STAFF SENATE BYLAWS

ARTICLE I:  NAME

1. The name of the total body shall be The University of Memphis Staff.
2. The name of this representative body shall be The University of Memphis Staff Senate.  (Hereafter in this document, the term “Senate” shall refer to the Staff Senate unless otherwise noted.)

ARTICLE II:  AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

• The Senate is authorized by the University President to serve as an advisory body and shall stand ready to act at the discretion of the University President.

·         The Senate shall accept and share responsibility with the administration, faculty, and students to attain the stated goals of the University.

·         The Senate shall endeavor to foster a spirit of respect, dignity, unity, and cooperation among the Staff and shall act to promote the general welfare of the Staff as it relates to the University.

• The Senate shall act as a vehicle to promote better understanding, cooperation, and communication within the campus community for the benefit and betterment of all.
• The Senate shall appoint or recommend Staff representatives to University committees, as appropriate.
• The Senate shall endeavor to keep constituents advised of issues, policies, and activities affecting them and address philosophical and operational issues affecting the welfare of the staff and the University.
• The Senate shall be a body through which staff members make recommendations to the President of the University on interests, issues, policies, and concerns that affect the welfare of the staff and the University.
• The Senate shall, at the University President’s discretion, participate in the selection of University personnel by interviewing candidates, submitting evaluations and recommendations, and having representation on search committees.
• The Senate functions solely in a study and advisory capacity as charged and addresses issues brought before it by the University community.  The Senate will not serve as a substitute for the formal grievance procedures of the University.

ARTICLE III:  ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. TOTAL SENATE
2. 1. The Senate shall meet with the University President or other appropriate University officials to discuss issues and concerns that affect the welfare of the Staff and the University.
   2. The Senate shall vote to make recommendations to the University President on issues and concerns that affect the welfare of the Staff, and the University.  Approved recommendations will be presented to the University President by the Senate Executive Committee.   Recommendations to the University President will be passed by a simple majority of the quorum.
   3. The Senate shall make appropriate recommendations and suggestions on development and revision of University policies and procedures.
   4. The Senate shall act on behalf of the Staff of The University of Memphis. The Senate shall meet monthly and the business will be conducted according to the rules in the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order in the following cases:
   5. 1. Making motions and voting on recommendations to the University President.
      2. Disagreements over procedure.
      3. When requested by a Staff Senate member.

These meetings shall be open to all members of the University community as observers.  Staff members may participate in Senate meetings by submitting to the Senate Executive Committee a written request to be included on the agenda.

5.    The Senate shall enact policies and regulations as deemed necessary to ensure the proper operation of the organization.  These shall include Bylaws and a Code of Conduct.

2. INDIVIDUAL SENATORS
3. 1. Senators shall, when requested, participate in the selection of University personnel by serving on search committees, interviewing candidates, and submitting evaluations and recommendations.
   2. The Senate members, its committee members, and its chairpersons shall uphold the purpose of the Senate by performing all duties as specified in these Bylaws and in the Code of Conduct for Members of The University of Memphis Staff Senate.  Senate members who fail to fulfill the responsibilities and expectations outlined in these Bylaws and in the Code of Conduct are subject to removal from office.
   3. The Senate members shall be responsible for attending monthly meetings as well as special or called meetings.
   4. Senate Members shall have the opportunity to serve on committees of the Senate and may be elected as an officer of those committees.
   5. Any elected Senator may be removed from office by the constituents for nonperformance of Senate duties or breach of duties, or both, as defined by the bylaws and the Policies and Procedures of The University of Memphis.  A petition requesting such removal may be brought to the Executive Committee by a simple majority of the members of the Senator’s division/area or cluster or the request for removal can be brought forward by members of the Senate. The Executive Committee will investigate the matter on a case-by-case basis and will recommend action to the Senate.  The final decision will be made by the senate by secret ballot.  A simple majority of the membership of the total Senate at a regular meeting will carry the vote. Possible causes for removal shall include but not be limited to:  misuse of the powers of the Senate, real or implied, to further personal causes; misuse of funds or authority.
4. ATTENDANCE POLICY
5. 1. Senate members shall be responsible for attending monthly meetings as well as special or called meetings except for the following reasons which will constitute excused absences:

a.    Annual leave

b.    Sick leave

c.     Official University business other than normal job duties that requires the Senator’s attendance at the time of the regularly scheduled Senate meeting

In the cases of annual leave and official business, the Senator shall provide advance notice to the Senate Secretary.  In the case of sick leave, the Senator shall notify the Senate Secretary upon the first day of returning to work.

