CHAPTER 1/ WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
             TOWARDS THE FUTURE / UNIVERSITY STRUCTURE

Revisions accepted by the General Faculty 5-10-05
Revisions made 4-06
Constitution rev. 5-07

1.1     /  Evolution of Wichita State University
1.2     /  Mission, Role and Scope of Wichita State University
1.3     /  University Structure
1.31   /  University Administration
1.32   /  President
1.33   /  Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research
1.34   /  Vice President for Administration and Finance
1.35   /  Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations
1.36   /  Vice President and General Counsel
1.37   /  Council of Deans
1.4     /  College/School/University Libraries Administration
1.41   /  Deans
1.42   /  College/School/University Libraries Handbooks and Governance Documents
1.5     /  Departmental Administration
1.52   /  Chairs
1.521 /  Chair Policies and Procedures
1.6     /  University Governance
1.61   /  General Faculty Meetings
1.62   /  Faculty Senate
1.621 /  Constitution of the Faculty Senate
1.622 /  Senate Committee Structure
1.623 /  Faculty Representative on University Governing Bodies
1.7     /  Graduate Academic Affairs
1.71   /  Criteria for Graduate Faculty Membership
1.72   /  Graduate Council
1.73   /  Doctoral Program Subcouncil
 

1.1/The Evolution of Wichita State University

Since its founding as Fairmount College in 1895, Wichita State University has enjoyed a rich educational heritage.  The University's development has paralleled the growth of the city of Wichita.  Just as other universities are indelibly influenced by their origins, Wichita State  visibly reflects its history, combining elements of a liberal arts college, an urban university, and a comprehensive state university. It is a university with a distinctive character and a metropolitan advantage. 

The University maintains the traditions identified with Fairmount College. The first brochure of the school announced four courses of study: classical, scientific, literary, and normal. This liberal arts heritage still influences Wichita State University's concept of its role and its strong commitment to general education for all its students. Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the core college within the University, and its influence is felt in the other professional schools and applied colleges that are now part of Wichita State.

In 1926 Fairmount College became the University of Wichita, the first municipal university west of the Mississippi River. From the period as a municipal university comes Wichita State University's commitment to professional and utilitarian education as a complement to liberal education, and its concern for serving the variety of students who live in a city. From this period also comes the sense that the life of the University is closely related to the life of the city, and at the same time derives support and relevance from it.

In 1964 the University entered the state system of higher education as a multipurpose institution with a broad variety of programs at the undergraduate and master's levels and with authorization to develop cooperative programs at the doctoral level. Status as a state university has brought the initiation of new doctoral programs, an increase in other graduate programs, and a broadening of research efforts. Additionally, there have been new responsibilities for professional education and field services over much of Kansas.

1.2/ Mission, Role and Scope of Wichita State University
WSU Policies & Procedures:  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch1_02.htm

Wichita State University is committed to providing comprehensive educational opportunities in an urban setting.  Through teaching, scholarship, and public service the University seeks to equip both students and the larger community with the educational and cultural tools needed to thrive in a complex world, and to achieve both individual responsibility and effective citizenship in the local, national, and global communities.

High quality teaching and learning are fundamental goals in all undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs.  Building on a strong tradition in the arts and sciences, the University offers programs in business, education, engineering, fine arts, and health professions, as well as in the liberal arts and sciences.  Degree programs range from the associate to the doctoral level. Non-degree programs, such as Academic Outreach, are designed to meet the specialized educational and training needs of individuals and organizations in south central Kansas.

Scholarship and creative activities are designed to advance the University's goals of providing high quality instruction, making original contributions to knowledge and human understanding, and serving as agents of community service. Public service activities seek to foster the cultural, economic, and social development of a diverse metropolitan community and the state of Kansas.  The University's community service constituencies includes artistic, cultural, educational,  business, governmental, health, and labor organizations.

Wichita State University pursues its mission utilizing the cultural diversity of Wichita, south central Kansas's largest metropolitan community, and the region's many economic and social resources.  The University faculty and professional staff are committed to the highest ideals of teaching, scholarship, and public service, as the University strives to be a comprehensive, metropolitan university of national stature.

