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Fayetteville State University Diversity Council Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the Council shall be the Fayetteville State University Diversity Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council).

ARTICLE II – MISSION
The Council provides support and leadership in the development and implementation of diversity initiatives throughout the University designed to foster a respectful and inclusive environment that is sensitive to the differences existing within our community.

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE
The purpose of the Council is to:

  • Promote a greater sense of inclusion, understanding and awareness by providing support for planning and implementation of programs that will increase cultural competence and make Fayetteville State University a more welcoming community.
  • Oversee and assist in the development of diversity training opportunities for University administrators, faculty, staff and students.
  • Provide support for the development of orientation programs for first year faculty, staff, students and administrators that focus on increasing awareness of diversity issues specific to Fayetteville State University.
  • Collaborate with university administration to develop a comprehensive plan for increasing cultural competence among faculty, staff, students and administrators.
  • Establish yearly goals for diversity initiatives.
  • Provide support and assistance in conducting networking opportunities and cooperation among various facets of the University and between the University and the community at large.
  • The Council shall not handle matters related to violations of Title IX of the Education Amendment of the Civil Rights Act of 1974.

ARTICLE IV – ORGANIZATION
The Council shall have the power to create its own bylaws, policies and procedures consistent with the UNC General Administration and University policies. Through its bylaws the Council shall establish appropriate committees needed for the handling of its business.


ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the Council shall consist of no more than fifteen (15) voting Council members and 5 nonvoting members (proxies). Individuals interested in serving on the Diversity Council will be required to complete an application for membership. Once the application is received, potential members will be identified by the membership committee based on established selection criteria set forth by the Council. Final selection of members will occur by a majority vote of existing Council members by April of each selection year. The term of membership will begin in August.

  1. General Qualifications
    1. Employees must hold a current, permanent position at Fayetteville State University.
    2. Students must be currently enrolled, full-time students in good academic standing with the university.
    3. All members must have at least one (1) year of continuous service at the University.
  2. Duties
    1. Members shall attend all regular meetings as well as special or called meetings.
    2. Members shall serve on committees of the Council and may be designated as officers of such committees. Committee Chairpersons shall be responsible for coordinating meetings, reporting committee activities and disseminating minutes/information to the Council membership.
    3. Participation at all Council functions after normal working hours is strictly voluntary; however, all Council members are expected to attend regularly scheduled meetings.
  3. Terms of Office
    Terms of office shall be designated according to even (2 years) or odd (1 year) electoral terms.
  4. Vacancies
    In the event a vacancy occurs through resignation or expulsion from the Council or termination of enrollment with the University, a replacement from the five (5) nonvoting Council members (proxies) shall be selected.
  5. Removal from Membership
    1. Any member absent for three (3) consecutively scheduled meetings of the Council may be removed by a recommendation of the Membership Committee and majority vote of the Executive Committee.
    2. Members may also be removed as a result of unacceptable personal conduct for which no reasonable person would expect to receive prior warning.
  6. Resignation
    Any member desiring to resign from the Council shall submit a signed letter of resignation two (2) weeks prior to the next scheduled Council meeting. Letters of resignation shall not be accepted via electronic mail.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

  1. Chair
    1. Preside at all meetings of the Council.
    2. Maintain and update a calendar of events relevant to the Council.
    3. Prepare a written annual report and make it available to all Council members prior to the August meeting.
    4. Serve as an ex-officio member on all Council committees.
    5. Serve as liaison to the FSU Administration as appropriate.
  2. Vice Chair
    1. Assume the duties of the Chair in his or her absence.
    2. Assist the Chair in performing leadership responsibilities.
    3. Assist other committees as needed.
    4. Serve as chairperson of Membership Committee.
  3. Secretary
    1. Record minutes of all Council meetings.
    2. Distribute minutes of the past meeting and agenda for the upcoming meeting to Council members at least five (5) working days before the next scheduled meeting.
    3. Notify Council members of dates and times of regular monthly and special meetings and events.
    4. Maintain and update a calendar of events relevant to the Council.
  4. Historian
    1. Maintain history of Council via a scrapbook (i.e. - pictures, activities and achievements, brochures).
    2. Contribute to Chesnutt Library archives.
    3. Update and maintain the official Council web site and list-serve.

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

  1. Executive Committee
    The Executive Committee shall be comprised of four (4) executive officers:
    1. Council Chair
    2. Vice Chair
    3. Secretary
    4. Historian
  2. Public Relations & Outreach Committee
    The Public Relations & Outreach Committee shall:
    1. Serve as a link to the campus and community at large.
    2. Disseminate educational information on diversity.
    3. Create the Council’s brochure and work closely with the webmaster.
    4. Keep the Council abreast of current events related to diversity at the local, state, national and international levels.
  3. Membership Committee
    The Membership Committee shall be responsible for:
    1. Recruiting and screening potential Council members.
    2. Election of membership.
    3. Retention of membership.
    4. Making recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding termination of membership.
    5. New member orientation each selection year.
    6. Creating a new member orientation packet (bylaws, schedule of events, meeting dates, etc.).
  4. Planning & Programming Committee
    The Planning & Programming Committee shall be responsible for:
    1. Coordinating events related to diversity.
    2. Researching conferences and possible speakers.
    3. Working with student and staff/faculty groups to co-sponsor “awareness” programs.
    4. Working closely with the Public Relations & Outreach Committee.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

  1. Executive Committee
    The Executive Committee will meet as needed to conduct business. Any Executive Committee member may call a meeting at any time with the provision of reasonable notice to all Executive Committee members.
  2. General Council
    1. Regular Meetings
      The Council will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month throughout the year to conduct business. A schedule of meeting times and dates for the year shall be provided to all members of the Council by the August meeting. 
    2. Special Meetings
      Special Council meetings to consider urgent business may be called by any Executive Committee member at any time with the provision of reasonable notice to all Council members.
    3. All meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE IX – COUNCIL OPERATING PROCEDURES

  1. Quorum
    At a regular or special Council meeting, one half of the Council members, including two (2) Executive Committee members, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. At a regular or special Executive Committee meeting, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. When a quorum is not present, meetings may proceed for the limited purpose of discussing agenda items, but no votes may be taken.
  2. Meeting Procedure
    An agenda will be circulated to Council members at least five (5) business days in advance of each meeting. Meetings shall be conducted by the Council Chair. Minutes of each meeting will be recorded and circulated to all Council members within a reasonable period of time following the meeting by the Secretary.
  3. Council Voting
    Resolutions and other matters requiring a vote of the Council shall be decided by a majority vote of Council members present, provided that the quorum requirement is met.

ARTICLE X – BYLAWS AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
An amendment to the bylaws may be adopted at a regular or special meeting with a majority vote of the Council provided the quorum requirement as outlined in Article IX, Part A is met. Once adopted, an amendment shall become effective on the date specified therein.