2.    After a Senator has two unexcused absences, the Executive Committee shall contact the Senator for an explanation for missed meetings.  An opportunity to resign from the Senate will be given if the Senator feels he or she will not be able to comply with the attendance policy.

CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Each Senate member shall make him/herself known to his/her constituents.  He/she shall be willing to hear concerns, to receive information and suggestions, and to communicate these effectively to the Senate.  Senators shall also keep his/her constituents informed of the work of the Senate.
2. Senators shall work actively toward the goal of improving the current and future needs and working conditions of the University’s Staff members. Senate members shall protect and promote the interests of their constituents and the University even when these conflict with the Senator’s own interests.
3. Senate members shall keep private, non-University interests separate from their University activities to avoid conflicts of interest.
4. Senate members shall keep informed of current University policies, procedures, and expectations affecting the interest of the Staff and function of the University.
5. Senate members shall strive to demonstrate competence, fairness, integrity, and conscientious behavior as they conduct Senate Business within the University community.
6. Senate members are free to express personal opinions to constituents and other members of the University community; however, they must clearly state that these opinions are their own and differentiate them from Senate positions and actions when differences exist.  Senate members shall not misrepresent any Senate action, position, or decision to the University community.

ARTICLE IV:  REPRESENTATION

1. The voting membership to elect the Senate shall consist of all regular full-time or regular part-time staff members who have completed their initial probationary period(s).  Included in this group are all employees covered under the hourly Pay Plan.  Not included in this group are:  student and work-study employees; faculty, including non-tenured categories, graduate teaching, service, or research assistants; temporary instruction employees; contract coaches; or regular employees at the monthly Pay Plan grade of 150 or above as indicated in the Human Resources web site listing.  Any employee not given representation by means of the faculty senate or the administrative council or without a direct line of communication with higher administrators and who wishes to be a member of The University of Memphis Staff as defined in Article I, Section A, can request membership through the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee will work with the Membership Committee to determine eligibility of such employee.
2. Voting members of the Senate shall consist of staff elected to serve as representatives from within the university and college units, cluster areas or divisions as determined by the elections.
3. The total number of Senate members is fifty (50).  Senate seats will be apportioned according to the number of employees within each University cluster.  This composition will be reviewed annually through the election process to provide equal representation throughout the University clusters.  On an annual basis, the Executive Committee shall ask the office of Human Resources to provide printouts to determine staff eligibility for nominations and the number of representatives to be elected from within the University clusters.  It is recognized that the number of Senate members within each cluster may fluctuate due to the number of employees in the area.

ARTICLE V:  TERMS OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS

1. Terms of Office:
2. 1. The term of office for Senate members shall begin with the June July meeting of the Staff Senate to coincide with the University calendar and provide time for appointments to committees meeting early in the fall term.  A term shall be two (2) consecutive years and a member can be elected for two consecutive terms.  After serving four (4) consecutive years, an individual may not be re-elected as a Senator until a minimum of one (1) year has passed.
   2. A representative loses Senate membership upon leaving the employ of the University, by removal from office or by transfer from one division/cluster to another.  At the discretion of the Executive Committee or by request from the Senate membership, a Senator may keep his/her seat when placed in a temporary or interim position.  If a Senator loses Senate membership the Executive Committee, with approval of a majority of the Senate, may appoint the person from the cluster with the next highest number of votes in the previous elections as a replacement.
   3. If a member is elected to the Senate to serve out an un-expired term vacated by another representative, the individual may complete that term and be elected to one additional term.
   4. Elections shall be held each year, with approximately one half of the Senate being replaced yearly.
3. Voting Rights:
4. 1. Senators shall be elected by the staff membership as defined under Article IV:  Representation.
   2. The Senate officers shall be elected each year at the June meeting by nomination and a majority vote of the total Senate membership.
   3. A simple majority of the total senate membership is required for regular Senate meetings.  Votes shall pass and carry by a 51% affirmative vote of the total Senate membership.  No proxy voting is allowed.
5. Nominations and Election Procedures:

