The Academic Senate held a shortened meeting Wednesday evening in order to allow senators to attend the vigil held in remembrance of Adolfo and Mary-Jane Becerra Corral. The senate began with a moment of silence honoring its lost colleague.

In the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, the senate unanimously approved the formation of an ad-hoc committee that would decide on changes to the Academic Senate’s bylaws and constitution.

“We have inconsistencies within our bylaws and constitution,” said Academic Senate President Patricia Stark.

The formation of the committee is only the first step of the process. 

According to the petition to create the ad-hoc committee, which was signed by eight senators, there is a strict timeline in order to finalize any changes to the bylaws or constitution before the end of the school year.

“These are very carefully prescribed dates,” said Stark. “Those we have to adhere to.”

The senate hopes that the committee will be up and running in time for Academic Senate elections, in order to consider some changes to its bylaws and constitution that would “clarify election procedures for Senator elections,” according to the document.

As for the composition of the committee, the senate decided it would be best to have senator representation, as well as open seats intended for part-time and non-credit faculty to participate.

“There should be a seat for adjunct and a seat for non-credit,” said English Instructor Annette Cordero. She urged the senate to be intentional with including non-tenured faculty on the committee.

 “Whenever we’re trying to focus on equity, we need to make it intentional,” Cordero said.

After agreeing on the creation and composition of the committee, eight senators were appointed—with President-Elect Raeanne Napoleon as the chair.

In order to adhere to its strict timeline, the committee will need to appoint faculty representation and create its charge before next Tuesday.

“We have to start meeting next week,” said Napoleon.

Due to the short meeting, the senate decided to push all other items on this week’s agenda to its next meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26.