Constitution & Bylaws

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 1

April 7, 2021

A CONSTITUTION FOR THE

ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY OF

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO

PREAMBLE

The faculty of California State University, Fresno adopts this Constitution of the Academic

Assembly in order to exercise its rights and fulfill its responsibilities in the shared governance of the

University. As the official voice of the faculty, the Academic Assembly provides the means for the

faculty to participate in the collegial form of governance that is based on historic academic traditions

as recognized by the people of the State of California through the Board of Trustees and the

Legislature.

The Academic Senate with its committee structure is the primary governance instrumentality of the

Academic Assembly. The structure is designed to achieve an optimal degree of communication,

consultation, and cooperation for carrying out collegial governance within the University.

ARTICLE I

Section 1. THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

The name of this organization shall be the Academic Assembly of California State University,

Fresno. For purposes of this document, the Academic Assembly shall include those bodies to which

it delegates its powers, as appropriate.

Section 2. FACULTY MEMBER DEFINED

A) For purposes of this Constitution, the Bylaws of the Academic Assembly, Academic Senate

and Executive Committee, define a “faculty member” as a voting member of the Academic

Assembly. (See Section 4)

B) Department Chairs, officers of the faculty and representatives of the Academic Senate will

not cease to be a member of the Academic Assembly because of reassigned time allotted to

them by virtue of their offices.

“THE LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZES THAT JOINT DECISION-MAKING AND CONSULTATION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY

OR ACADEMIC EMPLOYEES IS THE LONG-ACCEPTED MANNER OF GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND IS

ESSENTIAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS OF SUCH INSTITUTIONS, AND DECLARES THAT IT IS THE

PURPOSE OF THIS ACT TO BOTH PRESERVE AND ENCOURAGE THAT PROCESS. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS [LAW] SHALL BE

CONSTRUED TO RESTRICT, LIMIT, OR PROHIBIT THE FULL EXERCISE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FACULTY IN ANY SHARED

GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS OR PRACTICES, INCLUDING … THE ACADEMIC SENATES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND

COLLEGES, AND OTHER FACULTY COUNCILS, WITH RESPECT TO POLICIES ON ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL MATTERS

AFFECTING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGES…“ [The California Higher Education Employer-Employees Relations Act

(HEERA), Section 3561(b)]

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 2

April 7, 2021

Section 3. ADMINISTRATOR DEFINED

For purposes of this Constitution, the Bylaws of the Academic Senate and Executive Committee,

except for Department Chairs and Program Coordinators, persons holding more than six WTU’s for

administrative responsibilities are defined as “Administrator”.

Section 4. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

Membership of the Academic Assembly shall be (1) all full-time faculty members of instructional

departments who hold the rank of Instructor, Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor,

Professor or their equivalents; (2) all tenured faculty members of instructional departments who are

serving on a part-time basis; (3) Librarians; (4) Student Services Professionals, Academically

Related; and (5) Administrators on a non-voting basis.

Section 5. OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

The President of the Academic Assembly shall be the President of the University. The Chair of the

Academic Assembly shall be the Chair of the Academic Senate. The Vice Chair of the Academic

Assembly shall be the Vice Chair of the Academic Senate.

Section 6. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

Subject to the laws of the State of California and the regulations of the Trustees of the California

State University, the Academic Assembly or bodies to which it delegates its powers, shall be the

body composed of faculty members acting for the Faculty of the University with power to formulate,

review, revise, and adopt for recommendation to the President all University policies, including

matters directly affecting the instructional budget, which relate to the educational mission. The

faculty has the primary responsibility for such fundamental areas as curriculum, subject matter and

methods of instruction, research and creative/scholarly activity, faculty status, and those aspects of

student life which relate to the educational process. The Academic Assembly shall have, in

consultation with the President, the power to appoint those committees necessary for the fulfillment

of these duties.

Section 7. COLLEGIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY AND OF THE

PRESIDENT

A) Under the rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees, the President has final

responsibility and authority for the University.

