[Numbering indicates the month and year in which the ruling was made, i.e. April 1964 = 4.64A (A means 1st ruling that month.]

Formal rulings have been made as follows in response to requests for interpretation of Senate legislation where there has been no subsequent legislative or Regental action:

5.65
Except for the requirements of due notice, approval by the specified majorities, and prior consideration of proposed curricular changes by the Faculties concerned, [renumbered to Bylaw 150 (B)] imposes no limitations on the power of a Division to establish any desired procedures for the enactment, amendment or repeal of legislation.

10.65
Regulations 792(B) and 800(A) empower each Divisional Committee on Courses (or its equivalent) to determine what endorsements by Senate agencies (including reviews by Divisional committees) must be obtained by University Extension before a suggested X300-X400 course may be presented with a proposed instructor in charge. Approvals by the Dean of University Extension and the department, college, or school concerned are necessary, but they are sufficient only to the extent that the Committee on Courses determines.

3.67A Interpretation of the Responsibility of Divisional Committees on Privilege and Tenure [see Senate Bylaw 335].
It is the opinion of the Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction that:
1. There is no basis in the Academic Personnel Manual for interpreting service in an acting capacity as part of the two-year term specified for each appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor.

2. The dismissal of an Assistant Professor before he has completed two years' service at each step in that rank should only be for good cause and after opportunity for a hearing.

This opinion relies primarily on the view that both the Standing Orders 103.10 and the Academic Personnel Manual (Section 52-20) encourage the individual faculty members in the expectation that during each period of appointment as an Assistant Professor he has two full years in which to establish his merit, and that his opportunity to do this will not be interrupted save for good cause as formally established in the course of a hearing. (CC Apr 15 74)

3.67B
Only the grade Not Passed may be assigned to a student whose work is not of passing quality in a course in which he was enrolled on the basis of Senate Regulation 782 [Passed or Not Passed grades].

[4.67 superseded by 12.75] (Rp Dec 4 75)

5.67

The right to vote in department meetings as specified in 105.2(c) of the Standing Orders of the Regents is limited to those members of the department who are also members of the Academic Senate. Neither the Standing Orders nor Senate Bylaw 188 [renumbered to 55] authorize the extension of this voting privilege to persons who are not members of the Senate.

4.71
Divisional authority to select alternate Representatives in the Senate Assembly. Senate Bylaw 50(D) (renumbered to 105.A.4) states in part "... Each Division [of the Senate] determines its own method of choosing its Representatives [in the Senate Assembly]..." Under this Bylaw each Division may select alternates for its Divisional Representatives in the Assembly, subject to the following conditions:
1. The selection and use of alternates must be specified in Divisional Bylaws;

2. Persons ineligible under Bylaw 50(D) to be Representatives may not serve as alternates; and

3. Alternates may serve only in the absence or disability of their principals.

3.73 Right to a Hearing.
1. The Standing Orders of The Regents guarantee to each member of the Academic Senate "the privilege of a hearing by the appropriate committee or committees of the Academic Senate on any matter relating to personal, departmental or University welfare." ( Standing Order of The Regents 103.2) The Standing Orders also guarantee "the opportunity for a hearing before the properly constituted advisory committee of the Academic Senate" prior to the "termination of a continuous tenure appointment or the termination of the appointment of any other member of the faculty before the expiration of his contract." (Standing Order of The Regents 103.10) While a "hearing" is guaranteed in these instances, the Standing Orders are silent as to the precise nature of the hearing, and also as to the Senate committee which is to afford the hearing. However, the Senate's Bylaws [SBL 112, renumbered to 113, then to 335, then to 334] fill part of this gap. Bylaw 112(C) provides that "Proceedings for the dismissal, suspension, or demotion of members of the Academic Senate or officers of instruction shall be conducted before a Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure," and Bylaw 112(C)(2)(e) lays down certain procedures which must be followed in such a hearing. Further, Bylaw 112(D) provides that "Any member of the Academic Senate or officer of instruction who believes his privileges or tenure have been violated may complain to the Committee on Privilege and Tenure of his Division. If such a person makes a reasonable showing of such a violation, the Divisional committee shall make such further investigation of the facts as it deems proper and notify the appropriate administrative officer that the complaint has been filed ... [and] may, in its discretion, after due notice to the parties, hold a hearing as prescribed in (C)(2)(e) of this Bylaw..." (Emphasis added) In short: the Standing Orders guarantee the right of a hearing before a Senate Committee in a broad range of cases, but do not specify the precise nature of the hearing, or the committee which shall conduct it. The Senate Bylaws provide that in certain types of cases a hearing conducted under specified procedures must be held by the Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure and that in other cases the Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure may in its discretion afford such a hearing.

