Staff Council Bylaws

UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration Staff Council Founding Documents

Revised July 2021

Mission

The purpose of the UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration (NCoBPA) Staff Council is to advocate as a collective staff voice, advise the Dean, and promote a model of shared governance with faculty, administrators, and students, by fostering accountability and best practices, while advancing the vision, mission, and goals of the NCoBPA and University.

Objectives

• To increase the sense of identity, recognition, and worth of each staff member as an integral part of NCoBPA and UND;
• To encourage the professional development and personal growth of staff, contributing to the success of NCoBPA and UND, and the recruitment and retention of highly-qualified personnel;
• To identify and address issues of concern that are unique to staff and seek their solution;
• To provide advice on policies and procedures affecting staff;
• To strengthen staff morale and a sense of community within NCoBPA by encouraging cooperation and the open exchange of ideas.

Bylaws

1. Membership
   1. Composition. 

      1. The Staff Council will have an even number of members. Half of the members should be from the 3000 job bands and half from the 4000/5000 job bands. Each band designation (3000 and 4000/5000) must always have at least two seats.

      2. Representation will be reviewed at the beginning of each program year, or as situational needs arise.
   2. Eligibility.

      Eligible Staff Council members are benefitted employees of the NCoBPA. An eligible employee must be classified in the 3000 or 4000/5000 job band, and duties cannot be primarily classified as those of instructor or faculty. In addition, staff must have a minimum of six months of continuous employment in the NCoBPA to be eligible for nomination.

   3. Term of Office.

      1. The operational year of the Council and member terms will be July 1 to June 30.

      2. The elected term of a member of the Staff Council shall not exceed three years. After the first year, the member and the Council will discuss their desire to continue their term for the remaining two years.

      3. . If the member decides not to continue membership, that seat will vacate and opt to nominations and election. This decision must be made prior to April 1.

      4. There is no limit to the number of terms a member of Staff Council may serve.

      5. Upon termination, retirement, or transfer outside of the NCoBPA, that staff member’s term in Staff Council will cease immediately.

      6. If a member resigns their seat, or actions in point 5 are applicable, the vacancy will be filled by an alternate from the last election, in order of vote-rank, while maintaining the composition of the committee, as indicated in I.A. above, for the balance of the vacated term. If no alternates are available, or alternates decline to serve, a special election will be held.

      7. Should extenuating circumstances occur, the Dean, in consultation with the Council, can request an alternate member.

2. Elections
   1. Nominations. 

      Three months before the next term year begins (April 1), the Council shall advertise upcoming nominations for open Staff Council seats. Nominations must be received by the Staff Council no later than May 1 for consideration. Interested employees may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual. After the closing date for nominations, the Staff Council will verify nominees’ eligibility and confirm with the nominated individuals their willingness to serve and be included on the ballot.

      If no nominations have been received by the Staff Council, the members will personally contact eligible employees to solicit volunteers to serve on the Council and shall place the volunteers’ names on the ballot.

   2. Elections.

      1. Ballots shall be prepared and approved by the Staff Council. Any nominated individual who accepted the nomination will be included on the ballot.

      2. Ballots will be electronically distributed on or before June 1 to all 3000 and 4000/5000 job band staff members, as outlined in the Eligibility section.

      3. The deadline for completion of ballots will be five (5) working days after the distribution date.

      4. Election results will be released via email within one week of the close of the voting period.

      5. Elected members will also be notified in writing by the Staff Council Chair.

      6. All newly-elected members will begin service on July 1, immediately following the election.

      7. During the first meeting of the year, the standing Chair will call for nominations for Chair and Recorder. Nominations will be heard and voted on during that meeting.

3. Duties of Membership
   1. All Members.

      1. Regularly attend meetings and participate in discussions.

      2. Share initiatives and invite feedback from constituents.

      3. Share initiatives and invite feedback from the Dean. 
   2. Chair Duties.
      1. Schedule and oversee meetings.
      2. Primary points of contact for the Staff Councils. 
   3. Recorder Duties. Record minutes and distribute them to all Staff Council members and the Dean.
4. Meetings and Actions
   1. The Staff Council shall hold a regular meeting monthly. Additionally, meetings may be added, or regular meetings canceled, based on pending agenda items or extenuating circumstances. 

   2. A simple majority of the Council members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum to convene a meeting.

   3. Members must be present to vote.

   4. Decisions will be made by motion, second, and recorded vote.

   5. In the event of a tie vote, the Staff Council Chair will announce the tie and the members will keep voting until a majority vote is received.

   6. Meetings shall be conducted by The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (Sturgis), unless superseded by these Bylaws.

   7. Meetings of the Staff Council shall be open to all.

   8. A record of the proceedings at meetings shall be kept by the Recorder, or an alternate, as designated by the Chair, and made publicly available, upon request.

   9. Items needing to be brought to the attention of the Dean will be communicated within two (2) business days.

   10. The agenda will be circulated at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, and any additions will be accepted up to and including the first business item of the agenda.

5. Amendments to the Bylaws
   1. Bylaws will be reviewed at the first meeting of each business year.

   2. Amendments to the Bylaws can be proposed or sponsored in writing by any member of the Council. Proposed amendments will be presented for a first reading, with a vote to follow at the next meeting. Amendments shall be approved by a simple majority of the Council members present. The Dean of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration shall receive a copy of the revised bylaws, indicating all changes approved.