CODE Proposed Amendment: International Affairs Committee Membership (7-day Notice)

To: KU Faculty, Staff, and Students

From: Josh Arpin, University Senate President-Elect

Re: Review of Amendment to the University Senate Code

The University Senate International Affairs Committee made a recommendation to the University Senate Executive Committee (SenEx) to amend the committee’s membership in the University Senate Code.

The proposed change provides equal representation of faculty, staff, and students on the committee. The rationale is that this will enable the committee to have a greater perspective from staff and students and better address the charges which affect the various groups. The reorganization of the International Affairs Committee ensures equity in representation and is in line with the recent reorganization of the University Senate.

Proposed changes to the University Senate Code:

Article X. Standing Committees of the University Senate

Section 2. Membership

The Committee on International Affairs shall be composed of four faculty members serving staggered three-year terms, two four representatives from the staff serving staggered three-year terms, and two four student members serving one-year terms. Student appointments should attempt to distribute representation evenly among undergraduate, graduate, domestic, and international students, provided interest. and the following ex-officio, non-voting member The Associate Vice Provost for International Programs or designee shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting member. Either a faculty member or staff member may be appointed as chair.

Specific changes:

We are changing the number of staff representatives to four. Student representation will change to four, with the attempt to distribute representation evenly among undergraduate, graduate, domestic and international students. Faculty representation remains unchanged at four.

The University Senate will discuss this proposal to amend Article 10 Section 2 of the University Senate Code on March 28 at 3:15 pm on Zoom:

https://kansas.zoom.us/j/97871612506

Meeting ID: 978 7161 2506

Passcode: 956978

At that point, under the University Senate Code, Article 1.8.2 (f), a motion may be made to suspend the provision requiring the senate to discuss code changes in one meeting and take a vote at a subsequent meeting. If such a motion is made and passes by a 2/3 majority, a vote on this amendment may occur at the March 28 meeting.  No changes of the Code can occur without a 2/3 majority of the University Senate.

Please note that it is a requirement that proposed changes to the Code be sent to all faculty, staff, and students, but no action is required on your part unless you wish to submit a written comment. Please send your written comments on the proposed amendment to the University Governance Office (govern@ku.edu) by noon on March 28.

Please contact the University Governance Office, govern@ku.edu, if you have any questions about this amendment.

Thank you,

Josh Arpin, University Senate President-Elect