2. The procedures to be followed by Divisional Privilege and Tenure Committees in exercising its discretion under Bylaw 112(D) [renumbered to 335(D), then to 337] in determining whether to afford a hearing of the type specified by Bylaw 112(C), are not specified in the Manual of the Academic Senate. However, contemporary standards of due process indicate that in determining how to exercise such discretion, the Committee shall at a minimum: (a) accord the complainant, on written request, a timely opportunity to appear in person before it and state his grievance; and (b) provide the complainant, within a reasonable time, a written statement reporting the Committee's disposition of his grievance and the reasons therefore.

3. No Division may enact legislation which limits the jurisdiction or discretion granted to the Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure under Senate Bylaw 112.

4. The Senate Committee on Privilege and Tenure has been specifically charged with responsibility for advising the Senate and its Divisions on general matters of policy involving the privileges or tenure of all members of the Academic Senate or officers of instruction (Senate Bylaw 112(B)). Therefore, this Universitywide committee must be consulted before any marked deviation from accepted procedures in these matters is legislated.

5. While decisions in individual cases arising under Bylaw 112 may not be appealed on the merits to any other Senate agency, a Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure may be asked, under Senate Bylaw 8(A), [renumbered to 40.A] by the Assembly, the Division, or a Faculty of the Division to describe its procedures and policies. Such procedures and policies may be reviewed for conformance with item 2 above and with other applicable sections of the Code of the Academic Senate.

[5.75A Privilege and Tenure -- Hearings superseded by 12.80]

5.75B Senate Members -- Departmental Voting 21 Rights

Under Standing Order 105.2 departments may not deny the right to vote to anyone whose right to vote in the Academic Senate under Standing Order 105.1(a) derives from the fact that he is a Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment, Lecturer with Security of Employment, an Instructor or Instructor in Residence of two or more years' service, Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor in Residence, Associate Professor, Associate Professor in Residence, Acting Associate Professor, Professor, Professor in Residence, or Acting Professor.

Those who have retired and upon whom emeritus status has been conferred do not have the right to vote in department meetings unless the voting members of the department extend the right to them. (CC Dec 4 75)

12.75 Voting in Senate Agencies [supersedes 4.67]
Only members of the Academic Senate may vote in Senate agencies when those agencies are taking final action on any matter for the Academic Senate, or giving advice to University officers or other non-Senate agencies in the name of the Senate. Persons other than Senate members may be given the right to vote on other questions, such as those that involve only recommendations to other Senate agencies, but only by explicit Bylaw provisions.

12.80 Privilege and Tenure - Hearings [supersedes 5.75A]
Under Bylaw 113 [renumbered 335, with relevant portions now subsumed under 334, 335, and 337] Divisional Committees on Privilege and Tenure are designated the sole Senate Agencies to hold hearings, and make findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations on complaints that the privilege or tenure of a Senate member has been violated. Under SOR 103.9 the Divisional Committees on Privilege and Tenure shall also provide an opportunity for hearing those cases involving the termination of the appointment of a Senate or non-Senate member of the faculty before the expiration of his or her contract. The extension of the hearing rights of non-Senate academic personnel beyond this point is outside Senate jurisdiction. The administration may appoint members of a Committee on Privilege and Tenure to an administrative committee to conduct such hearings, but these members would not be exercising Senate jurisdiction in doing so. Other Senate agencies may consider and make recommendations about the general conditions out of which complaints arise, but they may not adjudicate individual cases.

4.84 Senate Authority Over Courses and Curricula
The authority of the Academic Senate over courses and curricula, derived from Regental Standing Order 105.2, entails, inter alia, the authority to discontinue academic programs. No delegation of this authority other than to agencies of the Academic Senate is authorized by Regental Standing Orders.

2.85 Baccalaureate Credit in English Composition [superceded by the 23 May 96 Assmembly amendment of Senate Regulation 761]

Under Academic Senate Regulations 636 and 761, no student may receive baccalaureate credit for any work in English composition taken prior to completing the Subject A requirement. A Division is not precluded from offering a composition course which awards workload credit for work taken before satisfying the Subject A requirement and baccalaureate credit for work taken after completing the requirement.

2.86 Academic Council Authority (Re Bylaw 125(B)(4) and 125(B)(5))
Under Bylaw 125(B)(4) and 125(B)(5) (formerly Bylaw 80 and renumbered to 125.B.5-6), the provisional authority of the Academic Council to act for the Assembly ceases 60 days prior to the scheduled meeting of the Assembly. At such time, all matters referred to but not approved by the Council under the above-cited provisions shall automatically revert to the Assembly.

