Proposed Revision to Operating Procedures of New Mexico Tech Faculty Senate (August 2014)
Background
It is widely acknowledged that Tech would benefit from organized planning and rule-making in nearly all areas of Institute business.
The Faculty Senate has a formal committee structure to accomplish much of this planning.
Faculty and administrators have, recently, been addressing similar problems in parallel and duplicating effort.
Faculty work close to the heart of Tech's educational and research enterprises, while administrators have responsibility and need for (sometimes rapid) action on issues.
Proposal
Establish an integrated planning process which makes better use of Faculty Senate committees by charging them with making recommendations that synthesize the ideas of faculty, staff, and administration, supported by the best available data.
Integration comes by “hybridization”.
Hybridization == Attaching relevant staff/administrators to most Faculty Senate committees so that
The problem solved is the problem that needed solving
Administrators are aware of the faculty thought process
Faculty are aware of administrators thoughts and needs
Faculty on Senate committees will continue to be nominated by the nominating committee.
Staff/Administrators will be added by recommendation of administration while a formal process is developed.
A “leadership team” of senior administrators will be available weekly as needed. Committees will report results to and get assistance from the leadership team when agreed solutions encounter barriers.
Hybrid committees will report to the Faculty Senate and bring forth proposals for votes or pre-voting discussion.
Committee chairs have the discretion regarding at what level a proposal needs to come to the full Senate and what matters may be discharged purely in committee.
The committee chair is responsible to reach out to all stake-holders.
In case of a deadlock between faculty/administration/staff, the administration acts as it deems appropriate while the Faculty Senate retains its independent voice at all levels and can advocate unfiltered faculty views when it is necessary.