Chapter 110: State University of New York

Chapter 130: SUNY Cortland

Chapter 150: Cortland Faculty Governance

Chapter 180: Cortland Student Governance

CHAPTER 110: State University of New York

110.01 State Laws and Policies

110.02 Board of Trustees

110.03 Administration of the University

110.04 Faculty of the University

110.05 Collective Bargaining

110.01 STATE LAWS AND POLICIES

Laws enacted by the New York State Legislature and administrative regulations applicable to State University of New York may be found in McKinney's Consolidated Laws of New York. Copies of Policies of the Board of Trustees are given to every faculty member and can be found at www.suny.edu/Board_of_Trustees/PDF/Policies.pdf. The Code of Ethics for State Employees can be found at www.dos.state.ny.us/ethc/POL74.html.

110.02 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The State University of New York and SUNY Cortland, as one of the colleges of the University, are governed by a board of trustees of 15 members appointed by the governor. All local campus governance policies and procedures must fall within the framework of the policies of the board of trustees.

110.03 ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNIVERSITY

Chief Executive Officer. The chancellor shall be the chief executive officer of the University. The chancellor shall execute and enforce these policies and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the board of trustees.

(Policies: Article IV, Title A, Section 2)

110.04 FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY

The University faculty shall be comprised of the chancellor, who shall be the presiding officer, the executive and administrative officers of the University, and all members of the faculty of each college of the University. The University faculty shall be responsible for the conduct of the University's instruction, research and service programs.

(Policies: Article VI, Sections 1 and 3)

The Faculty Senate shall be the official agency through which the University faculty engages in the governance of the University. The Senate shall be concerned with effective educational policies and other professional matters within the University.

(Policies: Article VII, Title A, Section 2)

SUNY Cortland is represented in the State University Senate by one senator and an alternate elected by the College faculty for a three-year term.

(Policies: Article VII, Title B, Sections 1 and 2)

110.05 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Under the Taylor Law collective bargaining is assured for all full-time employees of the State of New York. Copies of the collective bargaining agreement between the bargaining agents and State University of New York are supplied to all employees in the bargaining units.

The provisions of these regulations, insofar as they apply to employees in the negotiating units established pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law, shall be continued, provided, however, that during periods of time when there is in effect an agreement between the State and an employee organization reached pursuant to the provisions of said Article 14, the provisions of such agreement and the provisions of these regulations shall both be applicable. In the event the provisions of the agreement are different from the provisions of these regulations, the provisions of the agreement shall be controlling.

(Policies: Article XIX)

CHAPTER 130: SUNY Cortland

130.01 College Council

130.02 Administrative Organization

130.03 College Faculty

130.04 College Administrative Conference

130.05 Auxiliary Services Corporation

130.06 Cortland College Foundation

130.07 SUNY Cortland Alumni Association

130.08 Standing Committees Advisory to the President

130.09 Interdisciplinary Centers

130.10 Statement on Diversity

130.01 COLLEGE COUNCIL

The College Council consists of nine members appointed by the governor, serving staggered seven-year terms, and one student elected yearly by the student body. It has certain supervisory responsibilities, including the following: to recommend candidates for appointment as president of the College, to review major plans for operation of the College properties, to review proposed budget requests, to foster the development of advisory citizens' committees, to name buildings and grounds, and to make or approve regulations governing the conduct and behavior of students.

130.02 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

The College is administered by the president, the president's staff and the faculty. The president, as chief administrative officer of the College, is responsible to the chancellor and the board of trustees. The president's responsibilities are set forth in the Policies of the Board of Trustees, Article IX, Title A, Section 2.

130.03 COLLEGE FACULTY

SUNY Cortland faculty shall participate in the development of the educational program of the College and shall be responsible for the conduct of the College's instruction, research and service programs.

130.04 COLLEGE ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE

The College Administrative Conference is comprised of the chancellor of the University, the president of the College, the vice presidents, deans and such other persons as may be designated by the president of the College. It serves as an advisory and consultative body to the president of the College.

(Policies: Article IX, Title E, Section 1)

130.05 AUXILIARY SERVICES CORPORATION

The Auxiliary Services Corporation was established in 1952 under the name Faculty-Student Association with the chartered purposes "to promote and cultivate educational and social relations among the students and faculty of the College in every way possible in their study, work, living and extracurricular activities." Primarily it has operated food services and the College Store and provided accounting services to student organizations and other groups. The Auxiliary Services Corporation office is located on the first floor of Neubig Hall.

130.06 CORTLAND COLLEGE FOUNDATION

The Cortland College Foundation is incorporated as a nonprofit organization designed to receive and manage gifts in support of SUNY Cortland. A full description of the Foundation and its activities is found in 875.06.

130.07 SUNY CORTLAND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The SUNY Cortland Alumni Association, Inc., is designed to foster a continuing relationship between the College and its more than 54,000 graduates through programs of mutual interest and benefit. An elected board of directors is responsible for managing the organization's business and activities. Alumni programming is founded on the basis of a College-alumni partnership working on behalf of individual graduates and the advancement of the institution. The Alumni Affairs Office is the center for the maintenance of alumni records and provides administrative support for alumni operations. Among the many activities supported by the Alumni Association are student scholarship and award programs, class and regional reunions, the Student Alumni Association, Alumni Reunion Weekend, a newspaper, career networking with alumni for undergraduate students, and communications with alumni. Alumni also assist the College with the recruitment of new students.

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130.08 STANDING COMMITTEES ADVISORY TO THE PRESIDENT

I. Cortland Intercollegiate Athletics Board

A. Function: The board shall conduct appropriate reviews and engage in such other activities as will enable it to advise the campus president on intercollegiate athletics program matters such as:

1. Planning for intercollegiate athletics participation on campus and in conference.
2. Funding for intercollegiate athletics through the following steps:
   a. The board shall formulate the annual intercollegiate athletics budget and recommend it to the campus president for approval.
   b. The annual budget shall include all available and expected funds for intercollegiate athletics from any and all sources and shall set forth total expected expenditures for intercollegiate athletics.
   c. The annual budget shall be based upon the preceding year's final budget, with increases or decreases dependent upon changes in enrollment, fee increases, inflation and changes in the intercollegiate athletics program.
   d. In the event that actual allocations and receipts from any and all budget sources fall short of or exceed such budgeted amounts, the board shall revise its budget accordingly and recommend the revised budget to the campus president for approval.
3. Standards and policies for student participation in intercollegiate athletics.
4. Other matters appropriate to its purview referred to it by the campus president.

B. Membership

1. The president will appoint four faculty to three-year staggered terms: one professional, one from the Physical Education Department, one from the School of Education and one from the School of Arts and Sciences. (Approved April 6, 1998, updated April, 18, 2007.)
2. Three students: treasurer of SUNY Cortland's Student Government Association (SGA) (ex officio), and two appointed by the president to one-year terms from nominations by SGA from varsity team members of previous year in good academic standing (one male and one female).
3. Three administrators appointed by the president to three-year staggered terms: dean of professional studies (ex officio), chair of physical education (ex officio), and athletic director (ex officio).
4. Chair, appointed by president from faculty or administration members.
5. All members, including ex officio members, are voting members.

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II. University Police Advisory Board

A. Function

1. To advise the president and chief of university police on matters of campus security, public safety, including signage and parking, and personal safety.
2. To review and suggest improvement in safety education programs.
3. To assess availability of counseling services for crime victims.
4. To review victim referral and campus response procedures for sexual assault situations.
5. To conduct ongoing assessment of the quality of campus personal safety policies, practices, procedures, and programs.
6. To conform to the 1990 Amendment to Section 6450 of the Education Law by providing information to incoming students about sexual assault prevention measures, penalties, and related security procedures. Annual reports must be filed with the commissioner of education.

B. Membership

1. The president will appoint three members of his/her choosing.
2. The president will appoint three members from a list of six nominees submitted by the Faculty Senate.
3. The president will appoint three members from a list of six students submitted by the SGA.
4. The president will appoint one member of the College Council.
5. The chief of university police will serve on the committee ex officio, with vote.
6. At least half the members of the committee will be female.

