Graduate Council By-Laws

These are defined in Article IV, Sections 1 through 5 of the Constitution of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Northern Iowa.

1. Function, Composition, Election of Members, Election of Officers, Authority

The above are defined in Article IV, Sections 1 through 5 of the Constitution of the Graduate Faculty of the University of Northern Iowa.

2. Organization

At the first meeting of the Fall semester, the officers of the Graduate Council are elected as provided for in Article IV, Section 4 of the Graduate Faculty Constitution. This meeting is called by the Graduate Dean.

2.1. Duties of the Chairperson

2.11. Presides at meetings of the Graduate Council.

2.12. Prepares, with the assistance of the Vice-Chairperson and the Graduate Dean, the agenda for regular and special meetings of the Graduate Council.

2.13. Distributes, with the assistance of the Secretary and the Office of the Graduate Dean, the agenda of a meeting to the Graduate Faculty and Department Heads as far in advance of a meeting as is practicable.

2.14. Determine the time and place of meetings of the Council.

2.15. Maintains liaison with the University Faculty Senate.

2.2. Duties of the Vice-Chairperson

2.21. Presides in the absence of the Chairperson at Graduate Council meetings.

2.22. Assists the Chairperson in preparation of agenda for meetings of the Graduate Council.

2.23. Performs other duties as the Chairperson may request or as may be appropriate in the temporary absence of the Chairperson.

2.3. Duties of the Secretary

2.31. Records the minutes of meetings of the Graduate Council.

2.32. Assists the Chairperson in the distribution of the agenda of meetings of the Graduate Council to members of the Council.

2.33. Publishes and distributes, with the assistance of the Office of the Graduate Dean, the minutes of meetings of the Graduate Council to members of the Graduate Faculty.

2.34. Serves as Secretary of the Graduate Faculty.

3. Meetings

At least one regular meeting of the Graduate Council will be held each semester of the academic year.

3.1 Regular Meetings. The time and place for regular meetings of the Graduate Council are normally determined by the Chairperson of the Graduate Council or the Vice-Chairperson in his or her absence.

3.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Graduate Council may be called according to the following provisions:

3.21 By the Chairperson of the Graduate Council.

3.22 By the Graduate Dean.

3.23 By request of the President or Vice President and Provost to the Chairperson of the Graduate Council or the Graduate Dean.

3.24 By petition of four members of the Graduate Council in which the reasons for the calling of a special meeting are clearly stated.

3.25 By petition of 20 regular members of the Graduate Faculty in which the reasons for the calling of a special meeting are clearly stated.

All requests and petitions are submitted to the Chairperson of the Graduate Council and a special meeting will be called as soon as is practicable after such requests or petitions are received.

4. Procedures

The meetings of the Graduate Council are conducted according to the following procedures:

4.1 Regular members or their alternates designated in writing have the right to vote.

4.2 A quorum consisting of at least one-half of the elected members of the Graduate Council or their designated alternates must be present before action by vote may occur.

4.3 Normal parliamentary procedure will be used at Graduate Council meetings in accordance with the latest, revised set of Roberts' Rules of Order.

5. Adoption and Amendment

5.1 Adoption. These By-Laws will become effective upon approval by a majority vote of the Graduate Council.

5.2 Amendment. These By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the Graduate Council, provided said amendments have been publicized to the Graduate Faculty at least one week prior to consideration.

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