Bylaws for the International Studies Program at Indiana State University

Adopted February 2013

 

Overview

 

The International Studies (IS) Program is an academic structure within the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of Indiana State University, although some of its Affiliated Faculty and courses are parts of other colleges of ISU.  The Affiliated Faculty of the IS Program retain principle authority over its internal affairs and academic policies as described in these bylaws. The IS Program seeks to foster a global perspective at ISU by:

1.       Promoting the Minor in International Studies, administering its curriculum, and maintaining effective advising of students in the program;

2.       Encouraging events and activities with international themes on the ISU campus;

3.       Supporting study-abroad opportunities for students and international research for faculty;

4.       Developing other curricular programs in the area of international studies.

 

I.  Faculty Membership in the International Studies Program ~ The Affiliated Faculty

 

The Affiliated Faculty of International Studies shall constitute the ultimate collective faculty authority governing the IS Program.  Decisions by the Affiliated Faculty shall be decided by majority of those casting votes.

All regular faculty members at Indiana State University, including professional librarians, shall be eligible for affiliated status with the IS Program.  Individuals seeking affiliation must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Advisory Board of International Studies that they conduct an appropriate extent of teaching or research with an international focus. 

 

II.  Administrative Authority

 

Because the IS Program draws on faculty from several distinct disciplinary departments to provide teaching resources for its academic program, there is no natural administrative structure on which to rely for managerial needs.  Given the nature of its programs, these managerial needs are quite modest:  (1) administer funds that are allocated by the CAS to support the IS Program; (2) provide requisite academic authority for scheduling courses that are specifically International Studies courses.  Currently this is limited to the capstone course for the IS minor:  IS-490.  These needs have been met in the past by different administrative units within the CAS.  The IS Program has been quite flexible and robust to functioning under different administrative authorities that provided the needed management, and these bylaws are designed with such flexibility in mind.  Accordingly, they refer to the unit that provides the management for purposes (1) and (2) as the Relevant Administrative Authority. 

 

III.  Advisory Board of International Studies

 

The Advisory Board of International Studies exercises authority delegated to it by these Bylaws and by the Affiliated Faculty for the purpose of managing the IS Program. The Advisory Board shall endeavor to maintain the overall quality and viability of the program and to ensure compliance with recognized professional standards and practices.  Specifically, this includes the following duties and responsibilities:

1.       To maintain, promote and develop the Minor in International Studies.

2.       To serve as an advisory committee to the Relevant Administrative Authority on issues related to the IS Program.

  1. To coordinate student advising in the IS Program and monitor its effectiveness. 

4.       To consider and act on proposals for further development of the IS Program.

 

IV.  Structure and Operation of the Advisory Board

 

  1. The IS Advisory Board shall consist of six regular members of the Affiliated Faculty and the ISU Director of Study Abroad Programs as an ex officio, non-voting member.
  2. Faculty members serving on the Advisory Board shall be elected to staggered 2-year terms. 
  3. Elections for the Advisory Board

1.       Faculty members to serve on the Advisory Board shall be elected in April by electronic voting by the Affiliated Faculty.

2.       The chairperson of the Advisory Board shall request nominations from among the Affiliated Faculty and shall construct slate of candidates to be presented to the Affiliated Faculty in the April election.

3.       The newly elected Advisory Board begins its duties on the first day of the following September.

4.       If a member of the Advisory Board resigns prior to the expiration of their term, the remaining board members shall appoint another member of the Affiliated Faculty to serve the balance of the term remaining.

  1. Officers

1.       Officers of the Advisory Board shall include: chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary.

2.       Officers will be elected annually at the first meeting of the Advisory Board with the previous chairperson presiding at the initial meeting.             

E.   Role of the Chairperson

1.       The chairperson shall convene meetings of the Advisory Board at least once per semester and as needed to address matters needing the Board’s attention.

2.       The chairperson will serve as a liaison between the Advisory Board and the Relevant Administrative Authority.

F.  Deliberative Procedures of the Advisory Board

1.     Four of the Advisory Board members shall constitute a quorum.

2.     Motions before the Advisory Board shall be determined by majority vote.

3.     Meetings of the Advisory Board shall be open to members of the Affiliated Faculty.

4.     Matters before the Advisory Board can be decided by electronic voting.

5.     The default authority for procedures is Robert’s Rules of Order, 10th edition.

 

V.            Revision of the By-Laws

 

These bylaws may be changed through the Affiliated Faculty acting collectively.  Initiatives to change the bylaws shall be communicated to the Affiliated Faculty by the Chairperson of the Advisory Board, and votes must be transmitted to the Chairperson within ten working days of the request to respond to the initiative. A supermajority of 2/3 of those casting votes is required to support a revision.

Bylaws-InternationalStudies