III. Study Abroad Committee

A. Function

1. To draw up policies governing the selection of students for the different projects, based upon the original guidelines agreed to by the participating campuses.
2. To advise the director of international programs of those students whom the committee considers best qualified for acceptance into the various specific projects according to the qualifications it has agreed upon.
3. To assist, when requested by the president or the director, in evaluating the study abroad program and any of its features.

IV. The Calendar Advisory Committee

A. Function

1. To develop a calendar for the years requested by the president.
2. To use all campus resources such as open hearings, questionnaires, etc., to determine the acceptability of a College calendar format.
3. To consider other factors as may be brought to the committee's attention by the president for inclusion in future calendars.

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V. Affirmative Action Committee

A. Function

1. To advise the affirmative action officer.
2. To recommend major policies to the president in operating the program.
3. To review and update the Affirmative Action Plan and its implementation in accordance with new federal and state law requirements.
4. To monitor the program and, when violations are brought to the attention of the committee, to advise the violators of corrective methods necessary.
5. To provide from its membership primary hearing persons to be available in the event of complaint.
6. To serve on search committees to represent affirmative action concerns.

VI. Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee (FMPOC)

The facilities and master Plan Oversight Committee (FMPOC) will oversee space allocation and recommend future space needs as defined by the master plan.

A. Function:

The Facilities and Master Plan Oversight Committee makes nonbinding recommendations to the president on issues and proposals involving campus facilities. The committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

1. To review requests that involve significant physical change, change of function, reassignment of space to another department or organization, long-term allocation of College space (building and grounds) and/or alternatives to space usage. and make recommendations to the president. Normally, the president, vice presidents or affiliated organizations equest committee review of proposals.
2. To review priorities for capital construction, rehabilitation and space alteration projects and make recommendations to the president.
3. To review designs and concerns regarding campus grounds plantings, signage, roads, etc. weighing all new proposals in light of their contribution to campus aesthetics and physical harmony.
4. To regularly assess the progress of the master plan; to continually monitor and review proposals for changes to the master plan ensuring consistency with the mission of the College; and to serve as ombudsperson in resolving future space conflicts that the plan's execution may generate.
5. To periodically hold an open campus meeting and report on the progress of the master plan update. Once a year a written report on the progress of the master plan shall be submitted to the president and to the chair of the Faculty Senate.

The FMPOC has the authority to form subcommittees and designate members from the campus community to oversee a specific part of the master plan, e.g., space utlization, etc.

(Revisions approved by President's Cabinet July 7, 2006)

B. Membership: The committee includes representatives of specific campus administrators, academic faculty, the Faculty Senate, the Call for Alteration Committee (CFA), and the Master Plan Steering Committee.

The composition of the membership is as follows:

1. administrative representatives: associate vice president for facilities management, associate provost for information resources, registrar, associate provost for enrollment management or designee, athletic director or designee, one representative from student affairs
2. the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, the dean of the School of Education, the dean of the School of Professional Studies
3. the chairperson of the Long Range Planning Committee (LRP) or designee
4. one faculty representative selected by the Faculty Senate
5. ex officio: the director of facilities planning, design and construction, the vice president for finance and management
6. chair: the chair is appointed annually by the president. The position will be rotated annually.

(Approved by President's Cabinet July 7, 2006)

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VII. Environmental Health and Safety Committee

(The president has delegated responsibility for this committee to the vice president for finance and management.)

A. Function

1. To solicit and receive from individual members of the committee, college faculty, staff and students, concerns regarding matters of health and safety on the college campus that have not been resolved through normal administrative channels. Such concerns shall be communicated by the committee to the vice president for finance and management who will reply to the committee within 10 working days. Safety concerns include, but are not limited to the following: employee safety, life safety, toxic/hazardous material handling, storage and disposal, and fire safety.
2. To review existing campus health and safety documents and to recommend modifications and/or additions to such documents.
3. To advise and assist the environmental health and safety officer (EHSO) in the design and implementation of programs intended to inform and educate the college community in matters of workplace health and safety.
4. To establish subcommittees as desired for the purpose of addressing or investigating specific concerns of the committee.

B. Membership

1. Three members appointed by the UUP.
2. Three members appointed by CSEA.
3. Six members appointed by the president.
4. One member each from other campus bargaining units.
5. One member from ASC.

Those groups having more than one member on the committee shall appoint them for staggered terms. The chair of the committee shall be elected by the membership of the committee.

VIII. Committee on the Status and Education of Women

A. Function

1. To review and assess issues affecting the campus climate for women and to plan programs and activities to improve that climate.
2. To make recommendations to the president on policies that affect the status and education of women.
3. To conduct periodic reviews of compliance with Title IX.

IX. Information Resources Advisory Committee

A. Function: To make recommendations to the president, through the associate provost for information resources, on matters of equipment acquisition, location, future planning, budget priorities, and related issues in the areas of information resources.

B. Membership

1. Associate provost for information resources.
2. Director of the Center for Advancement of Technology in Education.
3. One representative from student affairs.
4. One representative from finance and management.
5. Two faculty from professional studies.
6. Two faculty from arts and sciences.
7. Two faculty from education
8. One student.

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130.09 INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTERS

Section A. Definition

Academic departments and schools are the primary units of academic organization of the College. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of some programs, the president may see fit to establish an interdisciplinary center, a unit of the College which sponsors interdisciplinary, cross-departmental curricula (including degree programs), related research and teaching, and other activities as charged by the president. Centers are governed by regular College procedures.

Section B. Center Bylaws

A center must have a set of bylaws governing its operation. The bylaws will include a statement of the purpose of the center, set forth the criteria for inclusion of members in the center, and establish rules by which center members elect the Center Council and the Center Council chair. When the bylaws are approved by the Center Council, the appropriate dean, the provost and vice president for academic affairs, other vice presidents as appropriate, and the president, the center will be considered operational.

Section C. Center Governance

Center policy is established by a Center Council composed of faculty, professional staff, administrators, students, and (as appropriate) members of the community. Center Councils are appointed by the provost after soliciting applications from the College community. The deans of arts and sciences, education and professional studies are ex officio members of Center Councils.

Section D. Center Administration

The provost, in consultation with the Deans' Councils, shall assign administrative responsibility for each center to a school dean. The chair of each center shall be recommended by the respective Center Council (according to its own bylaws) and appointed by the provost, in consultation with the school dean within whose responsibility the center falls. The Council chair shall be assigned responsibilities, in consultation with the dean, for certain aspects of a center's work and administration. The center chair shall submit an annual report evaluating the center's work to the Center Council and to the designated dean, and to the provost.

Section E. Faculty Affiliation with a Center

Faculty working with centers have their appointment and tenure in a department. A faculty member's affiliation with a center shall be established either through work on the Center Council or on one of its committees. As appropriate (and in consultation with the home department and dean) this affiliation may be stipulated in a side letter to an appointment contract. Release time for work with a center is subject to the availability of resources and/or negotiations with the home department and dean. As requested by either the faculty member, the respective department, the department chair, or the dean, the center chair shall provide written evaluations assessing work with a center for purpose of reappointment, promotion, merit and/or tenure decisions. When such evaluations are requested and provided, they must be considered by all relevant personnel committees and administrators.

(Approved by the Faculty Senate, Nov. 7, 1989 and by President Clark, Dec. 6, 1989; revised August 2003 to reflect the new School of Education)

130.10 Statement on Diversity

On Feb. 23, 1993 the Faculty Senate of State University of New York at Cortland passed the following statement on diversity, which was approved and endorsed by President Clark on Feb. 25, 1993:

"SUNY Cortland is dedicated to the affirmation and promotion of diversity in its broadest sense. Our mission requires that people of every background be able to study and work here with an expectation of respectful treatment. We seek to establish standards of behavior which honor the dignity and worth of individuals regardless of their gender, ethnicity, race, age, physical or mental abilities, religious beliefs, sexual and affectional orientation or socioeconomic class.

