The name of this Senate shall be the Nonexempt Excluded Staff Senate (NEESS) (hereafter called Senate).

This Senate is hereby constituted to represent Regular and Contingent Nonexempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining agent.

The purpose of the Senate shall be:

1. To represent the interests and concerns of all levels of the non-exempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining agent.
2. To support the Administration and Academic Community with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of this constituency of nonexempt staff.
3. To provide a forum for discussion and recommendation on matters involving this constituency of nonexempt staff and the welfare of UMBC.
4. To participate, in an advisory capacity, in the review and implementation of University policies affecting the nonexempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining agent.
5. In the interest of this constituency of nonexempt staff, to participate in the development of policies concerning the general operation of UMBC.

1. The Senate shall consist of eight (8) eligible representatives elected from the Regular and Contingent nonexempt staff members who are not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining agent. The membership may grow to have a 10% affiliation, to allow for growth in the senate as the eligible constituency may grow.
2. Non-voting ex-officio members of the Senate shall include the following: The President, the Provost, the Vice President for Administrative Affairs, the Associate Vice President for Administrative Affairs, the Director of Human Resources, Director of Human Relations, and the Past President of this nonexempt staff Senate.
3. All Regular and Contingent nonexempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining agent may serve on Senate committees.

1. There shall be three (3) officers of this Staff Senate: the President, the Vice President and the Treasurer.
   1. Senators shall, by ballot, nominate and elect the Vice President and Treasurer at the first general meeting each year.
   2. The President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall serve a two-year term. Officers may not run for a consecutive re-election after their two-year term expires.
   3. If the President cannot complete his/her term, the Vice President shall fill the remaining term. If the Vice President is unable to fill the vacancy, the Senate President shall elect a new President from the Senate membership.
   4. If the Vice President or Treasurer is unable to complete his/her term, the Senate shall elect a replacement for the vacant position from the Senate membership.
2. There shall be eight (8) elected Senators representing the Regular and Contingent nonexempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining unit employees at UMBC.
3. These eight (8) members shall include the President, the Vice President, and the Treasurer and are to be voted on by this Senate during a General Election.
   1. There shall be four (4) new members elected each year.
   2. Senators shall serve a two (2) year term.
   3. Any ties in the General Election will be resolved through selection of the candidate with the longest tenure at UMBC.
   4. When a vacancy occurs, appointment of new members shall be appointed based on the preceding election results in descending order of votes received. New member's term shall be for that period which the former member vacated.
   5. Senators may run for re-election during General Elections.
4. In addition to the eight (8) representatives, a Secretary shall be nominated and appointed to the Senate by the President.
   1. The Secretary shall be a nonvoting member.

The Vice President shall preside over nominations and elections of incoming Vice President and Treasurer at each May meeting.

1. The Outgoing President shall attend Senate meetings for the ensuing academic year in an advisory capacity only, with no voting privilege.
2. General Senate meetings shall be held at least once a month throughout the calendar year, taking place on the third Tuesday of every month at a time agreed on at the first Senate meeting each year.
3. After two absences in a calendar year, a Senate member may be replaced by majority vote of the Senate.
4. A simple majority of the elected representatives shall constitute a quorum, which must be present for Senate business to be conducted.

The standing committees of the Senate shall be:

1. Standing Committees:
   1. Communications Committee - Four (4) members shall be selected by the Senate to keep the UMBC community informed of updates, awards, and general announcements pertaining to this Senate.
   2. Nominating Committee - Three (3) members, the Senate President, Vice President and Treasurer shall solicit nominations and prepare election ballots. Eligible non-Senate members may be appointed at large from the excluded nonexempt staff, not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining unit staff.
   3. Executive Committee - Shall be composed of the Senate President, Vice President, Treasurer, CUSS Representative, and President Ex-Officio.
   4. The Senate Scholarship Committee - Shall be composed of the Senate Vice President and three (3) Senators appointed by the Senate President.
   5. By-laws Committee - Two (2) Senators appointed by the Senate President.
   6. Ad-Hoc Committee(s) may be instituted by the Senate to consider particular concerns. These committees shall consist of at least two (2) Senators and the committee chair must be a Senate member. Non-Senate members may be appointed from the eligible nonexempt staff at large.
2. Senators shall serve on the following University Committees:
   1. Personnel Review Committee - shall be composed of six (6) members: Three (3) Senators from each unit (two from Vice Presidents' Unit). This committee shall make recommendations, revisions, and clarifications of University policy concerning conditions of employment for nonexempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining unit. Committee elects co-chairs. This committee meets with PSS senators and the Director of Human Resources.
   2. University Steering Committee - President and Vice President.
   3. Facilities Planning & Scheduling Committee - One (1) or two (2) Senators, appointed by the Senate President.
   4. Athletic Policy Committee - One (1) Senator, appointed by the Senate President.
   5. Human Relations Committee - One (1) or two (2) Senators, appointed by the Senate President.
   6. Library Policy Committee - One (1) Senator, appointed by the Senate President.
   7. Landscape and Stewardship - One (1) or two (2) Senators, appointed by the Senate President.
   8. Risk Management - One (1) Senator, appointed by the Senate President.
   9. Research Council - One (1) Senator, appointed by the Senate President.
   10. Student Life Committee - One (1) Senator, appointed by the Senate President.

1. The duties of the President shall be to preside over general meetings, serve on the University Steering Committee, chair the Nominating Committee, appoint Senators to University Committees, co-sign for any expenditures of Senate funds and represent the Senate.
2. The duties of the Vice President shall be to substitute for the President when that officer is absent, serve on the University Steering Committee, serve as Chair of the Personnel Review Committee and serve as a member of the Nominating Committee.
3. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to act as comptroller of the Senate's funds, to keep accurate records and submit a year-end financial report, to cosign for any expenditures of Senate funds and to serve as a member of the Nominating Committee and the Executive Committee.
4. The duties of the Secretary shall be to take minutes at the general Senate meetings and circulate these to all Senators prior to each general meeting.
5. The duties of the Senate's Committee Chairs shall include holding regular meetings of their committees and reporting on them to the Senate.
6. The duties of the Senate's representatives on University Committees shall include monthly reports to the Senate and representation of this Senate's constituencies' concerns to those committees.

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws, or special rules of order, which the Senate may adopt, or with the University Plan of Organization.

The by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Senate by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the elected members, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting and mentioned in the minutes.