Current Senator Information

Prior to each Senate meeting, Senators are responsible for reviewing the materials to be discussed and preparing for discussion, debate, and voting at each Senate meeting. Senators have the ability to introduce non-Senators to speak on the Senate floor. 

Senate meeting materials are posted on the website one week prior to each meeting. Senators will receive an email with a link to the materials, and may review the materials at any time by clicking on the materials link on the Senate Meetings page.  

Senators who will be unable to attend a Senate meeting or who plan to arrive late must notify the Senate Office of their absence, so that quorum can be calculated appropriately before each meeting. Senators should submit an excused absence request form by 1:00pm on the day of the Senate meeting using the link in the reminder email or the form linked on the Senate Meetings page.

Senators should familiarize themselves with the rules and procedures related to virtual Senate meetings, using the tools below. 

• Virtual Meetings Guidance

During the Senate meeting, if you have any trouble accessing the meeting via Zoom, voting via Top Hat, or if you experience other technical difficulties, please email senatemeetinghelp@umd.edu for immediate support from IT staff. 

Senators are encouraged to communicate on a regular basis with their constituencies. As a reminder, any opinions about University Senate matters communicated to constituents are solely those of the Senator and do not reflect the view of the University Senate Office or other University administrators or stakeholders.

• You can find your assigned Google Group by searching your name in the University Senator and Google Groups List. Please save this spreadsheet to your Google drive or bookmark it so you can easily search for your Google Group in the future. Note that At-Large Senators will have access to more than one Google Group.
• You will receive an email from the University Senate Office when the Senate meeting overview is available to share with your constituency. 

• Once Senators accept the ELMS/Canvas invitation, they will receive an invitation with unique credentials from University Senate Staff to access their Top Hat account. Do not create your own Top Hat account.  
• Download the Top Hat App. Follow the steps here for iOS users, or here for Android users. Senators may also access their account with a web browser (https://app.tophat.com/e/).
• You’re in! Access the Top Hat app when you join the University Senate meeting to participate in voting.
• After you're logged in, click the "Account" icon in the top right of the Top Hat browser or app, then enter your first and last name in the appropriate fields. You should update your name on your account to ensure it is formally assigned to you for your Senator term.

• Senators can use either the Top Hat mobile app (available for download in the App Store and the Google Play Store) or a web browser to vote by going to https://app.tophat.com/e/.
• Please ensure you access your Top Hat account prior to attending your first University Senate meeting. 
• Senators will need to use Top Hat as soon as they join the University Senate meeting to count towards quorum so we may begin the session. 
• It is important that all Senators access their account prior to the Senate meeting to allow time to troubleshoot, if necessary.