3.93A Applicability of Senate Bylaw 335 [now 334, 335, 336, and 337] and the Faculty Code of Conduct to Administrators
Standing Order of the Regents 105.1(a) specifies those persons who are members of the Academic Senate by virtue of appointment either to certain administrative titles or to certain instructional titles, including the professorial title or its equivalent and the title of Lecture or Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment. Both categories of members have all the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities of Senate membership, including the privilege of a hearing by the appropriate committee of the Academic Senate, "on any matter relating to personal, departmental, or University welfare," as provided by Standing Order 103.2. Standing Order 100.4(c) requires the Chancellor to consult with a properly constituted committee of the Academic Senate before taking any action, including some actions disciplinary in character, that would affect a person holding one of the instructional titles that confer membership in the Academic Senate under Standing Order 105.1(a), but there is no such provision for actions affecting a person holding one of the administrative titles that confer membership in the Academic Senate.

Senate Bylaw 335 [now 334, 335 and 336] establishes Divisional Committees on Privilege and Tenure or, under certain circumstances, another committee constituted for the purpose by the University Committee on Privilege and Tenure, as the sole committees of the Academic Senate authorized to consider cases of grievance by or disciplinary action against a member of the Academic Senate.

Appendix IV of the Manual of the Academic Senate, incorporated also as Section 015 in the Academic Personnel Manual, sets forth the "University Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline." Section I of the policy defines the disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed upon a faculty member and summarizes the provisions of the Standing Orders and of Senate Bylaw 335 [now 336] for the administration of discipline. Section II, subtitled "The Faculty Code of Conduct," summarizes the professional rights of the faculty, sets forth standards of professional conduct, and recommend the establishment of campus procedures for the administration of discipline.

Appendix IV, including the Faculty Code of Conduct and campus disciplinary procedures implementing it, applies only to those members of the Academic Senate who hold one of the instructional titles specified in SOR 100.4(c), and only to the extent that any proposed disciplinary sanctions affect the status of the person charged as a member of the faculty holding one of the titles specified in SOR 100.4(c).

Under Standing Orders 100.2, 100.4(c), and 100.6(a), the suspension or dismissal of an administrator from an administrative title or appointment is reserved to the Regents, the President, and the Chancellors, with no requirement for consultation with the Academic Senate. An administrator whose title confers membership in the Academic Senate may, however, invoke the privilege of a hearing guaranteed by SOR 103.2. In that case, the Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure or another hearing committee constituted as provided for in Senate Bylaw 335.C [now 336] shall consider the case and render its advice prior to the imposition of discipline. Since Senate Bylaw 335.F(1) [now 336.B(1)] uses the term "member of the Academic Senate," the procedures outlined in Senate Bylaws 335.F and 335.G [now 336.B and 336.D] must be followed, but other procedures established for discipline of faculty under the Faculty Code of Conduct need not be applied. In the absence of any proposed sanction involving demotion, suspension, or dismissal from one of the titles listed in SOR 100.4(c), and in the absence of an appeal to the privilege of a hearing, the Administration is not required by the Standing Orders to consult with the Academic Senate prior to the imposition of discipline upon an administrator, whether or not the administrative title confers membership in the Academic Senate, although such consultation may very well take place.

A disciplinary action against an administrator who also holds an instructional title may proceed in two steps, one involving the proposed removal of the administrative title under procedures established by the Regents and the Administration, and a second stage involving the proposed censure, demotion, suspension or dismissal from a professorial title or its equivalent, under the procedures for discipline established in accordance with Appendix IV and the Faculty Code of Conduct.

In accordance with Standing Orders 100.1(b), 100.2(a), 100.2(b), 100.2(c), and 100.2(d), in the event that the person upon whom it is proposed that a discipline be imposed is a Chancellor, Vice-President, Director, or the chief admissions officer in the Office of the President, from whom such title has not been removed, the role in procedures for discipline ordinarily reserved to the Chancellor shall be assumed by the President. The President is responsible directly to the Board of Regents.

The kinds of conduct specified as unacceptable and subject to disciplinary action in the Faculty Code of Conduct are as unacceptable in the behavior of an administrator holding a faculty appointment as in that of any other faculty member. Section I of Appendix IV explicitly distinguishes, however, between willful misconduct and incompetence. Administrative incompetence does not in itself constitute a violation of the Faculty Code of Conduct.

Senate Bylaw 335 provides a separate set of procedures whereby any member of the Academic Senate may complain to the Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure that the member's rights and privileges have been violated. SBL 335.A [now 334.A] characterizes grievances and disciplinary actions as "distinct categories of cases" and this distinction must carefully be observed. Among other differences, grievances may be brought before the Committee by any member of the Academic Senate, whereas disciplinary proceedings come to the Committee as a consequence of actions proposed against a member of the Academic Senate by the chancellor.

