Senators serve as the voice for their district in the Faculty Senate. Some districts may include multiple departments.
Meetings are held on the first Monday of the following months, from 3:30pm-5:30pm, in 272 Bascom Hall: October, November, December, February, March, April, and May. Special meetings of the Faculty Senate may also be called.
Within their department or district, senators should:
- Be regularly included on the departmental meeting agenda(s) and engage colleagues in discussion about senate business
- Encourage their colleagues to identify issues of importance to the faculty
Before the senate meeting, senators should:
- Read the agenda materials
- Share the business items on the agenda with their district colleagues and solicit their input
- Be prepared to ask questions and participate in debate at the senate meeting
Districts represent departments or a combination of departments, with a ratio of one senator for every ten faculty members. The selection and terms of senators is outlined in Faculty Policies and Procedures 2.04. Senators may be elected to two consecutive three-year terms.
The Faculty Senate districts website (requires NetID login) houses district, senator and alternate information:
- The “districts” page has a list of all districts and the senators and alternates in that district.
- The “find your district” page provides a search of an individual by name.
- The “member lists” page provides a list of faculty members in a district, as well as designated senators and alternates.
Use the form below to update senator and alternate information. Please contact Julie Scharm, deputy secretary of the faculty, with any questions.
Update senator or alternate
A senator may be represented by their named alternate. Subsequent changes in alternates may occur at any time except in the week before a senate meeting, and shall be reported immediately to the district chair and to the deputy secretary of the faculty. In the event an alternate is unable to exercise this function, another named alternate from the same district may do so.
A senate seat becomes vacant if a senator misses four consecutive regular senate meetings or if the senator is unable to serve due to incapacity or resignation. The district chair shall call a special election to fill an existing vacancy.
Meeting Procedures
- The Faculty Senate is governed by Faculty Policies and Procedures Chapter 2. The Faculty Senate operating procedures provide further detail around key operational areas.
- Robert’s Rules of Order (most recent edition) govern the proceedings of the senate. Senators are encouraged to become familiar with this parliamentary procedure.
- The senate can only take action on items noticed on the agenda due to Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.
Speaking and Motions
- Members of the faculty and full-time members of the academic staff may speak at meetings of the senate, but only senators may offer motions, second motions or vote. Chairs of faculty committees under Faculty Policies and Procedures Chapter 6 may also offer motions on behalf of their committees.
- Any faculty member present may ask questions or participate in the discussion of any agenda items.
- Any faculty member present may ask questions germane to UW–Madison during the question period.
- When an individual rises to speak at a meeting or to make a motion from the floor, they should state their name and district.
- Lengthy motions should be given to the secretary in writing so the presiding officer can repeat the motion if necessary during debate.
- Questions filed in writing at least three business days prior to the senate meeting will be distributed and addressed at the meeting.
- Examples of motions & resolutions
2024 Senate Orientation
The 2024 Faculty Senate orientation was held on Wednesday, October 2, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., via Zoom. An orientation session will be held in the fall of each year.