A major goal of our College is to develop and maintain an atmosphere which supports learning about prejudice and discrimination so that we can strive to reduce it not only on our own campus, but wherever we encounter it. We recognize that advocating for diversity frequently brings discordant viewpoints into focus. As we endeavor to educate ourselves about the effects of our biases, it is important for us to do so within an atmosphere of safety and respect. An environment where it is safe to explore our differences enables us to make more progress toward a campus which celebrates, rather than simply tolerates, the richness inherent in our pluralism."

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CHAPTER 150: Cortland Faculty Governance

150.01 College Faculty Defined

150.02 Chair and Presiding Officer of the Faculty

150.03 SUNY Cortland Faculty Bylaws

150.04 Bylaws of the SUNY Cortland Graduate Faculty

150.01 COLLEGE FACULTY DEFINED

The faculty of each college shall be comprised of the chancellor, the chief administrative officer and other members of the voting faculty of the college, other members of the academic staff of the college, and such nonvoting administrative officers and professional staff as may be designated by the faculty bylaws of the college.

(Policies: Article X, Section 1)

150.02 CHAIR AND PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE FACULTY

The president of the College is the chair of the faculty. The faculty elects a presiding officer as specified by the constitution and bylaws of the faculty. (Policies: Article X, Section 2)

150.03 SUNY CORTLAND FACULTY BYLAWS

These bylaws define the role of the faculty in the governance of the College, in accordance with the legal requirements of the State University of New York, the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, and the local College Council. They identify faculty responsibilities and obligations within the administrative and academic structures of the College, and provide a plan within which the ideals of academic freedom, intellectual honesty, and social justice may be pursued.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be: The SUNY Cortland Faculty.

ARTICLE II: RESPONSIBILITY

Section A.

The SUNY Cortland Faculty shall assume the major responsibility for the development of the educational program of the College, and shall be responsible for the conduct of the College's instruction, research and service program.

Section B.

The faculty shall carry out its responsibility through significant involvement at the departmental, school and College levels. The bylaws outline the extent and manner of faculty participation at the College level. In order to ensure adequate faculty involvement at the departmental and school levels, the following specifications shall in all cases be met:

1. Departmental Organization
   Each department shall elect a personnel committee to deal with appointments, promotions, merit increments, sabbatical leaves, leaves of absence, and continuing appointments and a committee to deal with curriculum development. Chairs of departments may be elected to these committees as the individual departments see fit. The personnel committee shall be operative by Oct. 1 of each year and shall elect one of its members to serve as chair. These committees shall transmit their recommendations to the appropriate people, school or College committee, with informational copies to the school dean. If the department chair is not a member of these committees, s/he shall also receive copies of the recommendations.
2. School Organization
   The members of each of the three academic schools and the professional staff of the College shall elect school or divisional committees to deal with personnel matters. In the academic schools, a school curriculum committee shall also be elected. Committees to deal with any other matters of concern to the school as a whole shall be selected through procedures approved by the members of the respective area and shall report to the school faculty. School committees shall receive and act upon recommendations from departments and shall transmit such recommendations to the people and administrators concerned.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP: THE COMPOSITION OF THE SUNY CORTLAND FACULTY

Section A.

1. In an attempt to be consistent with the Agreement between the State of New York and the Bargaining Agent and the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, the faculty of SUNY Cortland shall be defined as the chancellor, the president of the College, those administrative officers designated as management by the Public Employee Relations Board, persons having academic rank and term or continuing appointment, professional staff having term or permanent appointment, and persons with qualified academic rank.
2. Those with qualified academic rank and academic and professional members of the college staff not included in the above categories shall constitute the part-time faculty and are excluded from the College Faculty for purposes of faculty governance except as provided in Article VI, Section A, Paragraph 10 and Article VI, Section B, Paragraph 5g. ["Qualified academic rank" is defined by the Policies of the Board of Trustees (Article II, (k)), as "Rank held by those members of the academic staff having titles of lecturer, or titles of academic rank preceded by the designations 'clinical' or 'visiting' or other similar designations."]

Section B.

The voting faculty of the College shall be defined as the individuals listed in paragraph 1 above, excluding those with qualified academic rank.

For purposes of voting within areas, each staff member shall be identified with the area in which the individual's primary assignment of responsibility lies. Each member of the voting faculty shall have one vote.

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ARTICLE IV: DEFINITIONS

The phrase "consult with the faculty," as used herein, shall be interpreted as follows:

To meet with the faculty as a whole, or with that portion of the faculty directly concerned with the matter under consideration, for the purpose of determining what the will of the faculty may be. With the approval of the Senate, the opinions of the faculty may be solicited by means other than by a meeting. Meetings for consultation shall be held only after proper notice of time, place, and agenda has been given to all persons concerned. Votes may be taken by secret ballot.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section A.

The president of the College is the executive officer and chair of the SUNY Cortland Faculty. The elected officers of the faculty shall be the chair of the Senate who is also the presiding officer of the faculty, the vice chair who is also the chair-designate, the secretary and the treasurer.

Section B.

The duties of the officers of the SUNY Cortland Faculty are:
The president of the College shall carry out those duties as prescribed by the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.

1. The chair of the Senate shall:
   a. Preside at any meetings of the SUNY Cortland Faculty, the Faculty Senate and the Steering Committee.
   b. Propose agenda for Senate meetings and refer matters to faculty committees. The chair shall report to the Senate at its next meeting all matters referred to committees.
   c. Appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, committee members not otherwise provided for in these bylaws.
   d. Carry out the directives of the faculty and Senate regarding time of meetings, programs, activities and business of the faculty.
   e. Be responsible for the proper conduct of elections and voting on proposed amendments to these bylaws.
   f. Confer with the president of the College or his delegated representative as s/he sees fit, or as s/he is directed by the Senate or by the faculty.
2. The vice chair of the Senate shall:
   a. Serve as chair of the Senate in the latter's absence and in case of a vacancy shall act as chair pro-tem for the remainder of the chair's term. This shall not be considered to be a violation of Article X, Sections 5.c. and 8.b.
   b. Discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the chair with the advice and consent of the Senate.
   c. Assume the office of chair of the Senate for the academic year following term of service as vice chair. These duties shall be assumed at the close of the spring semester.
3. The secretary of the Senate shall:
   a. Record and publish the minutes of all meetings of the faculty and Senate.
   b. Publicize the meetings of the faculty and Senate, including the agenda of such meetings.
   c. Keep a file of all minutes, correspondence, reports and other documents so as to comprise a total record of the activities of the faculty. A copy of the file will be placed in the library archives.
4. The treasurer of the Senate shall:
   a. Receive, and disburse with the written acknowledgment of the chair of the Senate, all funds of the faculty.
   b. Prepare and submit a faculty budget.
   c. Submit, at the end of the academic year, a financial statement of all funds under control.

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ARTICLE VI: FACULTY SENATE

Section A.

The Faculty Senate of the SUNY Cortland faculty shall be composed of:

1. The four officers of the faculty.
2. Seven elected representatives from the School of Arts and Sciences, elected by the voting members in each area:
   a. One elected representative from the mathematics and science division (departments of mathematics, biological sciences, chemistry, geology, and physics),
   b. One elected representative from the social and behavioral sciences division (departments of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology/anthropology),
   c. One elected representative from the fine arts and humanities division (departments of art and art history, communication studies, English, international communications and culture, performing arts, and philosophy),
   d. Four elected at-large representatives from the School of Arts and Sciences, whose terms shall be staggered with those of the three division representatives.
3. Four elected at-large representatives from the School of Professional Studies, elected by and from the departments of exercise science and sport studies, health, physical education, recreation and leisure studies, and speech pathology and audiology.
4. Three elected at-large representatives from the School of Education, elected by and from the departments of childhood/early childhood education, educational leadership, foundations and social advocacy, and literacy.
   (Approved by President Bitterbaum, January 2004)
   
5. Four elected at-large representatives from the professional staff, elected by and from the voting members in this area.
6. One elected representative from the library, elected by and from the voting members in this area.
7. One elected representative from the management/confidential area, elected by and from the voting members in this area.
8. The elected faculty representative to the State University Senate.
9. Three members of the student body, elected under procedures determined by the Student Senate.
10. The elected representatve of the classified staff, elected under procedures determined by members of the classified staff.
11. The elected representative of the graduate faculty, elected under procedures determined by members of the graduate faculty.
12. The elected representative of the part-time faculty, elected under procedures determined by members of the part-time faculty.
13. The four Policy Committee chairs, ex officio without vote.
14. The provost and vice president for academic affairs, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
15. The vice president for student affairs, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
16. The vice president for finance and management, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
17. The vice president for institutional advancement, ex officio without vote unless this person is the elected representative of management/confidential.
18. The president of the College, ex officio without vote.
19. The parliamentarian of the faculty, ex officio without vote.
    (Approved by President Bitterbaum, May 2004.)