3.93B Campus Procedures for Discipline of Faculty
Standing Order 100.6(a) vests the responsibility for the discipline of each campus to the Chancellor of that campus, subject to the requirement of Standing Order 100.4(c) that the Chancellor shall consult with a properly constituted advisory committee of the Academic Senate before taking any action that would affect a member of the Academic Senate holding a professorial title or its equivalent. Senate Bylaw 335 [now 334 and 336] establishes divisional committees on Privilege and Tenure or, under certain circumstances, another committee constituted for the purpose by the University Committee on Privilege and Tenure, as the sole committees authorized to hold evidentiary hearings and to advise the administration prior to the imposition of discipline. Consistent with SOR 100.6(a), Senate Bylaw 335 [now 336] specifies that disciplinary proceedings before the Committee on Privilege and Tenure shall be initiated by the Chancellor. Appendix IV of the Manual of the Academic Senate entitled "University Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline," also published as Section 015 of the Academic Personnel Manual, outlines the circumstances under and the general procedures by which disciplinary charges against members of the Faculty are initiated and investigated. Appendix IV is intended as an implementation of the Standing Orders and of Senate Bylaw 335 and in Section I explicitly states that nothing contained in the policy is intended to change the various authorities and responsibilities vested in the Regents, the Administration, or the Academic Senate as set forth in the Standing Orders of the Regents and the Bylaws of the Academic Senate. Section I also states that while the Faculty Code of Conduct contained in Section II of the policy is the official basis for imposing discipline on members of the faculty for professional misconduct, its Part III consists solely of suggested guidelines and recommendations to the Divisions of the Academic Senate and the campus administrations. Campus procedures that are consistent with the suggested guidelines and recommendations of Part III of the Faculty Code of Conduct are therefore also consonant with the Code of the Academic Senate, which incorporates the Faculty Code of Conduct, but nothing in Part III of the Faculty Code of Conduct may be construed as limiting the authority for discipline vested in the Chancellors by the Regents. In the case of any apparent inconsistency between Part III of the Faculty Code of Conduct and the Standing Orders of the Regents, the Bylaws of the Academic Senate, or Section I of Appendix IV, the provisions of the latter shall prevail.
1. Under Appendix IV, Section I, the procedures under which allegations of a violation of the Faculty Code of Conduct are initiated and processed need not, with the exception of the procedures for formal hearing provided for by Senate Bylaw 335 [now 336], be identical on every campus; but all must be consistent with the Standing Orders of the Regents and with the Bylaws of the Academic Senate, and no discipline may be imposed except in accordance with established procedures. Appendix IV, Section I, specifies that it is the responsibility of each Chancellor to establish procedures for the administration of discipline on the campus, in consultation with the campus Division of the Academic Senate and such other advisory groups as are appropriate. While Part III of Section II of Appendix IV recommends that "each Division, in cooperation with the campus administration, promptly develop procedures dealing with the investigation of allegations of faculty misconduct," the sole authority for this recommendation is the Assembly of the Academic Senate, and it does not confer on the Divisions a role that is more than advisory nor does it supersede the ultimate authority for the establishment of disciplinary procedures vested in the Chancellor by the Standing Orders and affirmed in Section I of Appendix IV. No disciplinary procedures may therefore be established, through divisional legislation or by any other means, except with the approval of the Chancellor and, as provided for in Section I of Appendix IV, the concurrence of the President. Since procedures need not be identical on every campus, it follows that a Chancellor may reasonably withhold approval of a proposed procedure, even if such a procedure would be consonant with the Code of the Academic Senate, would be consistent with the Standing Orders of the Regents, and may be in effect on another campus. Standing Order 100.6(a) defines the Chancellor's decisions in the administration of the campus, including the administration of discipline, as "final," subject only to the authority of the President and the Regents. Any Division that believes the Chancellor to have unreasonably withheld approval of proposed disciplinary procedures consonant with the Code of the Academic Senate and consistent with the Standing Orders of the Regents or to have established procedures that deny to the faculty the meaningful participation in campus discipline guaranteed under Appendix IV, Section II, Part I.4(c) may appeal the Chancellor's decision through a Memorial or a Resolution as provided for in Standing Order 105.2(e) and Senate Bylaw 90.

