College Constitution

Established in the year of 1976 - 1977; Amended October 10, 1984; Amended September 6, 1988; Amended April 6, 1992; Amended September 30, 1992; Amended May 15, 1999; Amended May 21, 2001; Amended April 12, 2002; Amended April 2003; Amended April 2004; April 2007

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

CONSTITUTION OF THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The faculty of the College of Education at North Carolina State University at Raleigh, in order to achieve the educational objectives of the College and the University, to promote their participation in the determination of College policy in such objectives, and to maintain the ideals of academic freedom which are the inherent right of a university faculty, do hereby effect this Constitution.

All provisions of this Constitution shall be in accord with the provisions of the latest edition of the NCSU Faculty Handbook.

ARTICLE I - Purpose

The purpose of this Constitution shall be to provide a framework and guidelines for the Faculty of the College of Education, North Carolina State University, to:

(1) consider issues of common concern affecting faculty welfare;
(2) promote communication among the faculty and between the faculty and administration;
(3) provide for wider faculty involvement in developing and establishing College of Education and
     University policy;
(4) conduct the business of the faculty;
(5) nurture the principle of academic freedom;
(6) facilitate the orientation of new faculty members.

ARTICLE II - Membership

Section 1. The voting membership shall consist of all full-time persons in the College of Education with the academic rank of instructor or above, and other personnel with titles or roles in the College of Education similar to those defined in Article II, Section 2 of the General Faculty Bylaws.

Section 2. Any member of this faculty with a joint appointment in another College and who is subject to the provisions of this Constitution shall be considered full-time on the same basis as those with appointments only in the College of Education.

Section 3. Non-voting members shall be accorded the privilege of participating in discussion at Faculty meetings.

ARTICLE III - Officers and Duties

Section 1. The elective officers of the Faculty shall consist of a Chairperson and a
Secretary. In order to provide continuity in leadership, the Secretary will assume the role of Chairperson following the year of service as Secretary. The Secretary will be elected annually by ballot during the month of April. In the event that both offices are vacated at the end of a term, both will be elected for one year by ballot during the month of April. The officers of the Faculty will assume their duties at Commencement.

Section 2. The duties of the Chairperson shall be:
(1) to preside at all meetings of the Faculty;
(2) to attend the Administrative Council meetings, express the views of the  faculty, and report items of interest to the faculty to serve as a member of the Coordinating Committee during the term as chairperson and the year following the term as Chairperson.

Section 3. The duties of the Secretary shall be:
(1) to keep the minutes of all Faculty meetings, circulate copies of the minutes to departments, and
handle correspondence;
(2) to obtain and update a list of voting faculty which is distributed to all voting Faculty at the beginning of each semester;
(3) to distribute a copy of the Constitution of the College of Education Faculty to new members of the    
Faculty; 
(4) to perform such other duties as may be designated by the Faculty;
(5) to notify each member of the Faculty at least five days in advance of the date of a regular or special meeting.    

Section 4. Coordinating Committee.
There shall be a Coordinating Committee consisting of the Chairperson of  the Faculty, the immediate past Chairperson of the Faculty, the Secretary of the Faculty, and the senators elected to represent the College of Education. Its functions shall be to determine the order of business for the regular business meetings, and to conduct those elections of collegewide officers and representatives as noted in Article VI of this Constitution.

Section 5.  Succession of Officers.
If a vacancy occurs, the role of the Faculty Chairperson shall be assumed by the Secretary. The existing Coordinating Committee shall conduct a special election according to constitutional procedures to fill the vacant office of Secretary.

ARTICLE IV - Meetings

Section 1. The Faculty shall hold at least one meeting during each semester of the academic
year. The Coordinating Committee shall determine the time for these meetings.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called by Chairperson or by vote of the Faculty. Special
meetings shall be called upon petition of ten percent of the voting Faculty to the Chairperson of the Faculty or upon a resolution of any Standing Committee to the Chairperson of the Faculty.

Section 3. Except in case of emergency, the Secretary shall notify each member in writing
at least five days in advance of the date of a regular or special meeting concerning the time, place, and agenda of a meeting.

Section 4. Voting in all faculty meetings shall be by voice vote, standing vote or by secret
ballot. A voice vote or a standing vote may be used on all matters unless a request is made for a secret ballot. A secret ballot may be requested by any member of the Faculty and must be honored. Only results of the elections shall be announced and recorded in the minutes unless two-thirds of the Faculty present demonstrates by standing vote that the actual count of votes shall be recorded. All other matters of voting shall be in accordance with the rules adopted by the Faculty.

Section 5. Any member of the Faculty shall be entitled to place an item on the agenda, if it is
presented in writing to the Chairperson at least six days prior to a regular meeting and if it pertains to the business of the College. Proposals from the floor regarding new business will be included on the agenda of the next meeting. However, the agenda may be altered or new business brought up by a two-thirds vote of the voting faculty present.