B) The joint-decision making and consultation between Administration and faculty is based on

collegiality, mutual respect and trust. “Collegiality consists of a shared decision-making

process and set of values which regard the members of the various university constituencies

as essential for the success of the academic enterprise....collegiality rests on a network of

interlinked procedures jointly devised, whose aim is to assure the opportunity for timely

advice pertinent to decisions about curricular and academic personnel matters.”

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AD HOC COMMITTEE ON GOVERNANCE, COLLEGIALITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY (Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the California State University, September 1985.)

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 3

April 7, 2021

C) Regarding curricular and academic personnel matters, “faculty recommendations are

normally approved, except in rare instances and for compelling reasons. The collegial

process also recognizes the value of par participation by the faculty in budgetary matters,

particularly those directly affecting the areas for which the faculty has primary

responsibility.”

In the event the President does not approve a recommendation of the

Academic Assembly, the President shall state reasons in an expeditious manner to the

relevant body in writing.

D) The Academic Assembly has primary responsibility for the educational functions of the

institution in accordance with policy as determined by the Board of Trustees. As such, the

Academic Assembly shall participate in those matters for which the faculty has primary

responsibility: Academic personnel, budget and curriculum.

E) Policies recommended by Academic Assembly through a majority vote of the Academic

Senate and approved by the President shall be considered binding on all university

personnel.

1.) Exemptions to these policies may only be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Executive

Committee of the Academic Senate, subject to the approval of the President. At the next

meeting of the Academic Senate each exception must be reported during

communications and announcements and placed on the consent calendar.

2.) Exemptions to these policies made during the summer may only be approved by a two-

thirds vote of the Expanded Executive Committee of the Academic Senate (see Bylaws

Article XII, Section 1A9), subject to the approval of the President. At the first meeting of

the Academic Senate in the Fall Semester each exemption must be reported during

communications and announcements and placed on the consent calendar.

3.) Exemptions to University Policy During Emergency Situations

a. An emergency situation may be formally declared by Federal Authorities, the

Governor of the State of California, the Chancellor or Board of Trustees of The

California State University, the President of the University, or the Executive

Committee of the Academic Senate.

b. The President of the University may request, or the Executive Committee of the

Academic Senate may seek, flexibility in the interpretation of parts of current

university policy due to the extant emergency.

c. Exemptions made may either be to a specific part of a policy or be an alternative

interpretation of a specific part of a policy. The reasons for the exemptions will

be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate.

d. A two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee is required to approve all

Exemptions to existing policy.

e. If Exemptions to current university policy are sought during the summer, when

the Academic Senate is not in session, a two-thirds vote of the Expanded

Executive Committee is required to approve all exemptions to existing policy.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AD HOC COMMITTEE ON GOVERNANCE, COLLEGIALITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY (Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the California State University, September 1985.)

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 4

April 7, 2021

f. All exemptions to university policy shall be reported to the Academic Senate at

the next possible meeting (for exemptions during the summer, first Fall meeting),

or no later than two weeks after that exemption has been made during the

academic year. A special meeting of the Academic Senate may be called if

required.

g. Exemptions to university policy or a declaration of an emergency situation

originating with the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate will be

reported to the Academic Senate during communications and announcements

and placed on the consent calendar.

h. Exemptions to university policy will be terminated when the declared emergency

ends, at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate, or by

a majority vote of the Academic Senate.

Section 8. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

The Chair and Vice Chair shall be elected by and from the voting, elected members of the

Academic Senate for a two-year term. Neither the Chair nor the Vice Chair shall serve concurrently

as an elected delegate to the Statewide Academic Senate, CSU.

Nominations shall be made by nominating petitions containing the signatures of two percent of the

Assembly, including signatures from at least three colleges or schools. Each nominating petition

shall be accompanied by a declaration from the nominee agreeing to meet the eligibility

requirements of the office, fill the office if elected, and meet the obligations of regular

representation. The nominee shall forward a short statement of qualifications to accompany the

ballot. Nominations shall be closed five instructional days after the issuance of the call. If there are

not at least two nominations for each office or position, provisions for write-ins shall be made.

If the position of Chair is vacated, or the office holder is removed before the end of the two-year

term, the Vice Chair will become Interim Chair for a period not to exceed 30 instructional days.

