Affirmative Action Council Bylaws

The Affirmative Action Council is an all-University committee, appointed by the Chancellor. It provides guidance and support services to individuals, units, departments, the Director of Equity and Affirmative Action, and the administration of the University.

Article I. Membership

1. The Affirmative Action Council shall be composed of representation of the faculty, student body, academic staff, classified staff, and administration. The Director of Affirmative shall be an ex officio* member of the Council.

2. Six faculty representing all four academic colleges (3 tenured), two students, four academic staff members, and four classified staff members will be appointed to the Council by their respective governance groups for three year terms (students have a one-year term and can be re-appointed for one successive term). Administrative members will be appointed for an indefinite period by the Chancellor. Approximately one-third of the members shall be appointed each spring semester with term of office beginning in the fall semester. Members may be re - appointed for one successive term.

3. Members who will be absent from a meeting should notify either the Chair or the Director of Equity and Affirmative Action.

a. Members who are absent from three meetings per year without notification shall be deemed to have resigned from the Council and the Chair shall request a new member be appointed.

b. Members who expect to be absent for an extended period (e.g., class conflict, serious illness or sabbatical) shall notify the Chair in writing (email is an acceptable form of communication). The Chair and Director of Equity and Affirmative Action will review the notification and determine the member's status on the Council.

c. Resignations from the Council shall be written (or emailed) and shall be submitted to the Chair. In the event of a resignation, the Chair shall request a new member be appointed to complete the unexpired term.

4. Members of the Council are expected to make themselves available to serve in a special advisory capacity to personnel bodies (search and screen, renewal/nonrenewal, promotions, tenure) at the college and University level and may serve in that capacity for units of departments if requested.

a. The Director of Equity and Affirmative Action will receive these requests and coordinate the appointment of AA representatives to these committees. An ad hoc panel, approved by the Council, may be assembled to assist the Council in its personnel work.

b. Council members who serve on personnel bodies will consult with the Director in matters where there are questions in need of answering and will report in summary form their activities at the end of the service to the committee.

5. The Council will, upon request or at its own initiative, review policies and issues dealing with affirmative action and equal opportunity.

6. Members of the Council will keep current with affirmative action issues.

Article II. Officers and Elections

1. The officers shall consist of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. They shall be elected annually from among its faculty and staff members. The election will take place during the fall semester with term of office beginning immediately.

2. Officers shall serve a one-year term and may be re-elected for one successive term in the same position.

Article III. Sub-committees

1. The elected officers in addition to the Affirmative Action Director shall serve as an Executive Sub-committee. The Executive Sub-committee may conduct the affairs of the full Council when necessary during any interim period or between regular meetings of the full Council, and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the full Council. Actions of the Executive Sub-committee shall not conflict with the decisions, actions, or policies of the full Council, and are subject to the review of the full Council upon the request of any member.

2. Sub-committees may be established by action of the Executive Sub-committee or by the full Council. When a sub-committee is established by full Council action, the method of appointment of members shall be stipulated in the motion to establish the sub-committee.

3. Unless specifically provided for in the charge to a sub-committee, no action of such a body shall become final until reported to and acted upon by the full Council.

Article IV. Meetings

1. At a minimum, the full Council will meet four times each year to share information and concerns.

2. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum.

3. Committee actions shall be adopted upon an affirmative vote by a majority of the voting members present. An abstention is counted as a non-vote.

4. The Council will issue an annual summary report regarding its activities; this report will be made to the Chancellor of the University.

5. The Council shall conduct its meetings using Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure

6. Special meetings may be called by the Chair and/or the Affirmative Action Director.    

1. Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds of the members present and voting. The amendment will be presented prior to a meeting and voted on at that meeting.

* The term ex officio , as defined by Sturgis, denotes a member who "has all the rights, responsibilities, and duties of any other member of the committee, including the right to vote." P. 169, third edition.  

Approved 2/26/90
Revised 5/1/01