Section 6. Roberts’ Rules of Order shall be the official reference for parliamentary procedure.

Article V - Committees

Section 1. General Provision on Committees.
The Chairperson of each standing committee other than the Coordinating Committee shall be selected by the Committee.  Except for the Personnel Committee, all committee meetings shall be open to College of Education Faculty members. In addition to special reports that may be called for by the Faculty, all Standing Committees shall submit at least one progress report each year. All committee reports shall be distributed in the following manner: a copy to the Secretary of the Faculty, a copy to the Dean, a copy to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and a copy retained in the committee records.

Section 2. Special Committees.
The Faculty may create any special committees it deems advisable.

Section 3.  Standing Committees.
A. The following procedures are deemed basic to Standing Committee membership establishment except for the College of Education Reappointment Tenure and Promotion Committee (RPTC). (See Article VII).

(1) Membership shall be for three years except where shorter terms of some members (determined by
lot) are needed to facilitate a staggered term assignment.
             

(2) Each Standing Committee will have a least one student representative.  Student representation shall be undergraduate and/or graduate as deemed appropriate by the Committee. 
              

(3) Faculty shall be surveyed by Department Heads as to their preferences regarding which committee(s) they would like to serve on as members. Giving these preferences due regard, insofar as feasible Department Heads will make committee recommendations to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs by May 15 of each year, who will make the committee assignments for review by the Dean.

(4) The Dean has the privilege of appointing representatives of his/her office to any Standing 
Committee.

B. The following specifications for six Standing Committees shall be instituted with the establishment of the 1976-77 1998-99 committees and thereafter.

(1) Building,Equipment, Safety, and Space Committee. Will advise the Dean
on space usage, reorganization of space, and other functions to be determined by the Committee. Each department will have a representative; the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs will serve as a voting ex officio member.  The Committee shall also include one student member who is a graduate assistant. The chair will be elected by the Committee.

(2) Committee on Professional Education. Graduate and undergraduate programs that involve licensure shall be represented. This Committee will be advisory to the Dean and to the Office of Teacher Education. Faculty membership shall be appointed by department heads and will include 2 representatives each from the departments of Curriculum & Instruction and Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 2 representatives from CHASS and one representative each from Agricultural Education, Educational Psychology, Counselor Education, and Educational Leadership. Ex officio voting members shall be the Director of Teacher Education, Assistant Coordinator of TEPIE, Director of the Teaching Fellows Program, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of the Learning Technologies Resources Center and representatives from local school districts. Two students shall also serve on the committee. The Chairperson of the Committee shall come from the faculty representatives and will be elected by the committee; the Office of Teacher Education will provide staff support for the Committee. The agenda for the Committee shall be developed jointly by the Chairperson and the Director of Teacher Education.

(3) Courses and Curricula Committee. Each department with undergraduate
programs shall be represented to review undergraduate courses and curricula with members appointed by the Department Head or Coordinator. Chairperson shall be elected by the Committee. Membership includes the College representative to the University Courses and Curricula Committee.

(4) Graduate Studies Committee. Directors of Graduate Programs from each department, the elected College representative to the Administrative Board of the Graduate School, and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies will serve as voting ex officio members.  The committee will review graduate courses and curricula and make recommendations to the Dean regarding College graduate program policies and procedures. Chairperson shall be elected by the committee.

(5) Research Committee. Each department shall be represented.  The College Director of Research Development and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies will serve as voting ex officio members.  Chairperson shall be elected by the Committee.

(6) Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee. The membership and operation of this Committee have been approved by the faculty and the approved text is incorporated in Article VIII.

(7) Undergraduate Scholarship Committee. Each department with undergraduate programs shall be represented. The Assistant Dean for Student Services will serve as a voting ex officio member.  The chairperson shall be elected by the Committee. The purpose is to serve in an advisory role for the College's scholarship program.

(8) Awards Committee. Membership to include a representative from each department, the award winner from the previous two years, and a representative from the Dean’s Office.  The purpose is to manage the process of the EPA and SPA Awards for Excellence Program.

(9) Computer and Technology Committee. Membership to include two representatives from each department.  The Director of Computing and Network Services, the Director and Assistant Director of the Learning Technologies Resource Center, the Computer Labs Manager, and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies will serve as voting ex-officio members.  The committee will elect the chairperson. The purpose is to provide guidance and oversight of academic and administrative computing and related issues of technology in the College, including the expenditure of funds from the Education and Technology Fee budget.