Immediately upon receiving notice of the vacating of the office of Chair, the election process for a

new Chair will commence, conforming to the regular requirements for electing a Chair laid out in

this section. The term of the new Chair will end at the same time as the term of the prior Chair.

If the position of Vice Chair is vacated, or the office holder is removed before the end of the two-

year term, the Chair will appoint the University-wide senator serving on the Senate Executive

Committee as interim Vice Chair for a period not to exceed 30 instructional days. Immediately upon

receiving notice of the vacating of the office of Vice Chair, the election process for a new Vice Chair

will commence, conforming to the regular requirements for electing a Vice Chair laid out in this

section. The term of the new Vice Chair will end at the same time as the term of the prior Vice

Chair.

Section 9. REMOVAL OF THE CHAIR AND/OR VICE CHAIR OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

A) To initiate the removal of the Chair or Vice Chair, a petition containing the signatures of thirty

percent of the Assembly (including signatures from at least three colleges or schools) must be

received and verified by the members of the Nominations and Elections Committee. The

petition will be accompanied by a statement identifying the reasons for the removal of the

Chair or Vice Chair. Separate petitions and statements are required to initiate the process for

removing both the Chair and the Vice Chair. A vote to remove the Chair or Vice Chair may

also be initiated by a vote of two-thirds of the voting members of the Academic Senate.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 5

April 7, 2021

Once a petition is certified by the Nominations and Election Committee or a vote to initiate the

removal occurs, the vote for removal will become the first agenda item of the next scheduled

Academic Senate meeting. In all cases the vote to remove the Chair and/or Vice Chair will be

called and conducted by the Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee and the vote

will be done by secret ballot. Before the vote takes place, the officer to be removed is

permitted to make a statement. Other members of the Academic Senate may also speak to

the motion to remove.

An affirmative vote of two-thirds majority of voting members of the Academic Senate is

required to remove either the Chair and/or Vice Chair from office.

B) Upon an affirmative vote, the offices of Chair and/or Vice Chair are considered to be

immediately vacant, though the senators occupying those offices are still members of the

Academic Senate. Upon an affirmative vote to remove the Chair, the Vice Chair will

immediately become Interim Chair of the Academic Senate for a period not to exceed 30

instructional days. Upon an affirmative vote to remove the Vice Chair, the Chair will

immediately appoint the university-wide senator currently serving on the Senate Executive

Committee as Interim Vice Chair for a period not to exceed 30 instructional days.

Upon an affirmative vote to remove both the Chair and Vice Chair, the university-wide senator

currently serving on the Senate Executive Committee will immediately become Interim Chair,

and the Senate Executive Committee will elect another member of that same Committee to be

Interim Vice Chair, for a period not to exceed 30 instructional days.

C) The removal of the Chair, Vice Chair, or both officers triggers an immediate election for these

offices as specified in Section 8 of Article I.

D) Should the Chair or Vice Chair be in any way incapacitated for a period exceeding sixty (60)

days, the office is automatically vacated and the position filled in accordance with the

procedure in Section 8 of this Constitution.

Section 10. BYLAWS

The Academic Senate shall provide bylaws for the Academic Assembly, subject to the approval of

the Academic Assembly.

ARTICLE II

Section 1. THE ACADEMIC SENATE

The Academic Assembly shall elect an Academic Senate to which it shall delegate the power of the

Academic Assembly, and the concomitant responsibilities for carrying out its duties. Any action of

the Academic Senate may be reviewed at a general meeting of the Academic Assembly.

Section 2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE

A) Ex-Officio Members

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 6

April 7, 2021

1. Voting Ex-Officio Members

a) The Delegates to the Statewide Academic Senate, California State

University

b) Two student representatives chosen by the Associated Students

Incorporated for one-year terms.

c) The elected chair and vice-chair of the Council of Chairs (or

equivalent organization recognized by the Senate Executive

Committee), though should the individuals holding these offices

already be elected senators, each would still only have a single vote

d) The elected chair of the Staff Assembly of California State University,

Fresno (or equivalent organization recognized by the Executive

Committee)

2. Non-Voting Ex-Officio Members

a) President of the University

b) Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

c) Chairs of the Senate Standing Committees not already Academic

Senators

d) Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment

Management.

e) Substitute Senators elected by the departments of the Chair and Vice

Chair of the Academic Senate, serving for the duration of the term of

the Chair and Vice Chair of the Academic Senate.