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Section B. Duties and Powers of the Senate

1. To serve as deliberative body for organizing and carrying out the business of the faculty.
2. To determine those issues which should be taken to the entire faculty and to forward these to the faculty.
3. To conduct a referendum on a question not contrary to local, state or federal law, or to provisions of these bylaws, at the formal request of at least 25 percent of the voting faculty.
4. To carry out those directives of the faculty which are within the jurisdiction of the Senate and not otherwise delegated in these bylaws.
5. To assume responsibility for:
   a. The formulations of the programs of the business and special meetings of the faculty.
   b. The initiation of studies and investigations relative to the achievement of the purpose of this organization.
   c. The advisement and support of the chair of the Senate in such of the latter's responsibilities as are specified in this constitution.
   d. The determination of procedures of secret balloting in the elections of the faculty.
   e. The publishing of the annual reports of faculty committees.
   f. The approval and periodic review of the organizational structure and operating procedures of the graduate faculty.
   g. The approval and periodic review of the organizational structure and operating procedures of the part-time faculty.
   h. The changing of a provision of any policy or statement passed by the faculty which is discovered to be null and void because of a conflict with a University policy or statement which must take precedence (e.g., The Board of Trustees Policies or the Bargaining Agreement). The Senate shall have the power to change the provision to make it conform to all necessary University policies or statements.

Section C. Attendance

Any faculty member has the right to attend meetings of the Faculty Senate and participate in the discussion when the floor has been yielded by a senator.

Section D. Quorum

A quorum of the Senate necessary for the conduct of business shall be a majority of its voting membership.

Section E. Open Meeting Standards

1. The Faculty Senate and its committees shall operate according to New York State's open meeting standards, and these standards shall apply as well to any activity in which the Senate or its designees decide to involve themselves. Any meeting of any committee or entity of the Senate for which a quorum is required in order to conduct business, and which consists of two or more members, shall be open to any employee of the College. Such attendance does not extend to the right of non-committee members to speak during such meetings or activities.
2. Committees or entities in question may elect to not apply the open meeting principle when information is being discussed that would imperil public safety, would disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer, might impede law enforcement efforts, relates to litigation, involves confidential records specific to an individual, or involves matters that must be confidential under federal or state law.
3. Any disputes concerning the applicability of this resolution shall be resolved by the Faculty Senate.

(Approved by President Taylor, July 19, 2002)

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ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section A. Duties of Committees

1. The general duties of every committee of the faculty, and especially of each committee chair, shall be:

1. To apportion its work efficiently and fairly among its regular members, functioning as a whole or in subcommittees as seems appropriate.
   
2. To enlist the participation or advice of the teaching faculty, administrative and professional staff, and students, to improve the committee's judgment or expedite its recommendations.
3. To keep minutes or other records of proceedings that will be adequate for use of the chair's successor.
4. To submit a written annual report to the Faculty Senate at the end of the academic year.

Section B. Committee on Committees

1. Membership: One member from each of the areas below shall be elected by the voting members in each area.

1. mathematics and sciences
2. social and behavioral sciences
3. fine arts and humanities
4. professional studies
5. education
6. professional staff
7. library
8. management/confidential
9. one student for a one-year term to be named through SGA procedures.

The members shall be elected for two-year terms with either three or four members to be elected each year as required to maintain the distribution described above. The chair of this committee shall be elected by the members of this committee for a one-year term.

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2. Duties:
In preparing slates for elections and appointment to committees, the Committee on Committees should strive to ensure opportunities for all eligible members of the College faculty to participate, with special efforts to involve participation by minorities, women and new staff. The Committee on Committees shall:

1. Prepare and submit a slate of candidates for elected Faculty Senate committees (other than senators) to the Faculty Senate not later than six weeks before the end of the spring semester.
2. Present recommendations to the Faculty Senate for all appointed Faculty Senate committees not later than six weeks before the last day of classes of the spring semester.
3. Publicize the above elective slate not later than one week in advance of the Faculty meeting at which further nominations will be received from the floor.
4. Conduct the above elections not later than four weeks before the end of the spring semester each year.
5. Submit names to the Senate to fill the unexpired term for any elected or appointed office during the academic year except for those representatives to the Senate elected by and from their area.
6. Seek nominees for and conduct special elections.
7. Report to the Faculty Senate concerning appointments and elections.

Section C. Policy Committees

1. There shall be four standing Policy Committees:

a. The Educational Policy Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
two members representing arts and sciences
two members representing education
two members representing professional studies
one member representing library
one member representing professionals
one at large member from the academic faculty
two student members
provost, ex officio
registrar, ex officio
one member from the graduate faculty executive committee, ex officio

b. The Faculty Affairs Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
one member representing mathematics/sciences
one member representing social/behavioral sciences
one member representing fine arts/humanities
one member representing professional studies
one member representing education
one member representing library
one member representing professionals
two student members

c. The Student Affairs Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
one member representing mathematics/sciences
one member representing social/behavioral sciences
one member representing fine arts/humanities
one member representing professional studies
one member representing education
one member representing library
one member representing professionals
two student members

d. The Long-Range Planning Committee

Membership shall be as follows:
one member representing mathematics/sciences   
one member representing social/behavioral sciences
one member representing fine arts/humanities
one member representing professional studies
one member representing education
one member representing library
one member representing professionals
two student members

2. Membership: Members shall be appointed to these committees by action of the Senate. The Committee on Committees shall prepare the nominees for Senate action. The members on each committee shall be appointed for staggered two-year terms, except for the Long-Range Planning Committee, whose members shall have a staggered three-year term. The members of each committee will elect a chair of the committee for a one-year term. When determining the slate of nominees, the Committee on Committees shall give due consideration to representation by areas and divisions as well as the major responsibility of the committee.

The Student Senate shall be entitled to select voting members of the Faculty Senate committees as follows: one member of the Educational Policy, Faculty Affairs, Long-Range Planning and Student Affairs Committees. The provost and vice president for academic affairs shall serve on the Educational Policy Committee with a vote. The president may appoint consultants as non-voting members of the Faculty Affairs and Long-Range Planning Committees. These members are in addition to student members.

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3. Duties:

a. Educational Policy Committee:

1. To consider and make recommendations to the Senate on matters related to educational policy, major curricular changes, and other areas designated to it by the Senate.
2. To determine the procedures governing change of academic programs and curricula. The committee shall report to the Senate any procedural changes proposed. If no objection is raised by a member of the Senate within one Senate meeting of the committee’s report on the changes, the changes shall be sent to the provost and vice president for academic affairs for approval. If objection is raised, then the Senate will vote on the reported procedural changes.

b. Faculty Affairs Committee:

1. To consider and recommend to the Senate matters related to faculty personnel policies, faculty welfare, and other faculty-related subjects designated to it by the Senate.
2. To determine the procedure whereby personnel policies are carried out subject to approval by the Senate. The department and school personnel policies committees shall make recommendations regarding procedures to the Faculty Affairs Committee. The Senate shall approve the procedures which will be in effect for a period of two years subject to review every two years.

c. Student Affairs Committee:

1. To consider and recommend to the Senate matters related to student policies and procedures, academic services, and other such matters designated to it by the Senate.
2. To determine the procedure whereby student concerns are considered by faculty and administration. This procedure is subject to approval of the Senate, and to mandatory review every two years.

d. Long-Range Planning Committee:

1. To consider and recommend to the Senate matters related to current academic plans, long-range planning, and other such matters designated to it by the Senate.
   
