Bylaws

College of Natural Science                                                           Bylaws (PDF)

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Table of Contents

1. The Faculty of the College of Natural Science
1.1. Composition of the Faculty
1.2. Voting Faculty
1.3. College Faculty Meetings
2. The Students
2.1. Student Constituency of NatSci
2.2. Student Participation in NatSci Academic Governance
3. NatSci Organization
3.1. NatSci Districts
3.2. Dean
3.3. NatSci Advisory Councils
3.3.2. NatSci Faculty Advisory Council
3.3.3. NatSci Student Advisory Council
3.4. The Standing Committees of NatSci
3.4.5. NatSci Curriculum Committee
3.4.6. NatSci Graduate Committee
3.4.7. NatSci Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee
3.4.7.1. Composition and Election
3.4.8. NatSci Scholarships and Awards Committee
3.5. Special Committees
4. NatSci Bylaw Interpretation, Amendment, and Review
5. Grievance Procedure

 

College of Natural Science
Natural Science Building
288 Farm Ln, Room 104
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 355-4473

The Bylaws for Academic Governance of Michigan State University, effective Fall 2011, specify in Sections 1 and 2 certain responsibilities concerning faculty and student organization and participation in the governance of each college. Accordingly, the Bylaws of the College of Natural Science (NatSci) are intended to provide a framework for meaningful participation of faculty and students in the academic governance of the College of Natural Science.

The procedures given in the NatSci Bylaws shall not be construed in any way that: (1) limits or discourages the rights and opportunities of groups or individuals in NatSci from initiating actions or resolving problems through direct consultation with administrative officers of academic units, or (2) limits or discourages the dean or his/her duly designated representatives from discussing and formulating programs of action with appropriate individuals or groups, while acting within the general framework of the NatSci Bylaws.

1. The Faculty of the College of Natural Science

  • 1.1. Composition of the Faculty
    • 1.1.1. The regular faculty of NatSci shall consist of all persons appointed in the college holding the rank of professor, associate professor, or assistant professor and appointed under the rules of tenure, or as further defined in the Bylaws for Academic Governance Section 1.1.1.1.
    • 1.1.2. The fixed-term faculty of NatSci shall consist of all persons appointed in the college holding the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor but not appointed under the rules of tenure, as defined in the Bylaws for Academic Governance Section 1.1.1.2.
    • 1.1.3. The honorary faculty of NatSci shall consist of persons appointed in the college as visiting or adjunct/clinical faculty, persons designated as lecturers in NatSci, and persons retired from the regular faculty of NatSci with the emeritus title.
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  • 1.2. Voting Faculty
    • 1.2.1. The voting faculty in the election of university-level councils and committees shall be all regular faculty, health professions faculty, and NSCL faculty. Voting faculty also includes full-time fixed-term faculty who have served at least three consecutive years and who are engaged in the academic activities of the university.
    • 1.2.2. The voting faculty in the election of NatSci councils and committees and in elections pertaining to NatSci policies and decisions shall be composed of all regular faculty engaged in the academic activities of NatSci, full-time fixed-term faculty who have served at least three consecutive years and are engaged in NatSci academic activities on a regular basis, and NSCL, faculty health professions faculty, specialists, and lecturers who hold voting status in a unit of NatSci according to said unit’s bylaws. However, only regular faculty shall vote for members of the NatSci Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee. In elections of district members of a committee, only faculty from the district can vote.
    • 1.2.3. A faculty member jointly appointed to two or more units may vote only once in a given university or NatSci election. In elections voted upon by two or more units, the faculty member shall vote in that unit which has primary responsibility for initiating personnel action.
    • 1.2.4. A regular faculty member, full-time fixed-term faculty member who has served at least three consecutive years, and health professions faculty member, NSCL faculty member or a specialist in the continuing appointment system may be elected to a university academic governance body as a representative of any unit in which the person holds faculty status. However, only regular faculty shall serve on the University Committee on Faculty Tenure as defined in the Bylaws for Academic Governance Section 4.2.1.10.
    • 1.2.5. A faculty member may be elected to a NatSci council or committee as a representative of a unit in which the person holds voting faculty status as defined in 1.2.2. of the NatSci bylaws.
    • 1.2.6. The voting faculty in the election of unit councils and committees and in elections pertaining to unit policies and decisions shall include all regular faculty engaged in the academic activities of that unit on a regular basis, and may, if so provided by unit bylaws, also include health professions faculty, NSCL faculty, fixed-term faculty, honorary faculty, specialists, lecturers, research associates, assistant instructors and adjunct faculty.
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  • 1.3. College Faculty Meetings
    • 1.3.1. The voting faculty of NatSci shall meet at least once each academic year, at a time determined jointly by the dean and the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. Additional meetings may be called by the dean or by the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council.
    • 1.3.2. The dean, or in his/her absence, the chairperson of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council, shall preside at NatSci faculty meetings.
    • 1.3.3. Conduct of all NatSci faculty meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, except as modified in these bylaws.
      • 1.3.3.1. The agenda for faculty meetings shall be prepared by the dean and the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. Items may also be placed on the agenda by petition of any ten members of the voting faculty of NatSci.
      • 1.3.3.2. The office of the dean shall notify members of the faculty of the time, place, and agenda of proposed meetings at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
      • 1.3.3.3. Each NatSci voting faculty member in attendance shall have a vote on matters before the meeting. Non-voting faculty may participate in meetings but without vote.
      • 1.3.3.4. Action may be taken by a majority of a quorum. A quorum shall consist of those NatSci voting faculty members in actual attendance. A ballot of the complete NatSci voting faculty shall be required if requested by more than one-third of those present. Ballots shall be conducted by the secretary of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council with the aid of the dean's office. A quorum for a ballot shall be those ballots returned (marked or unmarked). The tally will be made ten calendar days after the last ballot is sent out.
      • 1.3.3.5. The secretary of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council, with the assistance of the dean’s office, shall serve as secretary for faculty meetings. He or she, with the assistance of the dean’s office, shall distribute minutes of each meeting to all faculty in NatSci, and shall maintain a file of all past minutes in the dean's office or on line.
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2. The Students