2. The Chancellor's ultimate authority for the administration of discipline and for the initiation of formal proceedings before the Committee on Privilege and Tenure notwithstanding, the initiation of a disciplinary complaint against a member of the faculty is not dependent on or exclusively reserved to the Chancellor or, by delegation, other officers of the campus administration. While a Chancellor or other administrative officer administers disciplinary sanctions, disciplinary complaints against a member of the Faculty can be initiated by individuals and groups other than administrators, including students, other members of the faculty, and members of the university community. The procedures for investigating and processing complaints against a member of the faculty shall be as specified in campus procedures for discipline, as recommended in Appendix IV, Section II, Part III.4. In the absence of such procedures on the campus, allegations of professional misconduct against members of the faculty shall be delivered in writing to the Chancellor.

3. In accordance with the recommendations of Appendix IV, Section II, Part III.4, and III.8, campus procedures may include a preliminary investigative process whose purpose is to determine whether there is "probably cause." "Probable cause" is established if it is determined that a person of ordinary prudence would be led to believe and conscientiously to entertain a strong suspicion that there has been a violation of the Faculty Code of Conduct. The investigative process may be conducted by an officer of the Administration, by a committee of the Academic Senate, or through another mechanism established for the purpose of accordance with disciplinary procedures in effect for the campus. While Appendix IV, Section II, Part III.7 recommends involvement of members of the faculty in the investigation of allegations of misconduct, campus procedures may or may not include such a provision. In the absence of any specific procedures on the campus, the responsibility for investigating allegations of professional misconduct against members of the faculty rests with the Chancellor.
4. Under Standing Orders of the Regents 100.4(c) and 100.6(a) and Senate Bylaw 335.F.1 [now 336.B.1], the responsibility for determining at the conclusion of the investigative phase whether or not formal disciplinary sanctions against a member of the faculty should be proposed and charges lodged with the Divisional Committee on Privilege and Tenure rests with the Chancellor of each campus or, in the event that the accused person is the Chancellor, with the President. Under disciplinary procedures established for the campus, the Chancellor may or may not delegate this authority to another officer of the administration, to a committee of the Academic Senate, or to some other person or committee designated for the purpose under campus procedures for discipline.

12.93A Authority of Divisional Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction
SBL 325 authorizes the Divisions to establish Standing Committees, including Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction. SBL 80C, 205A, and 206A presume the existence of a Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction in each Division, charged, under the supervision of the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, with the preparation of the Divisional Manual, including the bylaws, regulations, and such other legislation as the Division may have adopted. Senate Bylaws do not specify what additional responsibilities, if any, the Divisional Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction shall exercise. It is therefore left to the discretion of each Division to adopt such bylaws and procedures governing Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction as shall seem most appropriate to the organization of the Division. The preparation of the Divisional manual does, however, imply at a minimum the responsibility to review Divisional legislation and to assure its consonance with the Code of the Academic Senate. In addition, the facts that Divisional committees operate under the supervision of the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, that chairs of Divisional committees may request Legislative Rulings interpreting the Code of the Academic Senate from the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, and that at least two members of the latter committee must be chairs of Divisional Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction imply that Divisional committees shall normally be expected to exercise functions within the Division analogous to those exercised by the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction for the Academic Senate as a whole.

The functions of Divisional Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction shall therefore include, but need not be limited to, the following responsibilities.

1. To examine all legislation proposed for adoption by the Division and to advise the Division as to the consonance of the proposed legislation with the Code of the Academic Senate and with existing legislation within the Division.

2. To advise the Division on all matters pertaining to the interpretation of the Divisional bylaws, regulations, or other legislation incorporated into the Divisional Manual.

3. To hear, upon petition of no fewer than five members of the Division, challenges to any action of a Divisional committee alleged to be contrary to the Code of the Academic Senate or to the Manual of the Division. Prior to reporting its findings, the committee should give the parties to the case an opportunity to present their views, either orally or in writing.

4. To respond to informal requests from members, officers, or committees of the Division for information regarding the Code of the Academic Senate or the legislation of the Division, summarizing all such correspondence in the annual report.

SBL 206.A authorizes the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction to issue Legislative Rulings interpreting the Code of the Academic Senate. SBL 206.A further defines such rulings as having the status of legislation unless and until modified by subsequent legislative action of the Assembly or of the Regents. Divisional bylaws may or may not similarly authorize the Divisional Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction to issue Legislative Rulings having the status of Divisional legislation. Where Divisional bylaws do authorize the issuance of Legislative Rulings, the bylaws should also provide for some procedure analogous to that of SBL 206.A, whereby the committee, prior to the issuance of such Legislative Ruling, submits its position as to what the Legislative Ruling should be for comment, to the legislative body of the Division, to the Executive Committee of the Division, or to such other Divisional agency as may be provided for in Divisional bylaws. The findings of a Divisional Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction may not have the status of legislation without both specific language to that effect in the Divisional bylaws and some procedure for preliminary publication and comment. A provision whereby proposed Legislative Rulings are published in the call to the next meeting of the legislative body of the Division and become final unless superseded by action of that body satisfies this latter requirement.

