Author: Everard, Michelle

UConn Board of Trustees Passes University By-Laws, Article IX Changes Recommended by the University Senate

During its meeting on September 17, 2025, the UConn Board of Trustees passed recommendations to update the University of Connecticut By-Laws, Article IX governing the University Senate that had been put forward by the University Senate on April 15, 2025.

Important changes approved:

  • Changes to Senate Membership Constituencies, such as:
    • One additional seat added to the Deans Constituency to be reserved for the Regional Campus Deans
    • Faculty, Staff  and Student Representation updated to change in accordance with faculty and staff populations (1 seat for every 25 faculty members; 1 seat for every 125 staff members; 1 seat for every 2500 undergraduate or graduate students)
    • New constituency added for Staff titled “Support Services” to ensure representation of units not previously included in Senate staff constituency seats
  • Changes to SEC Representation & Chair Elections:
    • Total number of CLAS faculty representatives reduced from four to three
    • Requirement added to guarantee representation from a faculty member primarily based on a Regional Campus
    • New “Vice Chair” and “Past Chair” roles added to the SEC, bot h to ensure that the Chair is fully trained when taking the role, and to ensure there is consistency of information as leadership transitions take place. The role of Vice Chair of Past C hair is also designed to stand in for the Moderator as needed
  • Election protocols updated so that vacancies may be filled more efficiently both for the constituencies and SEC
  • Recusal rules added for Committee of Three

University Senate Adjourned for Summer

The University Senate will meet on September 8, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom (330/331) and via WebEx. An orientation for new senators will be hosted at 3 p.m. also in a hybrid format. We welcome all newly elected Senators and continuing Senators to join this session. Light refreshments will be provided at both events.

For the full schedule of University Senate meetings scheduled to take place during the 2025-2026 Academic Year, please check here.

Resolutions Passed: University Senate Meeting, May 5, 2025

During the regular meeting of the University Senate on May 5, 2025, the Senate passed three resolutions in support of various statements:

  1. Resolution to Support New England Public Land Grant University Senate Statement passed by unanimous voice vote
  2. Resolution to Work in Mutual Defense of Academic Freedom passed as amended by unanimous voice vote
  3. Resolution urging President Maric to join other University Presidents in signing “a Call for Constructive Engagement” passed by electronic vote

Full details of each resolution are linked above.

Omnibus By-Law Resolution Passed

Presented at a Special Meeting on March 31, 2025 and passed as amended on April 7, 2025, two motions to update by-laws governing the University Senate were passed:

Combined, these two resolutions propose changes to the governance of the University Senate for clarity, simplicity, modernization, and flexibility. The Senate By-Laws will be updated on the Policy website to reflect these changes at the start of the AY 2025-2026, and the Recommendation to the UConn Board of Trustees to update the University By-Laws, Article IX will be moving through the approval process with the UConn Board of Trustees during the summer. Once approved, updates will be shared on the Senate website.

Senate By-Laws Amended II.E.9 (Attendance) & II.B.2 (Readmission)

During its regular meeting on April 7, 2025, the University Senate approved two resolutions presented by the Scholastic Standards Committee to amend the By-Laws, Rules & Regulations of the University Senate, Article II. E.9 (Attendance) and Article II.B.2 (Readmission).

Summary of Changes:

  • Article II.B.12 (Readmission): language updated to match current readmission practices, which do not include criminal history as a part of the evaluation process. The full resolution is available here.
  • Article II.E.9 (Attendance): language updated for clarity around how instructors are to manage class sessions affected by University closings. The full resolution is available here.