College Council By-Laws

(Approved, 2011)

ARTICLE I. Name
The name of the organization is the Fredonia College Council.

ARTICLE II. Purpose

1. The purpose for which the Council is formed are set forth in the Education law §356 (b), as from time to time may be amended, and generally, to promote the welfare of Fredonia, its students, faculty, administration and employees.
2. Recognizing that Fredonia is a university college in the State
   University system, the purpose of the Council is to promote the University's mission in providing quality education which is accessible; promote the University's goal of enhancing the quality of undergraduate and graduate education; promote the development of the local, regional and state economies; and work with the State University of New York, its Trustees, Governor, state and local legislators and community leaders in meeting the goals and missions of Fredonia.

ARTICLE III. Basic Policies

1. The Council shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian, and nonpartisan.
2. The name of the Council or the names of any members in their official
   capacities shall not be used in any connection with any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the Council.
3. The Council works with the Administration to support the improvement of education in ways that will assist and enhance the administration of the campus.
4. The Council may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with public higher education. Persons representing the Council in such matters shall represent only those policies on which the Council has taken a position of record and shall bring to Council for action any proposals for policies or courses of action.

ARTICLE IV. Membership

1. Only members in good standing of the Council shall be eligible to participate in its business meetings, or to serve in any of its positions. To be in good standing, a member shall make every effort to be present at each meeting of the Council. Excused absences of Council members shall be noted in the minutes of the meetings of said Council.

ARTICLE V. Officers

1. Officers

(a) The officers of the Council shall consist of a Chair and a Vice Chair. The Chair shall be appointed by the Governor of the State of New York pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law.

(b) The Vice Chair shall be appointed by the Chair, with the prior consent of the Council member.

(d) The Vice Chair shall serve two year terms, with the term expiring at the end of a calendar year.

ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1. The Chair shall:

(a) preside at meetings of the Council (at which he or she is present);

(b) sign documents on behalf of the Council;

(c) act as spokesperson for the Council;

(d) appoint members to committees;

(e) resolve tie votes of the Council;

(f) represent the Council at graduation exercises and other official functions;

(g) ensure that agenda are prepared and minutes are kept in accordance with legal requirements;

(h) ensure that qualified candidates are recommended for appointment to fill Council vacancies; and

(i) ensure that the annual report of the Council is submitted to the Trustees.

2. The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the event of absence or the inability of that officer to act.
3. The officers shall:
   
   (a) Perform the duties prescribed in the parliamentary authority in addition to those outlined by these Bylaws and those assigned from time to time.

(b) Deliver to their successors all official material not later than thirty (30) days following the appointment of their successors.

ARTICLE VII. Fredonia Council Members

1. The duties of the Fredonia Council members shall be:
   
   (a) to transact necessary business at all meetings and in the intervals between meetings of the Council and such other business as deemed necessary by the Council and consistent with the Education Law;
   
   (b) to create standing and special committees;
   
   (c) to approve the plans of work of the standing committees;
   
   (d) to meet all obligations established by the Education Law §356 as amended.
2. Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at least four times each year at times specified by the Chair. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Chair or by a majority of the members of the Council.

ARTICLE VIII. Standing and Special Committees

1. The Council may create such standing committees as it may deem necessary to promote the purposes and carry on the work of the Council.
2. The Chair of each standing committee shall present a plan of work to the Council for approval. Committees shall recommend action or policies to the Council and shall have no independent authority to act except as specifically authorized by the Council.
3. The Chair shall be a member ex-officio of all committees.

ARTICLE IX. Roberts Rules
Roberts Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the authority on all questions of parliamentary procedure in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with New York State law or these Bylaws.

ARTICLE X. Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended, replicated, or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote at any regular or special meeting of the Council. Proposed amendments must be made available to all Council members at least 10 days prior to the Council meeting.