12.93B Status of Advice Rendered by Committees on Rules and Jurisdiction
Both the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction and its counterpart agencies within the Divisions frequently render advice, offer opinions, and report findings articulated other than in the form of Legislative Rulings. SBL 206.C specifically charges the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction to respond to informal requests for information about the Code of the Academic Senate and to summarize all such requests in the annual report. Most Divisional bylaws provide similarly. Much of the business conducted by the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction and its Divisional counterparts consists of such advice. Unless issued as a Legislative Ruling and in accordance with the appropriate procedures, such advice or finding does not have the status of legislation and is therefore nor formally binding on the Senate officers and agencies to whom rendered. The advice, opinions, and findings of UCRJ and its counterpart agencies within the Divisions should nevertheless be considered authoritative in the sense in which that term is defined in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary-- "entitled to obedience, credit or acceptance." They represent the considered judgment of a committee charged with preserving the integrity of the Code of the Academic Senate. In addition, they suggest the likely outcome should an action taken contrary to this advice be challenged before the Divisional Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction or before UCR&J, or should a Legislative Ruling be requested on the issues involved.

The advice or findings of a Divisional Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction may be appealed to the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, to the extent that the matter raises issues of the interpretation of the Code of the Academic Senate as a whole. If the issues involved arise specifically from Divisional legislation, the advice or findings of the Divisional Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction may be appealed to the legislative body of the Division. Where Divisional bylaws have empowered an executive committee or similar agency to act in cases of sufficient urgency on behalf of the legislative body of the Division in the interim between meetings, such agency has the authority to suspend the effect of the advice or findings of a Divisional Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction -- other than Legislative Rulings in their final published form, in those Divisions where the bylaws have authorized such rulings -- until the time of the next regular or special meeting of the legislative body, at which time the issues under dispute shall be submitted to the legislative body for resolution. The advice and findings of the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, other than Legislative Rulings in their final published form, may be appealed to the Assembly of the Academic Senate.

A proposed Legislative Ruling, whether of UCR&J or, where Divisional bylaws have provided for such rulings, of its Divisional counterparts, prior to its final publication, falls in the category of advice.

Legislative Rulings of Divisional committees may be appealed to the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction. Legislative Rulings of the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction, once published in their final form, may be superseded and rendered ineffective by subsequent legislative action of the Assembly.

4.94 Privilege of a Hearing
Standing Order of the Regents 103.2 guarantees to any member of the Academic Senate "the privilege of a hearing by the appropriate committee or committees of the Academic Senate on any matter relating to personal, departmental, or university welfare." The Standing Orders do not define the nature of the hearing so guaranteed nor do they specify the committee or committees by whom such hearing is to be afforded. It is therefore left to the Academic Senate to define the nature of the hearing and to specify the committee or committees which shall afford the privilege of that hearing.

Legislative Rulings 5.75 and 12.80 and Senate Bylaw 335 [now 334] have specified Divisional Committees on Privilege and Tenure or, in certain cases, another committee constituted either by the Divisional Committee or by the University Committee on Privilege and Tenure as the sole Senate agencies authorized to grant to a member of the Academic Senate the privilege of a hearing in disciplinary cases, cases of early termination, and grievances in which a member of the Academic Senate alleges that the member's rights or privileges have been violated. Senate Bylaw 335 [now 336] specifies the circumstances and the procedures under which the committee shall hold a formal hearing in disciplinary actions or cases of early termination. In grievances, Senate Bylaw 335.E [now 335.B] provides that in any case "the complainant shall have the right to appear before the committee," but requires a formal hearing only if the committee determines that "the complainant has made out a prima facie case of violation of a right or privilege" and only if the committee is unable to effect an informal settlement of the controversy.

The privilege of a hearing guaranteed by SOR 103.2 is not limited to formal hearings or informal appearances before Committees on Privilege and Tenure. Such hearings or appearances discharge the privilege primarily in matters relating to "personal welfare." Except for those cases covered by SBL 335 [now 334], however, and except that SBL 60, 120.D.5, and 315.E grant to each member of the Academic Senate the privilege of the floor, with voice, at any meeting of the Assembly or of the member's Division or its Assembly, Senate Bylaws nowhere guarantee to members of the Academic Senate the right of personal appearance or of voice before any universitywide or divisional committee.

