Senator’s Call

A “Senator Call” is a procedural device used in Yuba College Academic Senate meetings to temporarily restrict discussion and debate to senators for the purpose of focused discussion, preparing motions, preparing and conducting votes, or conducting senate business without external influence. A Senator’s Call does not constitute an executive or closed session, like that utilized by the District board, and it does not bar non-Senators from attendance. A Senator’s call shall not be used as a means to circumvent transparency or public access requirements.

How to make a Senator’s Call

The Senator’s Call may be initiated by the Senate President or chair, or by a Senator making a motion. If a Senator’s Call is made by motion, it should be seconded and voted on. The call goes into effect with a majority vote among the senators.
Once a Senator’s Call has been made by the chair or voted on and approved by the majority of the Senate, only elected senators may participate in discussion, debate, or procedural motions. Non-senators may remain in the room but shall not participate in the discussion.
The Chair, or the Senator’s motion, may specify the duration or purpose of the Senator’s call.
Senators may request limited floor time to be shared with an invited faculty non-senator for information and clarification with the permission of the Chair, or with a majority vote. The non-senator’s floor time is limited to two minutes. The Chair may extend the time limit for non-senators. Once the time limit has been reached and is not extended by the chair, the discussion is again limited to Senators.
The Senator’s Call can be lifted by the Chair, by the Senator’s majority vote to suspend the Senator’s Call, or by terminating the meeting.

Yuba College Faculty Call

A “Faculty Call” is a procedural device used in Yuba College Academic Senate meetings to temporarily restrict discussion and debate to Yuba College faculty for the purpose of focused discussion or conducting senate business without external influence.
Faculty members are defined in Article III, Section 3 of the Yuba College Academic Senate Bylaws. Essentially, any member who is eligible to vote for Senate President, President Elect, or Yuba College Senators is considered a faculty member for the purpose of Senate business and may participate in a Faculty Call.
The Faculty Call provides a focused opportunity to hear from faculty constituents. It does not constitute an executive or closed session, and it does not bar non-faculty from attendance. A faculty call shall not be used as a means to circumvent transparency or public access requirements.
Once a Faculty Call has been made by the chair or voted on and approved by the majority of the Senate, only faculty constituents and members of the Senate may participate in discussion and debate. Non-faculty may remain in the room but shall not participate in the discussion.
The Chair, or the Senator’s motion, may specify the duration or purpose of the Faculty call. Faculty members shall be limited to 2 minutes per comment unless extended by the chair.
The Faculty Call can be lifted by the Chair, by the Senator’s majority vote to suspend the Senator’s Call, or by terminating the meeting.

Public comment

Senate meetings are the essence of a well-run, productive college senate.  The purpose of senate meetings is to do the work of the senate.  Generally, the senate only has authority as a decision-making body during its official meetings.  That means the senate has about one hour per week to do its work. The senate welcomes comments from all guests; however, a reasonable restriction on guest comments is necessary.  Therefore, guests will be allowed to speak for no more than three minutes on any agenda item.

Approved 01/29/2026