Information for Current Senators

Information for Current Senators

Senators are elected and appointed representatives drawn from each of the constituencies that make up the campus community: faculty, staff, students, and administrators. Senators act as liaisons between members of their constituency and the Senate body. The governing documents of the University, i.e. the Plan of Organization and the Bylaws of the University Senate, outline the apportionment for each of these constituencies. 

Preparing for Senate Meetings

Prior to each Senate meeting, Senators are responsible for reviewing the reports and recommendations to be discussed and preparing for discussion, debate, and voting at each Senate meeting. Senators have the ability to introduce non-Senators to speak on the Senate floor.

Senate meeting materials are posted on the website one week prior to each meeting. Senators will receive an email with a link to the materials, and may review the materials at any time by clicking on the materials link on the Senate Meetings page. 

Senators who will be unable to attend a Senate meeting or who plan to arrive late must notify the Senate Office of their absence, so that quorum can be calculated appropriately before each meeting. Senators should submit an excused absence request form by 1pm on the day of the Senate meeting using the link in the reminder email or the form linked on the Senate Meetings page.

Joining Virtual Senate Meetings

Senators should familiarize themselves with the rules and procedures related to virtual Senate meetings, using the tools below. 

During the Senate meeting, if you have any trouble accessing the meeting via Zoom, voting via TurningPoint, or if you experience other technical difficulties, please email senatemeetinghelp@umd.edu for immediate support from IT staff. 

Helpful Tools for Senators

Communication with Constituencies

Senators are encouraged to communicate on a regular basis with their constituencies. As a reminder, any opinions about University Senate matters communicated to constituents are solely those of the Senator and do not reflect the view of the University Senate Office or other University administrators or stakeholders. 

  • Please follow these instructions to gain access to the Senate meeting overview email templates.

  • You can find your assigned Google Group by searching your name in the University Senator and Google Groups List. Please save this spreadsheet to your Google drive or bookmark it so you can easily search for your Google Group in the future. Note that At-Large Senators will have access to more than one Google Group. 

  • You will receive an email from the University Senate Office when the Senate meeting overview is available to share with your constituency.