Governance

SUNY Canton is governed by shared governance with student, faculty, and administrative governing bodies. This document speaks to the faculty governing body, the Faculty Assembly.

FACULTY ASSEMBLY

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Faculty Assembly of the State University of New York College of Technology, Canton, New York.

Article II – Purpose

To study problems and policies of the College and the State University as a whole.
To provide a mechanism for faculty to fulfill its obligation to participate significantly in the initiation, development, and implementation of the educational program.
To provide a forum for communication and a mechanism for consultation between the President of the College and the faculty.
To take any action that is deemed necessary for the professional or social interests of the faculty.
To provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas of mutual interest and concern among members of the faculty.
To provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas of mutual interest and concern among members of the college community, the community at large, and the College Council.

Article III – Membership

Section 1: As prescribed in the policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees, the membership includes, the Chancellor of the University, the President of the College, and all academic and professional employees of the College as defined in Section 2.

Section 2: All academic employees will have one vote per member.

Article IV – Officers and Duties

Section 1: The officers of this organization shall be the Chair, Presiding Officer, Executive Secretary, Faculty Senator, and Faculty Senator Alternate.

The President of the College shall serve as Chair.
The Presiding Officer shall serve for a two-year term. The procedure for filling a vacancy is outlined in Section 3 of this article.
The Executive Secretary shall be elected for a one-year term.
The Faculty Senator and Faculty Senator Alternate shall be elected at the last faculty assembly of the spring semester for a June 1st appointment as specified by Article VII of the Policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees.
With the exception of filling a vacancy, a faculty member may, during a calendar year, hold one of the offices listed above.

Section 2: The duties of the officers shall be as follows:

Presiding Officer
1. To preside at all meetings of the Faculty Assembly and to convey proceedings and recommendations of the Assembly to the President.
2. To serve on the President’s Campus Leadership Group.
3. To preside at the Faculty Forum.
4. To prepare an agenda for each Faculty Assembly meeting.
5. To be Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee.
6. To represent the faculty at meetings of the College Council.
7. To attend other meetings where faculty representation is necessary.
8. To be an ex officio member of all committees (voting and nonvoting privileges will be defined by each governance committee).
9. The Presiding Officer will meet with the SGA president no later than September 30 of each year regarding student involvement in the Faculty Governance System.
Executive Secretary
1. To distribute notices and minutes of the Faculty Assembly to all members and to send minutes to the College Archives.
2. To be responsible for the minutes and records of the Faculty Assembly.
3. To carry on the correspondence for the organization.
4. To be Secretary of the Faculty Affairs Committee.
5. To attend the Faculty Forum.
Faculty Senator
1. As stated in Article I of the Bylaws of the Faculty Senate, the duties and responsibilities of senators shall include the following:
  1. To determine the opinion of their constituents before meetings of the Senate.
  2. To see that matters of concern to their constituents are brought to the Senate for consideration.
  3. To represent their constituents at meetings of the Senate.
  4. To report fully and regularly to their constituents on the activities of the Senate.
2. To serve on the President’s Campus Leadership group.
3. To be ex officio member of the Faculty Affairs Committee.
4. To attend the Faculty Forum.
5. To act as Presiding Officer of the Faculty Assembly as outlined in Section 3 of this Article.
6. To represent the faculty at meetings of the College Council.
Faculty Senator Alternate
To perform the duties of the Faculty Senator whenever the Faculty Senator is unable to perform these duties.

Section 3: Filling vacancies for the position of Presiding Officer and Executive Secretary.

When the Presiding Officer is absent from a Faculty Assembly meeting or Faculty Affairs Committee meeting, one of the following officers shall, in order, assume the duties of the Presiding Officer: Faculty Senator, Faculty Senator Alternate, and Executive Secretary.
In case of vacancy by death, prolonged illness, or resignation, the Faculty Senator shall act as interim Presiding Officer until the Faculty Affairs Committee appoints a Presiding Officer to complete the term.
In cases where the Executive Secretary is absent from a Faculty Assembly meeting, the Faculty Senator Alternate shall act as Executive Secretary.
When a vacancy in the Office of Executive Secretary occurs, the Faculty Affairs Committee shall appoint a successor to complete the term.

