BYLAWS

FOR THE ACADEMIC ADVISING COMMITTEE

GEOSPATIAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROGRAM

AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – CORPUS CHRISTI

Article I – General Provisions

Section 1.01 – Purpose

The Academic Advising Committee (Committee) is an advisory committee established to provide a link between the professions and the Geospatial Systems Engineering Program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.  The Committee shall offer ideas and input to further develop the GSEN Program, and make suggestions for a quality curriculum that will produce well-rounded, highly-qualified graduates.  The primary purpose of the Committee is to assist the GSEN Program in preparing students to meet and exceed all of the requirements necessary for graduation and employment in the business community.  The Committee does not serve as a curriculum committee to approve or disapprove courses or the GSEN Program per se, but serves by suggesting guidelines which affect the curriculum of the GSEN Program.

Section 1.02 – Definitions

1. TAMU-CC – Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
2. Committee – TAMU-CC Academic Advising Committee
3. GSEN Program – Any TAMU-CC degree program relating to Geospatial Systems Engineering for which the University seeks advisement
4. GSEN – Geospatial Systems Engineering, refers to the industry as a whole
5. Chairperson – the Chairperson of the Committee
6. Member – a member of the Committee
7. Proxy – a person standing in for a member of the Committee who has been authorized to speak and vote on the behalf of the absent member

Section 1.03 – Scope

1. The Committee may offer and or recommend changes and improvements in policies and procedures that impact the degree plans of the GSEN Program.
2. The Committee may report on trends and conditions within the job market that may affect the GSEN Program and shall address the relevance of curriculum to workforce/community needs and industry standards (including educational effectiveness assessments).
3. The Committee may report on laws and regulations that may affect the GSEN Program and their effect on related student programs and issues as appropriate.
4. The Committee may appoint appropriate Ad Hoc committees to handle issues relevant to the GSEN Program and the Committee.
5. The Committee may provide advice regarding the work and alignment of the academic units thereby assisting the GSEN Program in maintaining the professional relevance of its work and curriculum.
6. The Committee may assist in detailing availability of resources to support improvement and innovation in the GSEN Program and may assist in the promotion of the Program in the community.
7. The Committee may promote grants, scholarships and other funding opportunities

Article II – Membership

Section 2.01 –  Structure and Qualifications of Members

The Committee shall consist of a minimum of seven members who are nominated and elected based on their involvement in GSEN.  Members of the Committee shall represent a diverse population, and shall not be employed by the university, or currently enrolled as students in the College of Science and Engineering.  Members shall represent the interests of the GSEN Program as a whole, as well as the individuals enrolled in the Program.  Sources of members shall include, but not be restricted to, representation of the following:

• Eminent practitioners in the related professions
• Academics from other universities, if appropriate
• Researchers
• Representatives of professional associations
• People prominent in community service
• School teachers
• Representatives of major relevant employers
• GSEN Program graduates

Section 2.02 – Term of Membership

Committee members shall be elected or reappointed for three-year terms, commencing with the fall meeting.  Provisions shall be made for staggered terms with 1/3 of the membership to be elected or reappointed each year.  To begin this process and to ensure there are experienced members at all times on the Committee, each one-third of the original Committee shall be assigned terms in alternate years decided by random drawing.   Thereafter, any elected or reappointed members shall serve on a standard three-year academic term basis.

Section 2.03 – Member Voting Rights

Each member shall have one vote and shall have equal standing and voting privileges except that a member shall not participate in investigations or vote on matters where a conflict of interest, professional or personal, may exist.

Section 2.04 – Member Reappointments

Members may be reappointed by unanimous consent.  The Chairperson shall notify any Member whose term is due to expire of their pending reappointment.  If the Member does not consent to a new term, then normal election procedures shall be followed to elect a replacement.  If the Member consents to a new term, then the Chairperson shall notify the Committee via regular meeting announcements.  Any Member may object to the unanimous consent at any time prior to reappointment.  If there are no objections, then the Chairperson shall reappoint the Member to a new term.  If any Member objects, then time shall be allowed for discussion, and a vote shall be taken.  If a majority vote for reappointment is not achieved, then normal election procedures for a new Member shall commence.

Section 2.05 – Procedures for Nominating New Members

In the event that a vacancy (or vacancies) occurs on the Committee, Members shall nominate a candidate (or candidates) for a replacement.  Members wishing to make a nomination shall first notify the candidate.  The notification shall be accompanied by a copy of the bylaws to ensure the candidate is made fully aware of the scope of responsibilities and terms of service.  A candidate willing to serve shall become an official nominee upon written confirmation of acceptance.  Said confirmation shall be submitted to the Chairperson along with relevant information regarding the candidate‘s qualifications and/or other reasons for nomination.  There shall be no limitations on the number of vacancies to be filled, or on the number of candidates to be nominated.

