MEMBERS

Committees

The following committees are created by and report to the Faculty Senate:

Academic Technology Committee (Vice President of Finance and Administration)

Mission: Continually assess the quality of campus technology with an emphasis on academic computing. Make recommendations to the Vice President of Finance & Administration regarding new technologies and ways to improve existing campus technology. Review proposed campus programs or changes to existing campus programs that affect academic technology. Address issues brought to the committee by students, staff, or faculty regarding ways to improve academic technology.

Appointments Committee (Faculty Senate)

Mission: Supervise the filling of vacancies and the election of all Senate Committees. Keep appropriate records of the terms of office and maintain a file of the official records of all committee minutes. File a copy of all official records with the BHSU Library Archives at the end of every year. One faculty member will be appointed from each college. All terms will be for one year.

Assessment Committee-University (Provost)

Mission: Encourage, promote, and support the assessment of student learning across the institution.

Campus Safety & Emergency Planning Committee (Vice President of Finance and Administration)

Mission: Discuss current conditions of and proposed changes to campus building and grounds, safety and accessibility, and campus design and appearance. Educate students, faculty, and staff about emergency policies and procedures and update resources to support emergency response.

Case Library Committee (Provost)

Mission: Advise the Case Library’s staff on collection acquisition, management, and library policies.
Promote the library’s holdings and activities by sponsoring special programs, participating in history
conferences and by working with the support group, Friends of Leland Case Library.

Chiesman Committee (Provost)

Mission: Promote civic education for BHSU students with special emphasis and attention to broadening awareness of democratic ideals and the significance of citizenship.

Curriculum Committee (Faculty Senate)

Mission: Study, approve, and make recommendations to the Faculty Senate concerning any changes made in the curriculum in any area of the University, including course and program request changes.

*Terms are three years with three members (one from each college) appointed each year.

Distinguished Faculty Award Committee (Faculty Senate)

Mission: Recommend a recipient of the Black Hills State University Distinguished Faculty Award to the Faculty Senate and the President.

*All those who previously received this award will serve until they retire or leave BHSU, coordinated by the Vice President of Faculty Senate (Chair, nonvoting)

Opportunity Center Steering Committee (Provost)

Mission: The Opportunity Center Steering Committee coordinates the campus services and activities that work to support opportunities for all students to benefit from education and to prepare to live and work in South Dakota or anywhere in the world.

Employee Recognition Committee (Vice President of Finance and Administration)

Mission: Recommend to the President, names of employees or university areas for recognition by
Black Hills State University, Black Hills Foundation and the President in the areas of:
1. Presidential Rising Star Faculty
2. Presidential Rising Star Non-Faculty
3. Presidential Outstanding Employee
4. Presidential Team Excellence
5. Presidential Student Employee

Financial Aid Appeals Committee (Vice President of Enrollment Management)

Mission: Assist in reviews of students who have been financially suspended because they have not met the requirements set for the University’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy. Review and allow those students back on financial aid who appear to be able to successfully complete their degree in a timely manner.

General Education Requirements Committee (Faculty Senate)

Mission: Responsible for studying, approving, and making recommendations to the Faculty Senate
concerning the general education requirements for BHSU students. Terms are for three years.

Graduate Council (Provost)

Mission: Advise the Provost on matters related to graduate program requirements and procedures.

Honorary Doctorate Committee (President)

Mission: Solicit nominations and make selections for honorary degree recipients.

Honors Advisory Committee (Provost)

Mission: Advise the Honors Director and the Provost on matters related to the Honors Program.

Institutional Research Board (Animal Care and Human Subjects Committee) (Provost)

Mission: Ensure the appropriate treatment of animal specimens and human subjects involved in research projects.

Madeline Young Speaker Series Committee (Vice President for University Advancement)

Mission: Bring prominent speakers to campus to benefit students, faculty and citizens of the Black Hills area. The nature of selected speakers and topics are selected to enhance and challenge the artistic, cultural, civic, educational, or intellectual interests of the community.

Naming Advisory Committee (President)

Mission: To accept nominations for naming of buildings, field/courts, conference rooms, centers or other academic programs, as well as positions such as endowed faculty chair, Dean, Department Chair or the like. This includes naming after an individual, family, company or corporation.

