Senate Standing Orders

STANDING ORDERS
OF THE
SENATE OF AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

1.  DECISIONS

Decisions of the Senate shall be made of the result of a vote on:

1.1 a motion prior notice of which has been given on the business paper; or

1.2 a formal seconded motion arising from the business of the meeting

2.  VOTING

Voting will normally be on the voices except that any member may request a show of hands or a secret ballot

A motion shall be declared carried if it receives a simple majority of votes cast. The Chair shall have a deliberative vote and, in the event of a tie, the right of a casting vote.

Elections shall be by secret ballot. Voting shall be on an optional preference basis. Where more than one position is to be filled, the positions will be voted on seriatim.

3.  MOTIONS

3.1	The Chair has discretion regarding the acceptance of motions. The Chair's discretionary ruling may be reversed if the majority of the members present support a motion to this effect. The Chair cannot reject a motion for reversal of the Chair's discretionary ruling.
3.2	All notices of motion accepted by the Chair shall appear on the business paper for the meeting concerned.
3.3	A motion which is ruled by the Chair to have the effect of amending or rescinding a previous resolution of the Senate or altering policy shall not be accepted except as a notice of motion for a subsequent meeting.
3.4	Except for a motion from the Chair or a motion of which notice has been given a motion must be seconded before there can be any discussion.
3.5	A point of order accepted by the Chair takes precedence over all other discussion.
3.6	Amendments shall be considered prior to a vote on the substantive motion.
3.7	All amendments must be relevant to the original motion and no amendment may directly negate the substantive motion or the original motion.
3.8	Whenever an amendment is moved upon the original proposal, no further amendment shall be voted on until the first amendment has been disposed of.
3.9	Motions or amendments may be withdrawn by the proposer with the approval of the seconder and with the consent of the members.
3.10	Though there is a motion before the Senate and whether or not there is an amendment to the motion before the Senate, it may be moved and seconded by persons who have not hitherto participated in the motion or amendment: 3.10.1 That the Senate does now adjourn; 3.10.2 That the Senate proceed to the next business; 3.10.3 That the question now be put. Such a motion shall not be moved while a member is speaking. It shall be put to the vote without discussion. If 3.10.1 is carried the Senate shall forthwith determine the time and place for the meeting to be resumed. If 3.10.2 is carried the matter may not be raised again except as a formal item of business at a subsequent meeting. If it is lost, discussion may continue and the same motion shall not be proposed again during the discussion until a period of 15 minutes has elapsed. If 3.10.3 is carried the question shall be put forthwith.
3.11	The Chair may request the mover of a motion to submit the motion in writing.
3.12	A motion for making, rescinding or amending a standing order shall not be made except in pursuance of notice given at the previous meeting of the Senate, or conveyed to the Secretary in writing fourteen clear days before the meeting, and a resolution for any such purpose shall require a simple majority of the members present.

4. THE RIGHT TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR

4.1	Prior to the closure of a debate a right of reply shall be allowed only to a mover of a substantive motion or amendment and such reply shall close the relevant debate.
4.2	Except at the discretion of the Chair a member other than the mover of a substantive motion or amendment may not speak more than once to a question before the meeting.
4.3	At the discretion of the Chair a speaker may be asked to yield the floor on a point of information.

5. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

In exceptional circumstances the Chair may move the suspension of standing orders.

A resolution for the suspension of a standing order shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present.

6. CLOSURE OF MEETINGS

Unless the Senate otherwise resolves by a majority of two-thirds of the members present, no ordinary meeting of the Senate shall proceed beyond the scheduled time on the day on which it has been called.

7. QUORUM

A majority of the number of Senators in office provided that there are present at least one-half of the Senators elected or appointed pursuant to Clauses 13.2(d) and 13.2(e) of the Constitution.

8. AGENDA ITEMS

Except in emergencies as determined by the Chancellor, notice of items for discussion shall be conveyed by letter to the University Secretary 14 days before a meeting. Such items, received from members of the Senate, shall form part of the Agenda. The Chancellor, as Chair of the Senate, or, in the absence of the Chancellor the Pro-Chancellor shall have discretion in determining whether or not submissions from elsewhere shall be accepted for consideration by the Senate.

Adopted by Senate 4 June 1991