Attend bi-monthly Academic Senate meetings and take notes to share with your constituents after the meetings. According to our bylaws:
Senators may use proxies if they are unable to attend an Academic Senate Meeting.
If a senator misses 2 consecutive meetings without a proxy, the department chair will be notified.
If a senator misses 4 consecutive meetings without a proxy, then he or she will not be considered a Senator. The affected department shall be notified that a new Senator is needed.
Review Senate agenda, minutes and other relevant materials before meetings.
Inform your constituent group of Senate items and share documents.
Review first reads of resolutions with your department and ascertain the collective voting position as the vote should represent what the collective decides. This should NOT be an individual vote without having prior discussion with the faculty you represent.
Share viewpoints and interests of your department/program at Senate meetings.
Bring issues to the Senate for review and discussion.
Serve as resource for faculty in the discipline you represent.
Support and participate in all Senate/College activities that are required for the maintenance and success of the Academic Senate, including Senate Elections and ad hoc committees to review and revise college and district policy and procedures.
Participate in shared planning and decision making by serving on Senate and Institutional committees, when requested.
Educate and familiarize the departments/programs on the Education Code and Title 5 mandates pertaining to the role of faculty in shared governance and academic and professional matters.
When called upon, attend regular and special Governing Board meetings.
Uphold and ensure the integrity of the academic programs, accreditation, and mission of the college and the District.
Connect with your Senate executive team when you have questions, comments, or concerns about items presented at Academic Senate (LINKS)
Inform your department of information presented at Senate and elicit feedback (LINKS)
The Academic Senate is a public governing body that is bound to the Brown Act, which governs the operation of open meetings. The Brown Act stipulates that agendas of all open meetings be posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Likewise, information comes from the State Chancellor's OfficeLinks to an external site. (CCCCO), the ASCCCLinks to an external site., and other sources on a regular basis. Therefore, local Academic Senate leadership frequently send out electronic communication to all faculty to keep them informed.
Each City College department or area has a representative on the Academic Senate whose job it is to receive and disseminate information to and from the department. Your senate representative should give a report to all their colleagues (part-time and full-time) after every Academic Senate meeting and if necessary, at every department meeting on what the Senate is working on. In addition, each school has a part-time representative who's job is to disseminate information to part-timers and make sure they have a voice at the senate. Your senator should ask from time time how faculty wish them to vote on matters of importance. Likewise, if you have concerns that you think should be voiced, your senator is that voice. All faculty are always welcome to attend a senate meeting, but only senators or proxy's may vote.
Please remember that you are not voting at Senate as an individual but as a representative of a group of faculty. Therefore, it's important to communicate with your department/area and consider feedback from all before determining a vote.