NCAA Athletic Compliance Committee (Director of Athletics)

Mission: Oversee the rules, best practices, compliance policies and procedures for the institution as it relates to NCAA DII Athletics. The committee is comprised of individuals from the following departments: Athletic Department, Admissions, Professional Advisors, Student Support Services, Facility Athletic Representative, Registrar, Financial Aid, and meets quarterly to review, update, and implement compliance procedures.

*The goal of the Athletic Compliance Committee is to provide transparency and institutional control in accordance with NCAA DII and RMAC requirements.

Promotion & Tenure Committee – University (President)

Mission: Consider eligible faculty for tenure and promotion and make recommendations to the president. 50% Administration--50% Faculty.

Research Council (Provost)

Mission: Develop and implement a strategic plan to strengthen research at BHSU and identify key areas that will shape the research identity.

Research Symposium Committee (Provost)

Mission: Help promote undergraduate research on the Black Hills State University campus through organizing and overseeing an annual Black Hills Research Symposium.

Scholarship Committee (Vice President for University Advancement)

Mission: Oversee the development, management, and maintenance of scholarship policies, procedures and operations.

Staff Senate

Mission: An organization of staff at Black Hills State University (BHSU) who have been elected to represent their peers on the BHSU campuses.

Sustainability & Biodiversity Committee (Vice President of Finance & Administration)

Mission: Recommend strategies to advance BHSU’s commitment to sustainability, promote sustainability efforts on campus, and educate the campus community on sustainability issues. The Biodiversity Subcommittee will coordinate with Facilities Services to help maintain the beauty of the campus landscape, while protecting the environment and fostering conservation efforts within the community, as well as lead the University’s application for Tree Campus USA certification through Arbor Day Foundation.

Strategic Enrollment Management Governance Committee (VP for Enrollment Management)

Mission: The committee will implement strategic goals, enable plan implementation, evaluate budget initiatives, monitor goal progress through a KPI report card, and make recommendations to the President and Senior Leadership Team. The group will also be responsible to develop and monitor the enrollment and retention dashboards and take appropriate action to ensure BHSU is on track to reach our enrollment and retention goals.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - PREAMBLE AND PURPOSE

The Faculty Senate of Black Hills State University is an elected body that expresses the
faculty’s concerns for the welfare and improvement of the University through stimulating
communications, formulating general university policy, and performing those duties and
functions especially allocated to or assumed by the faculty.

Black Hills State University, under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents of the State of South
Dakota, is a self-governing community of scholars in which faculty, staff, administration, and
students all have legitimate and meaningful roles to play in the achievement of their common
goals.

The Faculty Senate constitutes the proper forum for faculty participation in policy and procedural
determination with regard to those academic matters in which the faculty have expertise and
responsibility and in all other areas that affect the faculty.

The actions taken by the Faculty Senate are subject to the limitations imposed by the laws of
the State of South Dakota, the President of the University, and the Board of Regents’ (BOR)
contract.

The Faculty Senate subscribes to and promotes the American Association of University
Professors’ Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom.

ARTICLE II - NATURE, AUTHORITY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND DUTIES

Section 1

The Faculty Senate shall be the delegate assembly of the faculty through which the faculty
members shall normally exercise their powers. “Faculty member” is defined as a full-time,
tenure-track faculty member. Adjunct and Instructor positions are not eligible to serve.

Section 2

The Faculty Senate shall work toward the orderly development of the educational programs and
policies of the university; facilitate communication and cooperation among officers of the
administration and the university faculty; promote the continued improvement of higher
education in the state of South Dakota, and strive to procure the best conditions possible for
faculty instruction, research, and service.

Section 3

The Faculty Senate shall have the power to review, consider, recommend, and in some cases
determine policies pertaining to the general welfare of the university, the faculty, and the
students. The Faculty Senate will present faculty positions on academic and other issues of
university concern and examine and recommend to the President and/or the Board of Regents
any action taken by a committee, council, college, school, department, or other administrative
offices of the university.

The Faculty Senate’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to making
recommendations:
a. for entrance requirements for students;
b. for the general education requirements for the university;
c. for the registration procedure;
d. for the academic catalog contents;
e. on requested courses and curriculum changes;
f. for graduation requirements;
g. for rules and regulations for the granting of honorary degrees by the institution;
h. for rules and regulations for the government and discipline of the students;
i. for rules and regulations for the organization, operation, and control of student organizations
and group activities;
j. for rules and regulations to govern the conduct of all intercollegiate activities, including
athletics;
k. for approval of degree, diploma, and certificate candidates;
l. for committees and committee members to function on behalf of the faculty.

