August 1996
|
Article One Section One Section Two Section Three Section Four |
Powers of
Professional Council Powers to Act on Policy Power to Organize Relation of Professional Council to the Faculty Council and University Governance Council Relation of Professional Council to the Board of Regents |
|
Article Two Section One Section Two Section Three |
Powers of
Constituents Election and Recall Petition Referendum |
| Article Three Section One Section Two Section Three Section Four |
Eligibility, Composition,
and Operation Eligibility for Professional Council Membership Composition of Professional Council Quorum and Voting Meetings |
| Article Four | Ratification |
| Article Five | Amendment |
Whereas the ultimate authority in the governance of Montana State University - Bozeman is vested in the Board of Regents, and whereas the President is the chief executive of Montana State University - Bozeman to whom authority is delegated to administer or execute policies approved by the Board, and whereas recommendations for changes in existing policies or other matters are submitted by the University community to the President and, through him, to the Board of Regents, we, the professional employees of Montana State University - Bozeman, do hereby establish a Professional Council as our mechanism to facilitate communication and cooperation among professionals, and communication with administration, in the development of general decisions and policies which affect professional employees. This Council is intended to promote collaborative efforts by professionals with others on campus in mutual efforts to effectively and efficiently carry out the land-grant missions at Montana State University - Bozeman.
Subject to the approval of the President and the Board of Regents, and to the right of the professional employees of the University to review or appeal its decisions, Professional Council has the power to:
In the above matters, the administration shall share relevant proposed policies with Professional Council on a timely basis to provide an opportunity for input before the policies are finalized.
Professional Council shall have the power to organize itself and make by-laws and regulations necessary for its own proceedings. This includes the power to elect officers and to establish and organize committees and caucuses.
Professional Council, as the representative body of the professional employees, works with its counterpart, Faculty Council, through the joint meetings of the two individual Councils as the University Governance Council. Issues for discussion are submitted to the three Councils by a steering committee which is made up of members from both Faculty Council and Professional Council.
The Board of Regents hold the ultimate authority in governance of Montana State University - Bozeman. Matters can be brought to the attention of the Board of Regents through presentations by University Governance Council officers at Board of Regents meetings, as well as through MSU - Bozeman administrative presentations.
Each individual represented by Professional Council and eligible for election to the body has certain rights and powers.
Individuals eligible for Professional Council membership have the right to vote in elections of representatives from their constituency. The recall of elected Professional Council members shall be the responsibility of that constituency.
Any member of the University community may bring any matter of University concern to the attention of the University Governance Council or either appropriate individual Council through a Council member, through a committee chair, or through the officers of the Councils.
A matter of University concern may also be introduced for Professional Council consideration by a petition signed by five percent of the professional employees who are eligible to vote in Professional Council elections. Matters introduced by such petitions shall be considered by Professional Council within thirty (30) calendar days.
An action of Professional Council or of the University Governance Council may be challenged by referendum. Such actions or decisions shall be submitted to a referendum vote of the employees eligible for election to Professional Council upon submission of a referendum petition signed by one-third of the employees who are eligible for election to Professional Council. Actions of Professional Council shall be rejected by a majority of those voting, provided that the number of voters is at least forty percent (40%) of the employees eligible to vote.
The constituency represented by Professional Council are: non-faculty, non-classified employees on .25 or greater FTE appointments, appointed on a Board of Regents contract or Letter of Appointment to a non-tenurable, non-instructional, non-research position. Excluded are executives responsible for the direction and management of the institution as a whole or of academic colleges and departments, but included are assistant and associate deans and assistants to a dean.
Professional Council shall consist of members directly elected as representatives by constituencies; an elected Chair and Chair-Elect; and other officers elected or appointed by Professional Council as provided in the by-laws of the organization.
A majority of the elected members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All actions or recommendations of Professional Council shall be decided by vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot if requested.
Any special meetings of the Council shall be held at the call of the Chair or by petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the Council.
This constitution, and any changes and/or amendments made thereto, shall be ratified by a simple majority of affirmative votes, provided that at least forty percent (40%) of the eligible professional employees vote in the ratification process.
This Constitution may be amended by a majority of the professional employees voting, provided that a copy of any proposed amendment has been submitted by a public notice at least fifteen (15) days prior to the final date by which ballots must be returned.
Council actions on Constitutional amendments are subject to the petition and referendum procedures.
