Constitution
and Bylaws
of
the
Academic
Senate
of
Los
Angeles Harbor College
Adopted: March 29, 2001
Table of Contents
Constitution Page
Section
1 Name
...
.4
Section 2
Abbreviations
...
.......4
Article III: Purpose . .. .4
Article IV:
Functions
....
..4
Section 1 Academic and Professional
Matters
.
..
..4
Section 2 Exchange of
Information
..
.5
Section 3 Faculty Voice
.
..
5
Section 4 Professional and Social Programs
.
.
...5
Section 5 Additional
Functions
.
...
..5
Article V:
Electorate
.
.5
Section 1 Electorate ... . 5
Section 2 Dues
.....5
Article VI: Parliamentary
Authority
..
..5
Article VII:
Amendment
....5
Section 1 Adoption
...
...5
Section 2 Proposal of Amendments to the
Constitution
..
5
Section 3 Proposal of Amendments to the
Bylaws
..
.6
Article VIII: Dissolution .6
Article IX:
Organization
6
Section 1 Officers
6
Section 2 Senators
...6
Section 3 Senators-at-large 7
Section 4 Ex officio members
.7
Article X: Duties and Responsibilities of
Officers..
..
..7
Section 1
President
..7
Section 2 Vice President .7
Section 3 Recording
Secretary
...8
Section 4 Corresponding Secretary ...8
Section 5 Treasurer
.8
Section 6 Historian
..8
Section 7 Parliamentarian ..8
Article XI: Terms of
Office
.9
Section 1 Officers
.9
Section 2 Senators
9
Section 3 Vacancies/resignations
9
Section 4 Removal from office 9
Article XII: Nominations and
Elections
.
...9
Section 1 Call for
Election
..
.
.
..9
Section 2 Nomination and Election
Committee
...
.
...9
Section 3 Nominations
...
...
10
Section 4 Ballot Approval
Process
...
..
..10
Section 5 Election
Process
..
.
..
...10
Section 6 Runoff Election
...
.
.
10
Section 7 Assuming
Office
..
...
.
..10
Section 8 Challenged
Election
..
.
..
.10
Article XIII:
Meetings
.
..
...10
Section 1 Voting
.
...10
Section 2 Regular
meetings
.
...
..10
Section 3 Special
meetings....
11
Section 4 Quorum
..11
Article XIV: Committees
.11
Section 1 Executive Committee
11
Section 2 Standing Committee Composition and
Procedures
...11
Section 3 Other
Committees
...
..11
Section 4 Academic Planning and Policy
Committee
.11
Section 5 Curriculum Committee
.12
Section 6 Educational Technology
Committee..
..12
Section 7 Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee
.
...
..12
Section 8 Partnership for Excellence
Committee
12
Section 9 Professional Concerns Committee
..
13
Section 10 Professional Development
Committee
...13
Section 11 Student Services and Concerns
Committee
.
.13
Section 12 Additional Standing
Committees
...
13
Section 1 Name. The name of the organization shall be the Academic Senate of Los Angeles Harbor College.
Section 2 Abbreviations. For the purpose of this document, the abbreviation
Academic Senate or Senate refers to the Academic Senate of Los Angeles
Harbor College.
The Academic Senate shall carry out its duties in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Article 2, Section 53201; LACCD Board of Trustees' rules; and any other State legislation that modifies the responsibilities of Academic Senates in the California community college system.
The purpose of the organization shall be to provide faculty with a formal and effective organization through which it can participate in the formation of policies concerning academic and professional matters as defined under California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Article 2, Section 53200.
Section 1 Academic and Professional Matters. The Academic Senate shall consult collegially with the College President, as the designee of LACCD Board of Trustees, to develop policies on academic and professional matters through either or both of the following methods as provided in California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Article 2, Section 53200:
a. The College President shall rely primarily on the advice and judgment of the Academic Senate; or
b. The College President and the representatives of the Academic Senate shall have the obligation to
reach mutual agreement by written resolution, regulation, or policy effectuating such
recommendations.
As provided by law, "academic and professional matters" means the following policy development and implementation matters:
1. Curriculum, including establishing prerequisites and placing courses within disciplines
2. Degree and certificate requirements
3. Grading policies
4. Educational program development
5. Standards or policies regarding student preparation and success
6. District and college governance structures, as related to faculty roles
7. Faculty roles and involvement in accreditation processes, including selfstudy and annual reports
8. Policies for faculty professional development activities
9. Processes for program review
10. Processes for instructional planning and budget development, and
11. Other academic and professional matters as mutually agreed upon between the governing board
and the Academic Senate.
Section 2 Exchange of Information. The Academic Senate shall provide opportunities for the exchange of information among faculty, students, administration, and staff pertinent to the operation and procedures of the college.
Section 3 Faculty Voice. The Academic Senate shall be the voice of faculty opinion in campus and community affairs and communicate that opinion appropriately.
