FROM A TOPIC TO A STATEMENT, RESOLUTION, OR LETTER:
HOW COMMITTEES DEVELOP AND ADVANCE THEIR POSITIONS THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY SENATE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM
- Identify issues as agenda items for discussion.
- Raise issues at the committee meeting; allow enough time for thorough discussion.
- Before deciding on what action the committee might take, recognize the importance of collective knowledge and diverse perspectives – include appropriate stakeholders (if appropriate) as well as the appropriate administrator/ex officio. Collect information from all sides of an issue before making a final decision.
- A committee may consider the following options:
- Statement: Describes the committee’s position on an issue. Forwarded to the appropriate consultative committee for information and then shared with the appropriate senate for information
- Resolution: Calls for action. After resolution is drafted, committee votes on it and if approved, it is forwarded to the appropriate consultative committee for consideration to be placed on the docket/agenda of the appropriate senate for a vote. If approved by a senate, it is then forwarded to the Office of the President.
- Letter: May outline a committee’s position on an issue and may or may not request action to be taken. Sent to the appropriate senior administrator. The issue can be resolved without any further action. Letters to administrators are shared with a senate.
- After statement, resolution, or letter has been drafted, the committee should review and discuss before final vote is taken. If possible, all committee members should have the opportunity to comment, make suggestions, etc.
- Once passed in committee, a letter or statement is sent to the relevant administrator. Once a resolution is passed in committee, the committee may
- post it to the website as is;
- seek endorsement of the resolution from other committees and then post to web; or
- submit it to the appropriate consultative committee for consideration for senate action.
- After a resolution has been has been passed at a senate, it is then forwarded to the Office of the President. The president will consider the resolution and forward it to the appropriate administrator for a response. Administrative response is reported at the next meeting of the senate.
