Constitution
Academic Senate Constitution
As amended in Spring 2021The name of this organization shall be the Chaffey College Academic Senate.
The Academic Senate shall represent the faculty (See definition of Faculty in Article III) in all
academic and professional matters as outlined in Title 5, Subchapter 2. Academic Senates,
53200*, Subsection C., (1)-(11). Obligations and duties shall also be fulfilled in
Subsection 53201-53204*. In no way is this section meant to hinder the Academic Senate from taking its rightful stand on an academic and professional matter. Definitions
and responsibilities may include or go beyond the following:
(1) Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines
(2) Degree and certificate requirements
(3) Grading policies
(4) Educational program development
(5) Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success
(6) District and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles
(7) Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including self study
and annual reports
(8) Policies for faculty professional development activities
(9) Processes for program review
(10) Processes for institutional planning and budget development, and
(11) other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the governing
board and the academic senate.
(12) Hiring criteria, policies, procedures, and equivalencies fo new faculty members
shall be developed, updated, and agreed upon jointly by representatives fo the Governing
Board and Academic Senate.
*See Appendix:
53200, Page 1
53201-53204, Pages 3-6
For the purposes of this constitution:
The word "Faculty" shall mean all non-management, non-supervisory positions as outlined
in Title 5, Section 53402*.
The word "Electorate" shall mean all tenure-track and tenured contract faculty.
The words “Adjunct Electorate” shall mean all adjunct faculty.
Section 1
The Academic Senate as authorized in Title 5, section 53201 and 53202*2 shall be composed of two
elected representatives, each with staggered two-year terms, from each school and
unit, three elected members-at-large for three-year terms, two members-at-large representing
the adjunct faculty for two-year terms, the President for a two-year term plus one
preceding year as President-Elect for a total of three years, and the Chair of the
Curriculum Committee for a two-year term.
Section 2
For the purpose of providing Senate representation, each educational unit or school
shall elect two senators.
*See Appendix:
53201, 53202, Page 3-4
53402, Page 8
Section 3
The officers of the Academic Senate shall be: President, Vice president or President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer,
and Chair of the Curriculum Committee. Their duties shall be as follows:
- President: The agenda for each Senate meeting shall be determined by the President and shall include any agenda items suggested by any Senator, faculty member, any Administrator, or any member of the Governing Board. The President shall attend regularly scheduled meetings with the Administration or the Governing Board and shall attend all other meetings as directed by a majority of the Senate. The President shall delegate a Senator to attend any meeting that he/she or the Vice president or president-elect is unable to attend. The President shall carry out the duties as required under Title 5, 53200-53204*.
- Vice President: The Vice President shall serve during the first year of the President's term. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President during the President's absence. The Vice President shall be the chief election officer for all elections conducted by the Academic Senate except for election of Senate officers.
- President-Elect: The President-Elect serves as Vice President during the second year of the President's term. The President-Elect shall assume the duties as outlined in Section 4b. The President-Elect shall serve in committee assignments and coordinate with all Senate officers. During the second year of the President's term, the President-Elect shall commence his/her President-Elect duties in committee work and other appropriate leadership responsibilities. The President-Elect then assumes the duties of President for a two-year term of office.
- Secretary-Treasurer: The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain all written records of the Academic Senate meetings and shall monitor the finances of the Academic Senate.
*See Appendix:
53200-53204, Pages 1-6
Section 5
- The Senate shall meet once a week during the academic year, or as needed. Meeting times are from 12:30 until 1:55 p.m. on Tuesdays. Senate members upon election should adjust their schedules in advance to meet these timelines.
- The Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected from within and by the membership of the Senate no later than five business days before the date specified in the current Collective Bargaining agreement for a one-year term that will begin July 1.
- Members of the faculty may attend any meeting of the Academic Senate. Individuals who are not membrs of the Chaffey College faculty are welcome to attend any open Senate meeting. However, the Sente may close any meeting or portion thereof to all but members of the Electorate by a majorty vote of the attending Senators.
Section 6
A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the members of the Academic Senate.
Section 1
Any member of the electorate shall be eligible for election to the Academic Senate. (See Article III, Section 2).