B) Elected Members

1. Three (3) University-wide Senators elected by the Academic Assembly for

overlapping three-year terms.

2. Determination of subdivisions for purposes of representation.

a) Each department or service area recognized by the President shall be

entitled to representation in the Academic Senate.

b) For the purpose of deciding representation, a member of the Academic

Assembly shall be a member of only one department, program or service

area.

3. Representation in the Academic Senate shall be determined as follows:

a) A department, program or service area composed of 25 or fewer members of

the Academic Assembly shall be entitled to one Senator.

b) A department, program or service area composed of 26 or more members of

the Academic Assembly shall be entitled to two Senators.

c) Representation shall be based on the total number of permanent and full-time

temporary members of the Academic Assembly in a department, program or

service area.

d) A Senator shall represent only one constituency as described above.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 7

April 7, 2021

Section 3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE ACADEMIC

SENATE

A) Responsibilities of the Chair

1. The Chair shall be the liaison between the University President and Provost and

the Academic Senate.

2. The Chair of the Academic Senate is responsible for initiating and coordinating

the work of the Academic Senate.

3. The Chair shall preside at the meetings of the Academic Senate.

4. The Chair shall also be the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Academic

Senate.

B.) Responsibilities of the Vice Chair

1. The Vice Chair will preside at all meetings of the Academic Assembly, Academic

Senate, and Senate Executive Committee when the Chair is unable to or when the

Chair is excused due to a conflict of interest.

2. The Vice Chair is responsible for recording the minutes of the Academic

Assembly, Academic Senate, and Senate Executive Committee (when considered

necessary). If the Vice Chair is presiding at the meeting, responsibility for recording

the minutes falls to the Chair or, if the Chair is unable to do so, the University-wide

senator serving on the Senate Executive Committee.

3. The Vice Chair is responsible for drafting the agenda of the Academic Assembly

(when considered necessary), Academic Senate, and Senate Executive Committee

for approval by the Chair.

4. The Vice Chair is responsible for informing faculty member candidates that they

have been elected to the Academic Senate or its Standing Committees /

Subcommittees.

5. When the need for appointments to search committees and other ad hoc task

forces arise, the Vice Chair is responsible for informing faculty members of these

service opportunities and providing them information and nominating petitions.

6. Should the Chair be incapacitated, or otherwise unable to fulfill the

responsibilities of the office, for an indeterminate period of time, the Vice Chair will fill

the role as Interim Chair. The University-wide senator serving on the Senate

Executive Committee will then fill the role of Interim Vice Chair.

7. The Vice Chair will also have whatever other responsibilities are agreed on in

consultation with the Chair.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 8

April 7, 2021

Section 4. DUTIES OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE

The Academic Senate shall perform the duties of the Academic Assembly specified

in Article I, Section 6.

Section 5. POLICY CONSULTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A) “The variety and complexity of the tasks performed by institutions of higher education

produce an inescapable interdependence among governing board, administration,

faculty, students and others. The relationship calls for adequate communication

among these components and full opportunity for appropriate joint planning and

effort.”

The deliberative process of consultation is therefore required. Meaningful

consultation from initial formulation through final determination of policy and

procedures, consists of thoughtful deliberation and presentation of facts and opinions

leading to consensus or agreement.

B) To achieve optimum communications, consultation and cooperation within the

University, responsibilities of Academic Senate Standing Committees shall include:

1. Formulation of policy recommendations in consultation with the Administration;

2. Development of procedures that accompany policy recommendations in

consultation with the Administration;

3. Consultation with the Administration on the implementation of policy;

4. Consultation with the Administration on other appropriate matters;

5. Consultation with other Academic Senate Standing Committees as appropriate;

and

6. Consultation with the Council of Deans as appropriate.

C) Policy recommendations or reports, except as defined in Section 8.C, emanating

from Academic Senate Standing Committees, Subcommittees, task forces or ad hoc

committees shall be forwarded to the Academic Senate for appropriate review and

approval before submission to the President for final action.

