THE CONSTITUTION

of the

INTERINSTITUTIONAL FACULTY SENATE

OF THE OREGON UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

ARTICLE I

Section 1. Purpose:

(a) It shall be the purpose of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate of the Oregon University System to serve as a voice of the faculties of the institutions of the Oregon University System in matters of systemwide concern; to consider statewide policies and to make recommendations thereon; and to endeavor to strengthen the participation of faculties in the governance of the various institutions, through representatives of their own choosing.

(b) The Interinstitutional Faculty Senate of the Oregon University System shall have no authority over those matters delegated to the faculties of the individual institutions,and nothing in this constitution shall be construed to impair the right of these faculties to communicate through appropriate channels with the Chancellor and the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.

ARTICLE II

Section 1. Membership:

(a) Membership of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate shall consist of 3 (three)representatives each from the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University, and Oregon Health Sciences University, and 2 (two) representatives each from Western Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology, and Eastern Oregon University.

(b) In order to enhance continuity, Ex-Presidents of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate shall be eligible to attend and participate in the meetings for one year after the end of their service with the exception that they shall not have a vote.

Section 2. Eligibility to Vote for Representatives:

All members of the voting faculty at each institution shall be eligible to vote for representatives to serve on the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate. The term voting faculty shall be defined by the faculty at each institution. The voting faculty of an institution may delegate selection of their Interinstitutional Faculty Senate representatives to their faculty governance body.

Section 3. Eligibility to Serve as a Representative:

Only those persons eligible to vote for representatives shall be eligible to serve as representatives. The faculty of an institution may establish additional requirements for eligibility to serve as representatives for that institution.

Section 4. Elections:

Representatives shall be elected at each institution in a manner to be determined by the faculty of the institution. Representatives shall take office on January 1. Alternates shall be selected at each institution in a manner to be determined by the faculty of the institution.

Section 5. Terms of Office:

Representatives shall normally serve a term of 3 (three) years. The Interinstitutional Faculty Senate, at its initial meeting, shall establish by appropriate procedures the length of terms of its members in such fashion that one-third of the members shall be elected each year.

Section 6. Recall of Representatives:

A representative of an institution may be recalled by the constituency which elected him/her, under procedures established by the faculty of the institution.

ARTICLE III

Section 1. Officers:

There shall be a president of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate and such other officers as shall be specified in the By-Laws.

Section 2. Duties of Officers:

The time and manner of election, the length of terms and the duties and responsibilities of officers shall be specified in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1. Meetings:

The Senate shall meet at least once per quarter during the academic year.

Section 2. Voting:

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the membership. Action shall require the approval of a majority of those present and voting. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

ARTICLE V

Section 1. Referendum:

Any recommendation adopted by the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate shall be referred to the faculties of the individual institutions of the Oregon University System when resolutions requesting such a referendum are adopted by the senates of at least one-third of the institutions, or when 40% (forty percent) of the membership of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate supports a motion for such a referendum. Approval of recommendations so referred shall require a majority of the total votes cast in a systemwide referendum and majority of the votes cast at each of a majority of the institutions.

ARTICLE VI

In order to provide adequate communication with the faculties of the several institutions, the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate shall circulate to the faculty governance body and to the chief executive officer of each institution and to the Chancellor of the Oregon State System of Higher Education, the agenda and minutes of each of its meetings.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1. By-Laws:

The Interinstitutional Faculty Senate shall adopt By-Laws consistent with the constitution, provide for committees, and establish its own rules of procedure.

Section 2. Rules of Order:

Unless otherwise provided in this constitution or in the By-Laws, the rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the proceedings at and the conduct of the meetings of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate and its committees.

ARTICLE VIII

Section 1. Proposal of Amendments:

Amendments to this constitution shall be proposed either by a resolution adopted by the faculty governance bodies of at least one-third of the several institutions represented, or by a majority of those present and voting at a meeting of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate.

Section 2. Adoption of Amendments:

Adoption of proposed amendments shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate members present and voting at the first regular meeting following proposal of the amendment. Adoption may be subject to the referendum procedures specified in Article V, Section 1 of this constitution.

ARTICLE IX

Section 1. Ratification:

This constitution shall take effect when it has been ratified by a majority of the total votes cast by the faculties of the institutions specified in Article 11, Section I of this constitution, and by a majority of the votes cast at each of a majority of those institutions.

ARTICLE X

Section 1. Additions to Membership:

Upon ratification of this constitution, faculty of another autonomous educational institution within the Oregon University System and upon acceptance by the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate, that faculty shall become eligible to elect representatives to the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate. The number of these representatives shall be determined by the Interinstitutional Faculty Senate.