Section 4

The Faculty Senate shall have the power to advise the University President on general
budgetary policy and financial problems directly affecting the university.

Section 5

The Faculty Senate shall foster open and free communication between faculty and the
administration. Any member of the faculty may request the Senate to consider, for discussion
and possible action, topics of concern for the welfare and improvement of the university and
higher education in South Dakota under the jurisdiction of the Senate.

Section 6

The Faculty Senate shall consider questions referred to it by the University President, the
Provost, and/or the President of the Faculty Senate.

Section 7

The Faculty Senate shall have the power to establish ad hoc and standing committees;
establish rules, memberships, and procedures for its committees; and review, approve, or veto
the actions of the committees under its jurisdiction.

Section 8

Nothing in this article shall be construed as prohibiting consultation at all levels of the student,
faculty, or administrative organization.

Section 9

Upon a written request, signed by twenty-five percent (25%) of the faculty, any action of the
Faculty Senate may be reviewed at a general faculty meeting called within two weeks of the
receipt of the request.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND ELECTIONS

Section 1

Members of the Senate will be elected from their respective academic units. The length of a
senator’s term shall be three (3) years. Terms will be staggered. Faculty will elect members as
follows:
a. College of Liberal Arts (Schools of Arts, Humanities, Mathematics & Social Sciences): Three
(3) members: one (1) from each school.
b. College of Behavioral & Natural Sciences (Schools of Natural Sciences, Behavioral
Sciences): Two (2) members: one (1) from each school.
c. College of Business: One (1) member
d. College of Education: One (1) member
e. One (1) at large from College of Liberal Arts
f. One (1) at large from College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
g. One (1) at large from College of Education/College of Business
In the event a seat listed in e.-g. cannot be filled, the seat becomes a university at-large seat for
the duration of the term. Once the term ends, the seat returns to its original unit.

Section 2

In the event a member is unable to assume or complete their term, a special election shall be
held within the unit (School or College) from which the member was elected and the elected
individual will complete the unexpired term.

Section 3

Election of members shall be held each year no earlier than April 1 nor later than April 30.
Members elected in April will be seated at the first meeting held after April 30. In April, the
President shall solicit nominations for vacancies on the Senate caused by the expiration of
terms or unexpected vacancies and oversee the election of the new members.

Section 4

The Vice-president of the Faculty Senate shall act as chair of the Election Committee. The
President of the Faculty Senate shall appoint by March 1 two Senate members to serve on the
election committee.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1

The officers of the Faculty Senate shall consist of a president, vice-president, and secretary.
These officers shall constitute the executive committee of the Senate. The executive committee
will coordinate and monitor the activities and actions of the Senate.

Section 2

The President, Vice-president, and Secretary of the Senate shall be elected from the voting
members of the Senate at the first meeting in May. The persons elected will assume office on
August 1.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

Section 1

The Faculty Senate shall meet a minimum of once a month at the time and place determined by
the Senate. The Bylaws may provide for meetings more than once a month. (Bylaws, Article III,
Section 1)

Section 2

Special meetings of the Senate shall be called by the President of the Faculty Senate or upon
written request to the President of the Senate by one-half of the voting membership of the
Senate.

Section 3

Senate meetings are open to all members of the faculty. Other university personnel besides the
Senate may participate in Senate discussions upon recognition by and notification to the
President of their intent. Other non-university persons may address the Senate if a quorum of
the senators vote to allow them to speak.

Section 4

A majority of the members of the Faculty Senate shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5

Two-thirds (2/3) of votes cast, provided a quorum is present, shall be required in the Faculty
Senate to determine an issue or an election.

Section 6

A proxy shall be recognized only if a senator notifies a Faculty Senate officer of the name of the
proxy holder before the scheduled meeting of the Senate. A proxy holder must be a member of
the same college as the absent senator. (See Bylaws, Article V, Section 1)

Section 7

The definitive authority governing the Faculty Senate shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Section 8

Within ten (10) days of approval of the minutes, the Faculty Senate shall distribute its minutes to
the members of the faculty. The secretary shall record and report in the minutes the results of all
votes.

ARTICLE VI - SCHEDULE, AMENDMENTS, AND BYLAWS

Section 1

This constitution shall go into effect immediately upon the affirmative vote of the two-thirds of
the voting membership of the Faculty Senate and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the faculty
voting on the issue by written ballot.