The nominations and elections process shall be handled each year by the Election Committee, which shall be accountable to the Executive Committee.  The nominations and election process shall begin early in the spring semester.  New Senators will attend the June meeting and begin their official term with the July meeting.

ARTICLE VI:  OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Officers and Executive Committee

Each elected and appointed officer or committee chair will submit an annual report of activities to the Staff Senate President at the end of each year of service.

1. President
2. 1. The term of office shall be for one (1) year with re-election possible each year for the duration of the Senator’s term.
   2. Duties shall include, but not be limited to:
   3. 1. Serving as an advocate for the welfare of all Staff members,
      2. Presiding at all Senate and Executive Committee meetings,
      3. Serving as the official spokesperson for the Senate,
      4. Serving as the liaison to the University President, to keep the University President informed regarding concerns of the Senate, and to seek the University President’s support and advice on behalf of all Staff as defined in article IV, section A,
      5. Submitting an annual report of activities to the University President at the end of the each year of service and posting the report on the Staff Senate website,
      6. Coordinating the operation of the Senate with the standing committee chairs and other officers as needed in accordance with these Bylaws, and
      7. Appointing Senate members to serve as Senate representatives on University wide committees, with the ratification of the Senate.
3. Vice President
4. 1. The term of office will be one (1) year with re-election possible each year for the duration of the Senator’s term of office.
   2. Duties shall include but not be limited to:
   3. 1. Presiding in the absence of, or at the request of, the Senate President and assuming the President’s duties in his or her absence. 
      2. Acting as Financial Officer and have signature authority for financial transactions,
      3. Presenting an annual budget and relevant financial information to the Executive Committee and
      4. Assuming the Office of Interim President for the remainder of the term, in the event that the President vacates the office for any reason.
5. Coordinator of Membership Information
6. 1. Term of office is one (1) year with re-election possible each year for the duration of the Senator’s term of office.
   2. Duties shall include but not be limited to:
   3. 1. Assist the Secretary with disseminating the minutes, information, and agendas to the membership,
      2. Accept agenda items from the Senate representatives and/or Staff membership,
      3. Maintaining a roster of eligible members as stated in the Bylaws Article IV:  Representation, and
      4. Providing membership information to the Election Committee.
7. Secretary
8. 1. The term of office will be one (1) year with re-election possible each year for the duration of the Senator’s term in office.
   2. Duties shall include but not be limited to:
   3. 1. Serving as Secretary of each Senate meeting, recording and distributing minutes to the representatives at least five working business days before the next scheduled general meeting of the Senate,
      2. Send a reminder email and meeting agenda to the representatives two business days prior to the next scheduled general meeting.
      3. Serving as Secretary of the Executive Committee, recording and distributing minutes to the committee members within three business days of the meeting and notifying the members of the meeting dates and location,
      4. Maintaining all Senate and Executive Committee files and records, and
      5. Serving as the Historian.
9. Coordinator of Public Relations
10. 1. The term of office will be one (1) year with re-election possible each year for the duration of the Senator’s term in office.
    2. Duties shall include but not be limited to:
    3. 1. Coordinating the Senate’s involvement in the annual Food Bank Drive, and
       2. Coordinating the Senate’s involvement in the annual Staff Appreciation Day.
11. Coordinator of Web Site Information
12. 1. The term of office will be one (1) year with re-election possible each year for the duration of the Senator’s term in office.
    2. Duties shall include but not be limited to:
    3. 1. Supervising maintenance and regularly updating of the Senate web site, and
       2. Insuring that only correct information authorized by the Senate is placed on the Senate web site.
13. Immediate Past President
14. 1. The outgoing President shall become Immediate Past President for one year, acting in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee.
    2. The Immediate Past President shall be an unofficial member of the Executive Committee and shall be notified in advance when he/she is requested to attend Executive Committee meetings.
    3. If the immediate Past President has already served a four (4) year term on the Senate, for eligibility to be on the list of nominations in his/her cluster, this one year of advisory duty shall be considered as a year out of the Senate.