1.3 / University Structure

Wichita State University has a governance structure that includes both external and internal bodies. External agencies include the Kansas Board of Regents, various coordination councils, and, through the budget process, the Governor and the Legislature. Internally, it includes an organization of administrative officers and an extensive structure for faculty and student participation.

1.31 / University Administration
WSU Policies & Procedures: http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch1_03.htm

rev. 11-1-07

The administrative structure of the University includes the officers and supporting staffs of the central administration and the administrative structures of the six colleges, the Graduate School, University Libraries, and the satellite instructional centers.

1.32 / President:
The chief executive officer of the University is the President, who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Kansas Board of Regents.  The President has ultimate responsibility for the University's administration.  The President is assisted in the administration of the University by a staff that includes the provost and various vice presidents.

1.33 / Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research:
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research has the following specific responsibilities: exercises a coordinating role among the vice presidents and other senior administrative officials to assure that all actions and decisions properly reflect the academic needs and priorities of the institution; works closely with the college deans in all academic matters, including program review and accreditation, new program initiation, and program discontinuance; prepares the academic budgets, advises the President on overall budget strategies and priorities, including both state and city/county mill levy budgets, assists the President in reviewing proposed development and expenditure of private funds to assure that they reflect the academic needs and priorities of the institution; responsible and in coordination with the college deans, for all faculty personnel matters, including recruitment and retention of faculty, faculty evaluation, faculty development, affirmative action, and conflict resolution; responsible, through the Office of Research Administration and in coordination with the college deans, for the promotion of research programs of the University and for nurturing their proper relationship to the graduate programs and faculty development; provides active liaison with external agencies and boards, including the Academic Office of the Kansas Board of Regents, its Council of Chief Academic Officers, the WSU Board of Trustees, and the WSU Foundation; works with the Faculty Senate, its elected leaders and its committees to assure and maintain an active faculty role in all matters related to the academic policies of the institution.

1.34 / The Vice President for Administration and Finance
The Vice President for Administration and Finance is the chief business officer of the University with responsibility for the areas of fiscal management, financial accounting and reporting, business management, and administrative management.  Fiscal management includes the responsibility for the University's budget, institutional research, internal control, and management of investments.  Financial accounting and reporting includes the administration of the Controller's Office, development and maintenance of accounting procedures and systems, and preparation of financial reports and analyses.  Business management encompasses the operations of physical plant, new construction and capital improvements, campus police, purchasing, inventory control, financial management of auxiliary enterprises, business and fiscal advice to the WSU Board of Trustees and the WSU Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and insurance and risk management.  Administrative management includes the responsibility for administration of personnel management, including faculty and staff benefits and classified employee relations, and administrative responsibility for the Rhatigan Student Center, the University Post Office, and Central Services.

1.35 / Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations:
The Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations has administrative responsibility for a wide range of programs and services aimed at supporting/enhancing the educational goals of students.  In addition, the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations supervises those departments that deal with marketing/advertising, media relations, campus web development, publications/communications and special University events.  The major sub-units in the Division include: Enrollment Services, Student Life, Federal GEARUP/TRIO programs, and University Relations.  The Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations also has responsibility for University-owned residence halls and assisting recognized student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, and the Student Government Association.  Other responsibilities include handling student disciplinary matters, and assisting students with the Academic Court of Appeals process, the Emergency Short Term Loan Program and the Student Legal Aid referral service.  Finally, The Vice President for Campus Life and University relations serves as the University's liason to the WSU Alumni Association.
 

1.36 / Vice President and General Counsel:

The Vice President and General Counsel is the University’s chief legal officer.  The Vice President and General Counsel has executive responsibility for handling all legal matters involving the University, University Administration and University employees and serves as the University’s liaison with the state Attorney General’s Office.  The Vice President and General Counsel also oversees operation of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and has administrative responsibility for the Office of Internal Audit.

Deans:
The chief administrative officer of each degree-granting college is a Dean, who is responsible to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research for the leadership and general management of the college.  Areas of responsibility of the dean include: college program development and future planning; determination of the educational, fiscal, and physical plant needs of the college; development of the budget for the college; formulation of college-level recommendations concerning salary, appointment, assignment, promotion, and dismissal of faculty and staff, based in part on the prior recommendations of chairpersons; and representation of the college and its programs both within the University and before professional and community groups.  The dean is aided in carrying out administrative responsibilities by one or more associate or assistant deans.  The management of the college is exercised largely through department chairpersons.