Section 2

Amendments to this constitution shall be proposed by a two-thirds vote of the voting
membership of the Faculty Senate and ratified by a two-thirds vote of the faculty voting on the
issue.

Section 3

The Faculty Senate may establish the initial bylaws by a vote of two-thirds of the faculty
members voting on the issue.

Adopted by the faculty on December 10, 1970
(Amended February 8, 1973)
(Amended November 1, 1989)
(Amended ________________, 1995)
(Amended September 10, 1998)
(Amended April 5, 2006)
IMPLEMENTATION CLAUSE: this Constitution and Bylaws will go into effect immediately after
ratification by two-thirds (2/3) of the voting faculty in April 2008. (Amended April 16, 2008)
Amended in November 2011 unanimously by the voting faculty.
(Amended April 17, 2024)

BYLAWS 

ARTICLE I – BYLAWS 

Section 1 

Bylaws may be adopted, repealed, or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Senate. Proposed changes or additions must be submitted to the Senate President for distribution to Senate members one meeting prior to the meeting during which the vote is taken and must be placed on the printed agenda for the meeting. 

ARTICLE II -- Officers and Duties 

Section 1 - Office of President 

A. The term of office of the Faculty Senate President shall be one year. 

B. The Faculty Senate President will be elected from the body of the Faculty Senate. 

C. The Faculty Senate President shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. 

D. The Faculty Senate President will vote only when his or her vote will change the results of the vote. 

Section 2 - Duties of the President 

A. The President shall preside at the Faculty Senate meetings. 

B. The President shall serve as a liaison between the faculty and the administration with the responsibility of presenting the faculty’s “point of view” on those issues considered by the administration that are of direct concern to the faculty of 

Black Hills State University. 

C. The Senate President shall transmit to the President of the University reports of the Secretary of the Senate concerning all recommendations approved (arrived at) by the Faculty Senate. The President of the University shall have thirty days after the receipt of such reports to exercise the privilege to veto. The Faculty Senate by a two-thirds vote may then return the issue to the President of the University for reconsideration. 

D. The President and/or the Vice President shall ensure that Senate committees are meeting, chairs, and other officers have been elected, minutes are kept, and annual reports to the Senate are filed yearly in April. Annual reports will be kept by the University Archives. 

Section 3 – Office and Duties of the Vice-President of the Faculty Senate 

A. The term of office of the Vice-President shall be one year with no term limit. 

B. The Vice-President will be elected from the body of the Faculty Senate. C. The Vice-President shall be a voting member of the Faculty Senate. 

D. The Vice-President shall assume the office of the President of the Faculty Senate in the absence of the President. 

E. The Vice-President will complete the term of the President when the President is unable to do so. 

F. The Vice-President will be the Chair of the Distinguished Faculty Awards Committee and the Appointments Committee. 

G. Upon leaving office, the (now former) Vice-President will become a one-year additional member on the Appointments Committee. Faculty Senate Bylaws April 2012—Page 2 of 4 

Section 4 – Office and Duties of the Secretary of the Faculty Senate 

A. The term of office of the Secretary will be one year, with no term limit. 

B. The Secretary will be elected from the body of the Faculty Senate. 

C. The Secretary of the Faculty Senate shall be a voting member. 

D. The Secretary of the Faculty Senate will record all deliberations and actions of the Faculty Senate. 

E. The Secretary will distribute the record of the proceedings to the Senate for approval by its next meeting. 

F. The Secretary will distribute the record of the proceedings to the general faculty and administration. 

ARTICLE III -- Schedule of Senate Meetings 

Section 1 

The Faculty Senate shall schedule meetings for the afternoon of the first and third Wednesdays of each month from September to May, with the exception that there will be only one meeting scheduled in May. 

Section 2 

The second meeting of the month will be held if there are any agenda items. 

Section 3 

The Senate President, University Provost, and/or University President may call special meetings for specific and clearly stated purposes. 

ARTICLE IV -- Agenda Items 

Section 1 

Agenda items will be printed and submitted to the Senate members at least one day before the Senate meetings. 

Section 2 

Any faculty member may request in writing an item to be added to the official agenda of the 

Faculty Senate by submitting the item to a Senate representative before a scheduled meeting 

ARTICLE V -- Proxies 

Section 1 

In the event a Senate member is unable to attend any regular or special meeting, the Senate member may: 

A. Designate another faculty member from the member’s elective unit (school or college) to attend in their place by notifying a Faculty Senate officer. 