  • 2.1. Student Constituency of NatSci
    • 2.1.1. The student constituency of NatSci, for the purpose of selecting student representatives from NatSci to university committees, shall be all students who have declared with the registrar a major or a major preference in an academic program administered in NatSci except those who are also defined as faculty in 1.1.
    • 2.1.2. Those students who are enrolled in graduate non-degree programs of NatSci, as candidates for graduate degrees, or as candidates for graduate-professional degrees shall be deemed graduate students.
    • 2.1.3. All other students shall be deemed undergraduate students.
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  • 2.2. Student Participation in NatSci Academic Governance
    • 2.2.1. Student participation in academic governance bodies is described in Section 1.2.3 of the Bylaws for Academic Governance.

3. NatSci Organization

  • 3.1. NatSci Districts
    • 3.1.1. NatSci recognizes the following three districts: 1. Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Physics-Astronomy), 2. Mathematical Sciences (Mathematics, Program in Mathematics Education, Statistics and Probability,), and 3. Biological Sciences (Plant Biology, Center for Integrative Studies-General Science, Entomology, Kellogg Biological Station, Plant Research Laboratory, Zoology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences Program, Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience, and Physiology). A unit of NatSci not mentioned here and which contains faculty who are not voting members of another unit shall be included in the most appropriate of the three districts according to the wishes of the unit.
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  • 3.2. Dean
    • 3.2.1. The chief executive officer of NatSci is the dean.
    • 3.2.2. The dean is responsible for the educational, research, and outreach programs of NatSci. This responsibility includes budgetary matters, academic facilities, and personnel matters, taking into account the advisory procedures of NatSci.
    • 3.2.3. The nomination to the Provost of assistant and associate administrators shall be the responsibility of the dean who shall consult with the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council and the chairpersons and directors. The dean may establish a search and selection committee.
    • 3.2.4. Procedure for Consultation in the Search for and Selection of a Dean
      • 3.2.4.1. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall have shared responsibility with the provost to determine procedures for the search and selection of a dean.
    • 3.2.5. The dean shall be subject to regular review at intervals not to exceed five years.
      • 3.2.5.1. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall have shared responsibility with the provost to determine procedures for the review of the dean.
      • 3.2.5.2. There is no limit on how long an individual may continue in the position of dean.
      • 3.2.5.3. The appointment of the dean may be terminated at any time by resignation or by action of the President upon recommendation of the Provost.
    • 3.2.6. The dean shall participate in academic governance as part of his/her administrative responsibility. This participation shall include those responsibilities listed in Section 2.1.5 of the Bylaws for Academic Governance.
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  • 3.3. NatSci Advisory Councils
    • 3.3.1. The Advisory Councils of the College of Natural Science shall consist of a NatSci Faculty Advisory Council and a NatSci Student Advisory Council.
    • 3.3.2. NatSci Faculty Advisory Council
      • 3.3.2.1. Composition and Election
        • 3.3.2.1.1. Each academic unit within NatSci, regardless of its size, shall have one elected faculty representative on the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. An "academic unit" designates a NatSci budgetary unit and/or a degree-granting unit of NatSci.
        • 3.3.2.1.2. All voting faculty of NatSci shall be eligible for election as representatives on the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council, with the following exceptions: (1) The chairpersons of departments or heads of academic units; (2) The dean and other NatSci college-level administrators.
        • 3.3.2.1.3. The faculty representatives from academic units shall each be elected by the voting faculty of each academic unit from among their own memberships in a manner to be decided upon by each unit. Vacancies on the council shall be filled by election of a replacement by the unit so affected to complete the unexpired term.
        • 3.3.2.1.4. The voting members of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall be elected during spring semester and shall take office beginning August 16.
        • 3.3.2.1.5. Voting members will be representatives from academic units, the NatSci Student Advisory Council as outlined in Section 3.3.2.1.9, and the MSU Postdoctoral Association as outlined in Section 3.3.2.1.10.
        • 3.3.2.1.6. Faculty members shall be elected for a two-year term and no faculty member may be elected for more than two consecutive terms. As nearly as possible, half of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall be elected each year to a two-year term. Students and postdoctoral scholars shall be elected for a one-year term.
        • 3.3.2.1.7. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall select one of the NatSci faculty representatives to the Academic Council to serve as liaison between the two councils. If the liaison is not an elected member of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council, he/she will serve as an ex officio member, without vote (see Bylaws for Academic Governance Section 2.2.5.1).
