The representative members will be determined by each unit and endorsed by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. The Council serves in an advisory capacity to the University Librarian on library-related matters that affect faculty including curriculum and research support, resources, and other services. The University Librarian will seek input from the Council in efforts to gather data, concerns, questions, and ideas on proposed or necessary changes to services. The Council will serve as the conduit of information to the greater Faculty Senate. 
               1. The Council shall meet twice a year (at a minimum), once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester. Ad hoc meetings may be called by the University Librarian or members of the Council. 
               2. The Council shall select a member to serve as secretary. 
               3. The Council shall communicate in writing the discussions with the University Librarian by way of the Executive Committee. 
       5. Rules and Regulations Committee
          1. Membership shall consist of representatives from the Office of the Provost: The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. Administration: The Office of the Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and the Office Vice President for Student Affairs, the Office of the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School. President's Office: The Academic Operations Committee, and the Texas A&M University System; six faculty members and seven students, two of whom shall be graduate students.
             • All members except the representatives of the Office of the President shall be voting members.
          2. It is the function of this committee to recommend changes in the rules and regulations governing the students and to supervise the publication of such regulations. The report of this committee shall be forwarded to each of the Vice Presidents represented and to the Academic Operations Committee for review and comments.
          3. The Rules and Regulations Committee shall communicate in writing, through its chair, its recommendations to the Faculty Senate, by way of the Executive Committee.
       6. Scholarship Committee
          1. Membership shall consist of a representative of the Office of the Provost: The Associate Provost for Faculty Success and Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, the Executive Director of Admissions and Records, the Director of Student Financial Assistance, the Director of LAUNCH and Assistant Provost of Undergraduate Studies, the Office of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Former Students or designated representative, the Director of International Student Services, the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate and Professional School, the Office of the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, and the Director of Athletics, as Ex-Officio members; representatives of each college, school and other academic units; the Vice President for Student Affairs; a member of the Faculty Senate, and one undergraduate and one graduate student. 
             • All the above shall be voting members. 
             • The Director of Student Financial Assistance or a designated representative shall serve as secretary.
          2. It is the function of this committee to encourage, develop, and evaluate TAMU scholarship programs. The Scholarship Committee also hears appeals from students whose Athletic grants-in-aid are not renewed. In the conduct of these functions the committee shall be assisted by the Athletic Council and any Faculty Senate member, each of which may be called on to suggest criteria for granting appropriate scholarships and awards. 
          3. The Scholarship Committee shall forward its scholarship recommendations to the Office of Student Financial Assistance and, through its chair, shall communicate in writing to the Faculty Senate, by way of the Executive Committee, policy and procedural matters associated with the review of scholarship applications. 
       7. Undergraduate Admissions Advisory Committee
          • Membership shall consist of the following individuals:
            • Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Ex-Officio) 
            • Vice Provost for Student Success (Ex-Officio) 
            • Four (4) faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate 
            • Two (2) representatives of the Faculty Affairs Council 
            • Two (2) representatives of the Academic Operations Committee 
            • One (1) representative of the Vice President for Student Affairs 
            • One (1) representative of the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief Academic Officer 
            • Student Body President (Ex-Officio) 
            • Executive Director of Admissions (Ex-Officio)
          • All members except the chair have voting privileges.
          • This reporting committee provides advice on academic standards in undergraduate admissions policy, particularly for new freshmen. The committee will act as a resource and advice/support group to the Office of Admissions on the concerns of the University community regarding academic standards in admission policies. The committee is intended to represent the University perspective. Consequently, every effort will be made to have broad representation in the committee membership. 
          • The Undergraduate Admissions Advisory Committee shall communicate in writing, through its chair, its recommendations to the Faculty Senate on policies dealing with academic standards in undergraduate admissions by way of the Executive Committee and simultaneously to the provost.
       8. Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
          1. Membership shall consist of one representative from each college and off-campus academic unit, who shall be selected by the Faculty Senate Committee on Committees after consultation with the college deans and caucuses (chairs of the college level curriculum committees shall be considered for appointment); two undergraduate students appointed by Student Government Association; one representative of the University Library and the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies as Ex-Officio members.
             • All of the above members shall be voting members.
             • The Associate Director of Curricular Services or a designated representative shall serve as secretary but not have voting privileges.
             • Additionally, a representative from the following committees shall also be appointed as Ex-Officio, non-voting members:
               • Core Curriculum Council
               • Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate
               • Graduate Council
               • Writing and Communication Advisory Committee
          2. The Curriculum Committee shall review all proposed courses, changes, and programs at the undergraduate level and shall recommend appropriate policy to improve and develop the undergraduate academic programs.
          3. The Curriculum Committee shall communicate in writing, through its secretary, its recommendations to the Faculty Senate, by way of the Executive Committee.
       9. International Programs Committee
15. The Speaker may appoint ad hoc committees with the consent of the Senate.