Any member of adjunct electorate shall be eligible for election as adjunct Senator
at large.
Section 2
All elections to the Academic Senate shall be by secret ballot, unless unopposed.
The unopposed candidate shall be elected by acclamation.
Section 3
A senator shall be elected to a two (2) year term of office beginning on July 1, with
the following exceptions:
- Senators-at-Large, who shall be elected to a three (3) year term of office.
- Alternate Senators (see Section 4 and Section 5) shall be elected for a term of office which shall not exceed two years.
- If a vacancy or resignation occurs during a Senate officer's term of office, an election shall be held to fill the remainder of the term. (Following the appropriate procedure).
Section 4
Each unit shall elect two Senators and up to two Alternate Senators. The Vice President
or President-Elect of the Senate shall notify each unit of an election not later than
60 days before the end of the Spring semester. The senator whose term is not expiring
shall administer its election. The election shall be completed no later than thirty
days before the end of the Spring semester. Absentee ballots shall be provided to
those unit members who are unable to vote in person.
Section 5
The Alternate Senator shall represent the unit in the absence of one of the Senators,
and shall, in the absence of the Senator, have the same rights and privileges.
Section 6
The entire Electorate shall elect three Senators-at-Large.
Section 7
The Vice President or President-Elect shall notify the Electorate of an election for
Senators-at-Large and request nominations not later than sixty days before the end
of the spring semester. Nominations shall be submitted to the Vice President or President-Elect.
The Vice President or President-Elect shall develop a nomination list, determine whether
each nominee is currently employed by the District in a faculty position and whether
each nominee will accept the position if elected. A final ballot shall be submitted
to the entire Electorate no later than thirty days before the end of the spring semester.
Section 8
The President of the Academic Senate shall be elected from among full-time tenured
faculty by the Electorate for a three-year term of service.
During the first year as President-Elect, the individual will fulfill the responsibilities
of Vice President. At the completion of the year on July 1, the Vice President (President-Elect)
will assume the office of President for a two-year term.
In alternating years, when there is no President-Elect, a Vice President will be elected
from within and by the membership of the senate for a one-year term of office beginning
July 1.
Likewise, the Secretary-Treasurer of the senate shall be elected from within and by
the membership of the Senate for a one-year term of office beginning July 1. Voting
shall be by secret ballot unless a candidate for an office is unopposed in which case
the nominee is elected by acclamation.
Section 9
The Academic Senate shall appoint the Curriculum Committee Chair. The appointed Chair
may be nominated from the faculty at large.
Section 10
The adjunct faculty shall elect two Adjunct Senators-at-Large and an alternate. The
Vice President or President-Elect of the senate shall notify the adjunct faculty of
the call for nominations, no later than sixty school days before the end of the Spring
semester. Nominations shall be submitted to the Vice President or President-Elect.
The Vice President or President-Elect shall develop a nomination list, determine whether
each nominee is currently employed by the District in a faculty position, and determine
whether each nominee will accept the position if elected. A final ballot shall be
submitted to the Adjunct Electorate no later than thirty school days before the end
of the Spring semester. Final ballots shall be returned to the Vice President and/or
President-Elect at the Senate office and a committee designated by the Senate shall
count the ballots. Adjunct Senators-at-large shall be composed of two elected representatives,
each with staggered two-year terms, and an alternate member serving a two-year term.
Section 1
If a privileged motion is made and seconded to recall an officer of the senate, a
vote must be taken on such a motion at the next scheduled meeting of the senate. A
simple majority of the total senate membership is needed to recall a Senate officer.
An election will be held to replace the officer(s) removed at the same meeting.
Section 2
For the office of president of the academic senate or president-elect, a petition
signed by 10% of the total Electorate is necessary to initiate recall proceedings.
The Academic Senate president-elect, vice president, or designated officer will conduct
a recall election not more than ten (10) school days after the receipt of the petition
to recall. The president, or president-elect will be recalled by a majority of the
votes cast.
Section 3
If a president is recalled, the president-elect, if there is no one designated, will
assume the office of president. In alternating years, nominations for president will
be solicited and submitted to the vice president within five (5) school days of notification.