        • 3.3.2.1.8. NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall select two representatives to serve as ex-officio members (without vote) on the NatSci Student Advisory Council. FAC members will be selected at the beginning of the academic year and serve one year on SAC.
        • 3.3.2.1.9. One undergraduate and one graduate student selected annually by the NatSci Student Advisory Council shall serve on the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. They shall have both voice and vote except in those areas reserved to the faculty in Section 1.2.3 of the Bylaws for Academic Governance.
        • 3.3.2.1.10. One postdoctoral scholar with an appointment in NatSci selected annually by the MSU Postdoctoral Association or successor organization shall serve on the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. They shall have both voice and vote except in those areas reserved to the faculty in Section 1.2.3 of the Bylaws for Academic Governance.
      • 3.3.2.2. Functions
        • 3.3.2.2.1. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall advise the dean on any matter which the dean or a member of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council or ten NatSci faculty members bring before it.
        • 3.3.2.2.2. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall have delegated authority to nominate NatSci faculty representatives to the Academic Council, to standing committees thereof, and to other elected All-University Committees and to supervise elections to these bodies.
        • 3.3.2.2.3. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall have shared responsibility with the dean to nominate faculty for All--University Committees when nominations are requested by the University Committee on Academic Governance or similar bodies.
        • 3.3.2.2.4. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall have delegated authority to select NatSci nominees for the Distinguished Faculty Awards, Teacher-Scholar Awards, and Excellence in Teaching Awards.
        • 3.3.2.2.5. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall have delegated authority to select faculty members for vacated, unexpired positions of NatSci standing committees.
      • 3.3.2.3. Procedures
        • 3.3.2.3.1. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall elect its own chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary.
        • 3.3.2.3.2. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall meet at least once each month during the academic year. Additional meetings may be called by the dean or by the chairperson, and must be convened on written request of four council members.
        • 3.3.2.3.3. The chairperson of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council, in consultation with the dean, shall prepare an agenda for each meeting of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. Copies of the agenda for each regular meeting of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall be sent to each academic unit no less than forty-eight hours preceding said meeting
        • 3.3.2.3.4. In addition to the dean and/or the dean's designees or assistants, any interested person may attend any given meeting of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council. He or she may be heard at said meeting upon obtaining either the consent of two voting members of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council or the written request of ten members of the regular voting faculty of NatSci.
        • 3.3.2.3.5. In exercising the responsibilities listed in Sections 3.3.2.2.2, ?3.3.2.2.3, and 3.3.2.2.4, the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall request nominations from all academic units in NatSci. Requests shall be in writing and shall be made at least two weeks before the council meets to review the nominations.
        • 3.3.2.3.6. Ballots for election to the Academic Council, to standing committees thereof, to other elected all-university committees, and to NatSci standing committees shall be distributed to the voting faculty (as defined in Sections 1.2.1 and 1.2.2) of NatSci at least one week before they must be returned. These elections must be completed, and the results announced, no later than April 15 every year, or earlier if so requested by the University Committee on Academic Governance. Additionally, the ballots shall indicate the candidate’s: unit affiliation, academic rank, and regular/fixed-term faculty status.
        • 3.3.2.3.7. Action may be taken by a majority of a quorum. A quorum shall consist of those NatSci Faculty Advisory Council members in actual attendance.
    • 3.3.3. NatSci Student Advisory Council
      • 3.3.3.1. Composition and Election
        • 3.3.3.1.1. The membership of this council consists of one undergraduate student from each academic unit in the College of Natural Science with an undergraduate degree program, one graduate student from each academic unit in the College of Natural Science with a graduate degree program, up to ten student members-at-large and two members of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council.
        • 3.3.3.1.2. In addition, the student representatives from NatSci to the Academic Council shall be ex-officio voting members.
        • 3.3.3.1.3. Each academic unit in NatSci shall choose its representatives according to procedures established within the units.
      • 3.3.3.2. Purpose and Procedures
        • 3.3.3.2.1. The bylaws of the NatSci Student Advisory Council shall govern the operation of the council in accord with such regulations as may be specified in the Bylaws for Academic Governance.
