What Is the Role of a P&A Senator?
The role of a P&A senator is to represent the academic professionals and administrators in their unit and collaborate with other senators to ensure a shared governance of the University of Minnesota. Senators and alternates are expected to attend every senate meeting. Senators and alternates are asked to serve on one of the four P&A subcommittees during their term of service.
Senators must attend the full P&A Senate meetings which are held five times per academic year, meetings of the subcommittee on which they serve (held at the discretion of the subcommittee members), and special meetings if necessary. If a senator cannot attend a senate meeting, they should notify the University Senate Office and their unit's alternate. Alternates should attend every senate meeting, but should only vote if one of the senators from their unit is absent.
What Is the Role of a P&A Alternate?
Alternates are important members of the P&A senate and should attend all P&A Senate meetings. The only difference between senators and alternates is that, in general, only senators vote at P&A Senate meetings. P&A alternates may vote in place of a senator from their unit if the senator cannot be present. See also P&A Senate Constitution, Bylaws and Rules. Alternates are full participants in their subcommittee, and additionally may serve as a subcommittee chair/co-chair.
In a Nutshell:
Represent interests and concerns of P&A employees in your unit
Advocate for P&A views on University planning, governance, resource allocation, and other policies and practices
Help raise concerns to University leadership
Create an environment that is inclusive and welcoming for all
Collaborate across the U system to ensure shared governance at the U
Serve on 1-2 subcommittees to help further the work of the P&A Senate
Alternates: same as a senator, but vote only when senator from your unit is absent