2. To determine the procedure whereby faculty and student input is obtained regarding long-range plans. The procedure developed shall be subject to approval by the Senate, and to mandatory review every two years.

Section D. College Research Committee

1. Membership: Membership shall be appointed to this committee by action of the Faculty Senate. The Committee on Committees shall prepare the nominations for Senate action. When determining the slate of nominees the Committee on Committees shall give due consideration to the major responsibilities of the nominees for reviewing proposals and recommending College policy regarding research. Those nominated should either have been successful at obtaining funding for their own research, or have had experience in reviewing proposals for an agency outside of the College.

In addition, where possible the Committee on Committees should attempt to provide for equal representation by areas of the College. The appointed members of the committee shall serve three-year staggered terms and shall elect a chair for a one-year term. The administrative officers of the College who are primarily responsible for the research function shall serve as ex officio members of the committee without vote.

2. Duties:

1. To collaborate with the College’s director of sponsored programs to provide interested faculty with information about, and assistance with, obtaining support for their research.
2. To make recommendations to the Faculty Senate regarding the development of policies and to implement policies which may affect the research function of the faculty.
3. To be responsible for the Faculty Research Program.
4. To consult with the appropriate officers and organizations in making recommendations for matters of College policy regarding research.
5. To make periodic reports and file a written annual report at the end of the academic year.
6. To actively pursue sources of external funding appropriately matched to specific faculty research interests.

Section E. Steering Committee of the Senate

1. Membership: The four elected officers of the Senate, the four committee chairs of the Educational Policy, Faculty Affairs, Student Affairs, and Long-Range Planning Committees, and the parliamentarian ex officio shall comprise the membership of the Steering Committee.

2. Duties:

1. To receive and prepare agenda items for the Senate and Faculty meetings.
2. To act on matters referred to it by the Senate.
3. To identify and initiate proposals for Senate action.
4. To act for the Faculty Senate during periods when the College is not in session and it is not possible to call a Senate meeting, with such action to be reported to the Senate at the earliest opportunity.

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Section F. College Curriculum Review Committee

1. Membership

1. A committee of fifteen members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.
2. Membership shall be as follows:
   one member representing mathematics/science
   one member representing social/behavioral sciences
   one member representing fine arts/humanities
   two members representing education
   two members representing professional studies
   one member representing professionals
   one member representing the library
   two student members
   dean of arts and sciences or designee (ex officio, non-voting)
   dean of education or designee (ex officio, non-voting)
   dean of professional studies or designee (ex officio, non-voting)
   associate provost for enrollment management (ex officio, non-voting)
3. Terms of office shall be two years and shall be staggered. Faculty and student representatives shall be restricted to a maximum of two consecutive terms of office and shall not also serve on a school curriculum committee.
   

2. Duties

1. To consider curriculum changes that affect the three schools of the College and make recommendations to the provost in a timely and efficient manner.
2. To make recommendations to the Educational Policy Committee on policy changes that may be necessary.

Section G. General Education Committee

1. Membership

1. A committee of thirteen members shall be nominated by the Committee on Committees and appointed by action of the Faculty Senate.
2. Membership shall be as follows:
   one member representing mathematics/science
   one member representing social/behavioral sciences
   one member representing fine arts/humanities
   one member representing education
   one member representing professional studies
   one member representing the library
   two at-large members from the academic faculty
   one member representing the professional staff
   one student member
   dean of arts and sciences or designee, ex officio, non-voting
   director of Institutional Research and Assessment Office or designee,
   ex officio, nonvoting
   provost or designee, ex officio, non-voting
3. Terms of office shall be two years and shall be staggered.

2. Duties

1. To be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the General Education Program. This includes, but is not limited to:
   1. Faculty advisement in general education course development.
   2. Development of tools and methodologies for assessment of the program.
2. To make recommendations to the provost regarding approval of general education courses.
3. To make recommendations to the Faculty Senate regarding changes in the structure and content of the General Education Program.
4. To make recommendations to the Educational Policy Committee regarding changes in general education policies.

(Approved by President Bitterbaum May 22, 2006)

Section H. Ad Hoc Committees

1. The Senate, in consultation with the Committee on Committees, may appoint such other temporary committees as are needed to facilitate the business of the Faculty.
2. A written report of the work of the committee shall be submitted to the Senate.

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ARTICLE VIII: GRADUATE FACULTY

1. There shall be a graduate faculty for the purpose of accepting responsibility for graduate curricula and associated graduate academic affairs of the College. The graduate faculty shall provide a direct advisory mission to the administrative officers designated for graduate studies and related affairs.
2. The organizational structure and operating procedures of the graduate faculty shall be subject to ongoing review and approval by the Faculty Senate. A representative of the graduate faculty shall represent it on the Faculty Senate.
3. The graduate faculty shall provide the Senate with a written annual report at the end of the academic year.

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS OF THE FACULTY

Section A. Calling Meetings

1. Meetings of the SUNY Cortland faculty shall be called and presided over by the chair of the Senate.
2. Meetings of the faculty may also be called as provided in the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York.
3. Upon formal request of at least 15 percent of the faculty, a meeting of the faculty shall be called and presided over by the chair of the Senate. Such formal request shall include a statement of the business to be considered at the meeting.
4. There shall be at least one faculty meeting each academic year.

Section B. Agenda

1. The agenda for each meeting shall be published one week in advance, except that in emergencies less notice may be given.
2. Proposed items for the agenda may be submitted to the Senate at any time.
3. New business not on the agenda may be taken up on a motion passed by two-thirds of those present providing the quorum requirement is met.

Section C. Minutes

1. Minutes of each meeting shall be recorded and published.

Section D. Quorum

1. Quorum of the faculty necessary for the conduct of business shall be 15 percent of the faculty eligible to vote.

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ARTICLE X: ELECTIONS

1. Offices of the faculty to be filled by election by the voting faculty:

1. Vice chair of the Senate and chair designate.
2. Secretary
3. Treasurer
4. Three or four members each year of the Committee on Committees.
5. Representative and alternate representative to the State University Senate.
6. Two faculty representatives to the Student Senate.
7. Elected representatives of the faculty to other organizations.

2. Offices to be filled by election by the professional staff:
Members of the College Review Panel will be chosen in elections conducted by the professionals, not in conflict with the bargaining contract.

3. Offices of the faculty to be filled by election within areas:

1. School committees, as provided in Article II, Section B.2.
2. Representatives to the Faculty Senate, as provided in Article VI, Section A.

4. Terms of Office:

1. At the regular election each year, a candidate shall be elected to the office of vice-chair. The candidate shall serve as vice-chair for one year and as chair for the following year. The terms of office of the secretary and of the treasurer shall be for one year.
2. The Faculty Senate chair shall assume office on the day following Commencement. Other officers of the Senate shall assume office immediately following the last day of examinations in the spring semester.
3. The terms of office for the three elected representatives of the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Professional Studies and Education, the professional staff, library, and management/confidential shall be two years.
4. At each regular election, one or two Senators shall be elected from each of these areas as needed to ensure a full representation for each area. The term of office for representatives to the Student Senate shall be one year.

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5. Eligibility for Office: Every member of the voting faculty is eligible for any office, except that:

1. No member shall become a candidate for office until s/he has accepted the nomination.
2. No member may be elected to more than two successive terms in one office.
3. Members elected to the offices of vice chair, secretary, treasurer, or elected as chair of any policy committee, or serving as representative to the State University Faculty Senate, shall be ineligible to hold, concurrently, any other elective office of the Senate.
4. Members elected from a particular area of the College must be members of that area and shall be ineligible to continue in office in the event they cease to be a member of that area.