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  • 3.4. The Standing Committees of NatSci
    • 3.4.1. The NatSci Standing Committees are: (1) NatSci Curriculum Committee; (2) NatSci Graduate Committee; (3) NatSci Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee; (4) NatSci Scholarships and Awards Committee.
    • 3.4.2. Faculty Representation
      • 3.4.2.1. All voting faculty of NatSci shall be eligible for election to standing committees except the dean, other NatSci-level administrators, directors, and department chairpersons.
      • 3.4.2.2. No NatSci faculty member may serve on more than one NatSci standing committee.
      • 3.4.2.3. An academic unit may have only one elected faculty representative on a particular NatSci standing committee at one time.
      • 3.4.2.4. Election
        • 3.4.2.4.1. The voting faculty of each NatSci academic unit shall nominate, according to its own procedures, one eligible faculty candidate for each committee vacancy.
        • 3.4.2.4.2. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council shall oversee the election of NatSci standing committees from the lists of nominees submitted by the academic units of NatSci.
        • 3.4.2.4.3. Except as provided in 3.4.7.1.5, those elected shall take office on August 16 following the election.
      • 3.4.2.5. Term of Office
        • 3.4.2.5.1. Except as provided in 3.4.6.1 and 3.4.7.1, elected faculty members of NatSci standing committees shall serve three-year terms, with at least one new member elected to each committee each year.
        • 3.4.2.5.2. Vacancies for uncompleted terms shall be filled by the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council.
    • 3.4.3. Student Representation
      • 3.4.3.1. The NatSci Curriculum Committee, NatSci Graduate Committee, and NatSci Scholarships and Awards Committee shall have two student members elected to one-year terms each fall by the NatSci Student Advisory Council, according to its own procedures.
    • 3.4.4. Yearly Reporting
      • 3.4.4.1. The NatSci Standing Committees shall report to the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council at least once a year. The NatSci Standing Committees will provide written reports at the end of the academic year and, if requested by the FAC, make an oral presentation to the FAC. These reports will be made available to the chairs/directors in the College of Natural Science.
    • 3.4.5. NatSci Curriculum Committee
      • 3.4.5.1. Composition and Election
        • 3.4.5.1.1. Membership shall include three elected voting faculty members, one drawn from each NatSci district, three additional regular faculty members elected at-large, one undergraduate student member and one graduate student member, all with vote. Members without vote shall include NatSci representatives to the University Curriculum Committee and the University Committee on Academic Policy, the dean, a representative of the NatSci Graduate Committee, Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs, and whichever assistant and associate deans carry responsibility in academic matters.
        • 3.4.5.1.2. Elected faculty members shall serve three-year terms with one district and one at-large member being elected each year. Members can serve no more than two consecutive terms.
        • 3.4.5.1.3. The two student members shall be elected to one-year terms each fall by the NatSci Student Advisory Council, according to its own procedures, from undergraduate and graduate students who have declared majors or major preferences in NatSci.
        • 3.4.5.1.4. Student vacancies for uncompleted terms shall be filled by the NatSci Student Advisory Council.
      • 3.4.5.2. Functions
        • 3.4.5.2.1. The Curriculum Committee shall deal with undergraduate and graduate curricular matters. Any substantive business (i.e., new programs or major program changes) coming before the Curriculum Committee related to graduate curricular matters is to be referred to the NatSci Graduate Committee for advice prior to resolution of that business. Any substantive business coming before the Curriculum Committee related to undergraduate curricular matters is to be referred to the Council of Undergraduate Program Directors for advice prior to resolution of that business.
        • 3.4.5.2.2. The Curriculum Committee shall have delegated authority to consider and recommend to the dean curricular changes and proposals for development of new programs.
        • 3.4.5.2.3. The committee shall work with NatSci administrators in an advisory capacity on matters of curriculum within NatSci.
        • 3.4.5.2.4. The committee shall act as a study group concerning problems presented to it by the faculty and shall have shared responsibility with the dean to present to the NatSci faculty or to the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council any curricular matters deemed appropriate for their discussion or action.
        • 3.4.5.2.5. The committee shall function as an advisory body in the area of educational policy and shall examine the broad educational issues affecting NatSci. Specifically, the committee shall examine and evaluate policies relating to subject matter, methods of instruction, academic advising, graduation requirements, and curriculum revision. The committee shall periodically review the curricular policies of NatSci.
      • 3.4.5.3. Procedures
        • 3.4.5.3.1. The committee shall devise its own operating rules, consistent with University Curriculum Committee policy and procedures.
        • 3.4.5.3.2. The Committee shall meet as often as required but not less than once each semester, exclusive of the summer sessions.
