University of Virginia Library

Committee Revises By—Laws,
Faculty Senate Size To Increase

By RICHARD JONES

The Faculty Senate amended and
approved its constitution and by-laws last
week and submitted the
recommendations for approval to the
vote of the entire faculty.

After the faculty of the College of
Arts and Sciences last year asked the
Senate to revise its constitution, the
Senate appointed a committee chaired by
Arthur Stocker, Chairman of the
Department of Classics, to recommend
changes in its constitution.

According to David Shannon, provost
of the University, the major changes are
that it enlarges the Senate size to 80
plus the ex-officio members and that it
alters the method of appointment from
each school.

Representation will be based on the
total faculty and student enrollment.

Mr. Shannon added that the new
constitution recognizes certain
committees already in existence. "In
fact," he said, "this action puts into
statute law what was common law."

The proposed faculty senate would
have all the powers of the general faculty
except the granting of degrees. Mr.
Shannon pointed out that "among the
things it has to do is that is must approve
new degree programs."

Commenting on the revised
constitution, Mr. Shannon said that "it is
not a drastic departure and that it doesn't
alter the faculty government."

Additional duties of the proposed
Senate, to its constitution are that "it
shall be deemed competent . . . to advise
the President and the Rector and Board
of Visitors concerning educational policy
and related matters affecting the welfare
of the University.

Ex-officio members of the proposed
Senate include the President and
Vice-presidents of the University and the
deans of all the schools of the University
located in Charlottesville.

Within the new Senate, the governing
body will be the Executive Council
consisting of eight elected members of
the Senate and the President of the
University, ex-officio.

The proposed constitution, provides
that the Senate would meet twice a
semester and additional meetings may be
called by the President of the University
or by the chairman of the executive
council.

According to Dexter Whitehead, dean
of the faculty, the new senate will
become effective next fall if it is
approved.