1.37 / Council of Deans:
The Council of Deans serves as a forum for consideration of matters of academic policy.  The council is chaired by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research and is composed of the academic deans, the deans of University Libraries, Graduate School, and others specified by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research.

1.4 / College/School/University Libraries Administration

1.41 / Deans
The chief administrative officer of each degree-granting college is a Dean, who is responsible to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research for the leadership and general management of the college.  Areas of responsibility of the dean include: college program development and future planning; determination of the educational, fiscal, and physical plant needs of the college; development of the budget for the college; formulation of college-level recommendations concerning salary, appointment, assignment, promotion, and dismissal of faculty and staff, based in part on the prior recommendations of chairpersons; and representation of the college and its programs both within the University and before professional and community groups.  The dean is aided in carrying out administrative responsibilities by one or more associate or assistant deans.  The management of the college is exercised largely through department chairpersons.
 

1.42 / College/School/University Libraries Handbooks and Governance Documents

Within the framework of University policies, many aspects of college/school/University Libraries governance are "local" in the sense that they have been established by administrative or faculty action at the college/school/University Libraries level. Faculty handbooks have been developed by a number of the college/school/University Libraries to provide detailed information regarding college/school/University Libraries procedures, regulations, policies, and practices. In some college/school/University Libraries other documents may need to be consulted. Where policies in college/school/University Libraries handbooks and governance documents differ from policies explicitly stated in this University Handbook for Faculty, the University policies govern.

1.5 / Department Administration

1.52 / Chairs
revisions made and accepted by President 3-06

The six undergraduate degree-granting colleges are organized by departments headed by chairs.  A statement of University-wide policies and procedures on the role, selection, review, and evaluation of department chairs has been adopted by the University faculty.

1.521 / Chair Policies and Procedures
WSU Policies and Procedures -- http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_15.htm

Title of the Office:
The term "chair" as opposed to "head" is used herein to suggest consultative and open administrative procedures.

Role of the Chair:
Appropriate functions of the chair include the following duties:

1.  Academic Leadership

  1. To inspire and to facilitate departmental staff action that identifies and moves effectively toward the realization of goals of the department.
  2. To create and maintain an environment conducive to continuous departmental development by employing carefully considered and highly selective recruitment practices and by encouraging and facilitating professional growth in all members of the staff.
2.  Representation
  1. To represent to appropriate groups beyond the departmental staff, such as students, college administration, University administration, and the general public, the academic, professional, and economic needs and interests of the department and its staff.
  2. To represent to the staff the interests of identified relevant groups beyond the departmental staff, such as university administration, college administration, students, the academic discipline, and the general public.
  3. To act on all budgetary matters of the department in consultation with representative staff and the dean.
  4. To act on personnel problems of the department, and, in consultation with representative staff, to make decisions on or transmit to the dean recommendations regarding:
    1. assignment of staff
    2. evaluation of staff
    3. level and equity of financial reward
    4. tenure
    5. promotion
    6. nonrenewal of employment
The role of the chair is important to the well being, morale, and development of the professional staff and to the operation of the University.  The departmental staff, the dean, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, and the President all share an interest in developing and following procedures to facilitate the selection of chairs who will foster the highest standards of professional performance, or when necessary, infuse new life into a department.  Thus, the committee recommends that the following procedures be utilized in the selection, appointment, and evaluation of chairs.

Eligibility for Chair:
No eligibility requirements as to age or length of University service are recommended.  However, in no instance may a nominee for the position of chair be of a rank less than assistant professor, but the electorate may by majority vote establish a policy further limiting eligibility requirements.

Term of the Chair:
The term of the chair shall be set by a majority of the departmental electorate at not less than three years nor more than five years.  The chair may serve more than one successive term on the vote of a majority of the departmental electorate.  A chair shall have the prerogative of resigning the office at any time, with reasonable notice.  The departmental electorate may, by a petition signed by a majority of the total electorate, ask the dean to consider removal of the chair, but in no instance shall such request be made prior to the first annual evaluation of the chair.  If so requested, the dean shall initiate a hearing.  If an agreement cannot be reached, procedures stated under "IMPASSES" below shall be followed.

