In order to have a formal and effective procedure for participating in the formation of college and district policies on academic and professional matters, we, the faculty of Saddleback College, do hereby establish a representative organization, known as the Saddleback College Academic Senate.

Orderly faculty participation in the formulation of college and district policies and a clearly defined organizational structure for such participation will contribute toward a clearer understanding of the mutual challenges and responsibilities of the faculty, administration, and the District Board of Trustees.

The Academic Senate, in cooperation with the Administration and the Board of Trustees, shall endeavor to provide a quality education for the students enrolled at Saddleback College.

SECTION I. Name

The name of the representative organization herein established shall be the Saddleback College Academic Senate, as defined in Title 5 of the Administrative Code (section #53201).

SECTION II. Faculty

A faculty member is any academic employee of Saddleback College who is not declared as holding a full-time management position.

SECTION I. Function

The Academic Senate shall be the representative body of the Saddleback College Faculty, established for the purpose of participating with the Administration of Saddleback College and the Board of Trustees in the formulation of college and district policy in academic and professional matters, to include but not be limited by Board Policy 2100.1 and sections 53200-53204 of Title 5 of the Administrative Code of California. The Academic Senate shall also communicate with other colleges in the formulation of policy in academic and professional matters.

SECTION II. Powers

The Academic Senate may present its resolutions to the Board of Trustees, and request that the Board of Trustees or its designee shall meet and confer with representatives of the Academic Senate.

The designation of board members or administrative officers as provided herein shall not preclude the representatives of the Academic Senate from meeting with or appearing before the Board of Trustees with respect to views, recommendations, or proposals of the Academic Senate at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SENATE

Pursuant to Title 5 of the Administrative Code of California, the Senate is responsible for presenting resolutions on academic and professional matters to the Board of Trustees. The Senate shall consider in good faith all recommendations submitted.

AUTHORITY

The Academic Senate operates under the authority of Board Policy 2100.1 and Sections 53200-53204 of Title 5 of the Administrative Code of California.

AFFILIATION

The Academic Senate shall not affiliate with any professional association, organization or group, except associations of Faculty Senates; however, nothing in this constitution shall be construed to discourage individual members of the Faculty from freely associating with other groups and organizations, and through such association independently expressing their views.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

SECTION I. Proposal of Amendments

A. Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be presented to the Academic Senate as an information item at least two weeks prior to the Academic Senate Meeting at which it will be voted upon.

B. Proposed amendments may be initiated:

0. Upon written petition of at least twenty-five members of the faculty, and may be presented at any regularly scheduled Academic Senate meeting, or
1. A petition signed by a majority of Senators present at the Academic Senate meeting at which it was proposed, or
2. A petition of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate.

A. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment, the Academic Senate shall call for a special meeting or this can be done at a regular meeting to ratify the proposed amendment by roll call vote or signed ballot.

B. Written notice of the proposed amendment shall be distributed to the entire faculty at least 14 days prior to voting by the Academic Senate.

C. The proposed amendment shall pass if it is approved by 2/3 of the faculty voting.

Questions or comments about this page may be sent to:
Acadsenate@saddleback.edu , - Academic Senate, Office for Instruction, Faculty Development, In-Service, Flex-Credit
last revision: 10/2003