The General Assembly
Charge of the General Assembly
The General Assembly concerns itself with nonacademic affairs affecting the general welfare of the College and the fulfillment of its purposes. Within its purview are matters not restricted to the College Faculty Assembly, including the labor program, financial aid, extracurricular activities, student conduct, residence hall life, College calendar, campus environment, general working circumstances for staff, and matters affecting the welfare of Berea College. Consideration of matters concerning the whole institution may begin in any faculty body or the Administrative Committee. The General Assembly does not have the power to take actions involving the expenditure of College funds unless the monies have been appropriated by the Administrative Committee or the Board of Trustees. The general functions and powers of the General Assembly are subject to the Bylaws and policies of the Berea College Board of Trustees.
Membership
The voting membership of the General Assembly includes: (1) all members of the College Faculty Assembly; (2) President, Provost, Dean of Faculty, Vice President for Student Life, Vice President for Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy, Vice President for Finance, Vice President for Operations and Sustainability; Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Vice President for Strategic Initiatives; Chief Information Officer; and Dean of Labor; (3) up to 60 divisional delegates appointed for three-year terms, and subject to reappointment, by the above administrators from their respective areas; (4) up to 39 at-large delegates elected for staggered three-year terms by the regular/full-time non-teaching employees and regular part-time non-teaching employees who have been at least half-time for two consecutive years (Each year, all eligible non-teaching employees who wish to be on the ballot will be placed on the ballot; each eligible non-teaching employee will receive a ballot and will be allowed to vote for up to five delegates; the top thirteen vote-getters will be members of the GA for three years. Other vacancies, if any, will be filled by the next highest vote-getters to complete the term of the individuals who vacated the positions); (5) a maximum of 12 Student Government officers as selected by the Student Government Association; (6) the two Staff Forum Co-Chairs; and (7) anyone serving on an approved council or committee in the shared governance system, including groups (committees, task forces, teams, etc.) put together by the Executive Council, for the duration of their service. For the 60 appointed divisional delegates referred to in (3) above, the President may appoint up to 3 delegates; the Provost and the Dean of Faculty together may appoint up to 24 delegates from the Academic Division; the Vice President for Student Life may appoint up to 7 delegates; the Vice President for Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy may appoint up to 8 delegates; the Vice President for Finance may appoint up to 2 delegates; the Vice President for Operations and Sustainability may appoint up to 10 delegates; the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion may appoint up to 1 delegate; the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives may appoint up to 3 delegates; the Chief Information Officer may appoint up to 1 delegate; and the Dean of Labor may appoint up to 1 delegate.
General Assembly Meetings
Joint meetings of the General Assembly and College Faculty Assembly will be held. All members are encouraged to join the discussion. Meetings are open to all Berea College non-student employees (attendance and voice). Meetings are usually held monthly during the academic year and are scheduled by the Executive Council. Annually, the Executive Council will designate an individual to chair the meetings.
A majority of the voting members of the General Assembly constitutes a quorum. Quorum will be determined at the beginning of each term. For purposes of quorum calculations, members on approved leave will not be counted as voting members.
Regular and special meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, as modified by the faculty in March, 1991, to provide for secret ballots upon the request of one individual. In addition, the Constitution, approved in 2008, is in effect.