Rules of Order (8-24-06)

1. Officers

2. Committees

1. Academic Affairs
2. Faculty Affairs
3. Fiscal Affairs
4. Student Affairs
5. Diversity Enhancement

3. Operational Policies

1. The rules given in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall be followed in conducting the meetings of the Faculty Council, provided they are not in conflict with the Faculty Bylaws or the Council�s Rules of Order.
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3. The Faculty Council shall meet on Thursdays as scheduled by the Executive Committee, with sessions beginning at 3:30 p.m. and adjourning as close to 5:00 p.m. as is possible, given the business at hand in each particular meeting. The Council may change the time of meetings by a majority vote, and special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee, or by a majority vote of the Council.
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5. A quorum shall be a majority of the Council members.
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7. Members of the Council may appoint their officially designated alternates, or other faculty members from the same division, to assume their roles, including voting on motions, at meetings of the Council.
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9. In general, matters brought to the Council are to be referred to the Executive Committee and then, if necessary, to a standing committee before being placed on the Agenda; however, this procedure may not preclude the introduction of items for discussion at meetings of the Council.
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11. Items discussed by the Council will not be acted on at that session, but shall be placed on a subsequent Agenda for prompt action.
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13. Agenda for meetings shall be prepared by the Executive Committee and copies will be supplied to Council members at least two days prior to a meeting.
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15. The Faculty Council and the Faculty Council Executive Committee conduct their meetings according to the Sunshine Laws of the State of Missouri. As a consequence:
    1. All meetings of the Council and the Executive Committee are open to the public, including members of the broadcast and print press.
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    3. In accordance with the provisions of the Sunshine Laws, the Executive Committee by majority vote will schedule the following items for closed session. The agenda must list the reason for closing the meeting:
       1. awarding of degrees (including honorary degrees) to specific persons;
       2. nomination or election of specific persons to faculty or university committees, councils, boards, or offices;
       3. employment, promotion, tenure, dismissal, grievance or discipline of specific persons;
       4. legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving the University, the faculty, or specific faculty members;
       5. the character or professional qualifications of specific persons in any other manner, such that public disclosure of the discussion would be likely to have adverse effect on the person's career or reputation.
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    5. During the conduct of a meeting, a member of the Council may move to close the meeting on the basis of items i-v above. A motion to close must be approved by a two-thirds vote of those present.
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    7. If Council enters into a closed session despite the objection of one or more members, then the meeting minutes should state the objection to enter into closed session.
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    9. Unless otherwise authorized by Council, all persons present during a closed meeting shall keep the discussions in confidence.
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17. Except in the case of elections, voting shall be by voice vote, or upon request of the Chair, by a show of hands. The Chair may call for a show of hands and order a count if the outcome of a vote is in doubt. A roll-call vote shall be required on actions taken by the Council on request of a single member of the Council. The results of the voting shall be recorded in the Minutes, provided that a motion for this action is made and approved by a majority vote of the Council.

4. Order of Business

1. Corrections to, and approval of, Minutes
2. Reports of Officers
   1. Report by the Chair on the most recent meeting between the Executive Committee and the Chancellor and Provost.
   2. Report by the Intercampus Faculty Council Representative on the most recent meeting of the Intercampus Faculty Council.
   3. Report by the Observer to the Board of Curators on the most recent meeting of the Board of Curators.
   4. Reports of other officers as appropriate.
3. Matters for Action
4. Matters for Discussion
5. Reports for Special Committees and Task Forces
6. Announcements

