University System of Maryland Policy on the Role of Faculty in the Development of Academic Policy.

1. At all institutions, faculty will have a primary role in the development of academic policies through representative bodies advisory to the chief executive officer or designees of the institution. The faculty handbook shall include a statement emphasizing that faculty role. Charters, constitutions, or similar documents establishing advisory bodies shall be approved by the chief executive officer.
2. The Council of University System Faculty, comprising institutional representatives, is advisory to the Chancellor on academic matters having a System-wide impact, and may from time to time make reports and recommendations to the Board.

The mission of the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) Faculty Senate is to:

1. Advocate for the interests of faculty;
2. Lead in the development of academic policies and educational reforms;
3. Collaborate with administration, staff, students and community members in shared governance;
4. Advance the vision, mission, goals, and core values of the University; and
5. Contribute to the health and welfare of all academic citizens of UMB.

1. The Faculty Senate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore is established as the elected representative organization for faculty at the University campus level to provide an effective and independent voice in determining University of Maryland System goals, recommendations, and policies and to enter into a partnership of governance and shared responsibility and cooperative action among the faculty, administration, Regents, students, and other members of the campus and University System communities. A guiding principle of sound governance among people of reason and good will is a mutual respect and regard for one another and between those who govern and those governed. Such regard is manifested, among other ways, in the sharing of information and in consultation among appropriate representatives and officers of the community on all matters of mutual concern.

   Implementing the advisory role of the Faculty Senate which is required by the Board of Regents, the President of the University campus, and his administration will give the fullest consideration of appointing faculty representatives to campus-level ad hoc and standing committees including, but not limited to, those charged with the consideration of policies relevant to academic matters and to faculty affairs. The President of the Faculty Senate will be contacted for nominations to such committees. The Faculty Senate shall fully explore and define common goals while recognizing the unique responsibilities of each of the schools on this campus. This will permit each school to maintain those prerogatives that enhance its specific mission, responsibility, and area of expertise, and will provide for this unique combination of professional schools to fulfill their common responsibilities to enhance knowledge, to provide teaching and training, and to give service to this city, to this state, and to the entire country.

2. In addition to performing such functions as may be entrusted to it by the Board of Regents, the Faculty Senate shall, through recommendation to the President and other representatives and officers of the University, University System, and the State:
   
   
   1. Consider issues relating to University and University System affairs as the Faculty Senate deems appropriate;
   2. Participate in formulating academic or educational policies which affect more than one school;
   3. Consider such policies, programs and other matters as the administration, school faculties, student organizations and individual members of the faculties may propose;
   4. Help create, maintain, and protect a campus and University System environment conducive to growth of scholarship, creativity, learning, teaching, research, service, and respect for human dignity and rights; and
   5. Work with other elements of the University community in an effort to improve the stature and effectiveness of this University and the University System;
   6. Nominate or appoint one or more representatives of the Faculty Senate to campus-level committees, including committees;
   7. Appoint faculty representatives to the Council of Faculties and Committees of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the University System of Maryland (USM); and
   8. Encourage faculty awareness of campus level planning and policy issues through improvements in faculty, administration relations, and communications.

1. Representation — There shall be two (2) Senators from the Graduate School and at least four (4) Senators from each of the other six (6) schools. A school having from 100 to 199 full-time faculty members shall be represented by five (5) Senators; one having from 200 to 299 full-time faculty members shall be represented by six (6) Senators; one having 300-399 full-time faculty members shall be represented by seven (7) Senators; one having 400 to 499 full-time faculty members shall be represented by eight (8) Senators; one having 500 to 599 full-time faculty members shall be represented by nine (9) Senators; one having 600 to 699 full-time Senators shall be represented by ten (10) Senators; one having 700 to 799 full-time faculty members shall be represented by eleven (11) Senators; one having 800-899 full-time faculty members shall be represented by twelve (12) Senators; and one having 900 to 999 full-time faculty members shall be represented by thirteen (13) Senators. In addition to the Senators representing the seven schools, there will be one (1) Senator representing the faculty librarians, and one (1) Senator from the adjunct and one (1) Senator from the part-time faculty from across the campus.
2. Administrative officials other than Chairpersons, including the President, Vice Presidents, Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans, may not be Senators. All other full-time faculty members may be Senators. However, no more than two (2) Chairpersons from any school may represent that school as a Senator.

1. The Faculty Senate shall have such officers, committees, rules, and procedures as may be provided in its Bylaws and in rules and resolutions consistent with its Bylaws. The Bylaws of the Senate may be amended only by two-thirds vote of the Senate taken at a meeting held at least thirty (30) days after notice of each proposed amendment was given to each Senator. The Bylaws attached to this plan shall be the Bylaws of the Faculty Senate until amended.
2. The University, through the Office of the President or through such other office as the President may designate, will provide resources, consistent with UMB resources, to support the Senate in meeting its obligations as outlined in this Constitution. Each year, following consultation with the President of the Senate, a budget for the Senate’s activities in the upcoming fiscal year will be developed.
3. The University will provide to the Senate administrative resources as necessary for distribution of mailings to each Schools’ Faculty Council members. These mailings will include meeting notices, minutes, resolutions, and major correspondence.

Amendments to this Constitution that are approved by the Senate shall be presented to the faculties of the schools for vote. The vote on amendments so proposed shall be on a federation basis, with the full-time faculty of the Graduate School having one (1) vote and the full-time faculty of each of the other schools as a unit having two (2) votes. Deans, Assistant Deans, and Associate Deans shall not vote. Upon approval by a two-thirds vote, an amendment shall be submitted to the University President for final approval.