ARTICLE VII:  COMMITTEES

The standing committees of the Senate shall be:  Executive, Finance, Election, Issues Review, Legislative Advisory Committee, Publicity/Public Relations and the Bylaws Committees.  With the approval of the Senate, other committees may be formed by the President or Executive Committee as ad hoc committees.  Each elected and appointed officer or committee chair will submit an annual report of activities to the Staff Senate President at the end of each year of service.

1. Membership on standing and ad hoc committees will be open to all Senators.  The chair of a committee may appoint one or more subcommittees and subcommittee chairs for specific terms to deal with assigned issues; the subcommittee chair shall report to the appointing committee.  Each standing committee may consist of up to five (5) members.  Committees shall meet on a regular basis as needed.  Each committee shall appoint a chair and a secretary if needed.  Both standard and ad hoc committees shall have the authority to invite individuals to the committee meeting in an advisory capacity.
2. Standing Committees
3. 1. Executive Committee
   2. 1. The membership of the Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Senate (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Coordinator of Membership, Coordinator of Public Relations, Coordinator of Web Site Information), and the chairs of standing committees.  The committee will be chaired by the President of the Senate.  The Vice President shall act as the Financial Officer of the Senate.
      2. Duties of the Executive committee shall be:  to consider all matters presented to it by the Senate President, the University President or designee, the Senator, standing committee chairs, or staff membership; to report and make recommendations to the Senators; to assist the Senate President in setting the agenda for Senate meetings; to review periodically the purpose and membership of each standing committee to assure it is functioning as intended by the Senate; to assist in appointments to standing committees and ad hoc committees as necessary; to resolve questions related to the Senate election process; and to make recommendations to the Senate regarding the removal of a senator when deemed to be in the best interest of the Senate.  All expenditures of the Executive Committee shall be voted upon in a general Senate meeting.  The Executive Committee will be responsible for budgetary and financial matters, as well as reporting budget status at the monthly Senate meeting and preparing a budget for the Executive Committee and the University President.  In situations of emergency or immediate need, the President or Vice President may approve expenditures up to and not to exceed $100.00.
      3. The Executive Committee shall meet monthly in advance of the regular meeting with all Senators.  Other special meetings may be called by the Senate President, by the University President, by the representative Senators, or by request of two or more members of the Executive Committee.
   3. Bylaws Committee
   4. 1. The membership of the Bylaws committee shall consist of the chair and at least two members who shall be appointed by the President of the Staff Senate for a one-year term coinciding with their regular term as a senator.
      2. Duties of the committee shall be:  to make senators aware of the Staff Senate bylaws and where to find this information on the University web site; to review annually the bylaws; to receive recommendations from a member of the Senate for review; and to propose any amendments to the Staff Senate.
   5. Election Committee

Membership shall consist of Senators solicited in a general Senate meeting.  The member Senators should be in either their first, third, or fourth year on the Senate, since an Election Committee member is not eligible to be a candidate for re-election while serving on the Committee.  A minimum of six (6) Senators is needed for this Committee.  The Executive Committee Secretary and the Coordinator of Membership information will assist the Committee with information regarding Staff membership and duties of the Committee.

The Issues Review Committee shall consist of members elected from the Senators.  It may consist of up to nine (9) members, but no less than two.

ARTICLE VIII:  BYLAWS

1. These Bylaws may be amended, repealed, or replaced in the following manner.
2. 1. A member of the Senate may make a verbal or written recommendation for an amendment to the Bylaws Committee for its review.
   2. The Bylaws Committee must be set up for review of any written proposal(s) and submit it to the Executive Committee to be placed on the agenda of the next meeting. 
   3. The amendment will be proposed to the Senate and shall require a simple majority of the total Staff Senate membership to pass (26 votes needed).