B. The proxy shall have the same right and privileges as the regular member, with the exception that the regular member shall have the right to instruct the proxy on their voting preference on any specific issue on the Senate agenda and the proxy must honor the preference. Faculty Senate Bylaws April 2012—Page 3 of 4 

ARTICLE VI – Committees 

Section 1 

The Faculty Senate will establish the following committees if they are not already in existence. 

Standing Committees 

a. Appointments Committee (AC) 

b. University Curriculum Committee (UCC) 

c. Distinguished Faculty Awards Committee (DFAC) 

d. General Education Committee (GEC) 

e. Library/Education Media Committee (LEMC) 

f. Ad hoc Committees and Sub-committees as Needed 

The Faculty Senate will coordinate committee activities and assignments with COHE and the administration. 

Section 2 

Each standing committee will elect a chair and other officers as needed. 

Section 3 

All committees will meet in September. Other meetings may be scheduled during the year as needed. 

Section 4 

Each committee will keep minutes of its meetings and file an annual report with the Faculty Senate in April. 

Section 5 

The membership of the committees will be determined by the Faculty Senate through the 

Appointments Committee or directly by the Faculty Senate. All members of the committees will be chosen by the last meeting in May. 

Section 6 - Standing Committees Functions 

A. Appointments Committee (AC) 

The Appointments Committee will supervise the filling of vacancies on all Senate committees, except where the Senate appoints members directly. They will keep appropriate records of the terms of office and they will be in charge of keeping a file of the official records of all committee minutes. At the end of every year, the committee will file a copy of all official records with the BHSU Library Archives. The Vice President of the Faculty Senate chairs this committee and is a non-voting member. The membership of the committee shall include one member from each college. Regular terms will be three (3) years, staggered at one-year intervals, with terms expiring in the spring. Upon leaving office, the (now former) Vice-President will become a one-year additional member of the Appointments Committee. 

B. University Curriculum Committee (UCC) 

The Curriculum Committee will be responsible for studying, approving, and making recommendations to the Senate concerning any changes made in the curriculum in any area of the University. This will include course and program request changes. The membership of the committee shall include three members from each college. Regular terms for members from each college will be three Faculty Senate Bylaws April 2012—Page 4 of 4 

(3) years, staggered at one-year intervals so terms of one member from each college will expire each spring. 

C. Distinguished Faculty Awards Committee (FAC) 

The Distinguished Faculty Awards Committee will be responsible for recommending a nominee for the award to the Senate and the Provost, as established in the policy approved in 2011. They may establish other faculty awards as they deem appropriate. 

The Vice President of the Faculty Senate chairs the committee and is a non-voting member. The committee is composed of all those who have previously received this award, who serve until they retire or leave the university. 

D. General Education Committee (GEC) 

The General Education Committee will be responsible for studying, approving, and making recommendations to the Senate concerning the general education requirements for BHSU students; and for preparing and writing the General Education assessment report for the Assessment Committee. The committee is composed of at least nine (9) faculty members, chosen for their contributions to, knowledge of, and interest in general education. There must be at least one member from each college. Terms are for three (3) years and are staggered. 

E. Library/Educational Media Committee (LEMC) 

The Library/Educational Media Committee will make recommendations to the Director of the Library and the Coordinator of the Educational Media Center for the acquisition and distribution of materials and the implementation of procedures and policies relating to the Library and the Educational Media Center. The committee is composed of at least eight (8) members, chosen for their interest in and use of the library. There must be at least one member from each of the colleges. Terms are for three years and are staggered. 

Bylaws adopted __________________, 1995 

Approved by Senate: February 15, 1995 

Amended September 10, 1998 

Amended April 5, 2006 

Amended April 16, 2008 

IMPLEMENTATION CLAUSE: this Constitution and Bylaws will go into effect immediately after ratification by two-thirds (2/3) of the faculty in April 2008. 

Bylaws Article III amended May 4, 2011. 

Bylaws amended April 18, 2012. 

Current Year: SY 2023-2024

September 6, 2023

September 20, 2023  

October 4, 2023

October 18, 2023

November 1, 2023

November 15, 2023

December 6, 2023

January 17, 2024

February 7, 2024

February 21, 2024

March 20, 2024

April 3, 2024

April 17, 2024

Archived Minutes

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