Section 4 Professional and Social Programs. The Senate shall conduct academic, professional, and social programs for the faculty.
Section 5 Additional Functions. The Academic Senate shall assume responsibilities and other functions as may be delegated to it by state law, the LACCD Board of Trustees' rules, or this Constitution.
Section 1 Electorate. The electorate of the Academic Senate shall include all LAHC
tenured and probationary faculty.
Section 2 Dues. The Academic Senate shall authorize the collection of funds necessary for the conduct of its business.
All procedures and proceedings of the Academic Senate not otherwise provided for by Senate rules or in this Constitution and Bylaws shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, current edition, and the Brown Act (5495054962).
Section 1 Adoption. Adoption of this Constitution shall require a majority vote of the electorate and shall be effective immediately thereafter.
Section 2 Proposal of Amendments to the Constitution. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed at a legal meeting of the Academic Senate by petition signed by 20% of the electorate duly noticed on the
agenda of the Academic Senate or by a majority vote of the Academic Senate. The text of the proposed amendment must be posted or in general circulation at least one (1) week prior to voting. Voting is to be by secret ballot and the text of the proposed amendment must appear on the ballot. Ratification requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the ballots cast, and shall become effective immediately.
Section 3 Proposal of Amendments to the Bylaws. Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed as in Article VII, Section 2. Ratification requires a majority vote of the ballots cast by the electorate.
The Academic Senate shall decide on how assets of the Senate will be liquidated as required by the Internal Revenue Service for tax-exempt organizations.
Article IX
Organization
of the Academic Senate
Section 1 Officers
a. The officers of the Academic Senate shall be:
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
Historian
Parliamentarian
b. The President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer shall
be elected by the electorate as defined in Article V of the Constitution.
c. The President of the Academic Senate shall appoint an Historian and a Parliamentarian who shall
be non-voting officers of the Senate.
Section 2 Senators
a. There shall be one representative Senator for each ten (10) members of the electorate or
fraction thereof in each division. The Senate shall ensure that each member of the electorate is
assigned to a division for the purpose of Senatorial representation.
b. The Senators shall be members of the electorate elected by secret ballot by the electorate in
divisional meetings. No division shall have fewer than one (1) representative.
c. A division shall elect at least one alternate Senator to substitute and vote in place of an absent
Senator. All elected alternate Senators shall appear on the list of Senators and Alternates.
Section 3 Senators-at-Large
a. The immediate Past President of the Academic Senate shall serve as a Senate Member-at-Large
with voting rights.
b. District Senators who represent the college Academic Senate at the District Academic Senate shall
be selected by the Academic Senate and shall serve as Senators-at-Large with voting rights. The
number of District Senators shall be determined by the District Academic Senate Constitution.
Section 4 Ex Officio Members. An Associated Student Organization (ASO) representative may serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Academic Senate. Classified staff may also designate such a member.
Article X
Section 1 President. The President shall:
a. Serve as presiding officer at all meetings of the Academic Senate and prepare the agenda for
Senate meetings;
b. Represent the faculty in consultation with the College President on matters dealing with Title 5
and/or actions approved by the Academic Senate;
c. Represent the Academic Senate on the all-campus governance committee;
d. Represent the Academic Senate with all affiliate organizations;
e. Appoint faculty members to represent the Academic Senate at organization meetings, subject to
the approval of the Senate;
f. Appoint all standing and special committees not otherwise provided for and serve as an ex-officio
member of all these, subject to the approval or the Senate;
g. Appoint faculty representatives to College and District committees, subject to the approval of the
Senate;
h. Serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee; and
i. Sign checks drawn upon the treasury.
Section 2 Vice President. The Vice President shall:
a. Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence;
b. Represent the Academic Senate on committees, task forces, and special meetings and at all
meetings where so delegated by the President or the Senate; and
c. Facilitate special meetings and perform other functions at the request of the President or the
Senate;
Section 3 Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall:
a. Provide for the keeping of Senate records, including recording and distributing the minutes of
meetings;
b. Maintain an official roster of all Senators, elected officers, and those eligible to vote including
elected alternates;
c. Maintain a record of all committee memberships;
d. Provide each member of the Academic Senate with the latest revised copy of the Constitution and
its Amendments; and
e. Perform other duties as assigned by the Senate or President.
Section 4 Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall:
a. Handle the correspondence for the Academic Senate under the direction of the President;
b. Respond to requests for surveys and information; and
c. Perform other duties as assigned by the Senate or President.
Section 5 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
a. Give monthly reports of all Academic Senate accounts;
b. Have charge of all funds and pay all bills authorized under the budget and incurred upon the order
of the President;
c. Invite faculty to submit dues to the Senate; and
d. Submit an annual financial report of expenditures for the ending fiscal year and a budget of
proposed expenditures for the coming fiscal year with the approval of the Senate.
