Section 8. Executive Council

8.1  Membership. The Executive Council shall consist of the following voting members:
a. The President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, and Vice President of the Faculty Senate.
b. The chairs of the six standing committees.
c. Four members-at-large elected in March by the Senate from among the Elected Senators. The members-at-large will serve two-year terms beginning on July 1. A member-at-large ceasing to be an Elected Senator shall be replaced. Terms shall be staggered so that approximately half of the members-at-large are elected each year, and no more than two of the members-at-large may be from the same School or College.

8.2  Duties. The Executive Council shall perform the following duties:
a. It shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the authority granted to the Senate as outlined under Articles 1.1 through 1.6. Members of the Executive Council are expected to act in the interest of the Faculty Senate as a whole and of the University of Vermont.
b. It shall set the agenda for meetings of the Faculty Senate, and shall be responsible generally for administration of the Senate.
c. It shall monitor the activities of Senate committees, establishing committee priorities where necessary to ensure committee responsibilities are discharged in a timely fashion.
d. It shall serve to receive requests from the administration, the faculty, student bodies, etc. and direct those requests to the appropriate Senate body to ensure prompt and effective resolution of matters within its jurisdiction.
e. It shall consider budgetary implications for University policies and make appropriate recommendations to the Faculty Senate and the administration regarding University priorities.
f. It shall arrange for presentations to the Faculty Senate as frequently as necessary, but at least annually, on the University financial situation.
g. It shall maintain a close liaison to ensure appropriate communication between the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Union.
h. It shall be responsible for periodic and regular review of the items in University governance documents, such as the University Manual, within its areas of jurisdiction, making recommendations for revisions as necessary. As appropriate, the Executive Council may refer items to the standing committees as part of this work.

8.3  Ratification of Action. On all issues falling under its jurisdiction, the Executive Council shall initially decide whether the issue is substantive and requires the approval of the full Senate, or should only require approval of the Executive Council itself, with the Senate informed of its action. The Senate, upon receiving such a report, may by majority vote take jurisdiction of the matter for further consideration.

8.4  Officers. The President of the Faculty Senate shall serve as Chair of the Executive Council. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall serve.

8.5  Meetings. The Executive Council shall meet prior to each scheduled Faculty Senate meeting and at least once a month throughout the calendar year, and must meet upon written petition of four of its members. At the discretion of the Senate President, the Executive Council may meet more frequently in order to discharge its duties promptly and responsively.