7.1 Since 1991-92, all non-elected committees established by faculty legislation are appointed by the Committee on Committees, a committee appointed by the University Senate. The Secretary of the Faculty shall coordinate the elections of faculty to elective committees. The secretary shall arrange for the filling of vacancies on elected committees and councils by notifying the next eligible candidate, determined in descending order of the number of votes received in the most recent election for the relevant committee or council. If no eligible candidate is available to fill the vacancy, the Senate Executive Committee, with advice and recommendations from the Committee on Committees, shall appoint an eligible faculty member to fill the vacancy until the next regular election cycle. Filling a vacancy shall not preclude the appointee from standing for election to the same committee or council during the next election cycle if eligible.

Explanation

Currently, there is no mechanism in the by-laws for filling vacancies on elected committees and councils. In practice, the secretary has followed the enabling legislation election process for vacancies on the senate. The proposed amendment parallels the process for filling vacancies on the University Senate with one notable exception: unlike in the senate where, if there is no other eligible candidate from the most recent election, the position remains vacant, the proposed amendment empowers the Senate Executive Committee to fill elected committee and council vacancies when there is no other eligible candidate from the most recent election.

During several recent elections, a number of positions on elected committees and councils have not had a full slate of candidates, or have had only the minimal number of candidates. Consequently, if a vacancy occurs - either because there were not enough candidates during the election, or through mid-term resignation - the position would remain vacant until the next election cycle when we would attempt to fill the vacancy by election. The proposed amended provides a mechanism by which vacancies can be filled prior to the next election cycle. It is desirable, of course, to have all committees at full strength for the important work they do, but it is particularly crucial for the two elected appeal committees (the Faculty Grievance Appeal Committee, and the Promotion, Tenure, Retention Appeal Committee). These two committees are externally mandated (by OARs) and have a fixed number of members.

Fiscal Impact Statement There is no fiscal impact as a result of the proposed amendment.
Passed by the UO Senate 14 November 2001.