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MnSCU-UTCE Master Agreement 1997-1999
ARTICLE 9
Faculty Senate
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of the Senate is to provide a forum for campus faculty to act in full partnership with campus administration in determination of campus operations, policy and planning prior to decision making. Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to prevent the Employer from having discussions with any individual or organization provided such discussions do not conflict with P.E.L.R.A. or other provisions of this agreement.
Section 2. Membership. The membership of the Senate at each campus shall consist of the UTCE chapter leadership team and the elected UTCE members in good standing representing a cross-section of disciplines. (The term discipline(s) may mean division, department, or program and will be defined according to other provisions of this agreement.)
Subd. 1. Senate Size. The number of members of the Senate shall be determined by the Senate.
Subd. 2. Senate Liaison. The College President or designee shall serve as an administrative liaison to the Senate.
Subd. 3. Senate Appointees. The College President or designee may appoint up to 10% of the Senate membership as non-voting members from employees outside the UTCE bargaining unit.
Subd. 4. Senate Location. The Senate will be campus-based unless mutually agreed upon by the College President and UTCE chapter leadership team.
Section 3. Senate Leadership. Senate leadership shall consist of UTCE members in good standing elected according to procedures adopted by the Senate.
Section 4. Procedures of the Senate. The Senate shall establish election and operating procedures and committees as needed.
Subd. 1. Meeting Schedule. Meetings shall be scheduled monthly during the academic year. The president of the Senate or College President or designee may call additional meetings when necessary.
Subd. 2. Meeting Agendas. The agenda for each meeting shall be prepared and distributed by the College President or designee at least one (1) week before the meeting and shall contain all items submitted by the President of the Senate or designee, or the College President and designee.
Subd. 3. Clerical Support. The College shall provide clerical support:
a) to prepare and distribute the agenda.
b) to prepare and distribute the minutes to the faculty within two weeks of the meeting after they have been reviewed and approved by the senate leadership.
Subd. 4. Meeting Leadership. The President of the Senate or designee shall preside over all meetings of the Senate.
Subd. 5. Reports. Within two (2) weeks of each meeting, the College President or designee will report to the Senate in writing actions taken or decisions made accompanied by written rationale.
Subd. 6. Relationship to Other Campus Committees. The Employer may establish, appoint members to, and utilize instructor/management participation groups or other groups of a similar nature. Any recommendations of these groups affecting College operations, policy, or planning shall be submitted to the Senate for review prior to decision making. The specific and express terms of this contract shall not be changed as a result of any such meeting except by mutual written agreement of the Employer and UTCE.
Section 5. Appeals. While it is recognized that the Employer reserves the ultimate decision-making authority, sincere efforts shall be made to reach mutual agreement. If the Senate or Employer feels that sincere efforts to reach a mutual agreement or understanding have not been made, either party may move the issue to the state Meet and Confer process.
Section 6. Alternative Committee Structure. As an alternative to the above at consolidated colleges, a different system of local UTCE involvement in campus governance may be agreed to between local UTCE and the College President. Such agreement shall not in any way regulate or control the right of selection or participation by the local UTCE but shall be confined to the design of the structure and its operational mode. Any alternative system of local UTCE involvement in campus governance must be approved by the state UTCE and the Employer.