Resolution EXEC 23-18 Proposed Changes to Constitutional Bylaws

RESOLVED: That the threshold for nominations for Academic Senate Chair and representatives from California State University, Dominguez Hills to the Academic Senate of the California State University be set at a constant value of twenty-five signatories; and be it further,

RESOLVED: That the process for gathering these nominations be amended to allow for the use of secure and verifiable digital methods of indicating assent to nominate; and be it further,

RESOLVED: That these changes be instituted via the “proposed new language” shown below.

RESOLVED: That the ASCSUDH distribute this resolution to the University President, Provost, President’s Cabinet, College Deans, Department Chairs, Associate Vice President(s) of Academic Affairs, the California Faculty Association, all faculty members, and the CSUDH Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association

RATIONALE: The current bylaws regarding nominations for Academic Senate Chair and Statewide Senators were written when the definition of “General Faculty” was different and standard business practices were not what they are now. When the clause under consideration was written, the definition of “General Faculty” included tenure-track faculty and several academic administrators; now, it also includes Non-Tenure-Track Faculty. The requirement of a given fraction of this body thus increased the actual number by nearly a factor of three. To return to a similar requirement as at the time of that writing calls for a lower threshold. In fact, to facilitate the process (by clarifying the threshold as a standard) suggests given a number rather than a fraction. We propose twenty, which is similar to the actual number when the clause was written. Modern standard business practices have moved away from written signatures. While there are several existing tools for appropriate digital signatures, the nomination process is only concerned with acknowledgement, so any tool that captures identity of the nominator should suffice.

Proposed new language for Bylaw II-C:

Each nomination shall be by petition(s) verifiably endorsed by at least twenty-five (25) members of the General Faculty. The Election Committee may make other nominations at its own discretion and shall endeavor to ensure that at least two nominations are made for each position to be filled.

Existing language for Bylaw II-C:

Nominations normally shall be by written petition bearing the signatures of at least five percent of the members of the General Faculty. The Election Committee may make other nominations at its own discretion and shall endeavor to ensure that at least two nominations are made for each position to be filled.