Section 6 Historian. The Historian shall prepare an annual narrative account of the Senate activities during his/her term of office, which, when approved by the Senate, shall become a permanent part of the Academic Senates official history.
Section 7 Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian shall:
a. Advise the President on parliamentary questions;
b. Review procedures to ensure that the Constitution, By-Laws, and established rules of order are
being followed;
c. Maintain a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws that shall be available at all Senate meetings;
and
d. Perform other functions assigned by the Senate or President.
Section 1 Officers. Each officer shall serve for a term of two
years.
Section 2 Senators. The term of office for Senators shall be two years with one-half of the members elected each year by secret ballot by the end of the spring semester.
Section 3 Vacancies and/or resignations
a. Vacancies of officers shall be filled by holding an election within four weeks. In the event that the
office of President is vacant, the Vice President shall become President and a new Vice President
shall be elected.
b. Vacancies of Senators-at-Large shall be filled by appointment by the Academic Senate President
subject to the approval of the Senate.
c. In the event of three unexcused absences of a Senator, the Senate shall have the right to dismiss a
Senator as a divisional representative.
d. In the event of a vacancy of a Senator, the division concerned shall elect a replacement to serve
the unexpired term.
Section 4 Removal from office
a. Recalls of officers may be initiated by majority vote of the Senate or by a petition signed by
twenty percent (20%) of the electorate.
b. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by the electorate shall be required for removal from
office.
Section 1 Call for Election. The President shall call for an election of
officers by secret ballot to be held six (6) weeks prior to the end of the
spring semester.
Section 2 Nomination and Election Committee. The membership of the Nomination and Election Committee shall be composed of four members appointed by the Academic Senate. Candidates running for Senate office or current officers are ineligible to serve on the Committee.
Section 3 Nominations. The Nomination and Election Committee shall survey the electorate for suggested nominations and prepare a ballot with at least one candidate for each office. Each candidate must be a member of the electorate of the Academic Senate as defined in Article V, Section 1 of this Constitution. A candidate may run for only one office. Candidates for President and Vice President must have served a minimum of one complete semester on any of the committees provided for in this Constitution.
Section 4 Ballot Approval Process. The ballot shall be presented to the Senate at a regularly scheduled meeting at least two weeks prior to the election. The Nomination and Election Committee chairperson shall ask for additional nominations from the floor at that Senate meeting. Only persons who give written or verbal consent to their nominations may be nominated from the floor. The ballot shall include the names of all properly processed candidates and provision shall be made for write-in candidates. The list of candidates will then be presented to the Senate for approval before distribution to the electorate
Section 5 Election Process. The Nomination and Election Committee or tellers shall distribute ballots to each member of the electorate at the polling place. The Committee shall appoint tellers who are not candidates. Tellers shall collect the ballots. The Nomination and Election Committee shall tally them at a time and place approved by the Senate. The results of the election shall be posted no later than one (1) week following the election and be reported to the Senate at the meeting following the election. The Committee shall hold the ballots for thirty (30) days.
Section 6 Runoff Election. In
case of a tie vote or no one candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast
for the office, a runoff election shall be called. Ballots shall be distributed and counted in the same manner as
described in Section 5.
Section 7 Assuming Office. All duly elected officers shall assume their respective offices on July 1.
Section 8 Challenged Election. In the event the vote count is challenged by any candidate, a recount of all ballots for the challenged office shall be made by the Nomination and Election Committee to which each candidate for the challenged office shall appoint one observer. The report of the committee shall be considered final when so certified by the Academic Senate.
Section 1 Voting Officers, other than the President, and Senators shall be entitled to one (1) vote. The President may vote to establish or break a two-thirds or a majority vote.
Section 2 Regular Meetings
a. The Academic Senate shall meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month of the academic
calendar. The agenda of each meeting shall be posted and/or distributed to members seventy-two
(72) hours prior to meetings.
b. Members of the electorate may attend meetings of the Academic Senate but may speak only with
the consent of the President or a majority of the Senate or during the public comment as provided
under the Brown Act.
c. The College President or any qualified person may be asked by the Senate President or a majority
of the Senate to attend any meeting as a consultant or advisor.
d. Faculty Forums may be called by the Senate as needed or desired.
Section 3 Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Senate President or by a petition of twenty percent (20)% of the members of the electorate.
Section 4 Quorum. A quorum shall consist of at least ten (10) members of the Senate.
Section 1 Executive Committee
a. The membership of the Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President,
Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, the Senate Standing Committee
Chairpersons, the faculty PAC representatives, the immediate Past President, and an
ASO student representative. The President shall serve as the chairperson of the Executive
Committee.
b. The Executive Committee shall determine agendas for Senate meetings and timelines for Senate
business, as needed, and act for the Senate if urgent action is needed.
