Chapter III THE SENATE

(a) The Senate shall consist of the following persons, namely:- Class 1-- Ex-Officio Members (1) the Chancellor; (2) the Pro-Chancellor; (3) the Vice-Chancellor; (4) the Secretary to Government in-charge of Education; (5) the Secretary to Government in-charge of Finance; (6) the Director of Tamil Development; (7) the Director of International Institute of Tamil Studies; (8) Heads of University Departments of Study and Research; (9) Member of the Syndicate who are not otherwise members of the Senate. Class II -- Other Members (1) Two members elected by the Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from among themselves and one member elected by the Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council from among themselves; (2) Two members representing the institution recognised by the University to be nominated by the Chancellor; (3) Three members from among the Academic Experts to be nominated by the Chancellor; (4) Three members nominated by the Pro-Chancellor of whom not less than two shall-be nominated to secure the representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes not otherwise adequately represented; (5) One member elected from among themselves by the members of the Madurai Tamil Sangam; (6) One member elected from among themselves by the members of the Thanjavur Karanthai Tamil Sangam. (b) In case the Secretary to Government in-charge of Education or the Secretary to Government, in-charge of Finance is unable to attend the meeting of the Senate for any reason he may depute any officer of his Department not lower in rank than that of a Deputy Secretary to Government to attend the meetings. Provided that a member of the senate who is elected or nominated in his capacity as, a member of a particular electorate or body, or the holder of a particular appointment, shall cease to be a member of the Senate from the date on which he ceases to be, a member of that electorate or body, or the holder of that appointment, as the case may be: (c) (i) Save as otherwise provided, elected and nominated members of the Senate shall hold office for a period of three years and such members shall be eligible for election or nomination for not more than another period of three years. (ii) Where a member is elected or nominated to the Senate to a casual vacancy, the period of office held for not less than One year by any such member shall be construed as a full period of three years for the purpose of this clause. Explanation - For the purpose of this clause, the expression "period" shall include the period of office held by any person prior to the date of the publication of the Tamil Nadu Universities Laws (Second Amendment) Act.1991 in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. Provided further that where an elected or nominated member of the Senate is appointed temporarily to any of the offices by virtue of which he is entitled to be a member of the Senate ex-officio, he shall, by notice in writing signed by him and communicated to the Vice-Chancellor within seven days from the date of his taking charge of his appointment choose whether he will continue to be a member of the Senate by virtue of his election or nomination or whether he will vacate office as such member and become a member ex-officio by virtue of his appointment and the choice shall be conclusive. On failure to make such choice, he shall be deemed to have vacated his office as an elected or nominated member. (d) When a person ceases to be a member of the Senate, he shall cease to be a member of any of the authorities of the University of which he may happen to be a member by virtue of his membership of the Senate.

Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the Senate shall have the following powers and functions, namely:- (a) to review from time to time the broad policies and programmes of the University and to suggest measures for the improvement and development of the University; (b) to advise the Chancellor in respect of any matter which may be referred to it for advice; and (c) to exert such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the statutes.

(1) The Senate shall meet at least twice in every year on dates to be fixed by the Vice-Chancellor. One of such meetings shall be called the annual meeting. The Senate may also meet at such other times as it may, from time to time determine. (2) One-third of the total strength. of the members of the Senate shall be the quorum required for a meeting of the Senate: Provided that such quorum shall not be required a convocation of the University or a meeting of the senate held for the purpose of conferring degrees, titles: diploma or other academic distinctions. (3) The Vice-Chancellor may whenever he thinks fit, and shall upon a requisition in writing signed by not less than fifty percent of the total members of the Senate convene a special meeting of the Senate.