Academic Senate

Academic Senate

The Academic Senate typically meets twice a month on Mondays during the regular academic year. Special meetings, including summer Senate Cabinet meetings, are called as needed.

At the beginning of each meeting, the Foothill Academic Senate provides a public comment period for members of the public to address the Senate on items not on the agenda but within the jurisdiction of the Academic Senate. This is an opportunity for the public to bring matters of concern to the attention of the Senate.

Please note that during this public comment period, the Brown Act prohibits the Senate from engaging in a discussion or taking action on any matter raised. The Senate may only listen to the comments and, if necessary, refer the matter to the appropriate Senate committee or request that the matter be placed on a future agenda for discussion and potential action.

Each speaker during this public comment period will be limited to 2 minute to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to speak. The total time allotted for this public comment period is 5 minutes.

The public may address the Academic Senate on any matter that is not on the agenda. Each speaker must first be recognized by the Academic Senate President or designee before making a comment.

How to Request Recognition:

• Zoom participants: Use the "raise hand" feature when public comment opens and wait to be recognized before speaking
• Phone participants: Press *9 to raise your hand when prompted and wait to be recognized before speaking
• Speaking guidelines: Comments should be addressed to the Senate as a whole, not to individual members. The Senate is not obligated to respond to public comment.
• Speaking time: 2 minutes per speaker (subject to Chair discretion)

Important Notes Zoom chat is disabled during meetings Comments are taken in real-time during designated public comment periods - no need to submit comments in advance Please mute your microphone when not speaking and use your real name when joining Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the meeting

Accessibility: Need assistance or reasonable accommodations? Contact us at fhsenate@fhda.edu at least 48 hours before the meeting.