Frequently Asked Questions

The Academic Senate meets on Payday Fridays from 9:10-11:00AM. They meet virtually over WebEx with two Hybrid meetings a semester where in-person attendance is encouraged.

The Academic Senate meets virtually over WebEx with two Hybrid meetings a semester where in-person attendance is encouraged.

The Academic Senate meeting is open to everyone. Meeting links can be found in The Operations email the Monday before the meetings. We encourage anyone considering being a senator to attend a meeting in advance.

There are 7 Standing Committees of the Academic Senate. Senators and non-senators are members but all Chairs of the committees are senators. For me information please visit our Standing Committee Website for descriptions of each subcommittee.

• Committee for Assessing Student Learning (CASL)
• Curriculum Committee (CC)
• Student Advisory Committee (SAC)
• Technology Across the Curriculum (TAC)
• Budget Committee
• Engagement Committee (EC)
• Adjunct Advisory Committee

All senators are listed on the Academic Senate Website.

There are two student senators that each have one-year terms. There is also a Standing Committee of the Academic Senate called the Student Advisory Committee that deals with specific student issues and has no limit to the number of student members.

Members have the opportunity to shape and influence academic policy for a positive effect on student experience. Additionally, serving on the Academic Senate allows for networking with faculty and administration enhancing collaborative experiences. It is a great way to grow your leadership skills and gain valuable insights about how the college operates.

The Academic Senate is made up of 25% appointed Administrative Senators and 75% Elected Senators. Elected Senators can be either Probationary or Non-Probationary Teaching Faculty or Academic Professionals, and can be either adjunct or full-time.

Most terms are for three years. In rare circumstances there can be special elections when senators leave a term early and positions will be filled for one or two years.

Full time faculty senators and academic professional senators can put their Academic Senate work on their 32-day plan. Adjunct faculty senators are paid for attending Academic Senate meetings and for any meetings or work they do pertain to the Academic Senate.

• Nominees can be either Probationary or Non-Probationary Teaching Faculty or Academic Professionals, and can be either adjunct or full-time. This include remote instructors.
• Division At-Large senators can come from any department in that particular division. Division At-Large senators must still meet the criteria stated above.
• Member At-Large senators can come from any department across the entire college that is represented in the Academic Senate. Member At-large Senators must still meet the criteria stated above.
• Member At-Large, Part-Time Faculty senators can come from any department across the entire college that is represented in the Academic Senate. Member At-large, Part-Time Faculty Senators must still meet the criteria stated above. Member At-Large, Part-Time Faculty must be a part-time teaching faculty or part-time academic professional.
• MAHE Executive Officers are not eligible to serve in the Academic Senate during their term of office.

Senator Expectations

Academic Senate involvement varies by senator. Senators are required to attend the payday Friday meetings. We encourage senators to join a Standing Committee as well. There are various other work groups that senators can participate. Senators are encouraged to spend their time on topics that interest them.

While the Academic Senate meeting is “lightly” governed by Robert’s Rules, no previous experience is needed or expected.