Section 6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE

A) Membership

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of ten (10) or eleven (11, if

immediate past Chair of the Academic Assembly/Senate is serving)

members including:

a) Chair and Vice Chair of the Academic Assembly/Senate elected for

two-year terms by the Academic Senate;

STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, 1966

AAUP POLICY DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS, 1973 EDITION.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 9

April 7, 2021

b) Three elected members of the Academic Senate shall be elected

by and from the Academic Senate for staggered three-year terms.

c) One University-wide Senator elected by and from the Academic

Senate for a three-year term.

d) One Delegate to the Statewide Academic Senate elected by the

Academic Senate for a three-year term.

e) The President and the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

as non-voting ex-officios.

f) The immediate past Chair of the Academic Assembly/Senate (if

applicable) may serve, at their discretion, as a non-voting ex-officio

for a one-year term; and

g) One voting ex-officio student member who also serves on the

Academic Senate elected by Associated Students for a one-year

term.

2. Members of the Executive Committee may be recalled by a two-thirds

vote of the Academic Senate.

3. A replacement for a Senator shall not serve on the Executive Committee,

unless elected thereto by the Academic Senate.

B) The Executive Committee shall have such powers and duties as delegated to it

by the Academic Senate.

Section 7. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES

A) Any Academic Senate Committee/Subcommittee, including task forces or ad hoc

committees, under the auspices of the Academic Senate shall be chaired by a faculty

member.

B) The Academic Senate shall have the authority to establish, discharge or abolish

Senate Standing Committees which are charged with the duties specified in Article I,

Section 6, and shall make required appointments and shall determine the functions

and structure of each such committee.

1. Each Academic Senate Standing Committee shall establish, upon the approval of

the Academic Senate, such continuing subcommittees as required to perform its

functions.

2. Standing Committees may also establish ad hoc committees or task forces as

needed.

C) The Academic Senate may create task forces or ad hoc committees at its discretion

to carry out special assignments. The Chair of the Academic Senate shall appoint

the members of such committees with approval of the Executive Committee.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 10

April 7, 2021

D) Faculty nominations for administrative committees, task forces, ad hoc committees,

or other groups shall fall under the purview of Executive Committee approval.

E) Members of Senate bodies who do not attend regularly will be notified by the

Academic Senate or committee chair. After such notification, should the member

miss two more meetings, a resignation may be issued by the Executive Committee.

Section 8. REPORTING OF COMMITTEES

A) Each Senate Standing Committee shall consult with other Senate Standing

Committees as appropriate.

B) Each Senate Standing Committee shall make recommendations or reports to the

Academic Senate through the Executive Committee. The President, Provost/VPAA

or other appropriate administrative officers shall be kept informed of all pending

Academic Senate recommendations and reports.

C) Academic Senate Standing Committees (and various subcommittees as charged)

shall advise appropriate administrative officers on operation, decision, and actions

consistent with the governance policies of the University.

D) During the last thirty instructional days of the academic year, all chairs of Senate

Standing Committees will provide to the Academic Senate a report summarizing all

of the work and decisions of their committees, and all subcommittees under their

committee for that academic year.

Section 9. MEMBERSHIP

A) No person shall serve on more than one Senate Standing Committee or Board. Ex-

officio administrative representatives are exempt from this provision. No member of

a Standing Committee shall serve on one of its own subcommittees.

B) Administrators shall serve on Senate Standing Committees/Subcommittees or other

bodies in a voting ex-officio capacity. Administrative representatives on Senate

Standing Committees and Subcommittees should be able to speak for the

Administration on matters before the committee/subcommittee. The administrative

representation on a committee may be exercised by a single person or by different

persons as the matters before the committee change.

C) All Academic Assembly members selected to serve on any committee, or other body

not created by the Academic Senate and who speak for or represent the faculty of

the University on any matter (other than a collective bargaining issue) shall be

appointed and/or recommended to such committee, or other body by the Academic

Senate.

D) Members of the Academic Assembly appointed and/or recommended by the

Academic Senate to any committee, board or other body not created by the

Academic Senate shall make a written report periodically to the Senate on the

activities of such committees, or other bodies.