The dean may request, at any time, for good and sufficient reason, that the department consider removal of the chair.  When removal is considered, the chair shall be accorded an opportunity for a full hearing, before the electorate and the dean, on his or her alleged shortcomings and have opportunity to respond.

A majority vote of the department electorate is required to support removal from office.  If an agreement cannot be reached, procedures stated under "IMPASSES" below shall be followed.

Nothing in this document shall preclude the President from removing a chair from the position and/or appointing an interim chair if the President is convinced, beyond reasonable doubt, that the integrity of the University and its effective functioning requires such action and if the President has explored the situation, insofar as time permits, with faculty members and the chair of the department involved, and with the dean and appropriate committees of the college in which the department is housed.  In keeping with the consultative spirit of this document, it is recommended that in reaching such decisions the President also seek the advice, insofar as practicable, of representatives of faculty and administration.

In the event of termination of a chair (due to completion of the term of office, resignation, or removal), he or she shall be accorded the same professional rights as any other faculty member of like academic status.

If it is necessary to appoint an acting or interim chair for longer than one semester, the dean shall make the appointment, except that on petition of a majority of the departmental electorate, he or she shall institute the same selection procedure as is used in naming a chair for a full term.  If the appointment of an interim or acting chair is for a semester or less or for serving for a chair who will return to his or her position, the dean and the regular chair shall decide on the interim appointee.

Electorate:
The electorate for nominating a department chair shall, as a minimum, include all those serving as full-time (1.0 EFT) professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and tenured instructors, who provide at least 50 percent of their University duties within the department.  This group may, by majority vote, establish as a policy the extension of the electorate to (but no further than) all those in the department enfranchised to vote under the Faculty Senate Constitution (http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/handbook/FSConstitution-rev-1-05.html).

Administrators, as defined by the Faculty Senate Constitution, are excluded from the electorate for the purposes of voting for a chair.  A faculty member who has resigned or who is serving in the last year of a terminal appointment shall also be excluded from the electorate for the purposes of voting for a chair.

In departments with an electorate of five or fewer persons, departures from the stated procedures may be made.  In such instances, the dean shall utilize methods that conform to the spirit of democratic and consultative procedures implicit herein.

The dean shall ensure that the electorate is convened only after due notice.  On convening, the electorate shall choose a presiding officer to serve until the selection of a chair is completed.

The electorate, as defined above, may, by majority vote, assign to a committee of its choosing the function of nominating a candidate or slate of candidates for chair.  In the final selection of a nominee for chair, the total electorate shall be accorded the right to vote.  In all votes provided for pursuant to these procedures, measures shall be taken to ensure the anonymity of each voter.

The electorate of a department recommends a nominee to the dean of the college.  The dean, with the concurrence of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, unless there is an impasse, may proceed to appoint the individual as chair of the department.

In the event that a new department is created and has no staff, the dean shall have the prerogative of appointing the initial chair for a term not to exceed three years.

Impasses:
In the event of an impasse between the dean and the departmental electorate over the selection or removal of a chair, the dean shall meet with the entire departmental electorate, give reasons for and discuss his or her position regarding the decision, and respond to questions and discussion from the faculty.  An attempt shall be made to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Failing a solution, the departmental electorate shall proceed through the nomination procedure a second time and make a nomination or nominations to the dean.

If an impasse persists, the issue shall be submitted for fact finding and mediation to an ad hoc committee of five faculty members.  This committee shall consist of one person named by the dean, one person named by the departmental electorate, and three persons named from the full-time teaching faculty of WSU, by the two previously appointed representative members.  If the fact-finding and mediation activities of the committee do not resolve the impasse, the committee will transmit its findings of fact and its recommendations, which shall be made public, to the dean, to the President, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research for their action.  In addition, a vote by secret ballot shall be conducted among the department electorate to determine the number that support or oppose the recommendation of the dean.  The record of this vote shall accompany the recommendation.  Any member or group of the electorate shall be accorded the opportunity to make a statement in writing, support or opposing the recommendation, to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research.