6. Elective Procedures:

1. The Committee on Committees shall prepare a slate of nominees for presentation to the faculty at a time designated by the chair of the Faculty Senate in consultation with the Senate. The slate shall be publicized at least one week in advance of the faculty meeting at which further nominations will be received from the floor.
2. The chair of the Senate shall ask for the report of the Committee on Committees at a meeting of the faculty, after which s/he shall ask for nominations from the floor. Any candidate so nominated must consent to run for the office before his or her name is proposed. The final slate shall be posted at least one week in advance of the election.
3. Elections shall take place not later than four weeks before the last day of classes of the spring semester each year. The Senate shall establish the time, place, and manner of balloting. Voting shall be by secret ballot. In order for an election to be valid, at least one-third of the eligible faculty must vote. Persons receiving a plurality of the votes cast shall be considered to be elected.
4. The Committee on Committees shall, upon request from the Senate, prepare slates of candidates for any special election which may be necessary. Special elections shall be conducted in the same manner as regularly scheduled elections.
5. In elections conducted by the Committee on Committees, except for the offices of vice chair, secretary, and treasurer, when the number of candidates is equal to the number of openings for a given position, the secretary of the Senate may be directed by the Senate to cast a single ballot on behalf of the faculty to elect those candidates.
6. Area elective procedures shall be established by the respective areas and shall conform to the procedures for general Faculty elections. Responsibility for seeking nominations and conducting elections shall rest upon Faculty Senators from their respective areas.

7. Installation of Officers:

Newly elected officers and representatives of the SUNY Cortland Faculty shall be installed at a faculty meeting called by the retiring chair of the Senate in consultation with the Senate, prior to the last day of classes of the spring semester. They shall assume their duties at the end of the spring semester as outlined in Article X, Paragraph 4.b.

8. Vacancies:

1. A vacancy in an elective office shall exist when a person resigns from the office, takes leave for one semester or longer and is not available to serve, or is no longer a member of the faculty.
2. Any vacancy occurring among the elected officers or members of the Senate shall be filled by a special election, conducted among the appropriate voting constituency, within one month from the date that the vacancy occurs.
3. All other vacancies (not mentioned in the preceding statement) shall be filled by appointment by the Committee on Committees, subject to approval by the Senate, such appointment lasting until the next regular election or special election is held to fill a vacancy.
4. The term of office at this election will be for the unexpired portion of the incumbent's term.
5. Vacancies in elective offices filled from the separate areas of the faculty will be filled in the same manner, except that appointment must be made from the area in which the vacancy occurs.
6. A vacancy may also be declared to exist by a two-thirds vote of the Senate if it is clear that a person is not attending, or cannot attend, the necessary meetings or fulfill the functions of the office.

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ARTICLE XI: CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

1. Business of the faculty, at the discretion of the chair of the Senate and with the consent of the Senate, may be conducted by distribution of information and ballots through the mail, providing that all other requirements of this constitution are met.
2. Business shall be conducted by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except where otherwise specified in these bylaws.

ARTICLE XII: FACULTY FEES

1. No fees for voting membership in the SUNY Cortland Faculty may be assessed.
2. The SUNY Cortland Faculty may establish fees for the maintenance of its program of activities.
3. The Senate shall have authority to approve a budget for the faculty, and to assess fees, subject to the following limitations:
   a. The Senate may approve budgetary items only for faculty recognition upon retirement, for distinguished service, and for the operational expenses of the Senate and faculty.
   b. Fees may be assessed by the Senate not to exceed $10 for a given academic year. All other budgetary items and fees in excess of the stated amount must be approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the faculty necessary for the conduct of business as provided in Article VI, Section D.
4. The fiscal year shall be from June 1 to May 31 inclusive.

ARTICLE XIII: REVIEW OF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Section A.

There shall be a mandatory review of the entire governance structure at least every five years after the adoption of these bylaws. (The last such review took place during the 2001-02 academic year.)

Section B.

A committee shall be elected by the Faculty Senate from nominees prepared by the Committee on Committees. This committee shall conduct the review and present recommendations to the Faculty Senate. Included in the review shall be the specific recommendations of the policy committee chairs with regard to procedures affecting their specific area.

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ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

This constitution or its bylaws may be amended as follows:

1. Proposals for changes or amendments to these bylaws shall be made in writing to the chair of the Senate who, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall submit them to the faculty for a vote.
2. Notice of the time and place of voting on proposed amendments to these bylaws must be announced to, and the text of the proposed amendments must be circulated among, the membership at least one week prior to the voting.
3. Voting on amendments to this constitution or its bylaws shall be by mail ballot and shall be approved by a two-thirds vote.
4. Each proposed amendment shall state the time at which it is proposed to take effect.
5. With the approval of the president of the College this constitution, with any amendments thereto, shall be in effect.

(Amended by the Faculty Senate, April 29, 1996 and approved by President Taylor, June 20, 1996)

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150.04 BYLAWS OF THE SUNY CORTLAND GRADUATE FACULTY

1. These bylaws define the role of the graduate faculty in the governance of the College, in accordance with the legal requirements of the State University of New York, the Policies of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, and the local College Council. They identify faculty responsibilities and obligations within the administrative and academic structures of the College and provide a plan within which the objectives of graduate study may be pursued.
2. The purpose of graduate study is directed towards the fulfillment of the following objectives:
   1. The expansion, deepening, and strengthening of professional knowledge as a scholarly and creative activity;
   2. The improvement of techniques for the dissemination and application of existing knowledge and the generation of new knowledge;
   3. The development of a greater understanding of the theories and findings underlying individual disciplines; and
   4. The fostering of a critical ability to deal analytically and insightfully with the problems, methods, and instruments of research in a given area of study.

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Faculty of the State University of New York College at Cortland, herein designated as the graduate faculty.

ARTICLE II: OBJECT

1. General Responsibility
   The graduate faculty has major responsibility for all aspects of graduate study and post-baccalaureate education of the College and shall be responsible for instructional programs, research activities, and service functions at the graduate level. It shall administer its own affairs with its bylaws subject to review by the Senate of the SUNY Cortland Faculty, or its elected successor.
2. Specific Responsibilities
   The objectives of graduate study require the graduate faculty to assume the following specific responsibilities:
   1. To introduce students to levels of existing advanced scholarship beyond those characterizing undergraduate work and to encourage a spirit of scholarly inquiry;
   2. To guide students in achieving an understanding of, and proficiency in, productive scholarship and research;
   3. To provide advanced training and educational opportunities leading to professional skill and knowledge of high quality;
   4. To define and maintain academic standards and requirements for advanced degrees and post-baccalaureate education at a high level of quality, consistent with the objectives of graduate study.

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ARTICLE III: MEMBERS

1. The qualifications for membership require that the nominee meet the following criteria:
   1. Experience
   The minimum experience requirement is three years of instruction at the graduate level at any institution of higher education, or three years of library service involving graduate programs.
   2. Education
   An earned doctorate in the field of specialization, or the highest terminal degree in the field of specialization, or special training and experience which are acceptable as judged by the particular faculty member's field.
   3. Demonstrated Scholarly Ability
   Evidence of interest in the scholarly nature of his/her field as demonstrated by research or publication or the judgment of his/her colleagues in the department concerned.
   4. Rank
   Holds the rank of professor, or associate professor, or librarian, or associate librarian, or administrative position of school dean or above.
   5. Involvement in Graduate Programs
   Has, in the opinion of his/her department, an ongoing involvement in, and commitment to, graduate studies at Cortland.
2. All applications for membership shall be reviewed and acted upon by the executive committee. An application shall consist of a letter of interest describing how the applicant meets the criteria outlined in Article III. A. and a copy of the applicant's vita.
3. A member may resign by submitting a written letter of resignation to the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall report all resignations to the executive committee.
4. Should the need arise, as determined by a two-thirds majority vote of the executive committee, membership fees may be levied. The proposed fee schedule must be submitted to the general membership of the graduate faculty for approval by a two-thirds majority.

