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Staff Senate eligibility has expanded – this is your chance to get involved!

The Staff Senate bylaws were revised to allow those in contract professional and letter of appointment positions to apply for a seat on Staff Senate. Are you interested in participating in shared governance and making your voice heard? Read on for more information and check out the latest at the !

To improve access to the Staff Senate and increase the diversity of perspectives brought to the table, Staff Senators voted to revise the Senate bylaws at the October 9, 2025 meeting to specifically include more categories of staff members.

Note that some limitations still apply to senior and executive level positions. To ensure transparency, all prospective Staff Senators must submit a mandatory questionnaire and are subject to a confirmation vote by the whole Staff Senate body before being elected to a 2-year term.

Other changes to the bylaws include revised committee and position names and other minor procedural and responsibility clarifications; you can read the full bylaws on .

So, how can you get involved? The nomination period for Staff Senate seats typically occurs in the spring before the start of each term cycle in July; however, vacancies may open periodically, so anyone interested in learning more or joining the Senate should reach out to their closest Senator or to staffsenate@mso.umt.edu.

Plus, all Staff Senate meetings are open to the public, and always include a period for public comment! You can find upcoming meetings and events on the Staff Senate website. If you’d like to present at a Staff Senate meeting, please reach out in advance to staffsenate@mso.umt.edu.