Evaluation of the Chair:
There shall be an annual, anonymous, written evaluation of the performance of chairs instituted by the dean and conducted by the electorate of the department as previously defined.  The evaluation instrument used by the departmental electorate shall include questions submitted by the dean, by the chair, and by representatives chosen by the departmental electorate from its membership.  The results of the evaluation shall be available to the dean and to the chair; on the initiative of the chair, the results may be made available to others as designated by the chair.

1.6  / University Governance
The traditional governance role of the Wichita State University faculty is conducted through General Faculty Meetings, the Faculty Senate, standing and ad hoc faculty committees, and the graduate faculty.  The Senate may deliberate and take action on all matters related to the faculty.   Recommendations of the Faculty Senate on substantive matters requiring University faculty action will be acted upon at General Faculty Meetings ( http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/handbook/FSConstitution-rev-1-05.html ).  Graduate academic affairs are the general responsibility of the Dean of the Graduate School, the Graduate Council, and the graduate faculty.  

1.61 / Bylaws of the General Faculty Meetings.  

I.  Membership.  Faculty eligible to vote at General Faculty Meetings are those who comprise the Faculty Senate electorate (http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/handbook/FSConstitution-rev-1-05.html).  This includes temporary, probationary, and tenured faculty members holding half-time or more appointments at the rank of instructor or higher whose primary duties are 50 percent or more teaching, librarianship, research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. 

II.  Officers.  The presiding officer at all General Faculty Meetings shall be the Vice President of the Faculty Senate.  In the absence of the Vice President, the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate shall designate a presiding officer. The presiding officer shall appoint a secretary to take minutes of the proceedings and may appoint a parliamentarian.  The presiding officer shall not participate in substantive debates of the General Faculty Meeting.   

III. Scheduling.  The Faculty Senate Executive Committee shall schedule all General Faculty Meetings by its own authority and shall control the agenda, except as noted below.  The President of the Faculty Senate shall consult with the President of the University regarding the scheduling of General Faculty Meetings.   

IV.  Agenda.    At least ten calendar days before a General Faculty Meeting, each eligible faculty member shall be furnished with the agenda of topics to be considered at the meeting, including a detailed statement of any proposals submitted for action.  An individual faculty member may request that the Faculty Senate Executive Committee place a topic on the agenda for the next General Faculty Meeting.  Upon the written request of twelve or more faculty members, representing at least three departments and two college/school/University Libraries, an item shall appear on the agenda for the next meeting.  Such requests must be made to the Executive Committee at least twenty-one days in advance of the  scheduled meeting. 

V.  Quorum.  A quorum is the majority of the eligible faculty electorate present at the convening of a General Faculty Meeting.  For discussion or voting on items presented at a meeting as non-agenda items, a quorum of one-third of all eligible faculty members is required. 

VI.  Length of Meetings.  No General Faculty Meeting shall last longer than ninety minutes, unless it is extended by a two-thirds vote of those present. 

VII.  Rules.  The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall apply, when they are not inconsistent with this document.    

VIII.  Minutes.  The minutes of General Faculty Meetings will be sent to all eligible faculty members and posted on the Faculty Senate Web site (http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/minutes.html).

1.62 / Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate serves as a forum for the major constituencies within the University. Rules of the Senate provide for meetings generally on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during the fall and spring semesters. Meetings are open to the University community except for executive sessions.

1.621/ Constitution of the Faculty Senate

The Constitution of the Faculty Senate determines the selection and composition of the Senate, its organization, and rules, and procedures for amending the Constitution. The full text of the Constitution follows:

CONSTITUTION OF THE FACULTY SENATE

ARTICLE I
Composition and Selection 

Section 1. The Faculty Senate is composed of elected members of the teaching/research faculty, department chairs, and University Libraries as described under (a), (b), and (c), below; and ex officio members as described under (d) and (e), below.

