This file is NOT normative. It is ONLY presented for historical interest. The actual version of the motion is at US089-2.html

Motion US08/09-2 (as amended) -- to call a meeting of the teaching faculty to ratify the University Senate

Sponsored by: Frank Stahl, Emeritus Biology and Nathan Tublitz, Biology

Passed, as amended November 12, 2008

Moved that,

The University Senate call for a meeting of the teaching faculty of the University, to be convened and presided over by the University President, for the purpose of legitimizing the University Senate. The meeting shall be held at 3:30 pm on a Wednesday, not later than the last Wednesday of January 2009.

Under the 1876 UO Charter, responsibility for University governance lies with the Faculty, which is the Professors and President. According to the recently issued State of Oregon Department of Justice opinion number OP-6735 (draft) and to past actions of the UO Assembly, "professors" means classroom teaching faculty. The DoJ opinion states that only the teaching faculty, acting in an official capacity, can approve the establishment of our University governance system, such as the current University Senate, that includes nonfaculty members. Thus, the existing University governance system has never been officially ratified. This Motion calls for a meeting of the teaching faculty to ratify the draft governance document (attached), which establishes the Senate in its present form and which also formalizes the legal responsibilities of the Faculty.

Legislative History