Chapter III. Adoption and Amendment of the Bylaws

1. Amendments may be proposed by either of the following methods:
   1. Standing committees, or individuals supported by ten percent of the Senate, may propose amendments to the Bylaws. The proposed amendment(s) shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for inclusion on the next meeting's agenda for debate only. At the close of debate, the proposal shall be referred to the Bylaws Committee for a report and recommendation. At the next regularly scheduled meeting the Senate shall consider the report and recommendation of the Bylaws Committee.
   2. The Bylaws Committee may propose amendments to the Bylaws by written notice to the Senators at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which amendments shall be considered.  Adoption  Upon final adoption, the Bylaws shall become effective at the next meeting.  All amendments and changes in the Bylaws shall be adopted by two-thirds majority of the Senators present and voting and shall take effect at the next meeting.
2. Adoption
   1.   Upon final adoption, the Bylaws shall become effective at the next meeting. 
   2.   All amendments and changes in the Bylaws shall be adopted by twothirds majority of the Senators present and voting and shall take effect at the next meeting. 

Chapter IV. Procedures

1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Senate's Constitution, Bylaws, or any special rules of order the Senate may adopt.
2. Meeting Agendas
   1. Senators or committees may submit items for inclusion on the agenda to the Executive Committee at least ten working days prior to the meeting. The proposed agenda item shall be in writing and shall contain any motions on which action is desired at the meeting. Such items shall either be placed on the agenda or sent to an appropriate committee for consideration.
   2. The Executive Committee shall set the agenda and report to the Senate on the status of unscheduled items.
   3. The Executive Committee shall submit the agenda, including motions, to all Senators at least five working days prior to the meeting.
   4.  The Speaker may add emergency items to the agenda.
   5.  Senators may, at the meeting, move to include an item on the next meeting's agenda.
   6.  All proposals recommended by non-Senate groups shall be delivered to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall place any recommendation on the agenda or refer it to the appropriate Senate committee.
   7. The last item on the agenda shall always be the formation of the Senate into a Committee of the Whole for consideration of the state of the University.
3.  Actions on Motions
   1.  The Senate, by majority vote, may take final action on items on the published agenda.
   2.  The Senate, by majority vote, may declare a main motion an emergency item for immediate deliberation.
   3. Emergency items placed on the agenda shall require a three-fourths majority of the Senators present and voting for passage.
   4.  Final action may not be taken on other main motions until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
   5.  Twenty-five percent of the Senators present may demand a roll call vote. This shall prevail unless two-thirds of the Senators present and voting approve a secret ballot.
4.  Senate Actions
   1. All approved motions shall be labeled serially by session.
   2. The Secretary-Treasurer will develop any further classification of actions for filing and future reference.
5.  Interpretation of Constitutionality and Related Questions
   •  Rulings on constitutionality and conformance to bylaws and relevant legal documents shall be made by the Speaker of the Senate subject to majority approval of an appeal, in which case the appeal shall go to the Bylaws Committee for consideration, with a decision by a number equal to a majority of its full membership to be final.   

Chapter V. Meetings

1. Regular Meetings
   1. The Faculty Senate shall meet on the second Monday of each month. 
   2. Each regular meeting shall begin promptly at a time determined by the Executive Committee and shall adjourn by 6:00 p.m., but the time limit may be extended by a two-thirds vote.
   3. The time or date of any regular meetings in the same session or of the June meeting in the next session may be changed by the Executive Committee, provided that notice is given no later than the previous regular meeting.
2. Special Meetings
   1. Special meetings may be called by:
      1. the Speaker
      2. the Executive Committee, or by
      3. petition from twenty percent of the Senators to the Secretary.
   2. Calls for a special meeting shall be mailed to all members of the Faculty Senate.
   3. The call for a special meeting shall specify:
      1. the agenda
      2. the time, date, place, and duration.
   4. Only those items on the agenda shall be considered.
3. All meetings of the Faculty Senate September through August shall constitute one session.
4. Meetings shall be open unless closed by a majority vote.
5. The Committee of the Whole shall be an open meeting unless closed by a majority vote of the Faculty Senate or of the Committee of the Whole.
6. Visitors shall be seated in a designated area.