      (a) The teaching/research faculty include all full-time (1.0EFT) university personnel who are tenured, temporary, probationary or instructors with faculty status and at least 50 percent of whose University duties include teaching, research, and/or library service. Eligible members of the faculty also serve as the electorate.  Administrators are excluded from the Faculty Senate electorate.   Administrators include those holding the title of President; Provost, Associate Provost, Vice President; Associate Vice President; Assistant Vice President; Dean; Associate Dean; Assistant Dean; and directors of all non-academic programs including  the Director of the Computer Center, the Director of the Office of Institutional Research, the Director of  the Physical Plant, the Registrar, and the Director of Cooperative Education.

    (b) For purposes of representation, faculty senators shall be allotted on the basis of a proportional system, with one senator for every twelve faculty members, rounded up to the nearest integer. It is the responsibility of the Senate Rules Committee to determine the number of representatives from each area, prior to the elections.

Senators will be elected from the following areas: the W. Frank Barton School of Business; the Colleges of Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, and Health Professions;  Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the University  Libraries.  Each area will determine the distribution of its representation on the basis of subdivisions or departments.

    (c) Four faculty senators will be elected at-large, but not more than two from any one Faculty Senate division.  The nine Faculty Senate Divisions are the Barton School of Business; the Colleges of Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, and Health Professions; the divisions of Humanities, Math/Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and the University Libraries.

    (d) The President of the University, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, and the President of the Student Government Association are ex officio, non-voting members of the Faculty Senate.

    (e) Upon assuming office, the President of the Senate begins a two-year term as an at-large senator. If the President's previous elected term has not expired, it will be filled by election.

Section 2. Elections shall be held annually to replace approximately one-half the membership of the Senate. The Senate also will elect two at-large members each year.

Section 3. Regular election to the Senate shall be for a term of two years. Senators are eligible for re-election.

Section 4. During the spring semester of each academic year, the Vice President of the Senate shall circulate to each eligible faculty member a list of those ineligible for Senate election by reason of continuing Senate membership and solicit nominations for senators at-large. A total of six nominations is required to place a nominee on the at-large ballot. The Vice President  will conduct an election to fill the senator at-large positions.

Section 5. Each year, subsequent to the at-large election described in Section 4, the Vice President of the Senate will distribute to the members of each area mentioned in Article I, Section I, paragraph (b), a list of its members ineligible for election by reason of continuing Senate membership or election as senator at-large. Nominations for senator from each area will be solicited and the Vice President  will distribute ballots to the appropriate faculty members.  The Vice President will determine the need for run-off elections.

Section 6. Senate members elected in the spring semester shall take office June 1, except that the newly elected members of the Senate, and those members of the Senate with one year remaining in their terms, shall meet in May for the purpose of electing Senate officers for the forthcoming academic year.

Section 7.  Vacancies on the Senate shall be filled by vote of the Senate for unexpired terms with the provision that the selected member shall be of the appropriate area (see Faculty Senate Rules, # 9 & 10:  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/FSRules-2005rev.htm).

Section 8. A senator who leaves the area from which elected will be considered to have resigned. However, the term may be completed if the change occurs during the spring semester of the last year of the member's term.

Section 9. The Executive Committee of the Senate has the responsibility of consulting with any senator who has a record of poor attendance at Senate meetings.  After consultation with the senator, the Executive Committee may recommend to the Senate dismissal of the senator. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is required for dismissal.
 

ARTICLE II
Organization of the Senate

Section 1.  The Senate shall elect its own President-elect, Vice President, and Secretary from among its membership.  Following service as President-elect, that officer becomes President of the Senate.  In the year after serving as President, that officer becomes Past President.

Section 2.  Meetings generally shall be held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during the fall and spring semesters.  The time and place shall be set by the Executive Committee.

Section 3 The Senate shall determine its own rules. 

ARTICLE III
Authority of the Senate


Section 1.  The President of the Senate shall consult with the President of the University regarding the scheduling of General Faculty Meetings.  Matters that shall be submitted to the General Faculty for ratification include fundamental principles of academic policy, substantive issues associated with faculty welfare, and significant changes in the governmental structure or organization of the faculty.

Section 2.  The Senate may deliberate and take action on all matters related  to the faculty.

Section 3.  The Standing Committees shall report in the manner specified by the Faculty Senate Rules.  http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/FSRules-2005rev.htm

Section 4.  The Senate shall create and delete faculty standing committees and shall select their membership.

