Background of Resolution to Modify Nominations and Election Committee Selection Process

This resolution would change the selection process of the Nominations & Elections Committee from complete election at large to a combination of election at large and appointment by the committee itself.  The reason for the proposal is simple: Given the current system of the entire Faculty’s electing 3 members every 3 years, it is almost impossible to have the committee membership even roughly reflect the college/school, disciplinary, gender and racial/ethnic diversity of the University. Apart from the intrinsic importance of such representation on a key Senate committee, this makes it difficult for committee members to generate names of faculty from unrepresented units, etc. when the committee is making nominations. Even though the committee uses a variety of techniques (including the annual canvass asking for nominations and, more recently, conversations with individual department chairs) to identify potential faculty for committees and other university service, at the end of the day a primary tool remains the members’ own knowledge of colleagues and other acquaintances across the university. The broader the committee membership, the more successful Nominations and Elections will be in involving the full spectrum of faculty in University service.

The language expressing the goal of balance is roughly modeled on an analogous provision in the FACTA legislation.

If this resolution is approved, the transition in selection methods would be implemented by converting one elected position each year to an appointed position, until three positions have been converted. It is expected that the committee would make the selection in the late spring, after the results of the faculty election at large are announced. At that point, the composition of the new committee (but one) would be known and an appropriately balancing nomination can be presented for approval at the May Senate meeting. This will result in a full committee in place for the new academic year.