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ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Graduate Faculty shall be represented by and function chiefly through an eight-member Executive Committee of the Graduate Faculty. The entire Graduate Faculty shall participate in the election of the executive committee. Important matters of policy shall be taken to the entire Graduate Faculty through meetings and ballot votes as hereinafter provided.

A. Composition of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be composed of twelve members, as follows:

1. One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of biological sciences, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics.
2. One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of English, history, international communications and culture, and psychology.
3. One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of childhood/early childhood education and foundations and social advocacy.
4. One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of literacy and educational leadership.
5. One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of health, and recreation and leisure studies.
6. One member of the graduate faculty elected by and from the departments of physical education, exercise science and sport studies and sport management.
7. One member of the graduate faculty elected at large from the library and departments having no graduate programs.
8. One member of the graduate faculty at large.
9. One graduate student appointed by the Student Government Association.
10. One administrator appointed by provost, ex officio, without vote.
11. One representative of the Registrar's Office, ex officio, without vote.
12. One representative of the Educational Policy Committee, ex officio, without vote.
13. One representative of the Graduate Studies Office, ex officio, without vote.

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B. Elections and Term of Office

1. Elections for membership on the executive committee shall be run by the executive committee each year during the period April 1 through May 1. Prior to elections, nominations shall be solicited from the entire Graduate Faculty.
2. Only members of the Graduate Faculty shall be eligible to vote for executive committee positions.
3. The term of office for members of the executive committee shall be staggered two-year terms, commencing at the close of the spring semester.
4. No person may serve more than two consecutive terms on the executive committee, except for position #7 (Article IV.A.).

C. Duties of the Executive Committee

The executive committee shall perform the following duties:

1. Elect a chair of the executive committee, and such other committee officers as may be necessary. The chair of the executive committee shall also be the presiding officer of the graduate faculty.
2. Elect a member of the executive committee to serve as the representative of the graduate faculty on the Faculty Senate.
3. Annually review and act on applications for membership on the graduate faculty each fall.
4. Keep an updated list of membership of the graduate faculty.
5. Call meetings of the graduate faculty, as necessary.
6. Refer matters, as appropriate, to a vote of the graduate faculty.
7. Review, on behalf of the graduate faculty, all new graduate courses, programs, and degrees, and submit recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs.
8. Consider matters of general policy and practice affecting graduate affairs and programs, formulate recommendations, and forward such recommendations to the appropriate academic departments and/or member of the College administration.
9. Conduct a referendum vote of the graduate faculty on any matter which has been petitioned by 25 percent of the members of the graduate faculty.
10. Conduct nominations and mail ballot elections for membership on the executive committee, as specified in Article IV.B.
11. Conduct mail ballot votes on amendments to these bylaws as specified in Article V.
12. In the event of a resignation from the executive committee, appoint a replacement from the appropriate constituency for the remainder of the unexpired term.
13. Carry out such other duties as may be assigned by the graduate faculty.

D. Quorums

1. A quorum for the executive committee shall be any five of the nine voting members listed in Article IV.A.
2. A quorum for meetings of the graduate faculty shall be 25 percent of the members of the graduate faculty.

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS

1. The executive committee shall submit to a mail ballot of the graduate faculty any proposed amendment which has been petitioned in writing by at least ten members of the graduate faculty.
2. (1) Amendments to these bylaws shall be approved by a majority of the graduate faculty by mail ballot.
   (2) Proposed amendments shall be mailed to all members of the graduate faculty at least two weeks but not more than four weeks prior to the mail ballot.
3. Each proposed amendment shall state the time at which the proposed amendment shall take place.

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CHAPTER 180: Cortland Student Governance

180.01 Student Government Association (SGA)

180.02 Constitution and Bylaws of SGA

180.01 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA)

The purpose of the Student Government Association is to promote and manage student affairs which enable students to participate in the determination of their educational progress. All registered students of SUNY Cortland are members of this association. There is an elected Senate.

180.02 CONSTITUTION BYLAWS OF SGA

PREAMBLE

With this constitution the students of the State University of New York College at Cortland do hereby establish an organization of self government to represent and be responsive to the students of this college community; to promote their welfare; to insure academic and social freedom; and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between students, faculty and the surrounding community.

ARTICLE I: NAME

This Association shall be called the SUNY Cortland Student Government Association, hereafter abbreviated as SGA.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERS

Section 1: Membership
The membership of the Student Government Association shall consist of all full-time and part-time Mandatory Activity Fee paying students of the State University of New York College at Cortland, hereafter referred to as the student body.

Section 2: Voting Membership
The voting membership shall consist of all full-time and part-time activity fee paying students, who vote on referenda and SGA elections.

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ARTICLE III: LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 1
All legislative power of this association shall be vested in the Student Senate.

Section 2
All decisions of the Student Senate shall be binding on all members of the student body.

Section 3
By a two-thirds vote of its membership, the Student Senate may override veto by the executive board.

Section 4: Student Senate Makeup

1. Eligibility requirements for senators and club representatives
   1. All candidates for senator must be members of the student body.
   2. All candidates for senator must attend one meeting of the Senate prior to approval.
2. A majority of the voting members of the Student Senate shall constitute a quorum.
3. All meetings of the Student Senate and the SGA shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except when Robert's conflicts with this constitution or bylaws.
4. Terms of Office: Senators will serve until the end of the academic year in which they were approved.

Section 5: Membership

1. Membership in the Student Senate shall consist of the following, each of whom shall have one vote:
   1. Two senators elected by and from the faculty/staff of SUNY Cortland’s Faculty Senate.
   2. Senators who submit a petition of 50 signatures from the SUNY Cortland student body.
   3. One representative will be chosen from each SGA recognized club to become a member of Student Senate. A student may represent one club and will hold one vote in Senate. These representatives will be referred to as club representatives.
   4. All executive board members will be nonvoting ex-officio members of the Student Senate except as noted in Article IV, Sec 6B2 of the SGA Constitution.
   5. One representative from each club must establish membership at the Student Senate by being appointed by the club president and approved by the Student Senate or the club’s budget will be frozen until membership is established.
   6. Sanctions for club representative attendance will be found in the financial handbook.
   7. Excused absences by club representatives and senators must be approved by the chair of the Student Senate prior to the meeting.

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Section 6: Duties

1. Duties of Senators
   1. To uphold the constitution of the SGA.
   2. To keep students informed of Student Senate activities and considerations by making available the minutes and other relevant documents.
   3. To bring to the Student Senate any specific proposals adopted and/or requested by constituents. When appropriate, such proposals should be presented to the executive board in advance.
   4. To attend all Student Senate meetings unless excused by the chair. A senator shall be dismissed from the Student Senate for three consecutive unexcused or four overall unexcused absences during an academic year.
   5. To serve on the boards specified in this constitution and to serve on a minimum of two additional boards and/or committees when elected or appointed.
   6. To approve all executive appointments by majority vote.
   7. By majority vote, a senator may be granted a leave of absence, if not in the Cortland area for an extended period of time, e.g., student teaching or study abroad.
   8. Senators shall be subject to any further duties and expectations outlined in the Senator Handbook.
2. Duties of the Club Representatives
   1. To uphold the constitution of the SGA.
   2. To keep constituents informed of Student Senate activities and considerations by making available the minutes and other relevant documents.
   3. To bring to the Student Senate any specific proposals adopted and/or requested by constituents. When appropriate, such proposals should be presented to the executive board in advance.
   4. To attend all Student Senate meetings unless excused by the chair. A club representative shall be dismissed from the Student Senate for three consecutive unexcused or four overall unexcused absences during an academic year.
   5. To approve all executive appointments by majority vote.
   6. To serve as liaison between their club and the SGA. Responsible for all communications, changes and updates occurring in the Student Senate.

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ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1:

The executive powers of the SGA shall be vested in the executive board of the SGA, which shall be chaired by the president of the SGA.