    • 3.4.6. NatSci Graduate Committee
      • 3.4.6.1. Composition and Election
        • 3.4.6.1.1. Membership shall include the graduate program directors of each academic unit within the college, as well as two graduate student members, all with vote. Members without vote shall include the NatSci faculty members of the University Graduate Council, the dean, and whichever assistant and associate deans carry responsibility in graduate academic matters.
        • 3.4.6.1.2. The two student members shall be elected to one-year terms each fall by the NatSci Student Advisory Council, according to its own procedures, from graduate degree candidates in NatSci.
        • 3.4.6.1.3. Student vacancies for uncompleted terms shall be filled by the NatSci Student Advisory Council.
      • 3.4.6.2. Functions
        • 3.4.6.2.1. The Graduate Committee shall serve as the coordinating committee for the graduate programs of NatSci.
        • 3.4.6.2.2. The Graduate Committee shall have shared responsibility with the dean on matters concerning graduate programs.
        • 3.4.6.2.3. The Graduate Committee shall provide advice to the NatSci Curriculum Committee on all substantive matters (i.e., new programs or major program changes) which deal with the graduate curriculum of NatSci.
        • 3.4.6.2.4. The Graduate Committee shall serve as a formal channel of communication on matters involving the graduate programs and research activities in NatSci that may be received from individuals, department chairpersons, or department faculty members.
        • 3.4.6.2.5. The Graduate Committee shall have delegated authority to screen and assign fellowships which may become available to candidates from NatSci.
      • 3.4.6.3. Procedures
        • 3.4.6.3.1. The Committee shall devise its own operating rules.
        • 3.4.6.3.2. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, or their designee, shall serve as a non-voting member of the Curriculum Committee.
        • 3.4.6.3.3. A member of the Graduate Committee shall serve as a member of any Hearing Board involving a graduate student.
        • 3.4.6.3.4. The Committee shall meet as often as required to perform its function, but at least once each semester, excluding summer sessions.
    • 3.4.7. NatSci Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee
      • 3.4.7.1. Composition and Election
        • 3.4.7.1.1. Membership shall include six elected regular faculty with one selected from each NatSci district (defined in 3.1) and three at-large. All members shall have the rank of professor.
        • 3.4.7.1.2. Members will serve 2-year terms and are not eligible for re-election to consecutive terms.
        • 3.4.7.1.3. No more than two faculty from a single department can serve at one time.
        • 3.4.7.1.4. Election of at-large members will take place for terms beginning in even years. Election of district members will take place for terms beginning in odd years.
        • 3.4.7.1.5. Those elected will take office January 1 following the election.
      • 3.4.7.2. Functions
        • 3.4.7.2.1. The NatSci Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee shall have shared responsibility with the dean in making recommendations regarding reappointment, promotion and tenure of faculty appointed in the College of Natural Science.
      • 3.4.7.3. Procedures
        • 3.4.7.3.1. The NatSci Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee shall meet when necessary for reappointment, tenure and promotion considerations. The committee shall devise its own operating rules consistent with the section on college-level reappointment, tenure and promotion committees in the Faculty Handbook.
    • 3.4.8. NatSci Scholarships and Awards Committee
      • 3.4.8.1. Composition and Election
        • 3.4.8.1.1. Membership shall include three elected voting faculty members, one drawn from each NatSci district, one undergraduate student and one graduate student, all with vote. Two alumni appointed by the dean, the Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs and the assistant or associate deans responsible for academic matters will be members without vote.
        • 3.4.8.1.2. Elected faculty members shall serve three-year terms and can serve no more than two consecutive terms.
        • 3.4.8.1.3. The two student members shall be elected to one-year terms each fall by the NatSci Student Advisory Council, according to its own procedures, from undergraduate and graduate students who have declared majors or major preferences in NatSci.
        • 3.4.8.1.4. Student vacancies for uncompleted terms shall be filled by the NatSci Student Advisory Council.
      • 3.4.8.2. Functions
        • 3.4.8.2.1. The Scholarships and Awards Committee shall have responsibility for developing or implementing the selection procedures for all endowed scholarships and awards which are selected at the NatSci level, as defined by the guidelines of the scholarship or award.
        • 3.4.8.2.2. The committee shall have the responsibility for selecting the endowed award winners as defined by the guidelines of the scholarship or award.
        • 3.4.8.2.3. The committee shall work with NatSci administrators in determining the selection procedures for other NatSci--level awards.
      • 3.4.8.3. Procedures
        • 3.4.8.3.1. The Committee shall meet when necessary for scholarship and award considerations. The committee shall devise its own operating rules.
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  • 3.5. Special Committees
    • 3.5.1. Special committees may be established by the dean, by the NatSci Advisory Council(s), or by a majority vote of the NatSci faculty present and voting at a duly called NatSci Faculty Meeting.