5. Nominations and Elections for Executive Committee of Faculty Council (8-24-06)

1. General Calendar of Events:
   1. Appointment of Nominating Committee - January, announced at first February meeting.
   2. The List of First Stage Nominees - electronically reported to Council by the Nominating Committee at least 3 days before the meeting preceding the last meeting of winter semester.
   3. Additional nominations - can be made up to last meeting of winter semester. Nominations by either candidates themselves or other council members should be made to the nominating committee.
   4. Nominees' Statements - from nominees to the Faculty Council office no later than three days before the last meeting of winter semester, then electronically distributed to Council members. Statements from additional nominees will be distributed as received up to the last meting of winter semester.
   5. Electronic voting - held during the week following the last meeting of winter semester.
   6. The List of Second Stage Nominees - electronically reported to Council by the Nominating Committee three weeks before the transition meeting at the end of summer session.
   7. Additional nominations - by either the candidates themselves or other council members can be made up to the transition meeting.
   8. Nominees' Statements - from nominees to the Faculty Council office no later than three days before the transition meeting, then electronically distributed to Council members.
   9. Electronic voting - held during the week following the transition meeting.
2. Procedures for Nominations and Elections:
   1. Appointment of Nominating Committee. In January of each year, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three members who are completing a three-year term on Council and will not be members of Council during the next academic year. The Chair of Faculty Council is not eligible to serve on the Nominating Committee. The Chair of Faculty Council will appoint one member of the Nominating Committee to serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Chair of Faculty Council will announce the membership of the Nominating Committee at the first February meeting of the Faculty Council.
   2. First Stage Nominations. By March 1 the Nominating Committee shall electronically distribute a call to service asking for nominations (including self-nominations) for these offices for the next academic year: Chair, Recorder, Observer to the Board of Curators Meetings, Chair of the Student Affair Committee and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee. A list of returning Council members and their terms of office will be included (the names of members whose terms expire at the end of the current academic year and who are seeking reelection will be noted as pending). A brief description of each office, prepared by the Executive Committee in early fall of the preceding year and approved by Council prior to January 1, will be available on the Faculty Council Website.
   3. Preparing the List of Nominees. The Nominating Committee will prepare the list of nominees for these positions. The Nominating Committee is responsible for ensuring at least one nominee for every position and to identify any other individuals interested in seeking each position. The Nominating Committee will distribute an electronic copy of the list of nominees prior to the Faculty Council meeting preceding the last meeting of the winter semester.
   4. Additional Nominations. Additional nominations, including self nominations, can be made up to and including the time of the election meeting. Nominations can be made from the floor at the election meeting, but nominations prior to the day of the meeting are preferred in order to ensure that candidates have an opportunity to file written statements. Members can accept nomination for no more than one office.
   5. Nominees' Statements. The Nominating Committee will ask nominees to prepare written statements of 100 words or less explaining their interest in the position and experience relevant to the office. Nominees who submit their statements to the Faculty Council office at least three days before the last meeting of Faculty Council of the winter semester will have their nominating statements sent as a group to Council members. The Nominating Committee will immediately electronically distribute the statements of all nominees for each office if they are received at any time before the election meeting.
   6. The Ballot. The electronic ballot will be reviewed during closed session of the last meeting of the winter semester. There will be an opportunity to discuss candidates at that time. Nominations may be made from the floor at that time, and candidates nominated from the floor will have a formal opportunity to describe their qualifications in 1-2 minutes.
   7. The First Stage Election. The electronic ballot will be available for voting for one week. Voting will close at 5:00 p.m. On the Friday following the last Faculty Council meeting of the winter semester. A tellers committee appointed by the Chair of Faculty Council will count the ballots and electronically distribute the results of the election. In case of a tie, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. The runoff will be conducted electronically and held one week following the regular election.
   8. Second Stage Nominations. The Nominating Committee will through a similar process prepare a list of nominees for the offices of Vice Chair, Intercampus Faculty Council Representative, and Editor of the Faculty Handbook and Council Website, and Chairs of the Academic Affairs, Fiscal Affairs and Diversity Enhancement committees. The initial list of nominees will be prepared and distributed to Council three weeks before the transition meeting of Council held at the end of summer session. After additional nominations are recorded, statements will be collected and distributed to Council three days before the transition meeting. The ballot will be reviewed and there will be opportunity for discussion of nominees during closed session of the transition meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor during the transition meeting, and candidates nominated from the floor will have a formal opportunity to present their qualifications and interests for 1-2 minutes at the transition meeting.
   9. Second Stage Elections. The electronic ballot will be available for one week. Voting will close at 5:00 p.m. on the Friday following the transition meeting. A tellers committee appointed by the Chair of Faculty Council will count the ballots and electronically distribute the results of the election. In case of a tie, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. The runoff will be conducted electronically and held one week following the regular election.
   10. Commencement of Service. The Chair and Recorder will begin their terms of service during closed session of the transition meeting of Faculty Council. Other members of the Executive Committee will commence service at the first meeting after the transition meeting.
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4. Early in the Winter Semester the chair shall seek nominations and offers to serve on the following committees:
   1. Chancellor's committees, Councils and Boards.
   2. Campus Promotion and Tenure Committee.
   3. Honorary Degree Committee.
   4. Committee on Faculty Responsibility.
   5. Other Campus Committees.
   The Executive Committee of Faculty Council will prepare a list of nominees and submit it, in executive session, to the entire Faculty Council before the end of the Winter Semester for their consideration, alteration and approval.

6. Special Rules

1. Parliamentarian: After the annual election of all of the officers, the Chair of Faculty Council shall appoint a Parliamentarian. The appointment must be approved by the Executive Committee at the first meeting of the Executive Committee. The Parliamentarian must be a member of the Council, the Parliamentarian may or may not be a Council officer. The Parliamentarian will rule on all questions regarding parliamentary procedure. In the event that the Parliamentarian cannot attend a meeting, the Chair will appoint a substitute to serve in the absence of the Parliamentarian.
2. Librarians.
   1. MU Librarians I-IV are eligible for appointment to campus committees.
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   3. Faculty Council appointments to campus committees should include MU Librarians I-IV on the same basis as other faculty and MU Librarians I-IV should be polled with other faculty to list campus committee preferences.
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   5. The representative(s) of librarians to the Library Committee should be selected by the MU Librarians I-IV.
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   7. The MU Librarians I-IV should select a representative to attend meetings of the Faculty Council. Such representative will be non-voting, but with that exception, can engage in other Faculty Council activities, including service on Faculty Council standing committees.
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4. Recognized Organizations.
   1. Any organization (a) which consists of at least 30 members of the MU faculty (active and retired), and (b) whose membership is limited to MU faculty members or is limited to MU faculty members and other members of the MU community (staff and students) may request to be recognized by Faculty Council. After determination that the organization meets the membership requirements, the request shall be granted.
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   3. Upon such recognition:
      1. The organization can select an MU faculty member as a representative to attend the open sessions of Council.
      2. The Chair of Council should be notified of the person selected as representative.
      3. The representative will receive copies of the agenda and minutes of Faculty Council meetings on the same basis as Council members.
      4. The representative will be permitted to speak at open Council meetings on matters before Council. The representative should inform the Chair before the meeting of his or her presence. Such representative is not entitled to vote.