Section 2.06 – Voting Procedures

Voting shall not commence until the Committee has determined the number of vacancies to be filled, an adequate number of nominations have been received, and adequate time has been allowed for discussion.  Voting shall be by ballot and may be conducted by email if preferable.  Votes shall be cast only for the nominees listed on the ballot.  Each member shall vote once for each vacancy.  Where applicable, if a majority vote is not reached for any one candidate for a particular vacancy on the first ballot, then time will be allowed for discussion, and a second vote shall be conducted.  If, upon tabulation of the results of the second ballot, a majority is not reached, then a plurality shall be used to determine the winning candidate for that particular vacancy.

Section 2.07 – Removal or Resignation of a Committee Member

Removal of any Committee member shall require a majority vote of the entire membership.  If a member chooses to resign prior to their term of office, that member shall notify the Chairperson.  Then, the Chairperson shall notify the Committee via e-mail, and at the next scheduled meeting.  In the event that a member resigns or is removed before his/her term is complete, nominations shall be opened to fill the vacancy.  Any member elected in such manner shall first complete the term of the vacancy, then may be reappointed for a new three-year term as described herein.

Section 2.08 – Member Proxies

Members may appoint a Proxy to represent them at a meeting by notifying the Chairperson in writing, via e-mail, at least two days prior to the meeting.  A Proxy shall be considered a part of the Committee quorum and may vote in place of the absent member represented.

Article III – Officers

Section 3.01 – Chairperson

A Chairperson shall be elected from the membership of the Committee.  The Chairperson shall serve for a three-year term, with no term limitations, beginning at the fall meeting. The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings; shall represent the Committee as needed; shall establish rules of the meeting that will freely facilitate debate and decision-making; and shall indicate when a vote will be taken.

Section 3.02 – Vice-Chairperson

A Vice-Chairperson shall be elected from the membership of the Committee.  The Vice-Chairperson shall serve for a three-year term, with no term limitations, beginning at the fall meeting.  In the event of a vacancy in the Chairperson’s position, the Vice-Chairperson will succeed as Chairperson for the remainder of the Chairperson’s term, and the Committee shall elect a new Vice-Chairperson.  The Vice-Chairperson shall preside at meetings in the absence of the Chairperson and shall represent the Committee as needed.

Section 3.03 – Secretary

A Secretary shall be appointed by the Chairperson; confirmed by a majority vote of the Committee; and shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting.

Section 3.04 – Officer Reelection

An officer seeking reelection to a new term must so inform the committee.  The committee, while in session, must receive a motion and second for such officer’s reelection and, after discussion, if motion passes it shall serve as a reelection of said officer.  If no motion is offered or the motion fails, nominations and elections shall proceed as provided herein.

Article IV – Meetings

Section 4.01 – Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Committee may be held twice a year, once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester of the academic year.  Participation in the meeting may be in person, via a conference call or the internet.  A quorum of the Committee participating is mandatory in all such meetings for committee actions to be official. All meetings are open to the public and may be held online.

Section 4.02 – Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called by the Chairperson.  The Committee shall be given ample time to make arrangements to attend.

Section 4.03 – Quorum and Vote

The presence of a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  At any meeting lacking a quorum, the Members present may informally discuss matters on the agenda of interest to them.  While a quorum is necessary for any voting to take place, the majority rules in a quorum vote.  The only exception to the quorum-majority rule is for those votes regarding adoption or amendment of the bylaws.

Section 4.04 – Agenda Items

An agenda shall be prepared for each meeting.  The Committee may take action on items not appearing on the posted agenda as it deems necessary under New Business.

Section 4.05 – Disturbance of Meeting

Any person making personal, impertinent or indecorous remarks during the meeting or while addressing the Committee may be barred by the Chairperson from further appearance before the Committee at that meeting, unless permission to continue is granted by an affirmative vote of the Committee.  If no such permission is granted, the Chairperson may order that person removed from the Committee meeting room if they continue to cause a disturbance or interfere with the conduct of the meeting.

Section 4.06 – Access to Public Records Distributed at Meeting

Writings which are public records and which are distributed during a Committee meeting shall be made available for public inspection.  This is to include the minutes from all meetings.

Section 4.07 – Meeting Notices

The Chairperson, or their representative, shall e-mail notice of the regular meetings at least one month prior to the meeting date.  That notice may include a tentative agenda and a request for additional agenda items.   A special meeting may be called with no less than two weeks notice.

Section 4.08 – Meeting Minutes

The minutes are to be recorded by the Secretary.  The Secretary shall submit the minutes to the Chairperson for review and distribution to the Committee.  Any changes or corrections shall be noted on the minutes distributed at the next meeting for Committee approval.

Article V – Miscellaneous

Section 5.01 – Adoption and Amendment of Bylaws

These Bylaws shall be adopted and amended by the Committee by the affirmative vote of a majority of its total authorized membership, not simply by a quorum of members.  Proposed amendments to the bylaws must be distributed to the membership a minimum of one month before the vote.

Section 5.02 – Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Committee in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Committee may adopt.  In the best interest of time, controversies may be decided by a majority vote of participating Members.