Section 5.  Action of the Faculty Senate is final, unless twelve or more faculty members, representing at least three departments and two college/school/University Libraries, request the Executive Committee to place a topic on the agenda for the next General Faculty Meeting. Such requests must be made at least twenty-one days in advance of the scheduled meeting. 

ARTICLE IV
Amendments

Section 1. An amendment to the Constitution may be introduced to the Senate by any faculty member.  If the amendment is proposed by no fewer than twelve faculty members, representing at least three departments and two college/school/University Libraries, the Executive Committee shall place it on the agenda of one of the next two Senate meetings.

Section 2. If the amendment was proposed by a faculty member or by a Senate committee, a negative Senate vote is final.  If, however, the amendment was proposed by no fewer than twelve faculty members, representing at least three departments and two college/school/University Libraries, the proposed amendment together with the Senate recommendation shall be placed on the agenda of the next general  Faculty Meeting. 
 

1.622 / Senate Committee Structure
Much of the work of the Senate is done through its committees.  In addition to the Senate's standing committees, ad hoc committees may be formed to address major issues arising at the University.  The composition, selection procedures, and specific charges of each standing committee are found in the Faculty Senate Rules and on the Faculty Senate Web site: http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/structure.html
 

Standard Charges of the Standing Committees:

    1.  Review, modify, and initiate policies and related procedures relevant to their specific charges.
    2.  Forward recommendations and/or motions to the Senate.
    3.  Report to the Senate at least once a year, and at any other times they and/or the Senate deem appropriate.
    4.  Submit  policy proposals  to the Senate in the form of a committee motion. Only the Senate has the authority to make recommendations to, or advise, the University administration or any other party in the name of the Senate.   

Eligibility:
    1. Eligible faculty include those eligible to serve on the Senate.  No faculty shall be a member of more than two standing committees of the Senate, unless by reason of office or election. With the exception of ex officio members and membership determined by general faculty policy, membership of a given person is restricted to two consecutive three-year terms. Such faculty may be re-elected after a service break of one term.
    2. Eligibility for student membership is established by the Student Government Association. 

Selection Procedures:
     1. Early in the spring semester,  prior to making its nominations to fill vacancies, the Rules Committee shall distribute a Committee Preference Form to all eligible faculty.
     2.  Nominations by the Rules Committee are not limited to those persons who have completed Committee Preference Forms.
     3.  The Rules Committee shall nominate members for standing committees, subject to Senate ratification.
     4.  Chairs of standing committees shall be elected by their memberships in the spring semester after vacancies have been filled.  Chairs serve for one year, beginning June 1.  One year prior service on the committee is required to be eligible to serve as chair.  If no member meets this criterion, the Rules Committee shall determine selection procedures.  Newly elected chairs shall notify the Office of the Faculty Senate of their election.
     5.  Interim vacancies shall be filled by the Rules Committee, subject to Senate approval.
     6.  In making its nominations, the Rules Committee shall make certain that no individual serves on more than two standing committees, unless that membership is the result of office or election.
     7.  In making its nominations, the Rules Committee shall make certain that standing committees shall have an annual change in their membership. The term of office generally shall be  for three years.  Staggered terms for all new committees shall initially be determined by lot.
     8.  In the absence of the chair of the Rules Committee, the President of the Senate shall make temporary appointments to committees as needed.
     9.  If a member of a standing committee leaves the division from which elected, the member will be considered to have resigned.  If the committee's actions would be disrupted by the resignation, the Senate President may specify that the member remain on the committee until June 1.
    10.  If a committee member has a poor record of performance, the Rules Committee shall consult with that member and may dismiss him or her from the committee.
    11.  Working with committee chairs and members, the Senate President coordinates the work of standing and ad hoc committees of the Senate.
 
Reports:
   Committee reports to the Senate generally consist of two kinds, annual reports and motions.
    1.  A written annual report shall be submitted to the Senate by each committee chair, containing the following:
        a. Date
        b. Names of members
        c. Approximate meeting schedule
        d. Summary of activities and/or decisions.
    2.  Annual reports will be entered on the Senate agenda, distributed with it, and automatically accepted by the Senate unless a successful motion to the contrary is introduced on the Senate floor. Annual reports will not contain motions except as a recounting of those submitted to the Executive Committee. Annual reports may contain recommendations to the Senate.
    3.  Committee motions for changes in policy and/or stances on issues, if any, shall take the following written form:
        a.  The motion
        b.  Rationale for the motion.