Chapter VI. Membership and Participation

1. Ex-Officio Representatives
   1. These shall include the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost, and a representative from the Academic Administrative Council, the School of Military Science, the Graduate Student Council, and the Student Senate. The outgoing Speaker shall remain as an Ex-Officio member of the Faculty Senate for a period of one year, unless the outgoing Speaker is a regular member of the Faculty Senate.
   2. These representatives shall be non-voting, but may address the Senate from the floor.
   3. The faculty of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine shall elect a spokesperson to the Texas A&M University Faculty Senate. This person shall be an ex-officio member of the Senate, with no authority to vote, either on the floor or in committee, to offer motions, second them, or offer amendments. The HSC College of Medicine representative shall enjoy all other perquisites of membership in the Senate, including eligibility to serve on committees and subcommittees. The spokesperson may speak to the full Senate, bring guests, and speak in favor of or against measures before they are voted on.
2. Visitors may attend Faculty Senate meetings unless closure is invoked but may not address the Senate unless invited by the Speaker.
3. Appointed Replacements
   • Where a vacancy in a Senate seat in a unit occurs before the next regularly scheduled election, the Speaker, in consultation with the other Senators of that unit, may appoint a replacement who shall serve until the next regularly scheduled election. In that election, a candidate will be elected for the remaining years of the original term.  
4. Attendance
   1. Members are expected to attend all regularly scheduled Senate meetings and meetings of Senate committees to which they are assigned. As a minimum, they should attend at least six of nine regular Senate meetings and two-thirds of each assigned committee's meetings during the academic year (September - May) and those meetings during the summer that are feasible. Professional activities are valid reasons for missing a meeting. The Speaker should be informed in advance of anticipated absences from
      • Faculty Senate meetings. The Committee chair should be informed in advance of anticipated absences from committee meetings.  
        1. Inactive member. During the summer sessions any member of the Faculty Senate may be placed on inactive status for the entire or any portion of the summer by requesting inactive status and by presenting a sufficient reason in writing to the Secretary. The Executive Committee has authority to approve or disapprove the request.
   2. In the event that a member misses more than three regular Senate meetings during the academic year, a letter shall be sent by the Speaker to that Senator (with a copy to the member's Caucus Leader) requesting an explanation. Both the Senator and the Caucus may provide the Speaker information regarding extenuating circumstances related to the absences. If a satisfactory explanation for excessive absences is not provided within 21 days, the Executive Committee shall have authority to declare the member's position vacated and to invoke the provisions in Sections VI.C. of these Bylaws to choose a replacement. The Executive Committee shall have final authority to determine whether the explanation is satisfactory.
   3. To facilitate attendance at scheduled meetings of the Senate and its various committees, the Senate requests that Academic Departments not assign teaching or other responsibilities to Faculty Senators on Mondays after 3:00 p.m. 