Except as may otherwise be provided in Divisional bylaws, therefore, the Bylaws of the Academic Senate have limited the privilege of personal appearance and voice to appearances before the Committee on Privilege and Tenure in those cases covered by SBL 335 [now 334] and, in other cases, before those committees authorized to adopt or amend legislation -- namely, the Assembly of the Academic Senate and the Divisions or their Assemblies. The Academic Senate has accordingly defined those committees in which legislative authority has been vested as "the appropriate committee or committees" under SOR 103.2 by whom the privilege of a hearing, in the strict sense of personal appearance and voice, must be afforded in matters other than those cases covered by SBL 335.

Other committees of the Academic Senate may afford to members of the Academic Senate the privilege of a hearing, in a less formal sense, on matters of "departmental or university welfare" within the purview of the committee. A member of the Academic Senate wishing to exercise that privilege should address the issue in writing through the Chair of the Academic Council in the case of universitywide committees or the Chair of the Division for Divisional committees. Under SBL 110.A.3 and similar provisions in the bylaws of the Divisions, it is within the discretion of the Chair of the Academic Council or the Division to determine within which committee's purview the matter properly belongs. Since the Academic Senate has limited the privilege of personal appearance to appearances before Committees on Privilege and Tenure and before those committees in which legislative authority has been vested, it is left to the discretion of other committees of the Academic Senate to determine whether or not to grant to any member of the Academic Senate the privilege of personal appearance and voice before the committee.

Among the senses of the word "hear" in Webster's Third International Dictionary is "to receive a message or letter." Except as provided in SBL 60, 120.D.5, 315.E, and 335 [now 334] , the privilege of a hearing may be afforded entirely through the medium of written communication.

8.95A Relationship of Standing Committees to Establishing Agency
The charge to a standing committee of the Academic Senate or of a Division of the Academic Senate is contained in the bylaws that establish the committee. Neither the Assembly, nor a Division, nor the Legislative Agency of a Division may supersede the charge to a standing committee as contained in the bylaws except by a two-thirds majority vote of the appropriate legislative agency to amend the bylaws.

8.95B
Under SBL 40.C each committee of the Academic Senate, including Divisional committees, is responsible to the agency establishing it. Such responsibility is normally construed as meaning that the committee must fulfill its charge as contained in the bylaws or other action by which the committee was established and must reports its actions to the establishing agency, as provided in SBL 40.B. The establishing agency retains the right to supersede, amend, or set aside the actions or recommendations of any of its committees. Exceptions to this rule are provided explicitly in SBL 70 for findings on the merits of an individual case by a Committee on Privilege and Tenure and implicitly in SBL 40.C for recommendations in a specific case by a Committee on Academic Personnel or its equivalent. These exceptions aside, SBL 65 and 75 provide procedures for superseding the actions of universitywide committees either by appeal to the Academic Council and the Assembly or by referendum through the vehicle of a mail ballot. Similar provisions and procedures are to be found in most Divisional bylaws.

Under SBL 40, 65, and 75, the authority of the establishing agency over its committees is limited to stating the charge to the committee in the bylaws or other action establishing the committee, to receiving reports from the committee, and to accepting, rejecting, or modifying the committee's actions and recommendations. The establishing agency may not set the agenda or direct the deliberations and actions of any committee except through the bylaw or other action by which the committee has been established. When the Assembly, a Division, or the legislative agency of a Division refers a matter to a standing committee, the committee has an obligation to place the matter on its agenda and give it due consideration. The committee is entitled, however, to conclude that the matter under referral cannot successfully be pursued within the committee and so report to the referring agency.

10.99 Exclusion from Senate Offices
It is permissible for either the Assembly or a Division to exclude some Senate members from serving in some Senate offices by virtue of their holding certain administrative appointments. Any such exclusion must be set forth in the Bylaw that establishes the office.

11.99 Legislation Subject to Regental Approval

Legislation enacted by the Assembly that is subject to Regental approval shall take effect and be incorporated into the Manual of the Academic Senate as of the date of the action by the Assembly or approval by the Regents, whichever comes later, provided however that any later date contained within the legislation for implementation of any or all of its provisions shall remain in effect.

If the Regents fail to approve any such legislative action by the Assembly or adopt policy at variance in whole or in part with any legislative action of the Assembly, that legislation, including all provisions adopted by the same vote, shall be considered of no effect, and any previous legislation shall remain in force, until such time as the Assembly has taken further legislative action on the matters in question.

3.06A Emergency Meeting of The Assembly

3.06B Removal of An Officer of the Assembly

The Assembly has the power to remove an officer of the Assembly with a two-thirds vote under Bylaw 35.D.5.  The Assembly should only remove an officer for valid reasons, and the Assembly should provide for adequate notice to the accused officer, a fair hearing, the right to counsel, and a reasonable opportunity for the officer to present a defense. Nothing in the current bylaws specifies the standards or procedures to be used for judging what constitute valid reasons for removal of an officer, adequate notice to the accused officer, a fair hearing, the right to counsel, or a reasonable opportunity for the officer to present a defense; therefore, the Assembly must decide these questions. The Assembly has both the authority and the responsibility for these decisions.