Section 2

The executive board of SGA will consist of the following positions each having one vote:
President, nonvoting, except to make or break a tie
Executive Vice President
Treasurer
Executive Assistant
Vice Treasurer
Secretary
Public Relations Director
Club Liaison
Parliamentarian, may not vote

Section 3: Elected officers of SGA

1. The president, executive vice president, and treasurer shall be elected by plurality vote of the student body who cast ballots.
   1. Nomination for president requires a petition of 300 valid signatures of members of the student body.
   2. Nominations for the vice president and treasurer of SGA require a petition signed by 250 members of the student body.
   3. No member of the SGA may sign more than one petition for each office.
   4. All elections shall be plurality vote of the student body
   5. All SGA elections shall be supervised by the Board of Elections and Referenda.
   6. All election procedures shall be approved by the Student Senate.
2. Eligibility requirements to serve as elected officers of the SGA
   1. Have been a member of an SGA club or organization for at least one year prior to September 1 following the election.
   2. Be registered in classes on campus for a minimum of six credit hours a semester at the State University of New York College at Cortland for the entire academic year of his/her office.
   3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 established at SUNY Cortland and not be on academic or disciplinary probation during elections and term of office.
   4. May not have another job aside from the duties attributed to the position with the exceptions of approved Work Study by the Financial Advisement Office and/or extenuating circumstances approved by the Student Senate.
3. Term of Office
   1. The officers of SGA shall be elected by April 15, unless extraordinarycircumstances prevent meeting that deadline, and shall serve from July 1 to June 30 of each calendar year.
   2. All appointed officers serve at the pleasure of the officer who is responsible for appointing them.
   3. In the event of a vacancy in the position of president, executive vice president or treasurer, the person who assumes the position will serve the unexpired term.
4. Write-In-Candidates
   In order to be elected to office, write-in candidates shall be subject to the same eligibility requirements as any other candidates. They are not eligible to receive election funds from SGA.

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Section 4:

1. Appointed officers of SGA
   1. The director of public relations shall be nominated by the vice president with the approval of the president and the Student Senate.
   2. The vice treasurer shall be nominated by the treasurer with the approval of the president and the Student Senate.
   3. The club liaison shall be nominated by the president with the approval of the Student Senate.
   4. The executive assistant shall be nominated by the president with the approval of the Student Senate.
   5. The Secretary shall be nominated by the president, with approval of the Student Senate.
   6. The parliamentarian shall be nominated by the vice president with the approval of the president and the Student Senate.
   7. Members of the SGA executive board shall not hold an executive position in any other SGA club and/or organization.
2. Eligibility requirements for nomination/appointment to serve as officers of the SGA.
   1. Vice treasurer, executive assistant, public relations director, club liaison, parliamentarian.
   a. Must be a member of SGA.
   b. Be registered in classes on campus for a minimum of six credit hours a semester at the State University of New York College at Cortland for the entire academic year of his/her office.
   c. Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 established at SUNY Cortland and cannot be on academic or disciplinary probation during term of office.

Section 5: Duties of the Executive Board

1. To act as a forum for developing proposals of concern to the Student Senate and the entire student body.
2. To enforce and carry out all decisions of the Student Senate.
3. May veto an action of the Student Senate by unanimous vote.
4. During college recesses (or when the Student Senate is not in session and/or a quorum cannot be attained by the executive board), the president, executive vice president, and the treasurer may act for the executive board and/or the Student Senate, with such actions to be reported to the Student Senate at the earliest opportunity.
5. To attend all Student Senate meetings unless excused by the chair. An executive board member shall be dismissed from the Student Senate for three consecutive unexcused or four overall unexcused absences during an academic year.
6. Choose executive board member(s) to serve as a spokesperson(s) for the SGA during all summer orientation programs. The member needs to be nominated by the executive board and approved by the Student Senate. If an executive board member is unable to fulfill the duties, The executive board will accept nominations from Student Senate.
7. Spend mandatory five hours per week in the SGA office during operational hours.
8. Must create or revise a handbook by last day of classes of the spring semester, describing the duties of their position. Approved by executive board at the end of each year.

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Section 6: Duties of the Executive Board Members

A. Duties of the president

1. To serve in the best interest of the SGA upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest as the official leader of SGA.
2. To preside at regular and special sessions of the executive board and to call special sessions of the board.
3. To serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Student Senate.
4. To establish any committees necessary to carry out the executive functions of SGA.
5. To make all appointments, with the confirmation of the Senate, unless otherwise stated in the constitution and bylaws.
6. To approve the appointments of all student representatives to faculty, administrative and policy committees, and to dismiss appointees if there is sufficient cause.
7. To present an explanation at the next Student Senate meeting upon dismissing an appointee.
8. To appoint a temporary treasurer, with the consent of the Student Senate, in the absence of the treasurer and the vice treasurer.
9. To appoint, with the approval of the Student Senate, the membership to Auxiliary Services Corporation when necessary.
10. To recommend appropriate action to the executive board and the Student Senate and to require reports of a general or specific nature of any officer, board member or committee chair.
11. To report weekly at Student Senate meetings on the state of SGA in accordance with the Senate calendar.
12. To serve as a nonvoting member of all boards or committees unless otherwise stated in this constitution and bylaws.
13. To be a student representative of Auxiliary Services Corporation Board of Directors and subcommittee as needed.
14. To serve as the student representative on the College Council.
15. To be present at all regular and special sessions of the Student Senate.
16. To call special sessions of the Student Senate.
17. To have a working knowledge of the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
18. To be responsible for the administration of the SGA office budget and to have final approval.
19. Any other duties normally attributed to this office.
20. Serve as the voting delegate on the SUNY Student Assembly.
21. When an executive board vacancy occurs because of graduation, leave of office, withdrawal, etc. the president shall as soon as practicable appoint an interim replacement until a permanent replacement is found.
22. To run the Student Senate meetings in the absence of the vice president.

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B. Duties of the executive vice president

1. To serve in the best interest of the SGA, upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
2. To serve as the chair of the Student Senate in an ex officio, non-voting capacity, provided, however, that the chair may vote in order to create or break a tie.
3. To assume the duties of the president in his/her absence or at his/her request.
4. To accept additional responsibilities handed down by the president.
5. To appoint all standing and ad hoc committee chairs in the Student Senate.
6. To serve as a non-voting member on all SGA boards and committees unless otherwise stated in this constitution and bylaws.
   
7. To appoint, with the consent of the president and Student Senate, all student representatives to faculty, administrative, and policy committees.
8. To act as an advisor to all faculty and policy committee student representatives.
9. To call, when necessary, meetings with any faculty and policy committee student representatives.
10. To be a student representative on the Auxiliary Services Corporation Board of Directors and subcommittees as needed.
11. To chair a committee for the education of the SGA Government and its workings when seen appropriate.
12. To serve as a voting delegate to the SUNY Student Assembly, if no conflicts arise.
13. To preside at all regular and special sessions of the Student Senate and to determine the agenda of the Student Senate, with consultation of executive board.
14. To serve as the chair on the Club Constitution Committee.
15. To have a thorough knowledge of the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
16. To serve as a voting member of executive board.
17. All other duties usually attributed to this office.

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C. Duties of the Treasurer

1. To serve in the best interest of the SGA upholding the constitution and to act in SGA's best interest.
2. To serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Student Senate.
3. To be custodian of all SGA funds.
4. To scrutinize the expenditures of all SGA funded organizations. If a problem arises, the treasurer shall have the right to suspend, temporarily, the use of spending activity fees by any club or organization. The treasurer, at the earliest possible time, will present the situation to the Financial Board.
5. To provide all funded organizations with a uniform set of books and instructions for their use.
6. To be an advisor to all organization treasurers.
7. To be a student representative on the Auxiliary Services Corporation Board of Directors and subcommittees as needed.
8. To accept those additional responsibilities delegated by the president.
9. To work with the SGA president in planning and appropriating the office budget of SGA.
10. To serve as the nonvoting chair of the SGA Financial Board.
11. After review with the insurance agent, the treasurer's the sole signature to be placed on any and all contracts that legally and financially obligate the association.
12. All other duties usually attributed to this office.
13. To serve as a voting member of the executive board.

D. Duties of the Vice Treasurer