August 13, 2007

 

TO:                  Keith Sherony, Convener

                        Articles and Bylaws Committee

 

FROM:            Carmen Wilson, Chair

                        Faculty Senate

 

RE:                   Committee Charge for 2007-2008 Academic Year

 

This memo is intended to serve as the initial charge letter to the Articles and Bylaws Committee for the 2007-08 academic year. 

 

In response to concerns that, frequently, committee member turnover each year tends to slow committee work, the senate executive committee is working to find better ways to orient new committee members.  Additionally, we would like to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of committee work.  To that end, we will be trying several new ideas. 

  1. The Senate Executive Committee will be holding a meeting of conveners at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 27 in 325 Graff Main Hall.  Please plan on attending this meeting if possible.  An agenda will follow.
  2. The SEC will be holding a meeting of Chairs during the week before classes in January.  The purpose of this meeting will be for committee chairs to report on progress on charges to date and discuss any problems committees may be experiencing.
  3. I am including a copy of the 2006-2007 Articles & By-Laws Committee end-of-year report with this charge letter, as well as a list of last year’s committee members.  The SEC strongly encourages you to invite past members to the first committee meeting of the year to review their work in the previous year. 

 

As the convener of the Articles and Bylaws Committee, please arrange, as soon as feasible, an organizational meeting.  In addition to a chairperson, please also elect a secretary.   

 

 Primary responsibilities of the chairperson include:

o       promptly informing the Senate office (5-8018) the results of the election of officers and any changes in committee membership.

o       organizing and conducting meetings.

o       completing a year end report on the Articles and Bylaws Committee activities to be submitted to the Senate Office no later than May 31, 2008.

 

Primary responsibilities of the secretary include:

o       recording minutes of each meeting.

o       promptly sending meeting minutes to Sibbie Weathers (weathers.sylv@uwlax.edu) so that the minutes can be posted on the faculty senate website. 

 

In the event the committee chooses to rotate secretarial duties, please designate one person to be responsible for e-mailing the meeting minutes to Sibbie Weathers.

 

According to Faculty Senate Bylaw I. D. The Articles and Bylaws Committee, the duties and responsibilities of the committee shall include:

  1. Conducting an annual review of the Faculty Senate Bylaws and Policies, and forwarding recommended changes to the Faculty Senate.
  2. Conducting periodic reviews of the Articles of Organization and forwarding recommended changes to the chairperson of the Faculty Senate.
  3. Providing appropriate phrasing for article, bylaw and policy changes proposed to the Faculty Senate from other sources.  

 

In addition to the committee's normal duties, I ask that the committee consider and report on the following special charges:

·         Develop by-law language for the Research and Grants committee to “inform grant applicants of their award.  Applicants who do not receive money shall be given reasons for their denial.” Mid fall. 

·         Develop by-law language for the General Education Committee to elect its chair.

 

Please plan to submit a report on these charges to faculty senate at the October 25, 2007 faculty senate meeting.  If you have questions or concerns regarding these charges, please contact me at any time during the year.

 

Finally, if the Senate Executive Committee or I can assist your committee in any way during the year, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

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