Article V – Meetings

Section 1: There shall be at least three Faculty Assembly meetings in each semester. An agenda must be distributed at least three working days in advance.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called by the President of the College or the Presiding Officer of the Faculty Assembly or by initiation of five faculty members who will make the request in writing to the Presiding Officer. An agenda shall be distributed at least three working days in advance, and business will be restricted to agenda items.

Section 3: A majority of membership, 51% of total membership, (see Article III: Membership) is needed at Faculty Assembly to constitute a quorum.

Section 4: A majority of membership vote (51%) is necessary to constitute an official action of the Faculty Assembly unless otherwise specified.

Article IV – Committees

Section 1: There shall be nine standing Faculty Governance committees. Ad hoc committees will be formed as the need arises. The committees are as follows:

Faculty Affairs Committee
Academic Standards Committee
Curriculum Committee
Nominations and Elections Committee
Retention Committee
Continuing Appointment Appeals Committee
Teaching and Learning Technology Committee
Library Committee
Online Course Review Committee

All committees will periodically review their structure, function, and composition and shall make recommendations for changes to the Faculty Affairs Committee and ultimately to the Faculty Assembly.

Two-thirds of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for all standing governance committees.

Section 2: Faculty Affairs Committee

Function
1. To act as the executive body of the Faculty Assembly for delegating responsibility and assigning tasks to the appropriate committee.
2. To consult regularly with the President of the College.
3. To determine the agenda for the Faculty Assembly.
4. To recommend the formation of new committees, both standing and ad hoc, and to recommend changes in structure, function, or composition of existing committees as the need arises.
5. To review existing policies and procedures and to propose new or suggest changes in present policies and procedures and to refer matters to the appropriate committees and to the local official faculty union.
6. To convene a Faculty Forum for discussing topics important to the college community, especially those topics which are the concern of Faculty Governance Committees.Meetings
  The faculty forum may be convened at least once each semester by the Presiding Officer who will also prepare the agenda after soliciting input from all members of the forum.Composition
  President of the College, all Vice Presidents, School Deans, all members of the Faculty Affairs Committee, and Chairs of the following Committees:
  - Academic Standards Committee
  - Curriculum Committee
  - Nominations and Elections Committee
  - Retention Committee
  - Continuing Appointment Appeals Committee
7. To present a list of meeting dates, times, and places for Faculty Assembly meetings for the coming academic year. This list shall be prepared in consultation with the President of the College and the local official faculty union and shall be presented at the last Faculty Assembly meeting.
8. To appoint, supervise elections, or nominate faculty representatives for:
  - Student Faculty Board
  - Canton College Foundation
  - College Association Corporate Membership
  - Faculty Athletic Representative
9. To review Bylaws of the Faculty Assembly at least once every three years.
Composition
Two faculty members elected from each academic School
Representative elected from Instructional Support
Representative elected from Student Affairs
Representative from Vice President for Administration
Faculty Senator or Faculty Senator Alternate
UUP Representative
Executive Secretary
Presiding Officer

Calendar Committee

Function
Develop the academic calendar for the college based on a three year cycle and make recommendations to faculty assembly.
Composition
Dean of Students
Director of Advising Center
Executive Director for University Relations
Executive Assistant to the President
Provost/VP for Academic Affairs
Registrar
Director of Financial Aid
Director of Student Accounts
Presiding Officer
Dean for Academic Support Services and Instructional Technologies
College Association representative
Student representative

Section 3: Academic Standards Committee

Function
1. To address campus issues which pertain to academic policies and to make recommendations when appropriate to the Faculty Assembly.
2. The members of the committee may be called upon by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs to participate in the appropriate step of the academic grievance procedure.
Composition
Two faculty members elected from each academic School
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dean of one of the academic Schools appointed by Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dean of Students
Representative elected from Academic Support
Director of Admissions or designee
Registrar or designee
Two students (voting) selected by the Student Government Association

Section 4: Curriculum Committee

Function
1. To review all proposals for changes in the curricular offerings of the College including new curriculums and major revisions or deletions of existing curriculums and to recommend appropriate action.
2. To review all proposals regarding new or revised or deleted credit courses and to recommend appropriate action.
3. To carry on a continuing review of the curricular offerings of the College and to recommend appropriate action.
Composition
Two faculty members elected from each academic School
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee
Deans from each of the academic schools
Representative elected from Instructional Support
Registrar or Assistant Registrar
Director of Library Services
Presiding Officer (nonvoting)
Two students (voting) selected by the Student Government Association