7. Amendment of Rules of Order

Appendix: Traditions and Practices

1. The Office of the Provost provides funds for the operation of an office and staff for the Faculty Council on University Policy including the Chair of the Faculty Council who traditionally receives 40% release time and a month's summer salary during a year of service.
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3. A committee comprised of former chairs of the Faculty Council meets regularly to advise the current chair of the Faculty Council.
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5. The Chair usually meets monthly with the Provost and Chancellor.
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7. The Executive Committee meets monthly in open session with the Chancellor and Provost during the fall and winter semesters to discuss campus policies. A list of items the Executive Committee would like to discuss will be developed by the Executive Committee and forwarded to the Chancellor and Provost prior to the meeting. A copy of the topics to be discussed will also be posted on the Council website. The Executive Committee also meets annually with the Council of Deans.
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9. On a regular basis the Faculty Council will invite the Chancellor, the Provost and the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee chair and NCAA representative (jointly) to address the Council. Normally, this session will last 15 minutes or less and will be followed by a short question and answer period. The Council invites the Provost or the Provost's representative to every meeting of the Council. The Chair will extend the Provost or the Provost's representative the opportunity to comment on business before the Council.
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11. The Council attends meetings of the Board of Curators held in Columbia.
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13. Memorandum of Understanding regarding Honorary Degrees. (See page 11 for complete memorandum)
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15. CSCAR function of the Faculty Council. (See page 12 for additional information)
    • The Executive Committee of Faculty Council shall function as a �committee of the whole� in assuming the responsibilities of Campus Standing Committee on Administrator Review (CSCAR).
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    • The job of administering the survey shall be assigned to the Special Projects Committee. If additional expertise is required, the committee could call on faculty outside Council to provide advice.
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    • The Faculty Affairs Committee would be responsible for conducting the review(s) referred to in Propositions 1, 2, and 3 and reporting results to the Chair of Council in Executive Session.
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    • The Chair and Vice Chair of Council would then be responsible for informing the appropriate administrator of the results before public release of the results.
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    • Public release of the results should be done as soon as practicable following notifying the administrator under review, his/her direct supervisor, and Council. Items to be released include the survey questions, the number of surveys distributed, the number returned and the percentages of answers by category for each question. A summary of any written comments will be made available as well.
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    • After the survey, the items to be retained for archival purposes are as follows: a copy of the survey instrument, the answer data, a copy of the information released to the administrator under review and his/her direct supervisor, and copies of any media releases. All other materials shall be physically and/or electronically disposed of.

Memorandum of Understanding

1. The Honorary Degree Committee will present their nominations for Honorary Degrees to a closed session of Faculty Council at either or both of the following times: the last meeting in September or the first meeting in October or the last meeting of the Fall semester or the first meeting of the Winter semester. The Office of the Chancellor shall be notified of the nominees at this time.
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3. Faculty Council will vote on the list in closed session at its next scheduled meeting. The actual awarding of degrees will be done "pending Board of Curators approval".
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5. The list of approved/disapproved Honorary Degree candidates will be forwarded to the Office of the Chancellor and, sequentially, to the Board of Curators for approval.
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7. Following Board of Curators approval, the honorees can be notified and asked to attend either the May or December commencement.

Faculty Council Administrator Review

1. Proposition 1: The initial appointment of campus-wide MU administrators shall be the subject of public debates and secret-ballot referenda by faculty.
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3. Proposition 2: There shall be formative and summative evaluations by faculty of campus-wide MU administrators� performances on a regular schedule.
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5. Proposition 3: There shall be public debates and secret-ballot referenda held regularly and periodically to determine whether campus-wide MU administrators retain faculty support for their continuation in office.
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7. Proposition 4: There shall be similar reviews and evaluations of divisional and departmental administrators.
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9. Proposition 5: Propositions 1, 2, and 3 shall be implemented with respect to UM (e.g. System) administrators.
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11. Proposition 6: The faculty shall hold an evaluative referendum every five years on the legitimacy of the continuation of campus-wide MU administrative positions.
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13. Proposition 7: There shall be a financial �watch-dog� committee.