Subject: ruling of the Chair
To: "Peter Gilkey"
From: "Paul E. Simonds"
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:24:53

Peter, the issue has a number of complications. I have tried to put it simply, while covering the broad spectrum of issues. There is, in my opinion, no need for you to tell the senators they can appeal but there is nothing against you doing so. Since Robert's Rules of Order uses the word member, I interpret that as meaning senators can appeal but not non-members.

If the chair is requested to rule on an issue by a member calling for a point of order , or if the chair makes a ruling that an issue is not in order, a member (senator) may move to appeal the ruling of the chair and, if seconded and debatable, it is debated and voted upon (some appeals are undebatable). The chair may explain her or his reason for making the ruling. The chair may vote on the appeal and the vote must be a majority to overrule the chair's ruling (if there is a tie, the chair may break the tie voting in favor of the chair's ruling and the appeal then fails). The chair is not required to relinquish his or her post during the appeal.

An appeal of the chair's ruling is in order when another has the floor but must be made at the time of the ruling. It is too late if it is raised at a later time.

Paul (simonds@uoregon.edu)(psimonds@earthlink.net)


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