FACULTY SENATE
BYLAWS

Contents

I. Mission
II. Membership
III. Structure
IV. Procedures
V. Adoption, Review, and Amendments

 

I. Mission

1. Powers and Duties

1.1 In accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, the regulations of the Board of Regents, and the statutes of South Georgia Institute (SGI), the Faculty Senate shall serve in an advisory capacity to the President of the Institute. It is the official representative body of the Faculty, addressing matters important to the Faculty or those referred by the President.
1.2 The Senate may establish rules and regulations for its governance, formally adopted as its Bylaws.
1.3 Consistent with SGI's mission and shared governance principles, the Faculty Senate shall support excellence in teaching, service, and professional development through open exchange among faculty, students, and staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Recommending institutional policies, objectives, and procedures.

• Representing Faculty concerns and maintaining communication with administration.

• Advising the President on Faculty development and welfare.

• Reviewing academic and institutional policies.

• Supporting academic freedom and collegial governance.

 

II. Membership

1. Composition

1.1 The Faculty Senate shall consist of seven (7) staff members

​​At least one tenured faculty member per Area.

• One at-large Senator, elected by all Faculty, must have at least three years of full-time teaching experience and represent part-time and administrative faculty.

1.2 Additional at-large seats may be created in response to petitions from full-time Faculty.
1.3 SGI’s representative to the partner Faculty Council shall serve as a non-voting member, appointed by the SGI Faculty Senate President.

 

2. Eligibility

2.1 Full-time Faculty (excluding those supervising other Faculty) are eligible for election.

 

3. Terms of Office

3.1 Senate seats are numbered and staggered for continuity:

• Social Sciences: Seats 1 & 2

• Math and Science: Seats 3 & 4

• Humanities: Seats 5 & 6

• Odd-year elections: Seats 1, 3, 5 + at-large

• Even-year elections: Seats 2, 4, 6

• All terms are two years.

• Faculty Senate President maintains a current roster with term dates.
  3.2 Senators who cease full-time teaching must vacate their seats by the next meeting.

 

4. Elections

4.1 Area Senate seats:

• AVPAA initiates nominations by March 15.

• Nominations open for two weeks.

• Voting opens for two weeks and concludes by April 15.

• Only full-time Faculty in the relevant Area may vote.

• Faculty teaching in multiple Areas may vote in the Area with the most assigned credit hours.

 

4.2 At-large Senator:

• Senate President initiates nominations by March 15 of odd-numbered years.

• Eligibility is determined by the full Senate.

• Voting begins in early April, concludes by April 15.

• 50% full-time Faculty quorum required, with majority vote needed.

• Run-offs must conclude by May 1.

 

5. Duties of Senators

• Attend Senate and committee meetings or provide written proxies.

• Maintain regular communication with constituents.

• Review and act on Senate issues.

• Participate in annual officer elections at the final spring meeting.

 

6. Representation of Part-Time and Administrative Faculty

• Represented by the at-large Senator.

 

7. Vacancies

• Filled through special elections within the affected constituency.

 

III. Structure

1. Officers

1.1 Officers: President, Parliamentarian (Vice-President), and Secretary—elected annually before the August meeting.
1.2 President: Presides over meetings, coordinates Senate business, and submits annual evaluations to the Institute President. Must be a tenured faculty member.
1.3 Parliamentarian: Advises on procedures, acts as Vice-President.
1.4 Secretary: Maintains minutes, meeting notices, and posts approved minutes within two weeks.
1.5 Terms: One year.

 

2. Committees

2.1 Standing Committees

• Academic Policies and Curriculum Committee (APCC)

  • Ensures academic integrity, accreditation compliance, and curriculum relevance.

  • Chaired by the VP of Academic and Student Affairs.

  • Includes two faculty from each Area and the SGA President (non-voting).

  • Senate members may not serve on the APCC.

• Promotion and Tenure Policy Review Committee

  • Reviews SGI policies for tenure and promotion to align with current Board of Regents standards.

• Post-Tenure Review Board

  • Composed of tenured Faculty not under review.

  • Handles appeals related to post-tenure evaluations.

  • Decisions require two-thirds majority; subject to final review by the Institute President and Board of Regents policies.

 

2.2 Additional Committees

• Ad hoc and special committees may be formed by the Senate as needed.

• Committees report findings and recommendations at Senate meetings.

• Only the Senate may present recommendations to the administration.

 

IV. Procedures

1. Meetings

1.1 The Senate meets at least twice per semester.
1.2 The President of the Institute may chair meetings ex officio.
1.3 Notices and agendas are distributed at least five days in advance.
1.4 A quorum is two-thirds of the membership.
1.5 A majority vote of members present is required for action.
1.6 Records are maintained per the Georgia Open Records Act and posted publicly.
1.7 Special meetings may be called by:

• The Institute President

• The Senate

• 25% of full-time Faculty

• The Senate President
  1.8 Meetings follow the Georgia Open Meetings Act. Non-members may address the Senate with permission.

 

2. Agenda

2.1 Agenda items may be submitted by:

• Senators, Faculty, staff, part-time instructors, SGA President, VP for Academic Affairs, or the Institute President (must be in writing, seven days in advance).
  2.2 The Senate will review and respond to proposals from any institutional or external source.
  2.3 Agendas follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
  2.4 Senate reviews its Bylaws annually.

 

3. Motions and Voting

3.1 All elected Senators may vote.
3.2 Proxies must be submitted to the Chair before the vote.
3.3 A simple majority of those present suffices for most motions unless otherwise noted.

 

V. Adoption, Review, and Amendments

• These Bylaws become effective upon approval by a majority vote of the Faculty Senate and the President of the Institute.

• They shall be reviewed annually, with proposed amendments submitted in writing.

• Amendments require a two-thirds majority vote of the full Faculty Senate.