Section 5: Nominations and Elections Committee

Function
1. To solicit a list of candidates from each school for vacant governance committee positions, supervise school elections, and report findings to the Faculty Assembly.
2. To develop, coordinate, and encourage faculty and professional staff recognition awards.
3. To receive the awards information from the President’s or Provost’s Offices, and notify the campus community that this material is available at these offices and/or the Committee Chair’s Office.
4. To solicit, review, and rank nominations for the naming of the annual Honors Convocation.
5. To review the nomination materials to ensure they conform to stated standards in accordance with established time lines.
6. To review the nomination materials for each award and rank each candidate based on the evidence presented.
7. Make appropriate recommendations in writing to the President, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, or College Council (depending on the award).
8. To periodically review guidelines for awards and make recommendations for revisions to the entity which originated the award (i.e. College Council, SUNY, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, etc.).
9. The committee composition will be adjusted as needed dependent on the award area receiving nomination(s).
Composition
Two faculty members elected from each academic School
Representative elected from Student Affairs
Representative elected from Administrative Affairs
Representative elected from Instructional Support
Representative from Classified Staff

Section 6: Retention Committee

Function
1. To address campus issues which pertain to retention and to make recommendations when appropriate to Faculty Assembly.
2. To make recommendations to Faculty Assembly on admissions standards in regards to retention.
3. To follow up on any recommendations that were implemented to evaluate their effectiveness.
4. To recommend policy with respect college retention efforts and practices.
5. To review all proposals for changes in the Student Handbook as they pertain to academic integrity.
Composition
Two faculty members elected from each academic School
Director of Residence Life or designee
Retention Specialist
Dean of Students or designee
Dean of Academic Support Services or designee
Director of Admissions or designee
Representative elected from Academic Support Services
Presiding Officer (voting)
Two students (voting) selected by the Student Government Association

Section 7: Continuing Appointment Appeals Committee

Function
The committee shall function according to the appropriate articles of the most current Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual for Faculty and Professional Staff.
Composition
One faculty member elected from each academic School
Two faculty members elected at-large
Representative elected from Instructional SupportAll committee members must have continuing appointment and hold the rank of Professor, Associate Professor, Librarian, or Associate Librarian.If there is a case pending before the Committee, should the individual appealing come from the same department/discipline as a committee member, that member shall be replaced for that case by someone from the same constituency, selected by the Faculty Affairs Committee.

Section 8: Teaching and Learning Technology Committee

Function
1. The Teaching and Learning Technology Committee (TLTC) serves as the forum for discussion, advice, and action on the implementation of teaching and learning technologies; serves as a discussion venue for evaluating and making recommendations on classroom space throughout the College; and is a focal point for input on campus instructional technology plans. Committee members bring the requests and concerns of their constituents to the forum for consideration and response. The TLTC makes planning recommendations to the Faculty Affairs Committee, Faculty Assembly and campus leadership regarding teaching and learning technologies.
2. The TLTC is comprised of one core group and four subcommittee groups. The main group will be named the Core Group and will oversee committee activities. Four subcommittees are established to support the work of the Core Group. The names of the subcommittees are Instructional Technology Group, Professional Development Group, Classroom Group, and Accessibility Group. The chair of each subcommittee will be one of the selected core group faculty committee members.
Composition
Core Group
2 Faculty elected from each school
1 Faculty at large

Subcommittees
Instructional Technology Group
OLAC Accessibility Subcommittee member
Director of Library
Grants Coordinator
Academic Computing Representative
Core Group Member – Chair

Professional Development Group
Instructional Designer
Instructional Librarian
Core Group Member – Chair

Classroom Group
Director of Physical Plant
Registrar
Grants Coordinator
Academic Computing Representative
Director of Facilities
Core Group Member – Chair

Accessibility Group
Media/Accessibility Instructional Designer
Director of Accommodative Services
OLAC Accessibility Subcommittee member

