Bylaws Changes to Establish Caucuses

Spring
2010
Resolution Number
01.01
 
Contact
Assigned to
Standards and Practices Committee
Category
Academic Senate
Status
Completed
Status Report

Bylaws updated.

Whereas, Resolution S09 1.05 called for the establishment of Academic Senate diversity caucuses to represent matters of equity and diversity, and a follow-up resolution (1.06 F09) was adopted calling to expand the potential application of caucus formation around “issues of interest and importance to all faculty”;

Whereas, The purpose for the caucuses is to serve as forums in which faculty with particular interests may meet to address concerns vital to faculty and the success of students (i.e., African American, Latinos, part-time, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT), noncredit); and

Whereas, By promoting dialog on issues of interest to faculty in all California community colleges, the caucuses strive to strengthen relations between faculty and the Senate, promote solutions for areas of concern, enhance communication, and improve the overall relationships of all faculty on our campuses by giving voice to many faculty in a variety of forums;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges add to its bylaws a new Article I. J. Caucus to read as follows: “A group which serves as a forum in which faculty may address academic and professional concerns vital to the interest of the faculty forming the caucus”;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges add to its bylaws a new Article VI. Caucus to read as follows:

Any group of at least ten members from at least four different colleges and at least two districts with common goals and/or interests may form a caucus by sending a letter to the President, including its name, statement of purpose, and list of members. Recognition as a caucus shall be achieved by verification by the Executive Committee that the caucus’ goals and purpose are related to academic and professional matters and notification to the body through normal communication channels. Each May, caucuses will inform the President of their intent to remain active and provide a current list of membership. If a caucus fails to alert the President of the desire to stay active, the caucus shall be disbanded and a new letter of intent will need to be created to re-establish a new caucus. The intent is to have caucuses that are active and represent current faculty in California community colleges. Caucus chairs should be elected annually at the first fall meeting of the caucus and submit meeting minutes to the Senate Office.

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges renumber current Articles VI, VII, and VIII of its bylaws; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop procedures and processes as needed to effectively implement the formation and maintenance of Academic Senate caucuses.

MSC Disposition: Local Senates