Detailed information regarding the Standing Committees of the Faculty Senate may be found on the Faculty Senate Web page: (http://webs.wichita.edu/senate/structure.html).

1.623 / Faculty Representative on University Governing Bodies

The Faculty Senate represents the faculty in University governance. The President of the Faculty Senate is the primary spokesperson for the faculty in University governance, as the Senate's designated representative. The President of the Senate is a member of the Council of Deans, a faculty representative to the WSU Board of Trustees, and serves on additional governance bodies as determined by consultation between the Senate and the administration. The President also serves as University Marshall.  The President-Elect of the Senate sits as a non-voting member of the Council of Deans and other bodies to assure more effective faculty representation.

1.7 / Graduate Academic Affairs

Graduate academic affairs of the University are the general responsibility of the Dean of the Graduate School, the Graduate Council, and the graduate faculty. Membership on the graduate faculty is obtained by nomination from the department or program involved and approval by the Graduate Council.

1.71 / Criteria for Graduate Faculty Membership
revisions made to Handbook 4-06
revised and accepted by President 7-05
WSU Policies & Procedures --  http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch5_12.htm

Full Membership with Doctoral Dissertation Responsibility
Responsibilities include those listed under the Full Membership category plus the chairing of doctoral dissertations. 

Criteria for awarding standing (in addition to those criteria for awarding full membership):
 
Length of standing:
 
Full Membership
Responsibilities include thesis chairing, graduate teaching, serving as member on thesis and dissertation committees, and graduate student mentoring and advising. 

Criteria for awarding standing:
 

 Length of standing:

Associate Membership
Responsibilities include graduate teaching, serving as member on thesis and dissertation committees, and graduate student mentoring and advising (may be authorized to chair master’s thesis committees for a period of three years).

Criteria for awarding standing:

 
Length of standing:
 
Acting Ad Hoc Membership
Responsibility includes graduate teaching only.

Criteria for awarding standing:

 
Length of standing:
 
Graduate Faculty Affiliate Membership
Responsibilities include graduate teaching, serving as member on thesis and dissertation committees, and graduate student mentoring [may chair specific thesis committees (when authorized by the Graduate Dean) and may chair specific dissertation committees in their area of research (when authorized by the Doctoral Program Subcouncil and the Graduate Dean)]. 

Criteria for awarding standing:
 
Length of standing:
 
Practicing Professional Membership
Responsibilities include graduate teaching, serving as member on thesis and dissertation committees, and graduate student mentoring. 

Criteria for awarding standing:
 
Length of standing:
 
Nomination forms are available in the Graduate School office and on the Graduate School website.

1.72 / Graduate Council

The Graduate Council serves as the elected executive body for the graduate faculty in actions on Graduate School academic matters and in an advisory role to the Dean on Graduate School affairs. The Graduate Council also serves as a committee on exceptions. The Graduate Council is composed of the Dean of the Graduate School, the associate and/or assistant dean(s), ten elected faculty representatives, and one student. Faculty representatives are elected from the following divisions: W. Frank Barton School of Business (2), College of Education (2), College of Engineering (1), College of Fine Arts (1), College of Health Professions (1), and Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences (1) for each division. In addition, the graduate dean may appoint one at-large member to balance the representation of various types of graduate programs and various categories of graduate faculty members.

1.73 / Doctoral Program Subcouncil

The Doctoral Program Subcouncil exists for the general advocacy of doctoral programs. Membership consists of the Graduate Dean, associate and/or assistant deans, one representative from each doctoral program, and one member elected from the Graduate Council.

Kansas Board of Regents, Policy Manual (1995 edition), page 4H
Chapter 1 revisions accepted by the Faculty 5-10-05

 


Wichita State University
Faculty Senate
1845 Fairmont
Box 111
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0111
(316) 978-3504
Email: bobbi.dreiling@wichita.edu