E) Student members of committees are voting ex-officio when they are included in a

committee’s or subcommittee’s membership.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 11

April 7, 2021

Section 10. ELECTIONS, ELIGIBILITY, AND TERMS OF OFFICE FOR

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM SENATORS

A) Any voting member of the Academic Assembly as defined in Article 1, Section 4 of

this Constitution is eligible for election to the Academic Senate. The electorate shall

be faculty members of the appropriate constituency. All Academic Senate elections

shall be concluded by April 15 of each year. The terms of office of all elected

members of the Academic Senate shall be three years beginning with the last

Monday in April. All elections shall be by secret ballot.

B) Recurring absence of members

i.) If a Senator representing a department / program has more than two unexcused

absences in a semester, the Chair will notify the Senator’s department /

program chair.

ii.) In the case of university-wide or state-wide senators, if a Senator has two

unexcused absences in a semester, the Chair will contact the Senator to

express concern and will notify the Academic Senate after a third unexcused

absence

C) A Senator may be recalled by two-thirds of the appropriate constituency. Any

Senator who is recalled or who resigns shall be replaced by the established election

process, and the Senator so elected shall serve out the unexpired term.

D) A Senator shall be a voting member of the constituency represented. If a Senator's

status within the Academic Assembly changes, the Senator shall be disqualified from

representing that constituency. Any Senator, including university-wide and state-

wide senators, approved for a sabbatical, difference- in -pay leave, or any other

University-approved semester leave must resign from the office and all university

committees, sub-committees, and task forces at the end of the semester immediately

preceding the beginning of the leave.

ARTICLE III

Section 1. MEETING OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

A) The Chair of the Academic Assembly shall call one meeting of the Academic

Assembly each academic year. The Chair may also call such other meetings as

deemed necessary.

B) Meetings of the Academic Assembly may be requested by a petition of not less than

10 percent of its membership. Upon receipt of such petition, the Chair shall call a

meeting to take place in not more than ten instructional days.

C) The Academic Assembly may, if a quorum is present, make recommendations

directly to the President.

Section 2. QUORUM OF THE ACADEMIC ASSEMBLY

A quorum of the Academic Assembly shall be 25% of its voting membership.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 12

April 7, 2021

Section 3. MEETINGS OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE

A) The Chair of the Academic Senate shall call at least one meeting of the Academic

Senate each semester.

B) Meetings of the Academic Senate may be requested by a petition of not less than 15

percent of its membership. Upon receipt of such a petition, the Chair shall call a

meeting as soon as practical.

C) Meetings of the Academic Senate may be requested in writing by any three

members of the Executive Committee, and the Chair shall call a meeting upon

receipt of such a request as soon as practical.

Section 4. QUORUM OF THE ACADEMIC SENATE

A quorum of the Academic Senate shall be a simple majority of its voting membership.

Section 5. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Chair of the Academic Senate shall normally call meetings of the Executive Committee of the

Academic Senate not less than once every month during the academic year.

Section 6. QUORUM OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be a simple majority of its voting membership.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1. COLLEGE / SCHOOL GOVERNANCE AND CONSULTATION

Each college / school shall have Articles of Governance which provide for faculty consultation and

participation in the development of school policy and procedures. Provisions of college / school

constitutions shall be consistent with the principles and practices of shared governance and

consultation embodied in the Constitution of the CSU, Fresno, Academic Assembly and shall

include matters for which the faculty has primary responsibility: Curriculum, budget and academic

personnel.

APM 127

APM 127 - Page 13

April 7, 2021

ARTICLE V

Section 1. PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution can be initiated (1) by a simple majority vote of the Academic

Senate; or (2) by a petition signed by at least 20 percent of the members of the Academic

Assembly.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS

Amendments proposed pursuant to Article V, Section 1, shall require approval by two-thirds of the

members of the Academic Assembly voting and the approval of the President of the University.

This Constitution was adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Academic Assembly in 1965.

Recommended by the Academic Senate Approved by the President

January 1995

February 1996

September 2002

March 20, 2018 March 23, 2018

March 8, 2021 April 7, 2021