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University Senate Election
On February 11, 2005, the Regents of the University of Minnesota approved the addition of 25 Civil Service employees to the University Senate. The chair and vice-chair of the Civil Service Committee are automatically two of these members, with another 23 elected civil service employees. These senators will give civil service a direct voice on issues pertaining all campuses and colleges. It will give us a chance to regularly interact with faculty, students, and other academic staff and seek solutions to problems collectively.
Call for ApplicationsWe are now asking for applications to fill nine senate seats. An e-mail will be sent to eligible employees by area of representation. This will help employees to know to which area they belong. After the application deadline, the Civil Service Committee and the Senate Office will check the information and prepare election ballots by area of representation.
What is the Area of Representation?
The composition of the slate of senators will be by area of representation, comprised of all areas, campuses, and central administration, to include a representative balance from across all civil service classifications, and shall reflect the same practices used to configure the Civil Service Committee. This includes:
7 seats for all units which report to the Senior Vice President and Provost (all TC colleges and units within a college),
7 seats for all units which report to the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences,
6 seats for at-large (non-collegiate units), and
3 seats for coordinate campuses (one Crookston, one Duluth, one Morris).
Who is Eligible to Apply?
All civil service staff covered by the Civil Service Rules who have held temporary or continuing appointments of at least 50% time or more for at least two calendar years as of February 16, 2009, are eligible to apply for the University Senate. If you have any questions about your eligibility for service, please contact Becky Hippert at 612-626-8743, or hippe003@umn.edu.
How Do I Apply?The application form can be accessed here. The application needs to be filled out on-line and sent electronically.
What is the Timeline for the Process?
* Application process begins - March 16, 2009
* Application deadline - April 17, 2009
* Applications verified for eligibility - April 22, 2009
* Applicants announced - April 23, 2009
* Voting begins - May 4, 2009
* Voting ends - 4:30 PM on May 22, 2009
* Announcement of election results - by June 1, 2009
* Senate term starts - July 1, 2009
Who is Eligible to Vote?All civil service staff covered by the Civil Service Rules who have held temporary or continuing appointments of at least 36% time or more are eligible to vote for the University Senate.
A ballot for each area of representation will be sent to all employees in the area of representation. Coordinate campuses will vote for their own campus only. Ballots will be available on-line and sent electronically.
What do I need to vote?All you need to vote is your x.500 internet ID and password. For help with your password, please call 1-help (612-301-4357). If you don't have a personal computer available, you can access all information and forms through the computer kiosks available at different locations throughout campus.
What if I have a question?If you have questions please e-mail the chair of the committee, Susan Cable, at cable003@umn.edu, or call 612-625-9801.
Information about the University Senate Constitution and Bylaws is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give me any idea of the number of hours per week I should expect to commit?
The University Senate meets five to six times between September and May from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. The only time commitment besides the meetings is reviewing the agenda that is sent 10 days before the meeting date. There are a few other email reminders sent, but they do not require a time commitment. Any other commitment is at your discretion. For example, if you organize brown-bag lunches in your area to solicit feedback and comments from civil service employees on specific issues that should be brought to the University Senate's attention.
Will these be hours on my own time, or am I allowed to do committee and other work on during the workday?
The civil service rules do provide options for use of your time with or without pay. According to Rule 11, section 9, it says: "The responsible administrator has the discretion to determine whether a leave of absence with pay will be granted for a reasonable amount of time in University service, collegiate, campus or University committees, governance bodies, etc."
Serving on the University Senate should not interfere with the work schedule except as permitted by the rules and your department. Some civil service employees have the discretion to manage their own schedule. If you don't, you should work out a plan with your supervisor. Serving on the University Senate is very important and it should be viewed as not only representing civil service, but also as representing your unit, department, and college.
Your participation in University governance is an enhancement to be valued by supervisors and deans. We also hope to have a memo from Resident Bruininks or Vice President Carol Carrier encouraging supervisors to support the participation of their staff. We will let you know when it becomes available, or please check the CSC website for the memo.
What are the appointment terms?
Civil Service employees will elect members from their respective groups to serve on the University Senate for terms of three years. Elected members of the University Senate shall not serve more than two consecutive terms and shall be eligible for re-election only after a one-year interval of non-University Senate membership.
What is expected of a senator?
Serving on the University Senate should be in conjunction with the work schedule. A member of the University Senate will forfeit membership by neglecting three consecutive meetings of the University Senate. Civil Service Senators will closely work with and report to the Civil Service Committee.
Will there be any training?
A first meeting and orientation with the Civil Service Committee will be scheduled in July. The Senate Office will also provide a new senator orientation session prior to the first meeting of the year.
I'm interested in applying but since my attendance at meetings will include travel expenses, could you tell me if funds are provided centrally for this, or would my department be expected to cover these expenses?
The Senate does not reimburse for travel expenses for Senate meetings. There are too many senators to offer this option. Parking will be paid because of disability needs.
For senators from the coordinate campuses, there is a phone connection at each campus so these senators are not expected to travel to the meetings in person. Senators from the Twin Cities have the option of reciprocal parking or the campus bus. In either case, departments are not required to reimburse for these expenses.
We would recommend checking with your unit or the chancellor's office at coordinate campuses if travel can be reimbursed as you are serving on a University governance body for the greater good.
What if I change jobs and therefore the area of representation?
To continue to serve in the University Senate, a Civil Service staff representative must continue to meet Civil Service eligibility requirements for the University Senate. Civil Service Senators who move out of their area of representation during their term may serve out their term and continue to represent the former area of representation. To be reelected, they must be elected from their current area of representation.
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