The Bylaws Committee had devoted considerable time to this set of revisions, the first major rewrite of the rules since 1982, according to committee chair Judith Hopkins. Although many revisions were merely "editorial," the Faculty Senate did adopt several major changes to its structure. Officers of the Senate may now stand for reelection, the number of voting faculty required to constitute a quorum has been reduced and the university president and provost have been added as ex-officio members of the Faculty Senate.

The change that allows a Faculty Senate chair to seek a second, consecutive term was one of the few that drew any debate. Modern Languages Professor Maureen Jameson moved an amendment to the revisions striking the language permitting succession. Lockwood Library Director Judith Adams agreed with Jameson, arguing that the Faculty Senate chair is "a very powerful position" and "four years is too long."

Former Senate Chair Peter Nickerson urged rejection of the amendment, arguing that there exists a "strong learning curve" to the office and that the opportunity to serve for more than two years would promote "continuity." The full Senate then voted down the amendment.

To be fully implemented, the revised bylaws must be approved by the full voting faculty, via mail ballot, and the revised charter must be promulgated by President Greiner to take effect.

In other business, the full Senate passed a resolution calling on traveling faculty members to help with student recruitment. Faculty on the road for conferences, research or as visiting faculty at another institution are asked to "consider meeting with potential UB applicants and encourage these students to apply to UB."