Constitution

Section 1. Full time faculty members assigned to Lone Star College–Montgomery without administrative and/or evaluative roles over other full time faculty. Adjunct faculty members currently assigned to teach one or more courses at Lone Star College–Montgomery who do not serve in a concurrent administrative capacity.

Section 1. The purpose of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall be affected through its membership, elected Executive Board, and authorized committees.

Section 2. The general meetings of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall serve as the legislative body of the organization.

Section 3. Meetings are scheduled once per month during long semesters and as needed during the summer. The date and time shall be set by the Senate president in consultation with the Executive Board to accommodate a majority of voting members of the Senate.

Members present at a meeting of the full senate shall constitute a quorum.

An agenda for each meeting of the Senate shall be prepared by the Executive Board. The agenda shall be published to the Senate members at least three days before the meeting is to be held. Requests by Senate members to include any item on the agenda of the Senate must be submitted to the President at least four days prior to the meeting at which the proposed agenda item is to be discussed. Under emergency conditions, an agenda item may be added to the published agenda by the President or by one-half the members of the Executive Board present at the meeting.

A simple majority vote of those members present will be sufficient for routine action items and resolutions of the Senate.

Section 1. Elected officers of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and three Representatives from each of the college’s Academic Divisions, plus one librarian and one counselor.

Section 2. All officers shall be elected from the Lone Star College–Montgomery faculty membership. Elected officers of the Senate must be full-time members of the faculty.

Section 3. The elected officers of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall be elected by a simple majority of a secret lock box ballot during April of each odd numbered year. The Election Committee will determine election procedures. The Election Committee shall consist of one Election Judge from each of the divisions chosen by the Executive Board from members not seeking senate office. Votes shall be counted and certified by the three Election Judges.

Section 4. The term of office shall begin on May 1 and shall last for two years or until a successor is elected. Officers may succeed themselves but may serve no more than 2 consecutive terms.

Section 5.1. In the event of the death, signed resignation, or vote of no confidence of any elective officer other than the President or Vice President, the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall hold a special election to fill the vacancy from its membership.

Section 5.2. Any vacancy in the presidency shall be filled according to the procedures in Article VI, Section 3.

Section 5.3. In the event the position of Vice President is vacated upon the succession of the Vice President to the presidency, the Executive Board may appoint an interim Vice President.

Section 6. No officer shall hold more than one office at a time.

Section 7. The elected officers, including Division Representatives, shall constitute the Executive Board which shall:

a. Convene once each month preceding Senate meetings.
b. Establish the meeting agenda in consultation with the Senate President
c. Act on behalf of the membership in emergency circumstances.
d. Establish procedures for regular, special, and no confidence elections.

Section 1. The President of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall:

a. Represent the Lone Star College–Montgomery faculty at Lone Star College System Board meetings, Presidents Council meetings, and other events.
b. Lead all meetings of the Senate.
c. Prepare meeting agendas in consultation with the Executive Board.
d. Handle e-mail and other communication associated with Senate business.
e. Represent faculty to the administration with input on all matters associated with the Senate.
f. Call for all votes.

Section 2. The Vice President of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall:

a. Temporarily assume the President’s duties in the absence of the President.
b. Permanently assume the President’s duties upon the President’s death, resignation, or vote of no confidence.
c. Maintain official membership roll.
d. Handle logistics for Senate meetings (scheduling, room, etc.)
e. Provide executive oversight of Senate committees.
f. Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the President.

Section 3. The Secretary of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall:

a. Maintain Faculty Senate history.
b. Maintain and distribute Senate minutes.
c. Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the President.

Section 5. The Division, Library and Counselor Representatives of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate shall:

a. Communicate Division issues to the Faculty Senate.
b. Provide agenda items for Executive Board and Senate meetings.
c. Communicate Senate business to their Divisions.
d. Serve as members of the Senate Executive Board.

Section 1. Any officer shall be removed from office upon a vote of no confidence by the membership. A vote of no confidence shall be initiated by a petition signed by at least one-fourth of the membership and presented to the Senate Executive Board. The Executive Board shall determine a date for a vote of no confidence to be held between 15 and 30 days of receipt of said petition. Upon a vote of no confidence by two-thirds of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate membership, the officer shall be immediately removed from office.

Section 2. The no confidence vote shall be conducted by secret paper ballot.

Section 1. Standing and Ad Hoc Committees shall be established as needed by the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate President and require approval by the Executive Board.

Section 2. The Standing Committees of the Montgomery Faculty Senate shall be:
a. Rights and Responsibilities - The Rights and Responsibilities Committee shall promulgate the faculty’s beliefs regarding rights and responsibilities and shall provide advice and/or support for faculty members pursuing grievances or seeking remedies for problems with college policies and procedures.
b. Excellence Awards – Each academic year the Excellence Awards Committee shall select the College’s excellence awards winners. Procedures and criteria for selection will be established by the Executive Board with approval of the full Senate.
c. Elections – The Election Committee shall consist of at least three members who will serve as election judges to certify and count the ballots cast for all Senate elections.

Section 3. Committee Chairs shall be appointed as needed by the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate President and require approval by the Executive Board.

Section 1. Amendments shall be proposed in writing and submitted to the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate President at regular Senate meetings.

Section 2. For purposes of discussion, debate, or revision, proposed amendments shall be placed on the agenda and considered at the next regular Senate meeting after they have been proposed in writing.

Section 3. Amendments shall be adopted by two-thirds of the votes cast by the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate members in attendance.

Section 1. This Constitution shall require the approval of a simple majority of the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate members in attendance.

Section 2. Upon ratification, this Constitution shall become effective immediately as the document of authority for the Lone Star College–Montgomery Faculty Senate.