USU Constitution of Faculty Organizations
Article IV. Approval and Amendment of the Faculty Constitution
Section 1.
The constitution will be accepted as a valid document upon majority vote by secret mail ballot of individuals as described in Article II, Membership of the University Faculty Assembly. A minimum of twenty percent of distributed ballots must be returned for the ratification process to be valid. If insufficient number of votes is returned or if there is not a majority in favor of ratification, a second vote will be taken within three months. If the vote is again insufficient for ratification, the issue will be referred to the Faculty Senate currently sitting for resolution.
Section 2.
Those serving as officers in the year of ratification will continue to serve until the end of their elected terms, with the President-Elect becoming President and the President becoming Past-President.
Section 3.
The constitution may be amended by the following process: The need for revisions may originate from the University Faculty Assembly, Senate, or an officer of the Senate. The Constitution Bylaws and Policy Committee will review the proposed revision and make recommendations to the Senate. The Senate shall vote on the amendments as originally proposed and on changes recommended by the Constitution Bylaws and Policy Committee, and the approved amendments will be presented to the University Faculty Assembly by ballot for approval. The amendment will be accepted upon majority vote. The ballot will be conducted by the Nominations and Elections.
Section 4.
In the event of new schools, departments or institutes being added to the university, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee may recommend appropriate representation on the senate, taking into account unique groups of faculty members not otherwise represented, and the mission of the new group. Such recommendations will be presented as an amendment to the constitution and voted upon as outlined in Section 3. Election of new representatives will take place at the next election of officers and senators, until which time new representatives of new groups will be designated by the President of the University Faculty Assembly with the approval of the Faculty Senate. Such interim representatives will be eligible for nomination or election in the next election.