(a) Effective July 1, 2004, a faculty Senate is established at each institution of higher education, except for those institutions which choose to establish a faculty assembly. In the latter case, all faculty participate in the faculty assembly and the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not apply. Members and officers of an organized, campus-level advisory group of faculty who are serving prior to the effective date of this section may continue to serve with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities prescribed herein until the time that members elected as set forth in subsection (b) of this section assume office.

(b) Members of each faculty Senate are elected as follows:

(1) During the month of April of each even-numbered year, each president of a state institution of higher education, at the direction of the faculty and in accordance with procedures established by the faculty, shall convene a meeting or otherwise institute a balloting process to elect the members of the faculty Senates, except that for 2004 only, the election shall take place in July.

(2) Selection procedures shall provide for appropriate representation of all academic units within the institution.

(3) The faculty member who is elected to serve on the faculty council is an ex officio, voting member of the faculty Senate and reports to the faculty Senate on meetings of the faculty council and the board of Governors.

(c) Members serve a term of two years, which term begins on July 1, of each even-numbered year, except for the year 2004 when terms begin upon election. Members of the faculty Senate are eligible to succeed themselves.

(d) Each faculty Senate shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The chairperson serves a term of two years, and may serve no more than two consecutive terms as chairperson.

(e) The faculty Senate meets quarterly and may meet at such other times as called by the chairperson or by a majority of the members. With appropriate notification to the president of the institution, the chairperson may convene a faculty Senate meeting for the purpose of sharing information and discussing issues affecting faculty and the effective and efficient management of the institution.

(f) The president of the institution shall meet at least quarterly with the faculty Senate to discuss matters affecting faculty and the effective and efficient management of the institution.

(g) The governing board of the institution shall meet at least annually with the faculty Senate to discuss matters affecting faculty and the effective and efficient management of the institution.