The vice president shall develop a nomination list, determine whether each nominee
will accept the position if elected, and shall send a sample ballot listing those
willing to accept a nomination to each member of the electorate. This shall be done
within five (5) school days of receiving the nominations. A final ballot shall be
submitted to the entire electorate no later than ten (10) school days after the sample
ballots are distributed
Section 4
Final ballots shall be returned to the vice president, and a committee designated
by the senate shall count the ballots. A candidate receiving a majority of the votes
cast shall be elected. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, there
shall be a run-off election between and among the candidates receiving the greatest
number of votes. If after the run-off, there is a tie-vote, the winner will be determined
by lot, the method to be determined by the Academic Senate.
Section 1
The Faculty Senate in compliance with Title 5, Sections 53200*, Subsection C; and
Section 53203*, Subsections A, B, and F, shall be in joint consultation as part of
its shared governance obligation.
Section 2
The Academic Senate shall have the power to create such standing or temporary committees
as it deems necessary. Such committees shall be known as "Academic Senate Committees"
as opposed to a "College Committee" which is a committee with representatives of various
*See Appendix:
53200, Page 1
53202, Page 5
Section 3
Faculty representation on the Academic Senate and college committee members shall
be determined by a majority of the Academic Senate.
Section 4
The membership on any Academic Senate Committee may be changed by a majority of the
Academic Senate.
Section 5
The membership of faculty on any college committee (with the exception of CCFA and
its working committees) shall be confirmed and/or approved by a simple majority of
the Senate. All faculty shall be informed and agree to their nomination prior to Senate
approval.
Section 1
In accordance with Title 5, Section 53203*, the Senate may send committee recommendations
directly to the Governing Board or through an appointed agent of the Governing Board
for their approval.
Section 2
In order to implement its purpose, the Academic Senate may request information from
or meet with (a) Governing Board or any of its members, (b) administrative officers,
or (c) any Chaffey College or campus agency or its representatives.
*See Appendix:
53203, Page 5
Section 3
A member of the Academic Senate shall attend all official meetings of the Governing
Board to serve as a resource person and representative of the senate (See Article
IV, Section 4).
Section 4
Copies of all Academic Senate minutes and relevant communication shall be exchanged
between the senate and the administration, between the Senate and the Governing Board
and shall be distributed to all members of the faculty and administration.
Section 5
- At the request of either a majority of the Academic Senate or 10 percent of the electorate, the Academic Senate president shall refer issues to the electorate for discussion and consideration. This procedure may be implemented by petition.
- If a meeting of the eelectorate is requested under Section 5 (a), the Academic Senate president shall send to each member of the electorate a written notice of the scheduled date and time of the meeting. Such notification shall be submitted to the electorate no later than five (5) school days before the scheduled meeting. The meeting shall be held within fifteen (15) school days of the date the request was submitted to the Academic Senate president.
- All meetings of the electorate under section 5 (b) shall be presided over by the senate president or by his/her appointee and shall be regulated by the same procedural rules that govern meetings of the senate.
- Any resolution passed at such a meeting by a majority of those present but not less than one-third of the total electorate shall be binding on the Academic Senate. A member of the electorate must be physically present in order to vote.
Section 6
All matters not specifically proved for in this constitution or its by-laws shall
be resolved according to Robert's Rules of Order (latest edition).
Section 1
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by a simple majority of the Academic
Senate or by a written petition signed by one-tenth of the electorate.
Section 2
All proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the electorate at least ten
(10) school days prior to voting. The Academic Senate shall conduct the election,
which shall be held within twenty (20) school days after the proposal has been presented
to the electorate.
Section 3
A simple majority vote of the electorate shall be required to amend this constitution.
Section 1
The Faculty Senate may develop and establish a set of by-laws.
Section 2
The adoption of by-laws shall require a simple majority vote of the total Academic
Senate.
Section 1
This Academic Senate constitution shall be adopted upon approval of a two-thirds vote
of the total Electorate.
Section 2
The constitution was ratified by the board in 1964. Any subsequent changes or amendments
will be presented to the Governing Board as an information item but will not require
board action; see Section 53206 (a) (b)*.
*See Appendix:
53206 (a) (b), Page 7