4. NatSci Bylaw Interpretation, Amendment, and Review

  • 4.1. The interpretation of these bylaws shall be the responsibility of the NatSci Faculty Advisory Council, which shall have final authority on interpretation.
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  • 4.2. Amendments to these bylaws can be made by the following process:
    • 4.2.1. The NatSci Faculty Advisory Council will initiate an amendment and send it electronically to all NatSci faculty and academic staff.
    • 4.2.2. After discussion of the proposed amendment via an electronic discussion site available for at least 10 business days, the NatSci voting faculty (as defined in 1.2) will vote electronically. Voting shall be open for 5 business days immediately following the close of the discussion period. By majority vote, the voting faculty can choose to do one (only) of the following (3) alternatives:
    • 4.2.2.1. Vote to approve the amendment. A yea by the majority of the respondents to the vote will be an approval of the amendment and the amendment will be enforced.
    • 4.2.2.2. Vote to not approve the amendment.
    • 4.2.2.3. Vote to require discussion and vote on the amendment at a NatSci Faculty Meeting.
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  • 4.3. These bylaws shall be reviewed by the NatSci Advisory Councils at intervals not to exceed five years and by the University Committee on Academic Governance at its discretion. Decisions of the University Committee on Academic Governance can be appealed to Academic Council.
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  • 4.4. These bylaws replace the bylaws of the College of Natural Science as amended December 2009.

5. Grievance Procedure

  • 5.1. The College of Natural Science follows the Faculty Grievance Policy published in the Faculty Handbook and approved by the Board of Trustees for resolving employment related disputes that arise between faculty or academic staff members and administrators. However, a faculty or academic staff member who feels aggrieved should first seek an informal resolution at the unit, department, or college level before filing a formal grievance.

Approved by college faculty 06-10-88
Revisions approved by college faculty 05-31-89
Revisions approved by college faculty 05-07-92
Revisions approved by college faculty 04-15-93
Revisions approved by college faculty 04-21-94
Revisions approved by college faculty 05-14-96
Revisions approved by college faculty 04-25-97
Revisions approved by college faculty 03-30-99
Revisions approved by college faculty 05-10-06
Revisions approved by college faculty 04-09-08
Revisions approved by college faculty 12-04-09
Revisions approved by college faculty 11-15-13