Section 2 Standing Committee Composition and
Procedures
a. Except where otherwise indicated, voting membership in the standing committees shall consist of
one representative from each division, all elected by their colleagues in the same manner and for
the same term as Senators are chosen.
b. Each committee shall decide its own rules and procedures, subject to approval by the Senate and
select its own chairperson to serve until the next academic year. The chairperson shall vote only
to
break or establish a majority vote.
c. Each committee may establish subcommittees as it desires or on the recommendation of the
Senate to include interested faculty irrespective of division.
Section 3 Other Committees
a. Ad hoc committees or task forces may be created as the need arises to carry out the work of the
Academic Senate.
b. Committees of the College and District are not Senate committees but faculty who serve on these
committees are selected by the Senate except as may be provided by contract.
Section 4 Academic
Planning and Policy Committee. The
Academic Planning and Policy Committee shall deliberate on all matters of
academic policy and planning including facilities, long range instructional
innovation, and review the college master plan and submit all proposals
regarding academic planning and policy to the Academic Senate for final
disposition.
Section 5 Curriculum Committee
a. The voting membership of the Curriculum Committee shall be composed of one representative
from each division, one administrator, one representative each from the Learning Assistance
Center (LAC), PACE, and the campus articulation officer, the Information Technology (IT)
director, and a non-voting ASO representative.
b. The Curriculum Committee shall:
(1) Develop college policy with respect to all current course offerings and credits and
interdepartmental matters pertaining to curricula;
(2) Review and approve proposed new courses;
(3) Review and approve proposed new academic programs;
(4) Review and approve proposed program elimination or expansion;
(5) Oversee that divisions update and review course outlines every two years for articulation
purposes;
(6) Review changes in course credit, repeatability, graduation requirements and academic
standards;
(7) Periodically update and review the General Education plan for the Associate Degree,
Advisory and Discipline Committee recommendations, certificate and vocational
education programs, and transfer education program; and
(8) Review proposed course prerequisites.
c. Decisions of the Curriculum Committee are forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, except for
those referred back to the Committee for suggested revision by the Senate. After receiving
signatures of the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the College President, they are then
referred to the District for final approval.
Section 6 Educational Technology Committee
a. Membership in the Educational Technology Committee may also include participants from the
general college community especially those who possess special knowledge or interest in
technology.
b. The Educational Technology Committee shall make recommendations on planning, acquisition,
and application of educational technology.
Section 7 Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee
a. The voting membership of the Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee shall be composed of one
full-time, tenured track representative from each division, the Vice President of Academic Affairs,
the Vice President of Student Services, and one academic dean.
b. The Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee shall identify and prioritize proposals for faculty
positions each year. Requests for positions are made to the Vice President of Academic Affairs
and the Committee for consideration. The recommendations of the Committee are approved by the
Senate and sent directly to the College President for action.
Section 8 Partnership for Excellence Committee. The Partnership for Excellence (PFE)
Committee shall review and make recommendations to the Senate on the allocation
of all PFE funds to achieve college PFE goals.
Section 9 Professional Concerns Committee
a. Membership in the Professional Concerns Committee shall also include the Parliamentarian and
the Historian.
b. The Professional Concerns Committee shall:
(1) Recommend assignment of faculty to degrees of academic rank in accordance with the
academic rank policies of the District Academic Senate;
(2) Organize social activities designed to sponsor and develop collegiality among faculty and
their families including the annual Retirement Luncheon and other functions as deemed
appropriate by the Senate;
(3) Recommend to the Senate the amount of the annual dues to be collected on a voluntary
basis from all faculty early in the academic year and which fund activities and
expenditures on a self-sustaining basis in accordance with an annual budget prepared by
the Treasurer for approval by the Senate;
(4) Periodically review and update the Academic Senate Constitution and Bylaws and
codification;
(5) Recommend the Pimentel award nominees; and
(6) Review and make recommendations on issues pertaining to non-contract personnel
concerns and professional ethics
Section 10 Professional Development Committee (FLEX). The Professional Development Committee shall work in cooperation with the Staff Development Committee in implementing the college professional development program under the collective bargaining agreement. The Committee plans Professional Development Days, and intersession programs, evaluates and approves agreements, individual projects, and
contract completion forms, approves presenter proposals, and recommends speakers for special programs
with the approval of the Senate.
Section 11 Student Services and Concerns Committee. The Student Services and Concerns Committee shall work collegially with staff and administration to review and make recommendations governing student services, such as matriculation, Title IX, transfer, diversity, LAC, grants, program review, outreach, assessment and placement, academic assistance labs, and ASO issues and concerns not already assigned to other standing committees.
Section 12 Additional Standing Committees. The Senate shall provide for whatever additional standing committees it may deem necessary for effective participation in the college planning process and the exercise of all its lawful powers under California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Article 2.