Section 9: Library Committee

Function
1. To encourage and facilitate communication between the faculty and the Library.
2. To provide feedback in the development of library goals, plans, and priorities.
3. To advise the Library in delivery of services and allocation of space.
4. To consult with the Library staff on the development of resources for instruction, learning, and research.
5. To advocate for library and student needs to promote optimal learning.
6. To make recommendations to promote library use within the campus community.
7. To maintain an awareness of emerging library services.
Composition
One teaching faculty member elected from each academic School
Two faculty members elected at-large
One non-faculty member appointed by the President
One student (voting) appointed by the Student Government Association
Director of Library Services

Section 10: Online Course Review Committee

Function
1. To review and approve quality assurance of all newly developed and updated online and hybrid course offerings of the College.
2. To maintain and revise online course quality assurance evaluation rubrics as per recognized standards determined by the committee.
Composition
Two teaching faculty members elected from each academic school
Two faculty members elected at-large
Instructional Designer or designee

Article VII – Election Procedures

Section 1: The following members of the academic and professional staff are recognized as representative units:

School of Business and Liberal Arts
Canino School of Engineering Technology
School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice
Instructional Support

Section 2: Before election or appointment to any standing committee, a member shall be given an opportunity to indicate preference for committee work by filling out a questionnaire. A member may serve on only two standing Faculty Governance Committees concurrently.

Section 3: Unless otherwise specified, committee members shall serve a two-year term. The term of office for committee members and officers shall begin following the last meeting in December.

Section 4: Elections for Faculty Assembly Officers and at-large members of the committees shall be held at the end of the fall academic semester prior to the last meeting in December. All elections will be conducted through an electronic voting instrument and the results will be presented at the final Faculty Assembly meeting in December.

Section 5: If a representative unit fails to elect a member to a committee, the Faculty Affairs Committee will have the prerogative to appoint said committee member.

Section 6: Members of ad hoc committees shall be appointed by the Presiding Officer of the Faculty in consultation with the Faculty Affairs Committee.

Section 7: A roster of those professional staff members serving in campus governance positions will be assembled by the Faculty Affairs Committee and posted on the Faculty Assembly webpage.

Section 8: Replacements for vacancies caused by resignations, prolonged illness, or death shall be appointed by the Faculty Affairs Committee to serve until the next regular election. Faculty on leaves of absence will automatically terminate their committee membership, and the vacancy will be filled as outlined above.

Article VIII – Committee Procedures

Section 1: Prior to the last scheduled Faculty Assembly meeting, each Faculty Assembly Committee shall elect from its membership a chairperson to serve during the following year.

Section 2: Committees shall keep minutes of meetings and forward a copy to the Presiding Officer and the Webmaster for inclusion on the Faculty Assembly webpage.

Section 3: Proposals or recommendations which require debate in Faculty Assembly meeting shall be distributed to Faculty Assembly one week in advance of the Assembly meeting. The Presiding Officer and the Executive Secretary shall receive copies for filing. The Chair or designee shall appear at the Faculty Assembly meeting to answer questions about action items.

Section 4: Committee Chairs shall compile an activity report for distribution to members at least one calendar week in advance of the last scheduled Faculty Assembly meeting of each semester. A copy of the report shall also be sent to the College Archives. The Chair’s report shall contain:

Accomplishments
Unfinished Business
Recommendations

Section 5: Student committee members shall have voting privileges unless otherwise stated.

Article IX – Order of Business at Meetings

The order of business at meetings shall be:

Call to Order
Approval of Minutes
Report of the College President
Report of Officers
Committee Reports
Old Business
New Business
Adjournment

Article X – Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Faculty Assembly in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Faculty Assembly may adopt.

Article XI – Amendments

This constitution may be amended at any meeting by a 2/3 vote providing that written notice of the proposed amendment is distributed to all professional staff members at least one calendar week in advance.

Article XII – Campus Committees

Section 1: Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR)

The members of the Faculty Assembly, at the last Faculty Assembly meeting of the fall semester, shall elect a Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) for a term of three years. The FAR will serve as the liaison between academics and the athletic community, as well as serve as the College FAR for the NCAA.
The FAR must be teaching faculty and a faculty liaison for one of the current athletic teams.

Section 2: College Association

The members of the Faculty Assembly, at the last Faculty Assembly meeting of the spring semester, shall elect individuals to serve on the College Association Board as faculty representatives for a four year term.
Faculty member representatives to the College Association Board must be current employees of the college designated as faculty.

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