Committee Bylaws & Membership

Motion: That the Faculty Senate (in a method to be determined) create an ad hoc committee of knowledgeable faculty, staff, etc. To engage with issues related to FREE SPEECH and CIVIL DISCOURSE on campus, including, but not limited to recommendations for continued First Amendment education, clarification and dissemination of the university's official free speech policies, and creating a plan for responding to free speech-related incidents on campus.

1. Educate campus community on issues related to Free Speech and Civil Discourse;
2. Facilitate conversations surrounding First Amendment education;
3. Disseminate the university’s Free Speech policies; and
4. Support academic freedom at Colorado Mesa University.

The committee’s membership shall be made up of 8 - 10 faculty and/or staff representatives. The committee will notify employees via campus email regarding committee openings, such vacancies will be filled by faculty and/or staff through a self-nomination process, which involves an application and review by the standing committee members, including the VPAA.

The following membership guidelines apply:

• Faculty / Staff Committee Membership
  • Required: 8 members must sit on the committee
  • Committee Capacity: 10 members
  • Meetings: Once a month, or as needed, throughout the academic
    year
    • Quorum: 50% of total membership
    • Attendance Policy – 2 absences (virtual counts as “in
      attendance”)
    • Temporary Leave of Absence – Proxy Membership may be
      granted in the event a sitting member cannot uphold their
      membership duties due to a prolonged absence
  • Ex Officio Membership
    • The committee may choose to extend a student Ex Officio
      membership
  • Chair & Chair Elect Appointments
    • Appointments must be held by FT faculty and/or staff member

• Chair; Chair-Elect; and Members: 1-3-Year term
• Chair and Chair-Elect
  • Staggered rotation schedule
  • Promoted from within and voted upon by sitting committee members
• Recruiting Committee Members
  • Direct outreach to qualifying employees

• Organize committee advancement
• Oversight of committee implementation plans

• Support the work of the Chair
• Develop Annual Report
• Assist with committee and membership needs

• Secure room reservations
• Take meeting minutes
• Check Free Speech email account
• Maintain Teams folders

• Attend meetings
• Participate in hosted events
• Support project implementation