STANFORD UNIVERSITY                                            SenD#4728
SENATE OF THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL
==============================


               "QUICK GUIDE" TO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

       (See also "A Summary of Parliamentary Procedure" SenD#1354 
                      for additional information.)


MAKING A MOTION  (after obtaining recognition by the Chair):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Madam Chair, I move that ..."  Requires a second; is then open for 
discussion; is put to a vote (simple majority); the result is announced 
by the Chair.
  Note:  Many recommendations come to Senate "moved and seconded" by an 
  Academic Council Committee.  Debate normally takes place until the 
  Chair restates the motion and calls for a vote.


AMENDING A MOTION  (after obtaining recognition by the Chair):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Madam Chair, I move to amend the motion by a) adding the words; b) 
striking out the words; c) substituting the following language for 
specified language in the main motion..."  Requires a second; is then 
open for debate; is put to a vote (simple majority) and the result 
announced by the Chair.
  Note:  an amendment may be considered a "friendly amendment" and 
  debate shortened if the mover and seconder of the main motion indicate 
  that they are in sympathy with it and "accept the amendment."


REFERRING TO COMMITTEE  (after obtaining recognition by the Chair):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Madam Chair, I move to refer the motion to a (or, to a specific) 
committee."  Requires a second; is debatable as to the wisdom of 
referring to committee, but the merits of the main motion may not be 
debated; a simple majority is needed; the result is announced by the 
Chair.  
  Note:  The Articles of Organization of the Academic Council specify 
  that "no matter within the concern of a Committee of the Academic 
  Council shall be the subject of action by the Senate without having 
  first been considered by the Committee."


POSTPONING CONSIDERATION  (after obtaining recognition by the Chair):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Madam Chair, I move to postpone the motion :  a) until later in this 
meeting; b) until a specified time in this meeting (e.g., 4:30); c) 
until a future meeting (e.g., December 4); or d) indefinitely."   
Requires a second; the wisdom of postponing to a definite time may be 
debated but the merits of the main motion may not be debated; if 
postponing indefinitely (a way of dropping consideration without 
commitment on an issue), the merits of the main motion may be debated ; 
a simple majority is needed to carry, and the result is announced by the 
Chair.
  Note:  "tabling a motion" should not be used to achieve definite or 
  indefinite postponement.


CLOSING DEBATE  (after obtaining recognition by the Chair):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Madam Chair, I move (or, call) the previous question."  Requires a 
second; may not be debated; requires a two-thirds majority; the result 
is announced by the Chair.  If the motion carries, all debate on the 
pending question (main motion or amendment) ceases and the pending 
question is put to vote immediately.  If the motion to move/call the 
question fails, debate continues.


POINT OF ORDER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A member may rise at any time if s/he believes a rule of the assembly 
has been violated and address the Chair, "Madam Chair, I rise on a point 
of order."  The Chair responds by asking, "What is your point of order?" 
after which the member may proceed to state the point.  


MOVING TO ADJOURN  (after obtaining recognition by the Chair):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Madam Chair, I move we adjourn."  Requires a second; may not be 
debated; a simple majority carries.


VOTING PROCEDURES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 55 elected members of Senate shall vote; ex-officio members may not 
vote.  Each member present is obliged to vote "aye," "nay," or to 
abstain.  A quorum (28 elected members) is needed in order for Senate to 
take action.  Voting is by voice vote or if needed by show of hands; 
also (rarely used) by roll call or secret written ballot.





ASO  9/1/97