Chapter VII. Elections

1. Election Committee
   • All elections, nominations, and reapportionments associated with the Faculty Senate shall be conducted by the Election Committee of the Faculty Senate.  
2. Electors
   • Eligibility as an elector shall be the same as stated in the Part II.B. of the Constitution for membership in the Faculty Senate.  
3. Office Holder
   • Any qualified elector as defined in Part II.C. of the Constitution shall be eligible to hold the office of Senator.  
4. Apportionment and Reapportionment
   1. Apportionment occurred in December 1985 reapportionment will occur in December of every fifth year thereafter.                      
      1. Reapportionment shall be based on the formula in Part II.A.4 of the Constitution as applied to the University payroll for September of the year of reapportionment.
      2. The reapportionment list shall be published by January 15 and include the term of office for each seat.  
      3. In the event of a major structural reorganization of the university, reapportionment will be carried out before the next election.
   2. Reapportionment of Senators for each electoral unit shall be determined by the method of equal proportions as used by the United States House of Representatives.
   3. In the event an electoral unit loses a seat as a consequence of reapportionment, previously elected senators may complete the term for which they were elected. 
   4. All new seats resulting from reapportionment shall have the initial terms decided by the Election Committee. Terms of office for new seats shall be announced prior to the nomination period for those seats.
   5. If for any reason the spirit of Part II.C.2. of the Constitution cannot be fulfilled in an electoral unit, the Election Committee shall reduce the terms of office for open positions to re-establish the necessary balance.
5. Nomination of Senatorial Candidates
   • As specified in Part II.C. of the Constitution, the faculty themselves shall nominate senatorial candidates subject to the following guidelines:  
     1. Any faculty member seeking the position of Senator shall put one's own name in nomination or agree to one's nomination by another.
     2. All nominations shall use the Election Committee’s form available from the Office of the Faculty Senate.
     3. Senatorial nominees may file for seat in the electoral unit. This right cannot be abrogated by any agreement or directive, formal or informal. Nominees may change the seat for which they have filed, upon written request. The request must be made before the close of the nomination period as determined by the Election Committee.
     4. For the regular spring elections, the nomination period for election of Senators shall be a two-week period ending one week before voting begins. For special Senate elections, the nomination period shall be a two-week period ending one week before voting begins.
     5. Members of the Faculty Senate Election Committee shall be in charge of final approval of nominations within their respective electoral units, subject to an appeal to the full committee.
     6. A faculty member may not run for a Senate seat unless the term can be completed under current term limitations.
6. Write-In Candidates
   • Subject to meeting eligibility requirements for Senate membership, write-in candidates shall be eligible for election.  Write-in candidates require prior consent of the candidate.
7. Elections
   • All senatorial elections shall follow Part II.D. of the Constitution.  
     1. Ballots shall list the nominees in alphabetical order. 
     2. Ballots may be cast electronically. 
     3. Elections of Senators shall be scheduled by the Election Committee during a two-week period in April.
     4. If no candidate receives a majority of votes for a senatorial place upon first counting of the ballots, then a runoff will be held between the top two vote recipients. The election period for a runoff election will be three business days as determined by the Election Committee.
     5. Ballots will be counted on the day following the close of balloting by members of the Election Committee. Election outcomes will be publicly announced as soon as possible. No election results will be released prior to the final day for counting the ballots.
8. Vacancies
   1. Should a Senate place become vacant before the next regularly scheduled election, the place shall be filled in accordance with Chapter VI.C.
   2. Should a Senator anticipate being absent from the campus, or otherwise unable to perform their duties, for a period of three or more months, then:
      1. If the time from the anticipated date of return to the expiration of the term is fewer than three months, then the Senator shall resign and the place shall be filled in accordance with Bylaws Chapter VI.C.
      2. If the time remaining in the term after the anticipated date of return is three months or more, then a temporary replacement shall be appointed in accordance with Bylaws Chapter VI.C. The Senator shall resume their place upon returning.
      3. If an office or position on the Executive Committee becomes vacant, immediately upon notification of the vacancy occurring, a two-week nomination period shall be held, and at the next meeting of the Faculty Senate, an election shall be held to fill the vacancy.
         • In interpreting these provisions, "three months" shall be construed as "a period of time encompassing three regularly scheduled Senate meetings."    

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. Elections
   1. Election results from the Faculty Senate elections shall be maintained in the Office of the Faculty Senate for a period of 91 days following the close of the vote. At the end of this period, the results will be destroyed unless the election has been contested; if an election is contested within this period, the results shall be maintained in the Office of the Faculty Senate until the contest is resolved.
   2. Any Senator serving on the Election Committee shall be disqualified from seeking re-election as Senator or election as an Officer or Executive Committee member-at-large during the current year.
2. Voting During Senate Meetings
   • For roll call votes, at the end of the voting the Speaker shall ask if any Senator wishes to change his/her vote. After all vote changes have been duly recorded, the Speaker shall announce the vote.  
3. Financial Records
   • The Executive Committee shall appoint a committee of not less than two Senators, one of whom shall not be a member of the Executive Committee, to audit the financial records of the Faculty Senate at the end of each fiscal year.  
4. Sexist Language
   1. The Senate shall not consider documents containing sexist language. Documents containing sexist language that might come to the Senate shall be edited to remove any sexist language, or, if the document is not subject to amendment by the Senate, shall be returned to the author to have the sexist language removed.
   2. Sexist language is defined as statements that cast individuals in an inferior or degrading light because of their sex, or that use gender specific words to refer to individuals of both sexes.
5. Consent Agenda
   1. Action items which are not expected to generate discussion may be assigned by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee to a Consent Agenda to be approved in one action by general consent.
   2. Items on the Consent Agenda shall be included on the Meeting Agenda. The Consent Agenda shall be the first item on the Meeting Agenda following the approval of the minutes.
   3. The Speaker may explain items on the Consent Agenda.
   4. Any item shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and taken up separately upon request of a single member.
   5. Items removed from the Consent Agenda automatically become agenda items in the meeting in which they were removed.
6.  Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Celebration
   • The Texas A&M Faculty Senate shall not meet on the date of the national celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.