College of Health Sciences by-Laws

College Mission

By-Laws and Governing Policies

Organization

Membership

College Faculty

Standing Committees

Special Committees 

Amendments

Mission of the College of Health Sciences

The College of Health Sciences is the unit within the University responsible for developing, implementing, and administering programs related to the education of health care professionals.  This unit consists of the Departments of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Health Information Administration.

The College accepts the central mission of the University.  The primary purpose of the College is to promote the educational achievement of undergraduates and to prepare them to be caring and competent practitioners in a multicultural society.  The faculty recruits, educates and graduates individuals from groups who are underrepresented in the health professions.  As a community of scholars, faculty and students work with communities to develop and implement collaborative projects that enhance health and wellness.

The College provides the opportunity for professional education without regard to race, age, gender, religion, ethnic origin, or disability.  Graduates are prepared to deliver quality health care to all clients.

    Consistent with the stated mission, the goals are to:

1. Prepare competent health professionals who possess a sense of social, personal, and professional responsibility.
2. Prepare health professionals who can assume beginning leadership and management roles in health systems.
3. Promote interdisciplinary education and practice among students and faculty.
4. Provide professional education which builds on prior educational and life experiences.
5. Provide a foundation for continued professional development and graduate study.
6. Provide continuing education programs for health professionals.
7. Develop and implement health professional programs to meet current and future health manpower needs of the community.
8. Provide health programs to promote health and wellness for the community.

9. The College of Health Sciences is organized on two levels.  First, the Dean is responsible for the overall administration of the College.  Second, each department (nursing, occupational therapy, health information administration) is headed by chairpersons who are responsible for the day-to-day management of specific programs.

The faculty of the College of Health Sciences hereby establishes the following Bylaws to provide a mechanism for faculty participation in the formulation, modification, and implementation of the College’s policies, procedures, and practices governing educational programs, faculty development, student development and other matters necessary to accomplish the mission and goals of the College and the University.  The name of this organization shall be the College of Health Sciences.

The College functions as an autonomous unit within the University substantially controlling its destiny in relation to curriculum and personnel and providing input into the budget process of the University.

The Chief Administrative Officer for the College is the Dean.  The Dean or a designated representative shall preside at the All College meetings.  A representative from the Dean’s office will serve as an ad-hoc member on all standing committees.

     The members of the College include all full time part time faculty members in the College.  

IV.    College Faculty

A.    The Dean shall convene All-College meetings once a semester (Fall & Spring terms).

B.     The Dean shall convene a special All-College meeting when requested to do so in writing by one-third or more of the faculty or to address crucial issue(s).

C.    At least three day’s notice shall be given by the Dean to members of the College for any All-College meeting.

D.    A quorum at All-College meetings shall consist of one-third of the faculty members in each department. 

V.    Standing Committees

Committees of the College consist of standing committees and special committees. 

               General Procedures

College committee members are appointed by October 1^st for a three year term with a rotating schedule to provide for continuity.  No more than 50% of the membership of any committee will be replaced during any year.  Unless otherwise specified, a chairperson and secretary for each committee will be elected from the membership at its first meeting.

1.      The chairperson of each committee will submit a report of committee activities to the Dean’s office at the end of each semester (Fall and Spring).

2.      Each committee shall meet at least once per semester (Fall and Spring), or at the request of the Dean or a majority of the committee.

3.      Copies of committee meeting minutes shall be distributed to the Dean’s office.

4.      A quorum shall consist of the majority of the members present.

A.        Executive Council

1.                  Membership

The Executive Council consists of the Dean, Assistant Dean, Department Chairpersons, and the Director of the Wellness Center.  The Dean serves as chairperson of the Executive Council.

2.                  Duties

The council members will discuss and disseminate information which impacts the College, plan college-wide initiatives and make recommendations to the Dean.

3.                  Meetings

Meetings are convened bi-weekly and at the discretion of the Dean.

B.          Curriculum Committee

1.                  Membership

The Curriculum Committee consists of two faculty from each department

2.                  Duties

The Curriculum Committee reviews and makes recommendations on all new programs, changes in course requirements for major sequences, and additions or deletions of courses.

         C.           Faculty Development Committee

1.  Membership

The Faculty Development Committee develops events/activities that support and enhance knowledge and scholarly productivity.

          D.        Social Committee

1.     Membership

The Social Committee consists of one or more faculty members and one student from each department.  (One of the faculty members from each department shall be the representative to the student organization and the student shall be an officer from the student organization.)

  2.                  Duties

The Social Committee plans and implements College-wide and University events for faculty, staff and students.  Such events may include holiday parties, alumni weekend events, faculty retreats and college convocation ceremonies.

E.    The Recruitment and Retention Committee

 1.                  Membership

The Recruitment and Retention Committee consists of one or more faculty from each department

2.         Duties

The committee will plan and implement (a) interdisciplinary clinical events that will allow students to utilize their skills, (b) plan community health fairs, and (c) plan health-career information dissemination sessions that will enhance student recruitment into the College.                    

VI. Special Committees

A.  Grievance Committee

1.       Membership
   a.   The Dean of the College or his/her representative from College of Health Sciences.
   
   b.    The Chairperson or his/her representative from the department involved.
   
   c.    One college of Health Sciences faculty member not from the department involved.
   
   d.    One student from the department involved.
   
   e.     One student not from the department involved.

2. Committee Procedures
   
   a.    The Dean or his/her administrative representative shall appoint the Chair of the ad-hoc committee.
   
   b.    A committee is formed for each case and is disbanded at the completion of that case.  
   
   c.    The ordinary rights of parties at a hearing (student/instructor) shall apply, including:  right to notice of hearing and decision reached; right to be present at hearing, together with legal counsel; right to present and to inspect evidence. 
   
   d.    Specific procedures for the hearing of each case shall be determined by the members of the committee deliberating that case.

3. Step Prior to Hearing
   
   a.    Before a case can rise to the college level, it must have proceeded through three levels of deliberation:
   
           (1)    Conference between student and faculty member.
   
           (2)    Conference between department chairperson and student.
   
           (3)    Hearing before Department Grievance Committee.

B.  New Committee

Other special and/or ad-hoc committees may be appointed by the Dean at his/her discretion or upon a majority vote of the members of the college at its meeting.

VII.Amendments

These By-laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the full-time College faculty members.                     

An amendment to the by-laws must be submitted in writing to all members of the College at least two weeks prior to the College meeting in which the amendment will be moved for adoption.

A proposal to amend may be made by the Dean or by any College committee.  A proposal may be presented with a petition signed by at least one-third of the full-time college faculty members.