Rules and Procedures

The primary reason the Faculty Senate uses Robert鈥檚 Rules is that our constitution requires it.  But more broadly, any set of parliamentary rules are designed to make meetings run more efficiently and most importantly to protect the rights of all members during the decision-making process.   The main guiding principles of Robert鈥檚 Rules include:  

  1. The majority has the right to make decisions.  Once a matter is decided it cannot be considered again at the same meeting (with some exceptions). 
  2. All members (even those in the minority) have the right to be heard on any matter before the body.   It is hard to end debate or take other actions that limit the rights of a member.  These actions usually take a 2/3 vote as opposed to a simple majority. 
  3. Only one 鈥渢hing鈥 (motion) can be discussed at a time and with limited exceptions the discussion must be germane to the motion that is being considered.  Members speak specifically to the subject under debate and the merits of the pending question, and they must ask questions that are relevant to the current topic. 
  4. Only one member may speak at a time once recognized by the chair of a meeting. Only urgent matters can interrupt a speaker (these are special actions that require immediate attention). 
  5. Everyone has the right to participate in discussion if they wish, before anyone may speak a second time. 
  6. A member is entitled to one, and only one, vote on any question that the body is considering.   

Any set of parliamentary rules are quite formal and complex, but in general, to run a good meeting the group only needs to be as formal as necessary.   If members are familiar with the general principles and some basic rules, a meeting can run smoothly without being too formal or rigid.  The rules are there, when necessary, in order to make sure everyone鈥檚 rights are protected and a body can make a decision efficiently while allowing all voices to be heard in a constructive debate.   The chair of a meeting should make sure they help guide members when the rules get complex, and no member should use the rules in a dilatory manner.  

A 鈥渕ain motion鈥 is the beginning of any item up for Faculty Senate action.  Main motions can come from a variety of places: the Executive Committee, a Standing Committee, a Task Force, or from a Senator.  Any motion from an individual Senator requires a second, while a motion from a committee does not require a second.   In essence, a motion is someone saying the 鈥淔aculty Senate should do this鈥 and then allowing the body to discuss whether 鈥渢his鈥 is a good idea.  It is good practice for Senators to discuss a potential item for Faculty Senate consideration with the Executive Committee in advance of a meeting.  It is also good practice to have the language of a main motion prepared, in writing, prior to a meeting.    

Once this happens, the chair restates the motion and debate of the pending main motion begins.  Members can speak to the motion once recognized by the chair.  If the motion came from a member on the floor, it is typical practice for the chair to recognize the maker of the motion first.  Another good practice is for the chair to alternate between individuals speaking in favor of the motion and those opposed.  Debate must be germane to the motion being considered.   Members can speak once to the pending motion and can speak a second time after all other individuals had the opportunity to speak first.  This is also the opportunity to make subsidiary motions that deal with how the main motion is handled by the body (see below).   Once debate has concluded naturally (i.e. no one else wants to speak) or ended by a motion (more on this later), then the body votes on the pending motion.  A majority is required to adopt a main motion.  
A 鈥渕ain motion鈥 is just the tip of the iceberg but it is the fundamental motion since it is what gets business started.  There are several other types of motions that deal with: how to process the main motion (subsidiary motions), how to deal with meeting issues (privileged motions), and how to address questions of procedure (incidental motions).   Not all these motions are typically relevant but familiarity with a few will certainly help meetings run more smoothly.  

These types of motion allow the body to decide how to dispose of a main motion.  In an ideal world, the main motion before the body will be perfect and after de