(10) Council on Multicultural Initiatives and Diversity. The Council on Multicultural Initiatives and Diversity is charged with engendering a climate of mutual respect and social justice for all who serve and are served by the College of Education. It will advance educational, cultural, and philosophical principles that promote inclusiveness and advocacy and serve as a catalyst for faculty/staff engagement by fostering cross-cultural communication between and among the College’s diverse student, staff, faculty, and administrator groups. Membership will include two representatives elected from each department. Members will serve three year terms of office, and the terms shall be staggered to ensure continuity of activities. Departments will elect one member each year to accomplish the staggering. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, and Special Assistant to Dean for Diversity will serve as voting ex officio members. Annually, the Council will elect a chairperson and a chairperson elect for one year terms of office.

Section 4. Other College Committees and Special Representatives

A. Committee to Select Outstanding Teachers and Alumni Distinguished Professors. Membership and procedures shall be in accordance with instructions from the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

B. Student Grievance Committee Panel Faculty Representatives.  Membership and procedures shall be in accordance with instructions from the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

C. Coordinators. May be appointed by the Dean as needed to facilitate such collegewide efforts as United Fund and Diploma Presentation.

D. Faculty Senators. The Senators shall be selected in accordance with procedures contained in the N. C. State Faculty Handbook.

E. Faculty Mediation Panel. The College representative shall be selected in accordance with the procedures contained in the N. C. State Faculty Handbook. Term of office is two years.

F. Faculty Hearings Panel. College representative elected according to N. C. State Faculty Handbook. Term of office is four years.

G. Administrative Council. The Administrative Council remains a function of the Dean's Office.

ARTICLE VI - Elections

Section 1. The Faculty Handbook provides for the election of the College Senators and the
College representatives on the Faculty Mediation Panel and Faculty Hearings
Panel.

Section 2. The College shall also elect the Chairperson of Faculty, the Secretary of Faculty,
members of the College of Education Reappointment Tenure and Promotion Committee and the College of Education representative to the Graduate School Administrative Board.

Section 3. The College of Education Coordinating Committee shall conduct all elections
including those assigned to the College Senators as defined in the Faculty Handbook.

Section 4. Nominations to the above offices will be made in the following manner at times,
which best meet, the requirements of that office.

A. Faculty members may nominate eligible persons. Each nomination requires the consent of the nominated faculty member and the endorsement of one additional faculty member. A minimum of one week's time from the date of announcement should be allowed for conducting the nominations.

B. In the event more than two persons are nominated for one office, a primary election shall be held in which all nominations shall appear on a ballot. If no one candidate obtains a majority of the votes cast, the two persons obtaining the largest pluralities shall appear on the final ballot. A minimum of one week's time will be allocated for the primary election.

C. The final election shall be held with the names of both nominated persons appearing on a ballot distributed to eligible voters. The person receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. A minimum of one week's time will be allocated for the election.

ARTICLE VII - Collective Responsibility of the Faculty

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Faculty to formulate and maintain educational policy, to
make recommendations pertaining thereto, and to adopt rules and regulations appropriate to its implementation.

Section 2. In matters of common and equal concern to the College of Education and to any
other college of the university, the Faculty of the College of Education shall share coordinated responsibility, provided that such other colleges cooperate by full acceptance of complementary responsibility.

Section 3. The Faculty may express by formal resolution its opinion or desire on any subject
relating to the administration or policy of the College or University.

ARTICLE VIII - Personnel

The College RPT Committee shall consist of five tenured College of Education faculty members, who are elected by the tenured track faculty. No department head or college administrator may serve. College RPT Committee members represent the College, not any department or other entity. There may be no more than two College RPT Committee members from any one department. The committee shall consist of at least three full professors. Each member’s term of office shall be three years, with staggered appointments, and no member may serve consecutive full terms. The chair shall be elected by the College RPT Committee members. A candidate for promotion or tenure may not serve on the College RPT Committee during the year of candidacy. If members of the committee withdraw, they shall be replaced by elected members to serve the balance of the term.

Each spring following CED personnel actions, the Personnel Committee in conjunction with the Dean will review and recommend changes to the Personnel Procedures document as needed. Changes will be voted on by the faculty during the spring semester. (For a description of CED Personnel Procedures, refer to the CED web site.*)

ARTICLE IX - Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be initiated by any of the voting membership of the College of Education Faculty (See Article II) by submitting a written statement of the proposed amendment, with the signatures of ten or more sponsoring faculty members, to the Coordinating Committee.

Section 2. Amendments shall be approved upon a favorable vote from a two-thirds majority of those Faculty voting by means of a mail ballot in a referendum conducted by the Coordinating Committee.

Section 3. Absentee ballots shall be allowed and provided by the Coordinating Committee.

ARTICLE X - Ratification

Section 1. This Constitution shall be approved upon a favorable vote from a majority of those Faculty voting by a mail ballot.

Section 2. Absentee ballots shall be allowed.

 

last updated 5/22/09

 

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

208 Poe Hall,
Campus Box 7801
Raleigh, NC 27695-7801
(919) 515-5517