6.06  Consistency of the Academic Senate Regulation 904 with the Code of the Academic Senate

UCR&J maintains that Senate Regulation 904 is consistent with the Code of the Academic Senate.  Any Division wishing to assume responsibility for the disqualification of graduate students must submit a request for a variance to Senate Regulation 904, in accordance with Senate Bylaw 80.D.

7.06   Concerning Procedures for Senate Voting on non-Senate Instructional Faculty Personnel Actions

In matters delegated to the Academic Senate, an academic department acts as an agency of the Academic Senate. Since authority over and supervision of courses and curricula is delegated to the Academic Senate by Standing Orders of the Regents 105.2(b), it is the right and responsibility of the Academic Senate members of an academic department to provide the administration with advice on the instructional performance of non-Senate faculty. In accord with Academic Senate Bylaw 35.C, and re-affirming Legislative Ruling 12.75, only members of the Academic Senate may vote on the departmental recommendation in a merit action involving non-Senate instructional faculty. A department may solicit a recommendation or vote from non-Senate instructional faculty to be used in its deliberations.

Explanation of Ruling 7.06 Concerning Procedures for Senate Voting on non-Senate Instructional Faculty Personnel Actions

UCR&J was asked a series of questions. The questions and our answers are as follows:

Question: Does the Code of the Senate (including the Standing Orders of the Regents) give the Academic Senate the right and duty to provide definite advice to the Administration on the instructional performance of non-Senate personnel?

UCR&J Response: Yes. The Standing Orders of the Regents (SOR 105.2 (b)) state clearly that “The Academic Senate shall authorize and supervise all courses and curricula offered under the sole or joint jurisdiction of the departments, colleges, schools, graduate divisions, or other academic agencies approved by the BOARD…” As part of that supervisory responsibility, the Academic Senate has both the right and the duty to provide advice to the Administration on the instructional performance of non-Senate faculty.

Question: Do academic departments act as committees of the Senate when giving advice on the instructional performance of non-Senate personnel?

UCR&J Response: Yes. Academic Senate Bylaws 20 and 45 clearly indicate that an academic department is an agency of the Academic Senate. As indicated in your letter, an academic department serves two functions—one as an administrative unit, and the other as a committee of the Academic Senate. It is in the latter role that the academic department derives its authority and responsibilities over courses and curricula.

Question: Is voting on a departmental recommendation in a merit action involving non-Senate instructional personnel limited to members of the Academic Senate?

UCR&J's Response:  In cases where final action is to be taken on matters falling within the authority and responsibility of the Academic Senate, only Academic Senate members may vote. Academic Senate Bylaw 35.C. states: “Only members of the Academic Senate may vote in Senate agencies and their committees when those agencies or committees are taking final action on any matter for the Academic Senate, or giving advice to university officers or other non-Senate agencies in the name of the Senate. Persons other than Senate members may be given the right to vote on the other questions, such as those that involve only recommendations to other Senate agencies, but only by explicit Bylaw provisions.”

Question: If departments consult with non-Senate instructional personnel regarding the personal actions of departmental non-Senate instructional personnel, may the department letter report the results of this consultation in the form of a vote distinct from the vote and recommendation of Senate members of the department?

UCR&J’s Response: No, SOR 100.4 Duties of the President of the University, states:

“The President of the University, in accordance with such regulations as the President may establish, is authorized to appoint, determine compensation, promote, demote, and dismiss University employees, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws and Standing Orders and except those employees under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, Treasurer, and General Counsel of The Regents. Before recommending or taking action that would affect personnel under the administrative jurisdiction of Chancellors … When such action relates to a Professor, Associate Professor, or an equivalent position; Assistant Professor; a Professor in Residence, an Associate Professor in Residence, or an Assistant Professor in Residence; a Professor of Clinical (e.g., Medicine), an Associate Professor of Clinical (e.g., Medicine) or an Assistant Professor of clinical (e.g., Medicine); a Senior Lecturer with Security of Employment, or a Lecturer with Security of Employment, the Chancellor shall consult with a properly constituted advisory committee of the Academic Senate.”

UCR&J’s position is that non-Senate instructional faculty have the right to have their opinions presented to the Administration; but such opinions should be submitted separately from the departments’ letter containing the vote and recommendation of Senate members. Of course, copies of any written material submitted to the department by non-sentate instructors should be forwarded to the administration.