Faculty Governance
The Missouri State University-West Plains Faculty Senate acts as the faculty governing body responsible for program planning and curriculum development for Missouri State University-West Plains. As stated in the Faculty Senate Constitution, (see Appendix for complete constitution) the purpose of the Senate is "...to handle curricular items, to provide a forum for the discussion of Faculty concerns and to communicate these concerns to the university community," (Art. II, Constitution of the Faculty Senate, section.1).
Each person currently teaching a course for Missouri State University-West Plains is welcome to attend the meetings of the Faculty Senate, unless the voting members decide to have a closed session. Ranked faculty and lecturers have voting privileges. In addition, the per-course faculty may elect one voting representative. One representative of the Student Government Association shall serve as an ex-officio member. A chairperson, chairperson-elect and secretary serve as the officers of the Faculty Senate. Several standing committees have been established by the Faculty Senate. (See By-Laws of the Faculty Senate.)